OTTAWA, KS - Ottawa University men's head basketball coach Andy Carrier has been named College Coach of the year by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA). This marks the second time in Carrier's OU career that he has been named as the KBCA College Coach of the Year and the first since 1995, when he led the Braves to the NAIA National Tournament.

"I am flattered by this honor when I think of all of the great basketball coaches in Kansas at all levels. The honor is really a testament to all the great student athletes and assistant coaches we have had the pleasure of working with the past few years," said Carrier. "They are the ones who really deserve the credit and I share the honor with them. The KBCA does so much good to promote the game of basketball in Kansas; it makes the award even more special."

Carrier led OU to an overall record of 19-14 in 2009 and a KCAC record of 10-8, a fifth place finish in the KCAC. OU was seeded fifth in the KCAC Post Season Tournament and had to go on the road three straight games to qualify for the NAIA Men's Basketball Division II National Tournament. The Braves defeated fourth seeded Tabor College (76-63), first seeded and 23^rd ranked Sterling College (84-78 OT) and second seeded Kansas Wesleyan University (80-77). OU didn't stop its Cinderella story there, the unseeded Braves defeated the fourth ranked team in NAIA Division II, Walsh University (27-3), 91-83, to make it back-to-back trips to the ‘Sweet 16' for the first time in school history. The Cavilers were winners of their conference regular season and tournament championship.

"Andy is a quality person and that carries over to his coaching and plays a big part of his teams successes", said Kansas Basketball Association Executive Director Randy Walling. "Andy's teams are always competitive and hard working."

Carrier is second all-time in coaching victories in men's basketball with 262 behind Bill Frear's record of 267 wins. Under Carrier's leadership, OU also had two players score over 600 points in one season for the first time in school history and had its first 700 point scorer. Third team All-American DavidBirch scored 750 points which is the single season record for points and is first all-time. Honorable Mention All-American Phil McClintock scored 691 single season points, second all-time in school history.

"This is a well deserved honor after a season full of ups/downs, memorable moments and a exciting peak run through the tournament played all on the road," said OU Athletic Director Arabie Conner. "Coach Carrier consistently finds ways to get the most out of his teams and prepares them for challenges both on and off the court. To be recognized as the four year college coach of the year by an organization such as the KBCA makes this a very special award."

Carrier will receive the College Coach of the Year award at a reception for the KBCA All-Star game and its players on August 5, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. at Washburn Union on the Campus of Washburn University. Family and friends are all welcome to the reception and admission is free.