ROSEMONT, Ill.  – Maryland head coach Mark Turgeon has been named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year by the media, the conference office announced Monday.

“I'm incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished. This award is a testament to our coaching staff, players and administration who did a tremendous job preparing for our first season in the Big Ten,” Turgeon said.

“I am thrilled for Mark as he is very deserving of this honor, particularly with it being our first season in the Big Ten. Mark's tireless work ethic and commitment helped established a new school record with 26 wins,” Maryland director of athletics Kevin Anderson said.

Turgeon led Maryland to 26 wins in the regular season, a nine-game improvement from its 17 victories in the 2013-14 season, a mark that is second among schools in the Power Five conferences.  Maryland – which finished second in the Big Ten - cracked the Associated Press poll Top 10 for first time since Feb. 3, 2003 – a span of 12 seasons and has been ranked among the Associated Press Top 25 poll for 15 consecutive weeks, the longest such streak since 2002-03.

Under the guidance of Turgeon, who is in his fourth year at the helm of the Terrapin program, Maryland finished its inaugural season in the Big Ten with a perfect 9-0 home record, which included victories against then-No. 5 Wisconsin, Michigan State and Indiana. Overall, Maryland concluded with an 18-1 home mark at XFINITY Center.

"Coach Turgeon taught me how to lead and be patient.  He stood by me.  We stood by each other," senior guard/forward Dez Wells said. "I am really excited for him. He is an outstanding coach and very deserving of the award. Coach is such a hard worker who is committed to making Maryland Basketball the very best.”  

Maryland, (26-5 overall  14-4 in B1G), ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press poll, will open play at the Big Ten Tournament on Friday, March 13 against the winner of Indiana-Northwestern on 6:30 p.m. EST.

Big Ten Men's Basketball Honors

Mark Turgeon – Coach of the Year (media)

Dez Wells – First Team All-Big Ten (coaches); Second Team All-Big Ten (media)

Melo Trimble – First Team All-Big Ten (media); Second Team All-Big Ten (coaches); All-Freshman Team

Jake Layman – Third Team All-Big Ten (media); Second Team All-Big Ten (coaches)