ESPN.com - NCB - Donovan guided Gators through adversity

The no-brainer choice seemed to be Boston College's Al Skinner for coach of the year. Skinner took the Eagles from worst to first with his no-nonsense coaching style.

But Skinner didn't have the adversity that Florida's Billy Donovan had to endure.

Donovan lost two first-round NBA players. He also lost a daughter when she was fullterm in November. Yet, Donovan was able to get back to coaching and get the Gators back to the top of the SEC. He did it despite enduring injuries twice to Brent Wright, once to Teddy Dupay and a season-ending injury to Justin Hamilton. Donovan had to make more adjustments this season than any other coach. He was able to come through without any lingering problems, setting up another potential Final Four run.

Iowa State's Larry Eustachy is deserving of a potential repeat in this award. Eustachy took a team that was supposed to suffer without Marcus Fizer and made the Cyclones a national contender again.

Providence's Tim Welsh will chase Skinner for the honor in the Big East. Welsh endured an off-court fight that took away three players in the spring and still put together one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. The Friars are back in the NCAA Tournament quicker than anyone thought was possible just a year ago.

St. Joseph's Phil Martelli found the point guard no one else thought was as good in Jameer Nelson. He put him next to a veteran crew and coached the Atlantic 10 champs. His humor and whit shouldn't disguise his basketball mind which is getting more respect daily.

Ole Miss' Rod Barnes was picked last but found his way to first in the SEC West with his intense defensive approach. Barnes' work ethic was rewarded by his players' belief in his coaching style. He's got the Rebels back in the NCAAs in a quicker turnaround time.

North Carolina's Matt Doherty had to come up with a committee approach at the point and it worked. He added football player Ronald Curry to freshmen Adam Boone and Brian Morrison. His energy rubbed off on the Tar Heels as they shot to No. 1 in the nation. He was not the first choice for Carolina but he's appearing to be the best choice. The results don't lie.

Stanford's Mike Montgomery had the core group back from last year, but wasn't supposed to be this good. The Cardinal stuck with their system and shot to the top of the polls with a determination that they do belong as one of the elite teams in the nation. Montgomery doesn't get the credit he deserves nationally, but the Bay Area knows he's one of the best minds in the game.

Michigan State's Tom Izzo took a gamble by not starting heralded freshmen Marcus Taylor and Zach Randolph. But neither one complained and the Spartans became a better lot because of earn mentality in the program. Taylor's injury in the latter part of the non-conference schedule tested the team but they shot back to the top of the Big Ten, assuming their rightful place next to Illinois with a chance to defend their national title.

And, who can even begin to understand what Oklahoma State's Eddie Sutton had to go through in coaching a team that lost 10 members of its basketball family in a plane crash in late January. Sutton held the team together and kept the Cowboys on track for an at-large bid by late February.

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