By Clay Burnett 
The brackets are out and March Madness is officially here! With all 68 teams set to start competing Tuesday night, we went ahead and ranked every head coaches from #68 to #1. From up-and-comers to future Hall of Famers, here’s how we see all 68 coaches stacking up.
68. Donny Lind (Mount St. Mary’s)
First-year coach Donny Lind has led Mount St. Mary’s to their seventh NCAA Tournament bid. The Mountaineers struggled a bit after transferring to the MAAC in the 2022 season. They went just 26-39 in their first two years in the conference. Lind changed that in his debut season, leading Mount St. Mary’s to a 22-12 record (12-8). The Mountaineers won on three straight nights to capture a conference tournament title. Those three victories were also some of the best defensive performances the team has put on all season (allowed 54.0 PPG after allowing over 70 PPG during the regular season). The 38-year-old Lind is just coming into his own, and could find his way to a bigger school in the near future.
67. Tony Madlock (Alabama State)
The SWAC champions are led by Tony Madlock, a longtime coach that has no shortage of experience. Madlock got his start in 1995 at his high school alma mater before landing his first collegiate coaching gig at Arkansas State. Madlock spent time on the bench for UTEP, Auburn, and Ole Miss, and eventually joined Penny Hardaway’s staff at Memphis. South Carolina State made Madlock their head coach in 2021, but he lasted just one season before being picked up at Alabama State. The Hornets have improved their record each year under Madlock. All three of their SWAC tournament games came down to the wire, but Alabama State stayed poised and stamped their ticket to the NCAAs.
66. Travis DeCuire (Montana)
Travis DeCuire took over at Montana in 2014, replacing Wayne Tinkle who accepted the head coaching position at Oregon State. The Bears made the tournament three times in Tinkle’s last five seasons. It took DeCruire four years to get back to the NCAAs, but he made it in consecutive seasons in ’18 and ’19. After a few down seasons, Montana responded with a strong 24-win campaign last year. They were even better this season, 25-9, and absolutely dominated the Big Sky with a 15-3 conference record. Coaching at his Alma Mater, DeCruire is a two-time Big Sky Coach of the Year recipient.
65. Dwight Perry (Wofford)
Perry has a lot to live up to at Wofford. This is a program that went to five NCAA Tournaments from 2010-19 under former head coach Mike Young. After Young left for Virginia Tech, Jay McAuley took over and and appointed Perry as one of his assistants. Perry was on McAuley’s staff for three years, and promoted to interim coach when the latter resigned. Three months later, Wofford made Perry the official head coach. The regular season didn’t go as expected for the Terriers — who went just 10-8 in conference play — but they made up for it with a strong run in the Southern Conference Tournament.
64. Chris Crutchfield (Omaha)
Chris Crutchfield has turned Omaha from a cellar-dweller in the Summit Conference into an NCAA Tournament team. He took over a program that had completely bottomed-out. When Crutchfield took the job in ’22, the Mavericks had won just five games in each of the previous two seasons. They won nine games in Year 1 under Crutchfield, 15 games last year, and set a school-record with 22 wins this season. And, he’s been able to turn it around with mostly home-grown talents. Five of the Mavericks’ top six scorers are upperclassmen who began their careers at Omaha. Crutchfield kept his core group together and developed them along the way.
63. Rob Krimmel (Saint Francis)
What a run it’s been for Saint Francis and head coach Rob Krimmel. Krimmel took over in 2012 for a team that had just gone 6-23 the year before. In his first year, the Red Flash finished even worse with a 5-24 record. Year 2, they doubled their win total finishing 10-21. With each season, the program improved — eventually peaking at 22 wins in 2020. The Red Flash lost in the NEC Final that year just days before the season was cut short. Saint Francis failed to win 10 games in three of the next four seasons, and it seemed like Krimmel was on the hotseat. They finished 16-17 this season, and had a shocking run through the NEC Conference Tournament. Krimmel’s squad outlasted the heavily-favored Central Connecticut State Blue Devils in the final to clinch the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearances since 1991.
62. Duane Simpkins (American)
A former Maryland standout in the 90s, Simpkins began as an assistant while he was still playing professional basketball overseas. His first, big collegiate gig came with UNC Greensboro in 2012. He also worked as an assistant at George Mason for nine seasons. Simpkins was hired by the American Eagles two years ago, and has already built them into the top team in the Patriot League. And, he’s doing this with mostly the previous regimes players. Imagine how good the Eagles can become once Simpkins gets a few of his own recruiting classes into the program.
61. Phil Martelli Jr.(Bryant)
Bryant’s head coach is a familiar name for college basketball fans. His father was the longtime coach at Saint Joseph’s and was there when the team made an Elite Eight run with Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. Phil Martelli Jr. spent 15 years as an assistant before finally landing the head coaching gig at Bryant. The program won 20 games in his first year. This season, Bryant went 14-2 in conference play before lighting their opponents up in the American East tournament. The Bulldogs will not back down against any opponent.
60. Lennie Acuff (Lipscomb)
Acuff spent 23 seasons as Alabama-Huntsville head coach in the Division II ranks. The program gradually developed under his watch, and Acuff ended his tenure with the most wins in Gulf South Conference history. He earned his first D-1 head coaching gig at Lipscomb in 2019. The Bisons won 20 games in ’23 and ’24, but came up short in the ASUN tournament both years. 2025 was the team’s official breakout under Acuff. They won 25 games and breezed through the conference tournament. Lipscomb has never had trouble scoring under Acuff. However, they made a giant leap defensively this year. In ’24, the Bisons ranked 306th in points allowed. This year, they’re 55th. Personnel can impact that sort of improvement, but defense can be largely attributed to good coaching.
59. Scott Cross (Troy)
Cross landed his first D-1 head coaching gig at UT Arlington in 2006. In his second year with the Mavericks, Cross led them to a Southland Conference title, and lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to a Memphis team led by Derrick Rose. He would go on to win three regular season conference titles at Arlington. Cross was hired at Troy in 2019, and has quickly turned the program around. The Trojans have won at least 20 games four years in a row and boast one of the best defenses in the country.
58. Takayo Siddle (UNC-Wilmington)
38-year-old UNC-Wilmington head coach Takayo Siddle has already put together an impressive resume. After starring for the basketball team, Siddle accepted an assistant coaching job at Gardner-Webb in 2010. He was an assistant under Kevin Keatts at Hargrave Military Academy and NC State. In 2020, Siddle was finally hired as a head coach at UNC-Wilmington — where he was previously an assistant from 2014-17. The Seahawks only played 17 games in Siddle’s first year, but have at least 21 wins in his four other seasons. With the job he’s done at Wilmington, we wouldn’t be surprised if he gets offered at a bigger program by season’s end.
57. Andrew Toole (Robert Morris)
It took some time for Robert Morris to get acclimated in their new conference. The program moved from the NEC after the 2020 season, and went 12-39 in their first two years in the Horizon League. They won 26 games this year, and Toole was awarded the conference’s Coach of the Year award. It will be the second time Toole has led Robert Morris to the Big Dance. In 2015, the Colonials fended off North Florida in a battle of 16-seeds before losing to a Duke team that eventually won the national title.
56. Brian Barone (SIU-Edwardsville)
Southern Illinois-Edwardsville has improved steadily under Brian Barone’s watch. The Cougars won just 12 conference games total in three years before Barone took over in 2019. This year alone, SIUE won 13 games in the Ohio Valley Conference, and blew out the No. 1 seed Southeast Missouri State in the OVC Tournament final. Credit for the turnaround has to go to the Cougars’ defense. They pack the paint and are extremely active at contesting shots. The year before Barone was hired, SIUE finished 346th out of 353 D-1 schools in points allowed per game. This season, the Cougars were 35th in point allowed and 23rd in defensive rating.
55. Robert Jones (Norfolk State)
Robert Jones coaches one of the most consistent Mid-Majors in the country. Norfolk State has won the MEAC regular season title five times in the last seven seasons. This will be their third NCAA Tournament appearances since 2021. They drew Florida in the first round in a rematch of a tournament game that took place in 2012 — when a 7-seed Florida toppled Norfolk State as a 15-seed. The Spartans hope they can recreate some of the magic they had in that 2012 season when they took down the No. 2 seed Missouri in the Round of 64.
54. Bryce Drew (Grand Canyon)
Bryce Drew may not be at Grand Canyon for much longer if he continues to pile up wins. Since joining GCU ahead of the 2020-21 season, Drew has compiled a 120-39 record. The Antelopes have reached the NCAA Tournament in four of Drew’s five seasons in charge and upset No. 5 Saint Mary’s in last year’s tournament. Drew’s final two seasons at Vanderbilt didn’t go well, but it is only a matter of time before he receives an opportunity with a bigger program.
53. James Jones (Yale)
One of the longest tenured coaches in the country, Jones has been Yale’s head coach since 1999. The first decade-plus of his tenure didn’t result in a ton of success as the Bulldogs failed to reach the NCAA Tournament between 1999-2015. However, two years after finishing runner-up in the CIT, James and the Bulldogs reached the big dance. This will be the fifth time Yale has reached the NCAA Tournament under Jones.
52. Alan Huss (High Point)
Last season, in his first year as High Point’s head coach, Alan Huss led the Panthers to a program-record 27 wins and a Big South regular season championship. It was the most wins for any rookie head coach in 2024. This year, they won even more games (29), notched a second-straight Big South title, and will be going to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. Huss, a former assistant under Greg McDermott at Creighton, has earned Big South Coach of the Year honors both years he’s been with the program. The Panthers are riding high entering the tournament, having won 14 in a row.
51. Dennis Gates (Missouri)
The 45-year-old has had a bit of a mixed bag at Mizzou. He came over having led Cleveland State to an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2020-21. In Columbia during his initial year, Gates led the Tigers to the Round of 32. Last year, Mizzou went an abysmal 8-24 (0-18 in SEC play). This year, Mizzou did a total 180 — going 21-10. The Tigers might not play a ton of defense, and they likely won’t be great on the boards. Having said that, Gates is excellent in crafting transition sets where his athletes can get out and run on misses. He’s been highly effective in creating this type of culture.
50. Ritchie McKay (Liberty)
Now 59, Ritchie McKay has been a head coach for nearly 30 years. McKay’s first opportunity came with Portland State in 1996. After brief stops at Colorado State and Oregon State, respectively, McKay coached New Mexico for five seasons in the early 2000s. Now, the longtime coach is manning the Flames for the second time. McKay briefly led the program from 2007-2009 and returned to the sidelines in 2015. In his second tenure, McKay has transformed the program into a winner. Liberty has reached the NCAA Tournament three times since 2018 and just won the Conference USA crown in its second year in the league.
49. Jerrod Calhoun (Utah State)
Utah State has become a staple in the NCAA Tournament, having made three straight with three different coaches. This season, Jerrod Calhoun leads the Aggies. Calhoun was the head coach at Youngstown State for seven years before accepting the Utah State job. Youngstown State won 20 games in ’23 and ’24, and were the regular season champions in the Horizon League two years ago. Under Calhoun, the Aggies play a selfless brand of basketball which enables one of the more potent attacks in the country. His offensive principles allows for a team that ranks near the top of the country in assists while not committing a high amount of turnovers.
48. Chris Jans (Mississippi State)
The Iowa native has taken Mississippi State to three straight NCAA Tournament appearances. This is not an easy fit considering the program’s relative lack of a basketball history — coupled with being ‘the other school’ in the state. Jans has won everywhere he’s been — which included taking New Mexico State to three tournament appearances before moving on to the SEC. Jans’ teams are slow and methodical on offense. However, they are very measured in taking care of the ball and there’s often a maturity within how they operate.
47. John Groce (Akron)
John Groce has been a successful coach at every stop. After winning 60.3% of his games and reaching the NCAA Tournament twice — including a trip to the Sweet 16 — in four seasons at Ohio, Groce spent five years at Illinois. While he only reached one NCAA Tournament with the Illini, his teams still won more than they lost. Now at Ohio, Groce is thriving. The Zips finished the regular season 28-6 (17-1) and have reached the tournament for the third time in four years.
46. Richard Pitino (New Mexico)
The younger Pitino is finding his footing with the Lobos. After stops at FIU and Minnesota, New Mexico has been a very nice fit for Pitino’s preferred style of play. He’s done a great job blending together a roster with experienced transfers and underrated gems from the prep ranks. Nabbing Donovan Dent out right from under UCLA’s nose in Southern California was a stroke of genius. In three years under Pitino’s tutelage, Dent has become one of the best guards in the country. The Lobos have won 25 games in two straight years — and this likely will continue as long as Pitino is in charge. At only 42 years of age, it’s only a matter of time until a program from a bigger conference tries to lure Pitino from Albuquerque.
45. Rodney Terry (Texas)
Terry went from being an interim option to becoming the full-time head coach once Chris Beard and Texas severed ties with one another. Previously Terry had been with UTEP and Fresno State. He took Texas to the Elite 8 two years ago. This past year, the Longhorns were bounced in the Round of 32. This year, Texas narrowly got into the field in one of the play-in games between two No. 11 seeds. If Texas suffers another early exit, the pressure on Terry will be ramped up even further than it currently is.
44. Mike White (Georgia)
White is familiar with navigating through a rugged SEC schedule from his time as the head coach of the Florida Gators. White coached at Florida from 2015-22 where he led the Gators to four NCAA Tournament berths. Taking over at Georgia, White inherited a team that won just six games the year before he got there. They improved by 10 wins in Year 1, won 20 in Year 2, and are a tournament team in Year 3. While an 8-10 conference record doesn’t look like much, White’s Bulldogs scraped and clawed their way through the toughest conference in college basketball.
43. Brad Brownell (Clemson)
The Indiana native has quietly built a very nice program at what’s universally considered to be a football school. He’s been with the Tigers since 2010, and in that time, Clemson has made five NCAA Tournaments. This includes seven seasons with at least 20 wins. In a sport constantly changing and evolving, Brownell is a great example of consistency at the highest level.
42. Eric Olen (UC San Diego)
Let’s talk about a coach and program that is making a statement. Eric Olen has been with UC San Diego since 2004. In 2013, he became the head coach and the Tritons haven’t looked back. Formerly in Division II, Olen led the Tritons to three regular season CCAA titles and four DII tournaments. In 2020, UCSD was 30-1 when the pandemic ended the season. This year marks the first year UCSD is eligible for the NCAA Tournament after a four-year probation period. Olen’s group won the Big West and finished the regular season 30-4. Now, the Big Ten Tournament champion Michigan Wolverines await.
41. Ryan Odom (VCU)
Here is a coach who should be a familiar face for college basketball fans. Ryan Odom was the coach of UMBC in 2017-18 when it became the first 16-seed to knock off a 1-seed — thumping Virginia by 20 points. Following three more years at UMBC and two at Utah State, Odom joined VCU. Now, the Rams will be the third program Odom has led to the NCAA Tournament. The Rams went 15-3 in the A-10 and won both the regular season title and the conference tournament. Odom remains a coach on the rise — his team will not be an easy out.
40. Niko Medved (Colorado State)
A longtime assistant coach — including a stint as a Colorado State assistant from 2007-2013 — Medved has now taken the Rams to the NCAA Tournament three times. Before leading Colorado State, Medved coached Furman to the CIT semifinal and guided Drake to the CIT, as well. Following a 12-20 record in Year 1 at State, Medved has guided the Rams to five 20-win seasons including this year’s 25-9 mark.
39. Porter Moser (Oklahoma)
A stellar run at Loyola Chicago enabled Moser to take the leap up to the SEC program. Things haven’t gone to plan thus far — as this is the first year (of four) in which Moser has led the Sooners to the NCAA Tournament. Even then, the Sooners finished 13th in the SEC and will play as a No. 9 seed versus No. 8 UConn. There’s still time for Moser to establish himself in Norman. He’s got the coaching chops — but much will be determined via the transfer portal and recruiting considering how deep the SEC is top to bottom.
38. Ben McCollum (Drake)
McCollum has the Bulldogs in the NCAA Tournament in his first year with the program. Drake hired McCollum following a brilliant 15-year run at Northwest Missouri State. McCollum became one of the most decorated D-2 coaches in history, winning four NCAA Division II national championships. Drake began conference play 2-2, but finished with a 17-3 record in the MVC. McCollum was named the conference’s Coach of the Year for his efforts. He didn’t exactly take over a rebuilding program — Drake’s former coach, Darian DeVries, led the Bulldogs to NCAA Tournament appearances in three of the last four seasons before taking over at West Virginia — but leading a team to 30 wins in your first year in Division I cannot be overlooked.
37. Kevin Young (BYU)
Young recently got the BYU head coaching job after being a multi-year NBA/G-League assistant. At only 43 years of age, Young appears to be a great longterm fit for the Cougars. In their first year within the Big 12, the team has been fantastic on the offensive end of the floor. Young’s emphasis on spacing enables BYU to share the rock as well as any within the conference. Even more exciting for the program is next year’s arrival of elite NBA prospect AJ Dybantsa.
36. Penny Hardaway (Memphis)
Give Hardaway credit for being introspective in improving as a head coach. Getting talent to Memphis has never been an issue. However, team chemistry was periodically problematic, and it led to some extremely underachieving basketball. In the offseason, Hardaway shook things up to stabilize the program — and it’s worked very well. He’s a true players coach, and Hardaway’s in-game adjustments have been noticeably improved from where they were previously. Also give Hardaway credit for leading Memphis to seven straight years with at least 20 wins.
35. Mark Byington (Vanderbilt)
Byington parlayed an excellent run at James Madison into an SEC job. The Dukes were 32-4 under Byington last year, boasting one of the top offenses in the nation. They upset the No. 5 seed Wisconsin Badgers in the Round of 64 before losing to Duke. In their last season under previous coach Jerry Stackhouse, the Commodores finished 9-23 and had the worst scoring offense in the SEC (313th nationally). Byington turned that around in just one season. A middle-of-the-pack SEC team is still better than most schools in the country. Vanderbilt finished 9th in scoring in the conference, which was good enough for top-50 nationally.
34. Kevin Willard (Maryland)
Formerly with Seton Hall, Kevin Willard has led Maryland to the NCAA Tournament in two of his first three years on campus. The Terrapins finished below .500 in Willard’s second season (16-17), but the addition of three key transfers turned around the program in an instant. Maryland finished the regular season with 24 wins and a second-place finish in the Big Ten. Three of the Terps top five scorers are the transfers — Ja’Kobi Gillespie (14.9 PPG), Rodney Rice (13.7), and Selton Miguel (12.0). After going 12-3 to close the regular season, Maryland has become a popular pick to make a run in March.
33. Dusty May (Michigan)
In 2023, Dusty May made a name for himself while coaching FAU to a Final Four — a season that ended on a San Diego State buzzer-beater to prevent FAU from reaching the National Championship. May led the Owls back to the NCAA Tournament last year before taking the job at Michigan. May inherited a team that cratered last season. The Wolverines finished 8-24 (3-17) and fired Juwan Howard after three disappointing seasons in a row. In his first year, May has guided Michigan to a 22-9 record and a third-place finish in the Big Ten.
32. Greg Gard (Wisconsin)
The 2024-25 season has the potential to be Greg Gard’s best one yet as Wisconsin’s head coach. Since taking over in 2015, Gard has led the Badgers to the NCAA Tournament six times. While the Badgers have only advanced to the Sweet 16 once with Gard, this year’s squad may be the one to breakthrough to the Elite Eight. Wisconsin finished fifth in the Big Ten but it has two guards capable of carrying the team in March. John Tonje (18.9 PPG) and John Blackwell (15.6) have both scored 30+ points multiple times this year.
31. Grant McCasland (Texas Tech)
In no real universe should Texas Tech be a top-10 College Basketball program. Yet, McCasland is an exceptional head coach with a real penchant for player development and team chemistry. McCasland toiled away at Arkansas State and North Texas before landing this gig. He was an under-the-radar name, and the hiring didn’t receive much fanfare when announced. Yet, McCasland has already built a culture that should thrive for years to come. He loves personnel that can play with versatility on both ends of the floor.
30. Shaka Smart (Marquette)
Smart and Marquette have been a perfect pairing. He coaches teams that are hard-nosed, high-energy, and physical in nature. Prioritizing guard play, he loves pressing with his defenses as a means to get the tempo going. Marquette’s secondary transition game when they constantly get wide-open threes is nearly unstoppable at times. Smart has proven to be a very capable coach, and Marquette is not the type of team you want to see come March.
29. Brian Dutcher (San Diego State)
Dutcher has turned SDSU into one of the best defensive programs in America. The Aztecs are relentless on that end of the floor, and there’s some interesting parallels to what Houston does. Dutcher recruits long athletes with an emphasis on quickness as opposed to scoring ability. One of the best Mid-Major programs in the country, Dutcher has led the Aztecs to six NCAA Tournament appearances. This included a spot in the title game back in 2023 (where San Diego State was bested by UConn).
28. Mark Pope (Kentucky)
Pope’s career in the NBA had led to him cultivating a very sophisticated offense in Lexington. His Wildcats run true professional sets, and as such the spacing within the team’s concepts is fantastic. He took a big risk by leaving a cushy BYU gig in order to coach his alma mater — a pressure-packed job with gigantic expectations. Thus far, Pope has seemingly aimed to build a roster through skill, shooting, and experience — something former head coach John Calipari neglected in favor of athleticism and youth. As is the case with every UK head coach, Pope will be judged mostly by what he does in March.
27. Pat Kelsey (Louisville)
Kelsey cut his teeth at two good Mid-Major programs in Winthrop and Charleston. Being a Cincinnati native, it made sense he’d covet the Louisville job. Once it opened up, the Cardinals acted quickly to hire him. He’s won everywhere he goes, and Kelsey already reversed the fortunes of Louisville after a disastrous last season. There’s a world in which Kelsey quickly makes Louisville a power in the ACC. He’s also got a chance to develop into one of the better head coaches in the sport.
26. Brad Underwood (Illinois)
The Big Ten has a handful of very good coaches and Illinois’ Brad Underwood is near the top of the pack. Before coming to Illinois in 2017, Underwood led Stephen F. Austin to an 89–14 record, three consecutive conference championships and three trips to the NCAA Tournament. He briefly coached Oklahoma State and led the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament in his lone season in Stillwater. After two losing seasons and the Covid shortened 2020 campaign, Underwood has led Illinois to March Madness five years in a row. With two legitimate NBA prospects leading the way, Underwood’s team can make some noise in this year’s tournament.
25. Todd Golden (Florida)
Florida is having a fantastic season — and Golden’s stamp on the program has officially been realized. Remember, he did a superb job at San Francisco leading the Dons to the NCAA Tournament before making the jump up to one of the best programs in the SEC. Golden’s offensive scheme is diverse and effective, and it’s enabled SEC-level athletes to thrive in the open court. At only 39 years of age, the sky truly is the limit for the Arizona native.
24. Randy Bennett (St. Mary’s)
Bennett has been at St. Mary’s since 2001. During this time period, he’s built one of the best Mid-Major programs in the entire country. His connections to the country of Australia have resulted in some fantastic players coming over to the tiny California college before eventually becoming NBA players (Matthew Dellavedova, Jock Landale, Patty Mills, and Alex Ducas come to mind). The Gaels have made the NCAA Tournament 11 times under Bennett. While bigger schools have made overtures, the 62-year-old has remained steadfast in his dedication to this program. Bennett has accrued an eye-popping .718 win percentage at the school (as of Mar. 13).
23. Tommy Lloyd (Arizona)
Arizona has been a strong program since Lloyd came over as a Gonzaga assistant coach. Under the Mark Few tree, it’s unsurprising that Arizona is more offensively-gifted with an emphasis on transition basketball and positional versatility. Also similarly to Few, Lloyd has continued the penchant for signing players from overseas — particularly from Europe. While the defensive end of the floor has been a bit inconsistent, Arizona should be a contender within the Big 12 for years to come. The next step for Lloyd as a head coach is getting the Wildcats to a Final Four.
22. Buzz Williams (Texas A&M)
Williams is one of the more underrated coaches in College Basketball. He often doesn’t get the praise most do especially considering his resume. He took Marquette to five NCAA Tournament appearances. He also took Virginia Tech to three Big Dances before moving to College Station. In the midst of his sixth year with the Aggies, Williams has built a top-10 program on the back of aggressive, energetic, physical players. His method in building a program has worked consistently throughout his career, and it’s impressive that he’s able to have won at a high level in three different major conferences.
21. Rick Barnes (Tennessee)
The wizened veteran is the dean of the SEC. Barnes has been a head coach dating back to 1987 with George Mason. Since then, he’s been the leader of Providence, Clemson, Texas, and currently Tennessee. His teams play disciplined basketball and undoubtedly prioritize the defensive end of the floor. Barnes has only led one team to a Final Four (more than 20 years ago). If things break right this year for the Vols, they’re certainly good enough to get back to that spot.
20. Will Wade (McNeese)
Will Wade’s dismissal at LSU was filled with controversy. Before gettin that job in Baton Rogue, Wade had impressive stints at Chattanooga and VCU. The Tigers won 25 games in Wade’s second year, and he was bringing in top recruiting classes yearly. Massive recruiting violations led to LSU eventually terminating his contract. After a season away, Wade was hired at McNeese and has immediately transformed the program. The Cowboys are 57-10 over the last two years, and have a great shot to pull off an upset or two in the NCAA Tournament. It will be interesting to see the offers Wade receives following the conclusion of McNeese’s season.
19. Mick Cronin (UCLA)
After three strong seasons in a row, Mick Cronin’s team struggled immensely last season. The Bruins reached the Final Four in Cronin’s second season — his first was cut short due to the season being ended by the pandemic — and proceeded to reach the Sweet 16 the next two seasons. Last year, UCLA finished 15-16. Known for his defensive prowess and intense (sometimes over-the-top) coaching style, Cronin has his team back in the mix this season. Transfers Skyy Clark, Kobe Johnson, and Eric Dailey Jr. have given the program a boost and helped UCLA finish 4th in the Big Ten. Per KenPom, UCLA is 1-of-12 teams that ranks in the top 40 in offense and the top 25 in defense.
18. Hubert Davis (North Carolina)
UNC grad Hubert Davis has had a bit of a mixed bag during his tenure as head coach of the Tar Heels. He took North Carolina to the title game his first year. Since then, UNC missed the tournament, finished last year in the Sweet 16, and just barely squeaked in as the last team in the field this season. His recruiting has never been a huge issue — though player development and tactical acumen has somewhat been called into question. Another rough season in 2026 could create a hot seat situation.
17. Dana Altman (Oregon)
From Creighton to Oregon, Dana Altman has long been one of the top coaches in college basketball. Altman joined the Ducks in 2010 and has failed to reach the NCAA Tournament just three times since 2012. Last year, Oregon went 24-12 and reached the Round of 32 in its final season as a member of the Pac-12. Now in the Big Ten, Altman’s Ducks have spent a majority of the season ranked and won their last seven ahead of the Big Ten Tournament. With a team that is seemingly peaking at the right time, it would be unwise to overlook Altman and the Ducks.
16. Sean Miller (Xavier)
Miller is a rock-solid coach. Four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances at Xavier led to him getting the Arizona gig. 12 years at Arizona resulted in three Elite 8 appearances. However, with Miller not getting over the hump to a Final Four, he was relieved of his duties. He bounced back at Xavier where he can mold young talent and operate with veteran multi-year program players. You know his teams will be well-prepared, fundamentally sound, and highly energetic.
15. T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State)
The Milwaukee native is a rising star within the industry. After stops at UNLV and South Dakota State, he’s led the Cyclones to four-straight NCAA Tournaments. This includes two Sweet 16 appearances and three years with at least 22 wins. His teams physically mash you on the defensive end — particularly with his guards. One can imagine some bigger programs trying to lure Otzelberger from Aames. It’ll be something to watch in the upcoming years.
14. Greg McDermott (Creighton)
Creighton is not an easy place to coach. The Blue Jays aren’t located in a city where most big-time recruits would like to be situated. It also doesn’t have the cachet some of its peers have within the Big East. However, that hasn’t stopped Greg McDermott from making this program highly competitive on an annual basis. Player development under his stewardship has been excellent. McDermott’s offensive sets are immensely potent, and there’s no doubt they are among the best in the sport today. When you can win consistently at Creighton, you’re an exceptionally gifted head coach.
13. John Calipari (Arkansas)
Even if the perception of Calipari as a head coach has fallen off considerably from where it’s been, he still deserves his flowers as one of the better coaches in the country relatively speaking. He won a title at Kentucky and built a very strong program at Memphis. Prior to that, he helped UMass reach unprecedented heights. Arkansas paid him a ton of money to leave the cauldron in Lexington. Even though this is not the UK job, there’s still ample pressure to perform. This year’s team has battled both injury and inconsistency to become situated right on the NCAA bubble.
12. Nate Oats (Alabama)
Oats is the type of coach every player would want to play for. His teams operate with high energy and a thirst to get out in transition and score at will. He prioritizes an analytics-heavy offensive scheme — where taking threes and layups/dunks off drives are highly prioritized. He’s been able to build rosters heavy on athleticism throughout his tenures at Buffalo and now Alabama. Oats is a new-age coach with a visible desire to win at the highest level. We’ll see if Alabama can get over the hump and avoid upsets earlier in the tournament (something that’s been a bit of an albatross from Oats during his tenure in Tuscaloosa).
11. Jon Scheyer (Duke)
Scheyer has the reputation as being a fantastic recruiter. It helps when you’re funded as well as Duke is. There are some questions whether he can take this program back to a Final Four. He’s still only 37 years of age in the infancy stages of his coaching career. Duke will give him every opportunity to thrive at the highest level. We’ll see if Scheyer can take advantage. At this point, the jury is still out.
10. Chris Beard (Ole Miss)
Beard knows how to coach basketball. After leaving Texas, Beard ended up at a school known predominantly for football. All he did was transform Ole Miss into a very good SEC program — and one that will be a tough out in the NCAA Tournament. If you’re looking for an endorsement of Beard, look no further than Rick Pitino. In a recent interview, Pitino spoke about visiting Beard during his tenure at Texas Tech. He was astounded at how well Beard’s practices were run. With all due respect to Texas Tech, if you can take them to two Elite 8s — including an appearance in the National Championship Game — you know what you’re doing at an exceptionally high level.
9. Matt Painter (Purdue)
Despite the ridicule his program has faced for coming up short in the NCAA Tournament, there is no denying Matt Painter’s standing as an elite coach. Painter is known for his ability to create a high-powered offense no matter the personnel at his disposal. Now in his 20th season, Painter led the Boilermakers to back-to-back 1-seeds (2022-23, 2023-24) and reached the National Championship Game last season. His current group is not as talented as the past few teams, but it has enough talent to win a game or two in the tournament.
8. Bruce Pearl (Auburn)
Pearl is unquestionably one of the best coaches in the country. There’s a body of work here few can match — dating back to when he took Milwaukee to multiple NCAA Tournaments. Since then, we’ve seen Pearl have elite success at both Tennessee and Auburn. Currently, the Tigers are among the biggest threats to win this year’s NCAA Tournament. Having been to the Final Four only once in his coaching career, Pearl is surely motivated to cut down the nets with what could be the best team he’s ever had.
7. Kelvin Sampson (Houston)
Sampson has built an exceptionally strong culture at Houston. His players defend as well as any in the country. They’re also fundamentally sound and play within themselves. It’s a very mature approach — and one that’s not all too surprising considering Sampson’s NBA pedigree. He’s been a program builder for the majority of his head coaching tenure, and his win percentages at virtually every stop speak for themselves. Houston has quickly gone from being a Mid-Major to one of the more consistent teams nationally.
6. Mark Few (Gonzaga)
Mark Few has done everything there is to do as a coach, except for win a national title. The Zags haven’t missed an NCAA Tournament since Few took over in 1999. They’ve had eight 30-win seasons since 2013. They’ve been to the National Final twice, coming up short against North Carolina and Baylor. In 2021, they nearly completed a perfect season before falling to the Bears in the championship game. Few has gotten the job done with relative unknowns and with premier NBA talents. All that’s left for him is to finally bring a title to Spokane.
5. Scott Drew (Baylor)
Drew has been with Baylor dating back to 2003-04 season. In the 20+ years in Waco, he’s built Baylor into a national power. Countless NBA players have been developed under Drew’s tutelage. He led the program to a NCAA title back in 2020-21 after a fantastic 28-2 campaign. While Baylor has somewhat sputtered over the last handful of years relative to expectations, the Bears are in a very solid place with Drew at the helm. He’s one of the most decorated and consistent coaches in the sport currently.
4. Tom Izzo (Michigan State)
Michigan State hasn’t advanced past the Sweet 16 since the 2018-19 season, but the legendary Tom Izzo is once again proving why he is regarded as one of the best coaches of all time. Under Izzo, the Spartans have not missed the NCAA Tournament since 1997. With Izzo at the helm, the program has reached seven Final Fours and won it all in 2000. Izzo’s current team is his best since the 2018-19 team that reached the Final Four and has a chance to cut down the nets in a few weeks.
3. Bill Self (Kansas)
Despite Kansas uncharacteristically having a struggle of a season by its standards, there’s no denying Self’s status as one of the best college coaches in the country. His teams are uniquely positioned to defend at an above-average level — yet also operate offensively with very good sets. Self is an excellent pre-game strategist, and perhaps even better as an in-game adjuster. Once he leaves Lawrence and retires, it’ll be an extremely tough act to follow. He’s essentially owned the Big 12 for the last two decades.
2. Dan Hurley (UConn)
Despite UConn having a rough season by its standards, the Huskies have truly thrived under Dan Hurley’s leadership. He led the program to back-to-back NCAA Titles largely based on a sophisticated offense featuring sets that NBA teams have stolen from him. Hurley coaches with emotion, and that has had a tendency to get him in trouble at times. The theatrics on the sidelines can be a bit over-the-top. Having said that, no one can question his passion for the game. Hurley knows how to motivate his players, and his prowess as a tactician is among the best in the sport.
1. Rick Pitino (St. John’s)
Pitino is a coaching icon — and you’d be hard-pressed to find a more established coach at this point in the collegiate game. He won National Titles at Kentucky and Louisville. He built good programs at Iona, Providence, and now back home with St. John’s. He also has NBA coaching experience, and Pitino without a doubt is a player’s coach that commands respect while also enabling his players to play freely. It’s the perfect combination for St. John’s to thrive. Based on his recruiting in the portal, Pitino has already built one of the best programs in the Big East.
Brian Thomas 
Carson Mays 
Ty Bronicel