UConn coach Geno Auriemma is one of four finalists for the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year, an honor he has received seven times.

Here is the release which was sent out a few minutes ago

Four candidates have advanced to the next round of voting for the 2017 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year. The group features three would-be first- time winners, both individually and for their university, and a coach who already has claimed seven awards. Karen Aston (University of Texas), Geno Auriemma (University of Connecticut), Scott Rueck (Oregon State University) and Vic Schaefer (Mississippi State University) make up the final ballot, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today.

The four finalists were chosen by the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s national voting academy, comprised of leading journalists from around the country, current and former head coaches, former Naismith Award winners and conference commissioners, who based their selections on outstanding coaching performances during the 2016-17 college basketball season. The vote was tabulated and certified by Aprio, formerly Habif, Arogeti & Wynne, the largest full-service, independent CPA-led business advisory firm based in Atlanta.

This year, fans have a say in the overall voting process. Between March 20-31 fans can visit www.naismithtrophy.com/vote to cast their ballot for one of these four Naismith Award finalists. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31 and fans are limited to one vote per day. The fan vote will account for 5% of the total vote.

The 2017 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s Coach of the Year winner will be announced on April 1.

About the finalists:
Karen Aston
Led Texas to a 23-8 (15-3 Big 12) record, including a 19-game win streak, the 10th-longest in program history
The Longhorns posted six wins against Associated Press Top-25 opponents during the 2016-17 season
Recorded her fourth consecutive 20-plus win season in her five-year tenure
Secured a No. 3 seed in the Lexington, KY region, the Longhorns fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance
Aston became the second-winningest head coach in Texas school history (112 victories), trailing only Jody Conradt
Aston was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year for the first time in her career

Geno Auriemma
Led UConn to its fourth straight American Athletic Conference Tournament championship, as well as its fourth consecutive AAC regular-season crown
The Huskies are 32-0 this season and have won 107 straight contests dating back to 2014
Completed the regular-season without a loss for the ninth time in his career
Was named American Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year
Took the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament (Bridgeport, CT Region)
Won the Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year on seven previous occasions (2016, 2009, 2008, 2002, 2000, 1997, 1995)

Scott Rueck
Guided OSU to a 29-4 overall record (16-2 in the Pac-12), the second-highest single-season win total in program history
Led the Beavers to a third consecutive Pac-12 regular-season title in a year when OSU was projected to finish fifth in the  league
Was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year for the fourth time in the eight-year history of the award
Has a record of 151-80 at Oregon State, the second-highest win total in program history
Oregon State is 112-25 over the last four seasons
Open the NCAA Tournament as a No. 2 seed in the Stockton, CA region
Vic Schaefer
Led the Bulldog team to a 27-3 record, tied for the second-most wins in school history, including a school-best 13 games in the SEC
Became the first MSU coach to win 25-plus games in three straight seasons
Recorded the program’s first-ever win at Tennessee and halted Iowa State’s 96-game home win streak in regular-season non-conference games
Guided MSU to its first top-5 national ranking, and the No. 5 RPI in the nation
Recorded MSU’s top 3 single-season wins marks each of the last three seasons
Received the program’s highest seed in the NCAA Tournament, with a No. 2 seed in the Oklahoma City,  OK region
The inaugural Werner Ladder Naismith Coach of the Year award went to Pat Summitt (University of Tennessee) in 1987; she went on to win four more (2004, 1998, 1994, 1989).
For more information, visit www.naismithtrophy.com.