Mark Adams, Scott Drew Only Big 12 Coaches on Naismith Watch List

Posted on February 18, 2022

Texas Tech head coach Mark Adams and Baylor head coach Scott Drew are on the 2022 Naismith Coach of the Year Late Season Watch List, announced on Friday.

The list also includes a former Big 12 coach, Marquette’s Shaka Smart, and a future Big 12 coach, Houston’s Kelvin Sampson.

Drew was named a finalist for the award last year and has been on the watch list three straight seasons. This is Adams’ first appearance on the watch list.

Adams has led Texas Tech to a No. 11 national ranking and a 20-6 record in his first season at the helm. The Red Raiders have swept Baylor, split with Kansas and have the chance to sweep Texas on Saturday. Adams was an assistant coach under Chris Beard, who left Texas Tech to take over at Texas after last season. But, Adams had 544 career wins as a head coach in various divisions before taking the job.

Drew led the Bears to the national championship last April. Baylor is ranked No. 7 in the country but spent a significant portion of this season at No. 1, marking the fourth time in six seasons that the Bears spent at least one week at No. 1. The Bears are 21-5 this season and are coming off a loss to Texas Tech on Wednesday. Drew, in his 19th season in Waco, has earned the Big 12 Coach of the Year award twice.