Bob Burchard

Bob Burchard (courtesy Columbia athletics)

Columbia College Head Men’s Basketball Coach Bob Burchard is the 2012-13 National Association of Basketball Coaches National Coach of the Year. Burchard has led Columbia to the first No. 1 ranking in program history.

The Cougars are the last remaining unbeaten team at 33-0 in all of college men’s basketball. This year’s national tournament appearance marks Columbia’s 17th trip in Burchard’s 25 seasons at Columbia, which also includes a runner-up finish at the 2009 championships. He was honored with the AMC Coach of the Year award for the eighth time this season and will also be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of fame later this spring on April 14th. Burchard earned his career 600th win earlier this year back on November 14th and has compiled an overall record of 630-225 since taking over the Columbia program in 1988.

Burchard will lead the Cougars into today’s first round matchup against Oklahoma City University (17-10). Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.