LAS, CRUCES N.M. – NM State Men's Basketball Head Coach Jason Hooten has been named a finalist for the Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award, which honors a division I coach who exemplifies success on the court while demonstrating outstanding moral integrity off of it.
This marks the fourth time in Hooten's career that he has been recognized as a finalist and his first as head coach of the Aggies, having previously been named in 2019, 2022, and 2023.
Hooten is the only head coach from Conference USA to be named a finalist this year. He joins an elite group that includes Kelvin Sampson (Houston), Rick Barnes (Tennessee), and Chris Beard (Ole Miss), among others.
In his second season leading NM State, Hooten has guided the Aggies to a 16-13 overall record and a 9-7 mark in Conference USA. Under his leadership, NM State has improved from a seventh-place finish in its first CUSA season to currently holding the fourth seed as the program continues its rebuilding efforts.
The award is named in honor of the late Skip Prosser, the former Wake Forest head coach who compiled a 126-68 record over six seasons with the Demon Deacons. The award is presented annually to a division I coach who not only achieves success in basketball but also embodies strong character and leadership.
SKIP PROSSER AWARD FINALISTS
Rick Barnes - Tennessee
Brian Barone - SIU Edwardsville
Chris Beard - Ole Miss
Brad Brownell - Clemson
Shane Burcar - Northern Arizona
Mark Byington - Vanderbilt
John Dunne - Marist
Steve Forbes - Wake Forest
Jason Hooten - New Mexico State
Ben Jacobsen - Northern Iowa
Robert Jones - Norfolk State
Billy Lange - Saint Joseph's
Grant Leonard - Queens
Bart Lundy - Milwaukee
Niko Medved - Colorado State
Ryan Odom - VCU
Kelvin Sampson - Houston
Jon Scheyer - Duke
Patrick Sellers - Central Connecticut State
Duane Simpkins - American
Pat Skerry - Towson
Tony Skinn - George Mason
Shaka Smart - Marquette
Billy Taylor - Elon
Stan Waterman - Delaware State
For complete coverage of NM State men's basketball during the 2024-25 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Men's Basketball), Twitter (@NMStateMBB) and Instagram (@NMStateMBB)
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