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Curl honored with USBWA Coach of the Year for '03-'04

Cougar Sports Services

Though the Lady Cougars may be finished with their 2003-'04 season, the fruits of their labor keep getting sweeter. 

And even though Houston had an All-American, senior Chandi Jones, and a handful of top-notch role players, the ultimate responsibility lies with the one who calls the shots. 

And UH head coach Joe Curl called all the right shots for the Cougars. 

Curl received the latest of what could be a healthy series of coaching awards on Wednesday, earning the National Coach of the Year award from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Curl was honored with espn.com's version of the award earlier this season. 

In the most successful season in the program's history, Houston won 28 games and lost only four. 

The Lady Cougars earned a No. 3 seed in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament but fell 56-52 to California-Santa Barbara in the second round, a game that was played on the Lady Gauchos' home court. 

The Lady Cougars also won the first conference championship in the program's history, winning both the regular-season Conference USA championship and the C-USA tournament. 

In his six seasons at UH, Curl has an overall record of 154-114, good for a .572 winning percentage. 

Duke's Alana Beard, a three-time Associated Press 1st Team All-American, earned the USBWA National Player of the Year award, and Texas forward Tiffany Jackson won the Freshman of the Year award. 

Curl should be one of the leading contenders for the AP Coach of the Year award, which will be awarded later this month.

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