GREENSBORO, N.C. (theACC.com) - After earning Atlantic Coast Conference Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year honors from the league’s head coaches, NC State’s Wes Moore has been named the 2021 United States Marine Corps/Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year.
Moore becomes the fourth coach from current ACC member schools to garner the recognition, joining Florida State's Sue Semrau (2015), North Carolina’s Sylvia Hatchell (1994) and Notre Dame’s Muffet McGraw (2001 & 2018).
Additionally, eight ACC student-athletes were named region finalists for WBCA All-America honors, the second most of any conference. Florida State’s Morgan Jones, Georgia Tech’s Lorela Cubaj and Lotta-Maj Lahtinen, Louisville’s Dana Evans, North Carolina’s Janelle Bailey, NC State’s Elissa Cunane, Notre Dame’s Maddy Westbeld and Syracuse’s Tiana Mangakahia earned the selection.
The selection committee will choose the 10-member Coaches’ All-America team from the 52 finalists.
“The WBCA is proud to announce Wes Moore as the 2021 recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy presented to the United States Marine Corps/WBCA NCAA Division I National Coach of the Year,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle M. Donehew. “We also congratulate the other head coaches who were selected by their peers as finalists for this prestigious award.
"Respected and well-liked by his peers, Wes is a winner. He was a college basketball player and has continued his love of the game through coaching. He has won at every NCAA level throughout his very successful career. He is a talented teacher who pushes his student-athletes to realize their full potential in basketball, the classroom and life. Wes was chosen for this honor after leading his team to an exceptional season. The WBCA recognizes and applauds his leadership example that can be seen in his student-athletes, institution and community."
Now in his eighth season leading the Wolfpack, Moore has directed NC State to a 22-2 record this season and a third straight appearance in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Sweet 16. The Wolfpack earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament for the first in program history. Moore recently led the Wolfpack to its second consecutive ACC Tournament championship and their sixth overall.
Moore guided NC State to a pair of victories over the nation's top-ranked teams (South Carolina and Louisville), making his squad the first program in the last 20 years to earn two wins against the Associated Press No. 1-ranked team and first to do so with both on the road. Under his direction, NC State compiled a perfect 11-0 home record and was the only league team without a home loss during the season.
"I appreciate this special honor because it carries the WBCA name and represents all the great coaches that I respect so much," said Moore. "I realize, in many ways, this is a team award, so I'd like to thank all of the unbelievable players we have at NC State, as well as the assistant coaches and staff that play such an important role in our success. Again, thank you WBCA for this award, but more importantly for allowing me to associate with so many wonderful people in this great game of ours."