Holtmann Finalist for Phelan Coach of the Year

0:00On March 6, the Paul Men's basketball coach, Chris Holtman, is now a finalist for the 2025-26 Jim Fielin Coach of the Year Award. This honor from CollegeInsider.com goes to the top division one head coach each year. It's named after legendary coach Jim Fielin, who built a story career at Mount St. Mary's University. Holtman is one of three biggies coaches in the running, alongside Yukon's Dan Hurley and St. John's Rick Patino. This is the third time he's made the finalist list in his career. In his second season with the Blue Demons, DePaul holds a 16-win 13-loss record, with eight biggies victories, the second most in program. History. The team has turned heads on defense, ranking top 40 nationally and top 30 in assist rate. They've notched three straight big-east road wins for the first time ever, and swept three conference opponents this season. DePaul eyes the highest biggies tournament seed in school history, when the regular season wraps Sunday. Last year marked a huge turnaround under Holtman, jumping 11 wins from the prior season, and

1:04setting a program record with 314, made three pointers. The nation's biggest Ken Palm improvement came from DePaul that year too. A ten-member panel of coaches and insiders will pick the winner, with the announcement coming in Indianapolis during the division one, Men's Basketball. Championship. Paul's momentum has everyone watching closely as they push for postseason success.