University of San Francisco basketball coach Rex Walters has been named the West Coach Conference Coach of the Year, reports the Japan Times.
Walters was raised by his mother who is from Japan and played in the Japanese American youth basketball leagues.
His team this year won 20 games against just 10 losses and placed second this year.
The USF Dons are scheduled to play in the quarterfinals tomorrow in the conference tournament against the University of San Diego. (Update: On March 18, the Dons will play in their first NIT Tournament game since 2005. The 4th seeded Dons will host 5th seeded LSU Wednesday, March 19)
It was the Dons first 20 win season since the 81-82 season.
You can read Walters reaction to winning Coach of the Year in the Japan Times. and hear him talk about his connection to his Japanese American heritage in the clip from Rick Quan below.
You can read his jubilant reaction to getting an NIT bid in SF Gate.
