1.   It was rookie coach, Ray Rhodes, who got the most credit for keeping the team in check.

2.   Along the way, the rookie head coach has preached patience and positive thinking.

3.   And even before the season began, their rookie head coach, Pete Carroll, defined the special teams as a unit that had to be significantly upgraded.

4.   As befits a rookie coach, Ainge deferred on the punishment.

5.   As a rookie coach, I already had played in the league and worked in the league.

6.   As a rookie coach in the NBA, Calipari hopes his veteran players give him input.

7.   As a rookie coach last year, Scott felt he had to demand three-hour practices, disciplining with a scowl and extra sprints.

8.   Beard, of course, is the rookie coach of what for want of a better term is called a basketball team.

9.   Baltimore rookie coach Brian Billick certainly is interested in former student Johnson, but might have to battle Seattle for him.

10.   Bird won the award in a landslide, becoming only the fourth rookie coach ever to finish on top.