Scott Drew has been a pillar of consistency from the moment he stepped onto the Baylor basketball court in 2003. Drew took over Baylor’s basketball program after the team’s previous scandal hurt all future prospects. In his first season as head coach, Drew led the team to an 8-21 record despite a program probation. Just four years later, Drew’s squad earned a 21-11 season where they landed a spot in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1988. In 2009, Drew’s Bears accomplished a phenomenal feat- notching a 28-8 record and making the NCAA Elite 8. The 2011-12 team made a historic 30-8 run before again advancing to the Elite 8. Although their 2013 season wasn’t as victorious as the past, the Bears recorded a 26-12 season and won the NIT championship in the postseason. Drew’s teams have consistently advanced to the NCAA tourney each year but his 2016-17 team accomplished historic heights. The team opened the season 15-0 including wins over No. 4 Oregon, No. 7 Xavier, No. 10 Louisville and No. 24 Michigan State. The Bears earned their first No. 1 AP and coaches’ ranking in school history. They also made the quickest journey from unranked to the top spot in AP poll history. They finished the season with a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA tournament. In just 14 years, Drew has taken Baylor basketball from a scandal-ridden program to a shining light on the court. He deserves recognition for all of his hard work in recruiting and coaching and should be named Coach of the Year.
