Men's Basketball coach Dave Rose was presented the Dale Rex Memorial award at the Y Awards on April 10. The Dale Rex Memorial award is given annually to the individual thought to have contributed the most to amateur athletics in the state of Utah.
"I find it a privilege to be a coach at BYU, and find it a privilege to come to work every day," Rose said after accepting the award. "It is an honor to associate with our teams. It makes me want to become a better person."
Since becoming head coach of the BYU Men's Basketball program on April 11, 2005, Rose has guided the Cougars to an impressive array of on-the-court awards and accolades while his unassuming approach to service and the community has been recognized at the top of his profession.
On Sunday, April 6, Rose was honored by the National Association of Basketball Coaches with its Game Pillar Award for Service, one of only four Pillar Awards (Education, Leadership, Service and Advocacy) that the Association annually bestows on the most deserving among its vast membership. While Rose has never sought such attention, his actions and accomplishments--both on the court and in the community--have commanded the praises of faithful followers and casual observers alike.
A tireless worker, gifted motivator, and talented strategist, Rose has returned BYU Basketball to the national stage with the program's first back-to-back top-25 seasons since 1981 and 1982. The Cougars have won 20 games or more in each of his three seasons as head coach. Rose's first year he produced the nation's second-most improved team, taking a BYU team that finished 7th in the MWC the prior year to a 20--9 record and second place in the conference. The last two seasons his Cougars were the Mountain West Conference's first-ever two-time, outright league champions. Historically, the last time a BYU team garnered back-to-back, outright league crowns was in 1979 and 1980 when the Cougars were led by Frank Arnold with a team that featured Danny Ainge.
With a 72--26 record, Rose has produced a three-year resume that is nearly unmatched. He ranks No. 2 nationally behind Tennessee's Bruce Pearl for the most wins among coaches who took over a program three years ago. He is No. 1 among coaches who took their first Division I job that season and ranks ninth all-time in the history of Division I basketball for the most wins in the first three years of a coaching career. This past year, Rose coached BYU to another NCAA bid and a 27--8 record that boasts the second most wins in school history. Along with a league-leading MWC record of 14-2, the 2007--08 Cougars also set MWC records for rebounds overall (1,351) and in league play (618) and tied league marks for most road wins overall (8) and in league games (6). Rose's team also set school records for regular-season wins (25), consecutive home wins (47), three-pointers made (285), and assist-to-field-goal ratio (64.8 percent). BYU's home victory streak is currently the best in the nation, and the Cougars also ranked in the top 20 nationally in field-goal percentage defense (8th), assists per game (14th), win/loss percentage (16th), and scoring margin (18th). The team's win over No. 6 Louisville was BYU Basketball's first victory over a top-6 team since 1965.
Rose coached the 2006--07 Cougars to an NCAA invitation, with a 25--9 overall record, and a MWC regular-season title (13--3) while earning his second consecutive MWC Coach of the Year award. He was conference and USBWA District VIII Coach of the Year in his first season in 2005--06 after turning a 9--21 team, picked to finish last, into a 20--9 winner and NIT qualifier. Rose is the only BYU Men's Basketball coach ever to win conference Coach of the Year honors in back-to-back seasons. One of three Cougar coaches to win 20 games in each of his first three seasons as head coach, Rose is the only one to do so after taking over a team that won fewer than 13 games the prior season.
With 25 years of coaching experience, including 13 seasons as a head coach at the Division I, junior college, and high school levels, Rose has a proven record of constant success. Prior to coming to BYU as an assistant in 1997, Rose compiled a 167--57 record at Dixie State College while guiding six of his seven teams to top-20 rankings, including a national ranking as high as No. 2. He earned three conference titles and was named the 1993 Scenic West Athletic Conference Coach of the Year. Rose was a two-sport athlete at Dixie before the Texas native return to his hometown, transferring to the University of Houston where he completed his degree and played in the 1983 NCAA Basketball Championship game.
Currently the Honorary Chairman of the Children with Cancer Christmas Foundation, Rose works with his wife, Cheryl, and the team to annually serve and comfort dozens of local families who endure the challenges of raising a child who has cancer. Rose, who was the first coach in the State of Utah to participate in the American Cancer Society's nationwide Coaches vs. Cancer campaign, served an LDS mission in Manchester, England, from 1977--79.
An important component in Rose's success is the unwavering support and encouragement of his wonderful family. Dave and Cheryl are the proud parents of three children (Chanell, Garrett, and Taylor). Whether it's his wife, children, in-laws, grandchildren, siblings, or parents, Rose has the support and love of those who matter to him the most. The Cougar Club joined with them, and his many friends and associates, in celebrating all that he has accomplished by honoring him as the 63rd recipient of the Dale Rex Memorial Award.