Rimas Kurtinaitis named Coach of the Year

Khimki head coach Rimas Kurtinaitis has been named the 2013-2014 VTB United League’s Coach of the Year.

The prize for the top coach was first established this season. The League’s expert panel, featuring seven basketball legends from five League countries—Ivan Edeshko (Russia), Jiri Zidek (Czech Republic), Ilona Korstin (Russia), Armand Kraulins (Latvia), Tomas Pacesas (Lithuania), Sergei Tarakanov (Russia) and Heino Enden (Estonia)—made the final selection.

Following a poll of the expert panel, Rimas Kurtinaitis picked up the most votes (4 of 7). The Lithuanian coach beat out UNICS boss Andrea Trinchieri (2 votes), as well as CSKA's Ettore Messina (1 vote) for the Coach of the Year award.

During the VTB United League regular season, Rimas Kurtinaitis and his Khimki squad took first place in Group B, while becoming the first team in League history to go undefeated, finishing 18-0! The Moscow Region club (at home and on the road) twice defeated reigning League champions, CSKA Moscow. With the best overall record, the team receives a first-round playoff bye and will begin the postseason in the quarterfinals as one of the top favorites to bring home the title. 

Rimas Kurtinaitis will receive his Coach of the Year award during the playoffs.

- I don't really gun for individual awards, - noted Rimas Kurtinaitis. - I just do my work and try to do it well. I won't hide, though, that I'm very happy. The VTB United League includes not just Russia, but also the top clubs in Eastern Europe, which is why it is certainly a big honor for me to be selected as the best coach in the regular season. This is an award for our entire team, since we're one united whole.