# 10 -
Career Coaching Record: 688-240 (Winning %: 0.741)
NCAA Tournament: 18 Times (48-16), 7 Final Fours, 2 Championships
No matter where he goes he wins, period. He has Louisville competing for a Top 10 ranking every season for the past few years and may be able to repeat this season due to how well his team has came together over the past few weeks.
Although a title repeat is somewhat unrealistic to expect, with solid players inside and outside it'd be a shock if Coach Pitino didn't at least make it to the Elite 8 in this years Tournament.
Rick Pitino - Louisville Cardinals (26 - 5) Career Coaching Record: 688-240 (Winning %: 0.741)
NCAA Tournament: 18 Times (48-16), 7 Final Fours, 2 Championships
No matter where he goes he wins, period. He has Louisville competing for a Top 10 ranking every season for the past few years and may be able to repeat this season due to how well his team has came together over the past few weeks.
Although a title repeat is somewhat unrealistic to expect, with solid players inside and outside it'd be a shock if Coach Pitino didn't at least make it to the Elite 8 in this years Tournament.
# 9 - Shaka Smart - Virginia Commonwealth Rams
Career Coaching Record: 137 - 45 (Winning %: 0.753)
NCAA Tournament: 3 Years (8 - 3)
Shaka is one of the youngest coaches in all of Div I college basketball and he has quickly become one of the games great minds. After taking the entire basketball world by surprise during their 2011 run to the Final Four - including a win over #1 seeded Kanasas which earned the "Best Upset of 2011" at ESPN's annual ESPY Awards - VCU is looking for more! Coach Shaka and his RAMs began the 2013-14 season as just 1 of 7 teams with at least one win in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons. With an experience group and their innovative style of play - Smart might be able to pull off some more magic this year.
Career Coaching Record: 137 - 45 (Winning %: 0.753)
NCAA Tournament: 3 Years (8 - 3)
Shaka is one of the youngest coaches in all of Div I college basketball and he has quickly become one of the games great minds. After taking the entire basketball world by surprise during their 2011 run to the Final Four - including a win over #1 seeded Kanasas which earned the "Best Upset of 2011" at ESPN's annual ESPY Awards - VCU is looking for more! Coach Shaka and his RAMs began the 2013-14 season as just 1 of 7 teams with at least one win in the NCAA Tournament in each of the past three seasons. With an experience group and their innovative style of play - Smart might be able to pull off some more magic this year.
# 8 -
Career Coaching Record: 346-146 (Winning %: 0.703)
NCAA Tournament: 12 Years (16 - 12)
Bo knows basketball. Bo also knows boring. Never overly exciting or flashy but always consistent. That is Bo Ryan and that is the style of play he preaches. Tough defense, good execution on offense, and discipline usually top his coaching agenda. Coach Ryan has experienced his share of success in the NCAA Tournament usually earning a win or two each season however he has never reached the Final Four. This years team may be the most offensively talented group he has had - let's see what Bo knows about reaching the Final Four.
Bo Ryan - Wisconsin Badgers (25-6) Career Coaching Record: 346-146 (Winning %: 0.703)
NCAA Tournament: 12 Years (16 - 12)
Bo knows basketball. Bo also knows boring. Never overly exciting or flashy but always consistent. That is Bo Ryan and that is the style of play he preaches. Tough defense, good execution on offense, and discipline usually top his coaching agenda. Coach Ryan has experienced his share of success in the NCAA Tournament usually earning a win or two each season however he has never reached the Final Four. This years team may be the most offensively talented group he has had - let's see what Bo knows about reaching the Final Four.
# 7 - Bill Self - Kansas Jayhawks (23-8)
Career Coaching Record: 530-172 (Winning %: 0.755)
NCAA Tournament: 15 Years (35 - 14), 2 Final Fours, 1 Championship
Coach Self usually calm, composed, and collected on the sidelines faced a little more adversity than he may be accustomed too this season. After being touted as one of the most talented teams in the nation the Jayhawks didn't quite live up to their potential during the regular season. Furthermore losing to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament certainly didn't sit well with Self. On the bright side for Kansas fans the team remains among the nations elite and freshman superstar Andrew Wiggins is getting better every game. If other freshman phenom Joel Embiid gets healthy in time the Jayhawks have the talent to reach the championship.
Career Coaching Record: 530-172 (Winning %: 0.755)
NCAA Tournament: 15 Years (35 - 14), 2 Final Fours, 1 Championship
Coach Self usually calm, composed, and collected on the sidelines faced a little more adversity than he may be accustomed too this season. After being touted as one of the most talented teams in the nation the Jayhawks didn't quite live up to their potential during the regular season. Furthermore losing to Iowa State in the Big 12 Tournament certainly didn't sit well with Self. On the bright side for Kansas fans the team remains among the nations elite and freshman superstar Andrew Wiggins is getting better every game. If other freshman phenom Joel Embiid gets healthy in time the Jayhawks have the talent to reach the championship.
# 6 - Gregg Marshall - Wichita State Shockers
Career Coaching Record: 357 - 153 (Winning %: 0.706)
NCAA Tournament: 9 Years (6 - 9) 1 Final Four
Gregg Marshall the was named the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Coach of the Year following Wichita State's greatest season in school history. The 34-0 record ties a NCAA Division I Men's basketball record, held by the University of Nevada Las Vegas, set in 1991. What is more impressive is that this seasons success follows the trail set by the incredible run from last year's team. In 2013 Marshall led the Shockers to their first Final Four since 1965, defeating the AP #1, #7, and #20 teams in the country to win the West Regional. Now the Shockers are back for more with an even deeper roster with another year of experience. Did someone say perfect season?
Career Coaching Record: 357 - 153 (Winning %: 0.706)
NCAA Tournament: 9 Years (6 - 9) 1 Final Four
Gregg Marshall the was named the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Coach of the Year following Wichita State's greatest season in school history. The 34-0 record ties a NCAA Division I Men's basketball record, held by the University of Nevada Las Vegas, set in 1991. What is more impressive is that this seasons success follows the trail set by the incredible run from last year's team. In 2013 Marshall led the Shockers to their first Final Four since 1965, defeating the AP #1, #7, and #20 teams in the country to win the West Regional. Now the Shockers are back for more with an even deeper roster with another year of experience. Did someone say perfect season?
# 5 - Fred Hoiberg - Iowa State Cyclones
Career Coaching Record: 88 - 46 (Winning %: 0.657)
NCAA Tournament: 2 Years (4 - 2)
Hoiberg has steadily been improving the Cyclones program for a few years now. After leading the Cyclones to a 23-11 record and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005, in the 2011-12 season Hoiberg was declared 2012 Big 12 Co-Coach of the Year.
Now two years later he has his most talented team yet coming off their Big 12 Tournament Championship and in prime position to make a run at the Final Four. As long as Iowa State is hitting their shots they can beat anybody. Melvin Ejim & DeAndre Kane are among the nations best scoring duo's. Fred may have the NBA coaching ranks in his not so distant future but he is sure to do some more damage in the NCAA before heading to the pros.
Career Coaching Record: 88 - 46 (Winning %: 0.657)
NCAA Tournament: 2 Years (4 - 2)
Hoiberg has steadily been improving the Cyclones program for a few years now. After leading the Cyclones to a 23-11 record and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005, in the 2011-12 season Hoiberg was declared 2012 Big 12 Co-Coach of the Year.
Now two years later he has his most talented team yet coming off their Big 12 Tournament Championship and in prime position to make a run at the Final Four. As long as Iowa State is hitting their shots they can beat anybody. Melvin Ejim & DeAndre Kane are among the nations best scoring duo's. Fred may have the NBA coaching ranks in his not so distant future but he is sure to do some more damage in the NCAA before heading to the pros.
# 4 - Tom Izzo - Michigan State Spartans (23-8)
Career Coaching Record: 462 - 186 (Winning %: 0.713)
NCAA Tournament: 16 Years (39-15), 6 Final Fours, 1 Championship
It what many are calling a let down year Tom Izzo was still able to lead the Spartans to a BIG 10 Tournament Championship and has his team playing as well as anybody right now. This is a team that was among the top choices for title contenders in many experts preseason rankings and now that they are healthy watch out. Coach Izzo always finds a way for his teams to win in March, and this group has the ability to get Tom to yet another Final Four.
Career Coaching Record: 462 - 186 (Winning %: 0.713)
NCAA Tournament: 16 Years (39-15), 6 Final Fours, 1 Championship
It what many are calling a let down year Tom Izzo was still able to lead the Spartans to a BIG 10 Tournament Championship and has his team playing as well as anybody right now. This is a team that was among the top choices for title contenders in many experts preseason rankings and now that they are healthy watch out. Coach Izzo always finds a way for his teams to win in March, and this group has the ability to get Tom to yet another Final Four.
# 3 - John Beilein - Michigan Wolverines
Career Coaching Record: 440 - 268 (Winning %: 0.621)
NCAA Tournament Record: 8 Years (13 - 8)
Beilein is a master strategist and brilliant x's & o's guy. Known for his constant motion and back door offense, his teams open up space for players to cut, while creating many three-point opportunities as well. Defensively Coach Beilein uses a variety of zone defenses, including the 1-3-1 and 2-3, mixed in with man to man to throw off opponents.
This year's team may have over-achieved during the regular season after losing many key players from last years NCAA Runner-Up squad however they still own ther Big 10 regular season title. That can mostly be attirbute to Beilein's coaching expertise, and perhaps the growth of sophomore guard Nik Stauskas. Although unrealistic to expect the Wolverines to return to the Championship game, you can bet this coaches team will be a tough out and ready to play with anybody.
Career Coaching Record: 440 - 268 (Winning %: 0.621)
NCAA Tournament Record: 8 Years (13 - 8)
Beilein is a master strategist and brilliant x's & o's guy. Known for his constant motion and back door offense, his teams open up space for players to cut, while creating many three-point opportunities as well. Defensively Coach Beilein uses a variety of zone defenses, including the 1-3-1 and 2-3, mixed in with man to man to throw off opponents.
This year's team may have over-achieved during the regular season after losing many key players from last years NCAA Runner-Up squad however they still own ther Big 10 regular season title. That can mostly be attirbute to Beilein's coaching expertise, and perhaps the growth of sophomore guard Nik Stauskas. Although unrealistic to expect the Wolverines to return to the Championship game, you can bet this coaches team will be a tough out and ready to play with anybody.
# 2 -
Career Coaching Record: 479 - 188 (Winning %: 0.718)
NCAA Tournament: 13 Years (31-11), 3 Final Fours, 2 Championships
Hey remember Billy Donovan? He won back to back national titles with Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and his Florida Gators nearly a decade ago. Well he is back, and he has a strikingly similar group of guys on this years team. Perhaps he doesn't have the same level of NBA talent on his roster - but he does have a group that plays team basketball better than anyone in the nation right now. With four seniors in the starting line-up and a perfect conference record Coach Donovan has Florida primed for a return to greatness. Barring a major upset, Florida will be in the Final Four.
Billy Donovan - Florida Gators (29-2) Career Coaching Record: 479 - 188 (Winning %: 0.718)
NCAA Tournament: 13 Years (31-11), 3 Final Fours, 2 Championships
Hey remember Billy Donovan? He won back to back national titles with Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer, and his Florida Gators nearly a decade ago. Well he is back, and he has a strikingly similar group of guys on this years team. Perhaps he doesn't have the same level of NBA talent on his roster - but he does have a group that plays team basketball better than anyone in the nation right now. With four seniors in the starting line-up and a perfect conference record Coach Donovan has Florida primed for a return to greatness. Barring a major upset, Florida will be in the Final Four.
# 1 - Coack K - Duke Blue Devils (24 - 7)
Career Coaching Record: 981-304 (Winning %: 0.763)
NCAA Tournament: 29 Years (82-25), 11 Final Fours, 4 Championships
The master. The legend. Coach K. Arguably the greatest coach in the history of the game, no one has more experience or more knowledge when it comes to the basketball court. There is nothing he has not seen, faced, or overcome during his tenure at Duke, and now Coach K is equipped with one of his most talented rosters in years. It begins with freshman freak Jabari Parker who could be capable of having a Carmelo Anthony like impact during his first (and likely only) year on campus. In other words Parker has the individual talents to lead Coach K's Blue Devils all the way to the championship game. Duke may rely heavily on their three point shooting but Parker gives them the X-Factor they need, especially when they aren't hitting shots from the outside. Could this be the year Duke returns to national glory? It looks like as good a year as any for Coach K and company.
Career Coaching Record: 981-304 (Winning %: 0.763)
NCAA Tournament: 29 Years (82-25), 11 Final Fours, 4 Championships
The master. The legend. Coach K. Arguably the greatest coach in the history of the game, no one has more experience or more knowledge when it comes to the basketball court. There is nothing he has not seen, faced, or overcome during his tenure at Duke, and now Coach K is equipped with one of his most talented rosters in years. It begins with freshman freak Jabari Parker who could be capable of having a Carmelo Anthony like impact during his first (and likely only) year on campus. In other words Parker has the individual talents to lead Coach K's Blue Devils all the way to the championship game. Duke may rely heavily on their three point shooting but Parker gives them the X-Factor they need, especially when they aren't hitting shots from the outside. Could this be the year Duke returns to national glory? It looks like as good a year as any for Coach K and company.