UM’s Katie Meier has received the 2013 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award.

From UM Athletics

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (January 8, 2014)—University of Miami women’s basketball head coach Katie Meier, who led the USA Under-19 team to a gold medal and perfect 9-0 record at last summer’s 2013 FIBA U19 World Championships, is co-recipient of the 2013 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year award, sharing the honor with Florida men’s coach Billy Donovan.

“First of all, I don’t think anyone who coaches for USA Basketball should ever receive an individual award,” Meier said. “USA Basketball is such a great organization, and Carol Callan and her staff are so knowledgeable and supportive that I personally just felt blessed to be a part of it all. I’m truly honored and do consider this as the highest of awards. Thanks to USA Basketball for letting me share in their gold medal streak.”

The USA Basketball Board of Directors is responsible for selecting USA Basketball’s annual awards.

“Billy and Katie provided tremendous leadership for our U19 teams, and the results they achieved in a competition that is so challenging were impressive,” said Jim Tooley, USA Basketball CEO and executive director. “Not only did the U.S. teams win, but they played with passion and demonstrated great sportsmanship, and that is a credit to these two respected coaches.”

Under the direction of Meier, the USA topped its opponents by an average of 43 points per game during the July 18-27 U19 championship in Lithuania. Prior to the FIBA U19 World Championship, Meier and Team USA won the Lanzarote International Invitational Tournament in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, with exhibition wins over Australia, Spain, and Canada.