Mountain View girls basketball coach Dave Houle has earned so many awards it would seem there aren't too many awards out there that would impress him.
Not so.
Thursday night he was home working on basketball plays when he got a call telling him he had been chosen by the National High School Coaches Association as the National High School Girls Basketball Coach of the Year for 2002.
"I was really surprised," Houle said. "I'm flattered. To think that for one year, your peers named you the best coach in the country, I just don't know how to put it into words."
Being honored is nothing new to Houle, whose Bruins have won nine of the last 10 state basketball titles, including this season's championship. He coached in the first girls McDonald's All-American game this winter and also coached at the Olympic Training Center this spring.
He was inducted into the National Federation Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Utah Coaches Basketball Hall of Fame a year later. He holds a national record five state championships in a single school year in 1997, as he coaches girls and boys cross country and girls and boys track in addition to basketball.
He was featured in USA Today as the most winning high school coach in American history. His current record in basketball is 304-30 in his 23 years.
Houle retired from teaching at Mountain View this year but will continue to coach all three sports.
The native of Dugway said he continues to be surprised at the honors that come to him but not the success of his student athletes. He referred to a book he'd recently read, "The Art of War," when he said he tries to prepare his players for nothing but success.
"If you prepare and prepare, then don't be surprised by the outcome," he said, quoting the book. "But sometimes I'm surprised about things like this. The kids make me look good."
He said he thought his team and his coaching were garnering more attention recently because of the Bruins' consistent ability to win against teams in Utah and in out-of-state tournaments.
"I'm very, very proud of it," he said of this most recent honor. "It sets you apart, and it's nice having your peers say you're the best coach."
E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com