Former Sonics Coach George Karl Wins NBA Coach Of The Year

George Karl, who like Mariner manager Lou Piniella was controversial during his time with the Sonics, has won his first Coach Of The Year award.  Karl has coached the Denver Nuggets since 2005 and this year coached the team to 57 wins. The most in it's history.  The team, however, had an early exit in the play-off against Golden States.  One of the knocks on Karl when he was with the Sonics is that he could rack up wins during the season, but only once could it go deep in the play-offs.
Karl is 6th in all-times wins amongst past and present NBA coaches.  He does not have a championship ring.  Karl's honor is the longest time a coach (25 years) has gone before winning that award.  He is a two time cancer survivor.