Riverdale, N.Y. (March 3,2006)- Manhattan College head coach Bobby Gonzalez has been named "The Rock" 2006 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, its was announced today by MAAC Awards Ceremony at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y.
This season has may go down as Gonzalez's best coaching job, as he has led the Jaspers to the MAAC Regular Season Championship, despite losing the team's most talented player after 16 games, and being forced to dress just eight players for seven games due to injuries and suspensions.
Gonzalez also coached his 200th game this season, and is moving up the Manhattan all-time wins list, having compiled a 127-75 career record (62.9%), and an even better 85-41 (67.5%) mark in MAAC games, the best winning percentage among current MAAC coaches and the seventh best mark in the history of the conference. The Jaspers clinched the regular season title in the final seconds of the final game of the regular season, as Manhattan downs rival Iona, 78-74, on Senior Night at Draddy Gym on Sunday, February 26.
Gonzalez was recognized with this honor following the 2002-03 season.
Manhattan is currently 18-9, 14-4 in MAAC play and, by virtue of its regular season championship, advances directly to the semifinals of the MAAC Tournament. The Jaspers will next play at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 5 at the Pepsi Arena in Albany, N.Y.
