Story Courtesy Elon sports information

ELON, NC - Elon head men's basketball coach Ernie Nestor was named the Southern Conference Coach of the Year by Collegeinsider.com as announced today. Nestor, in just his third year at the helm of the Phoenix, guided Elon to a 15-14 overall record, including a 10-4 mark in league play to earn the Southern Conference North Division title.

After struggling to a 2-9 start this season, the Phoenix stunned Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Clemson for a 74-69 road victory to ignite an eight-game winning streak. Elon won 13 of its last 18 contests, including its last eight games at Alumni Gym.

The Phoenix turned in a perfect 7-0 slate versus Southern Conference competition at Alumni Gym, including a victory over College of Charleston on Feb. 6 for Nestor's 100th career coaching victory.

Elon's 15 wins this season mark the program's most victories since moving to the Division I level in the 1999-2000 season. It is also the first winning season for Elon since 1996-97 while the North Division crown is the first time since 1974 that Elon has captured a regular-season conference title.

Nestor also garnered Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors as selected by both the league's coaches and the league's media.