Most of the coaching vacancies have been filled, marking another active offseason. The only notable opening left is Maryland, which could create a ripple effect if their hire sets off a chain reaction. However, the other remaining openings are at low-major programs, some of which may take a while to fill.
I wanted to release this analysis now, and if Maryland makes a hire or sparks additional movement, I’ll add them to the list. So, let’s dive into my thoughts on the latest coaching moves.
A Different Approach to Coaching Evaluations
This year, I’m taking a slightly different approach compared to other analyses. Rather than evaluating or grading the hires in isolation, I’m ranking these coaches based on how I would prioritize them if I were an athletic director making a hire. Essentially, who would be my top choice from this pool?
Here’s what that means: If you see a mid-major hire ranked highly, it means I think they absolutely nailed it—an A+ hire. On the other hand, if a big-name school’s hire is lower on the list, well… let’s just say I’m not buying the hire as much.
Obviously, factors like school resources and program prestige play a role in a coach’s success. But for this ranking, I’m stripping all of that away. Imagine we’re hiring for a completely average program—one with a decent history, mid-tier resources, solid fan support, and an average NIL setup. The real question is: Who do I want leading that program for the next five years?
What I’m Looking For in a Coach
Track Record of Success – A coach’s history matters. Winning at a high level is great, but even success at lower levels—D2, JUCO, or elsewhere—often translates well. My research shows that coaching ability tends to carry over regardless of level. Unfortunately, this hiring cycle hasn’t seen many lower-level coaches moving up, unlike last year when Ben McCollum and others made the jump. That’s a missed opportunity in my opinion.
Adaptability and Embracing the Transfer Portal – Like it or not, the transfer portal is the future of college basketball. Coaches who adapt and use it effectively will thrive.
True Coaching Ability Over Connections – I have a lot of respect for coaches who climbed the ranks through actual coaching ability rather than just riding connections. Too often, we see hires who landed a cushy job next to a Hall of Famer at North Carolina, Duke, or Kansas. Almost anyone can look good sitting beside a legend as a first job. I want to see a coach who built their career on merit, not just because they were in the right room at the right time.
With that in mind, let’s get into the rankings.
1. Ben McCollum – Iowa
Ben McCollum, 43, is now the head coach of Iowa basketball after an illustrious career at Northwest Missouri State. A former player at Northwest Missouri State, before taking over as head coach at Northwest in 2009. Over 15 seasons, McCollum led the team to four NCAA Division II national championships in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2022, compiling an overall record of 395-91.
His 2019-2020 team, boasting a 31-1 record, was poised to win a fifth title in six years before the NCAA Tournament was canceled due to COVID-19. He transitioned to Drake in 2024, where he guided the Bulldogs to a 31-4 record, an NCAA Round of 32 appearance, and a KenPom ranking of 53rd before taking over at Iowa. His overall coaching record now stands at 426-95.
At Drake, McCollum benefited from bringing four starters from his top Division II team, and he excelled. Now at Iowa, he will also bring star guard Bennett Stirtz with him, which should help him establish his system quickly. Stirtz will take charge, likely playing extensive minutes and providing stability.
While the Big Ten presents a significant leap, McCollum has demonstrated an elite pedigree. Winning four Division II titles in five years—and likely five in six if not for COVID-19—is an extraordinary feat. Even without his success at Drake, this is a high-upside hire with championship potential. Iowa may have made a move that pays off in a big way.
2. Will Wade – NC State
Will Wade, 41, takes over at North Carolina State University following a diverse and successful coaching career. Starting as a student manager at Clemson, Wade moved into assistant coaching roles at Harvard and VCU before landing his first head coaching job at Chattanooga in 2013. He led Chattanooga to its first 20-plus win season in a decade, earning Southern Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2014.
He later took over at VCU in 2015, guiding the Rams to an Atlantic 10 title and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. From 2017 to 2022, Wade served as head coach at LSU, leading the Tigers to an SEC championship and a Sweet 16 appearance. In 2023, he took over at McNeese State and led them to their first-ever NCAA Tournament win in 2025.
In an era of NIL and free transfers, what Wade accomplished at McNeese State stands out. Finishing in the KenPom top 70 both years is no small feat. His overall coaching record stands at 246-105, with nine straight KenPom top-70 finishes.
NC State is one of the best jobs in the country, offering a strong recruiting base, great resources, and a solid basketball culture. With Wade at the helm, they should be in top-25 contention most years. His proven ability to win at various levels makes him one of the safest high-upside hires this offseason.
3. Sean Miller – Texas
Sean Miller, 56, takes over at the University of Texas at Austin after a distinguished career at Xavier and Arizona. Miller began his head coaching career at Xavier from 2004 to 2009, leading the Musketeers to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run in 2008.
He then moved to Arizona, where he coached from 2009 to 2021, winning three Pac-12 titles and making four Elite Eight appearances. A three-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, Miller has also earned multiple Coach of the Year awards spanning the Atlantic 10, Pac-12, and USA Basketball. After returning to Xavier from 2022 to 2025, he led the Musketeers to the Sweet 16 in 2023. His overall coaching record stands at 487-196.
Texas is one of the premier jobs in college basketball, and Miller’s experience makes him a strong hire. However, questions remain about his ability to reach the next level—he has never made a Final Four and had some disappointing seasons at Arizona. While he might not be the absolute best coach available, Texas likely made the best hire possible given the market.
4. Ryan Odom – Virginia
Ryan Odom, 50, is now the head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers. Odom previously coached at UMBC, Utah State, and VCU, leading each program to an NCAA Tournament appearance by his second season. His most famous achievement came in 2018, when his UMBC team became the first No. 16 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in NCAA Tournament history—ironically, against Virginia.
Odom has been a consistent winner, earning the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year award in 2018 and America East Coach of the Year honors in 2021. His coaching record stands at 222-127. While UMBC never achieved high rankings, he produced top-35 teams at both Utah State and VCU, demonstrating his ability to succeed at different levels. This is a solid hire for Virginia, with a proven track record of success.
5. Richard Pitino – Xavier
Richard Pitino, 42, takes over at Xavier after previous head coaching stints at Minnesota and New Mexico. Pitino’s career includes an NIT Championship in 2014 with Minnesota, where he compiled a 141-123 overall record and a 54-96 conference record. His teams generally outperformed historical Minnesota standards, finishing 62nd, 27th, and 46th in his last three seasons and making an NCAA Tournament appearance and winning a game. Not really that bad considering the job.
After being dismissed from Minnesota, Pitino rebounded at New Mexico, leading the Lobos to multiple postseason appearances, including NCAA Tournament berths in 2024 and 2025. His New Mexico record stands at 88-49, with top-40 finishes in his last two seasons. His overall coaching record is 229-172, making this a strong hire for Xavier.
6. Ross Hodge – West Virginia
Ross Hodge, 44, previously led North Texas to a 27-8 record in 2025, finishing second in the conference and making two consecutive NIT appearances. He rebuilt both rosters from scratch and succeeded despite limited NIL resources.
Before becoming a head coach, Hodge was an associate head coach at North Texas from 2017 to 2023 and Arkansas State from 2016 to 2017. He also had a dominant junior college coaching career, posting an 83-17 record at Paris Junior College and a 63-7 record at Midland College, where he led the team to the NJCAA Division I Runner-Up finishes in 2010 and 2011.
Given his track record of success with limited resources, West Virginia might have landed a better coach than they lost in Darian DeVries.
7. Darian DeVries – Indiana
Darian DeVries, 49, previously coached at Drake (2018-2024) and West Virginia (2024-2025). At Drake, he compiled a stellar 150-55 record, including a 79-33 conference mark, and led the team to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
While his success at Drake was impressive, part of it can be attributed to his son, a high-level recruit who likely wouldn’t have attended otherwise. Additionally, his early success was fueled by an assistant coach bringing in four JUCO teammates. Despite these caveats, DeVries is a solid hire for Indiana, though some risk remains.
8. Eric Olen – New Mexico
Eric Olen, 44, joins New Mexico after coaching UC San Diego from 2013 to 2025. He compiled a 240-119 overall record and a 158-79 conference record, leading UCSD’s transition from Division II to Division I. His teams made multiple postseason appearances, including NCAA Division II West Region Final appearances in 2015, 2016, and 2017, as well as a Round of 64 finish in 2024. In his final season, UCSD went 30-5 and finished 39th in KenPom.
Leaving a program he had been with since 2004 was likely a difficult decision, but this move gives Olen a chance to prove himself at a higher level. His track record suggests he is more than ready for the challenge.
9. Kevin Willard – Villanova
At 49, Kevin Willard finds himself in a complicated situation—one that is largely self-inflicted. His decision to criticize his employer was not a great look, but it hasn’t significantly hindered his career trajectory.
Willard previously served as the head coach at Seton Hall from 2010 to 2022, compiling a 225-161 overall record and leading the Pirates to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Before that, he coached at Iona from 2007 to 2010, where he posted a 45-49 record.
Since joining Maryland in 2022, Willard has accumulated a 65-39 record, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2024. His overall coaching record now stands at 335-249. With Willard, the floor seems to be around a 45th-place ranking and consistent NCAA Tournament appearances. However, the ceiling remains uncertain. In 15 years coaching in the Big East and Big Ten, his best result has been an 11th-place finish and a Sweet 16 appearance. He has five top-50 finishes in KenPom over 15 years and just two previous tournament wins—solid but not spectacular.
The bet here is that the Villanova job itself will elevate his results. However, there’s a legitimate question as to whether Villanova is still an elite job or if its past success was solely due to Jay Wright’s brilliance.
10. Niko Medved – Minnesota
At 51, Niko Medved takes over at Minnesota following a successful tenure at Colorado State from 2018 to 2025. During his time there, he compiled a 143-85 record, highlighted by a Round of 32 appearance in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Medved also had head coaching stints at Drake in 2017-2018 (17-17 record) and Furman from 2013 to 2017 (62-70 record). His overall head coaching record stands at 222-172.
Medved did a solid job at Colorado State, finishing in the KenPom top 45 in three of the last four seasons and securing an NCAA Tournament win. While not a flashy hire, he has proven his ability to build competitive programs.
11. Bryan Hodgson – South Florida
At just 37, Bryan Hodgson takes over at South Florida after a strong showing at Arkansas State. In two seasons (2023-2025), Hodgson led Arkansas State to a 45-28 record, transforming the program from a near-300th-ranked team to 135th in his first year and 90th in his second. His teams reached the CBI semifinals in 2024 and the NIT Second Round in 2025.
Before his head coaching role, Hodgson was an assistant at Alabama when the Crimson Tide held the No. 1 ranking nationally.
The South Florida job is an intriguing one—often overlooked, but it ranks among the highest-paying mid-majors beyond Memphis and Gonzaga. With strong resources and support, this hire has the potential to work out well for both parties.
12. Eric Henderson – Drake
Eric Henderson, 46, takes over at Drake after a successful stint as head coach at South Dakota State from 2019 to 2025. He posted a 129-60 overall record, including an impressive 76-20 mark in conference play.
Henderson led the Jackrabbits to multiple Summit League titles and NCAA Tournament appearances. His standout season came in 2022 when South Dakota State went 30-5 and reached the Round of 64. His teams also made tournament appearances in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
One of the most impressive aspects of Henderson’s tenure was his ability to recruit talent like Baylor Scheierman to South Dakota the location. However, in six years, his teams only finished in the top 110 of KenPom once—ranking 80th with Scheierman. While he’s been a solid coach, his ability to build a team that can compete at a higher level remains somewhat a question. Getting them to Des Moines should be an easier ask.
13. Bryan Petersen – South Dakota State
Bryan Petersen, 37, was promoted internally after serving six seasons as the head coach of Kirkwood Community College. During his tenure, he led Kirkwood to the 2016 and 2019 NJCAA Division II National Championships while compiling a 157-38 overall record.
Petersen received regional and national Coach of the Year honors in both championship seasons. He also coached multiple JUCO All-Americans, including Douglas Wilson, who went on to become the 2020 Summit League Player of the Year at South Dakota State.
This hire makes a lot of sense. Petersen has already demonstrated head coaching success, even at the JUCO level, and South Dakota State effectively had a coach-in-waiting. The transition should be smooth, making this a smart move for the program.
14. Fran McCaffery – Penn
Fran McCaffery, 65, takes over at Penn following a long and successful career at multiple universities. His head coaching career began at Lehigh from 1985 to 1988, followed by stints at UNC Greensboro (1999-2005), Siena (2005-2010), and Iowa (2010-2025).
McCaffery led each of these programs to at least one NCAA Tournament appearance. His most notable success came at Siena, where he guided the team to two NCAA Tournament berths and two Round of 32 finishes. At Iowa, McCaffery regularly made the NCAA Tournament and compiled an impressive career coaching record of 548-384.
This is a fantastic hire for Penn. McCaffery brings a wealth of experience and still has plenty left in the tank. Despite being pushed into retirement at Iowa, he was clearly not ready to step away from coaching.
15. Phil Martelli Jr. – VCU
Phil Martelli Jr., 43, is the new head coach at VCU, following a steady rise through the coaching ranks. He started as an assistant at Central Connecticut (2003-2005), then moved through various assistant roles at Manhattan, Niagara, and Delaware before joining the Delaware 87ers in 2016-2017.
Martelli later became the associate head coach at Bryant (2018-2023) before taking over as head coach there in 2023. At Bryant, he compiled a 43-25 record, including leading the team to a first-place finish in 2025 and an NCAA Tournament Round of 64 appearance. He then moved to VCU in 2025.
Initially, this hire seemed underwhelming, but Martelli has paid his dues, gained valuable head coaching experience, and has the benefit of his father’s expertise. With the right support, this move could turn out well for VCU.
16. Alex Jensen – Utah
Alex Jensen, 48, is a former professional basketball player and the current head coach of the University of Utah men’s basketball team. His coaching journey began in 2007 under Rick Majerus at Saint Louis. After four seasons, he became the first head coach of the Canton Charge in the NBA Development League, where he earned Coach of the Year honors in 2013.
Jensen joined the Utah Jazz as a player development assistant in 2013 and later worked with the German national team as an assistant coach in 2015. In 2022, he led Team USA to victory in the FIBA AmeriCup as head coach. After a brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks, he returned to Utah as head coach.
This hire mirrors rival Utah’s strategy, but overall, it makes sense. Giving alums a chance, if they are qualified, can lead to long-term stability. Jensen has worked with Rick Majerus, has NBA experience, and has G League head coaching experience. However, there is inherent risk in hiring a coach with no college head coaching experience for a Power Five job. That said, his experience at 48 makes him a stronger hire compared to some other NBA-based candidates.
17. Ryan Miller – Murray State
Ryan Miller, 49, is the head coach of Murray State University men’s basketball. A South Dakota native, he played professionally in the CBA and the Australian Basketball Association, where he won a championship and MVP honors.
Miller’s coaching career includes assistant roles at Memphis, Pepperdine, New Mexico, Auburn, UNLV, and TCU. Most notably, he spent the last four years at Creighton. The success of Allen Huss at High Point likely influenced this hire, and it has the potential to work out. Murray State has a strong track record of winning coaches, but their move to the Missouri Valley Conference makes things more challenging.
18. Quannas White – Louisiana
Quannas White, 44, began as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma in 2003. He later coached the Louisiana Dynasty AAU team from 2005 to 2014 before serving as an assistant coach at Tulane, Western Kentucky, and Houston. At Houston, he was promoted to associate head coach in 2023 and played a key role in their Final Four run. This is a solid hire, especially if White can bring Houston’s style of play with him.
19. Darris Nichols – La Salle
Darris Nichols, 38, was previously the head coach at Radford University, where he posted a 68-63 record. He led Radford to a CBI semifinal appearance in 2023 and a fourth-place finish in the Big South Conference in 2025. His teams finished 151st and 168th in KenPom over four seasons, which is respectable for Radford. Prior to his head coaching role, Nichols was an assistant at Florida.
20. Matt Braeuer – Stephen F. Austin
Matt Braeuer, 38, is the head coach of the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks. A Belton, Texas native, he was a standout player at Wichita State, earning All-State honors in high school and starting for three years as a point guard in college.
Braeuer began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Wichita State in 2008 and held assistant roles at Midland College, Maryland, Sam Houston State, and Charleston. In 2018, he joined Grant McCasland’s staff at North Texas, then followed him to Texas Tech before taking the Stephen F. Austin job in 2025.
McCasland has assembled one of the best coaching staffs in recent years with names like Hodge, Dave Smart, Barnwell, and Linder. Given that, Braeuer’s hire looks promising.
21. Ryan Pannone – Arkansas State
Ryan Pannone, 40, was most recently an assistant at Alabama and previously worked with the New Orleans Pelicans in the NBA, as well as in overseas leagues. Arkansas State previously found success hiring from Alabama’s staff and is returning to that strategy with Pannone.
22. Luke Loucks – Florida State
Luke Loucks, 35, is a former Florida State player (2008-2012) who played professionally in Europe and the NBA Development League before transitioning to coaching.
He worked with the Golden State Warriors from 2016 to 2021 as a player development coach and later joined the Sacramento Kings as an assistant coach from 2022 to 2025. In 2025, he returned to Florida State as head coach.
While this hire is somewhat underwhelming given the potential of the job, there is at least a clear rationale. Loucks is an alum and a young coach who could build something long-term. If successful, he could stay for decades, which holds value compared to similar hires.
23. Kevin Hovde – Columbia
Kevin Hovde, 36, started as the director of basketball operations at Columbia in 2011 before becoming an assistant coach. He then spent time at San Francisco, working under Kyle Smith and later Todd Golden, before returning to Richmond as an assistant in 2021. He joined Florida’s staff in 2022 and was named head coach at Columbia in 2025, succeeding Jim Engles.
Interestingly, this cycle saw three former Richmond players from 2011—Hovde, Zach Chu, and Dan Geriot—become head coaches. Richmond seems to be producing head coaches at a surprising rate. Among them, Hovde appears to be the best, having come from Florida.
24. Jai Lucas – Miami
Jai Lucas, 36, played college basketball at Texas before transitioning into coaching. He started under Rick Barnes at Texas and later worked as a special assistant and lead recruiter for John Calipari at Kentucky. He became known as one of the top recruiters in the country before joining Duke as an assistant under Jon Scheyer. Lucas is also the son of longtime NBA coach John Lucas.
While his resume is impressive, there are reasons for skepticism. His biggest accolades come from recruiting at powerhouse programs like Duke, Kentucky, and Texas—places that largely recruit themselves. For a job at this level, some “on-the-job” learning should be expected. Given Miami’s location and financial resources, this hire feels like a missed opportunity for a more proven coach. Larrañaga had already been to a Final Four with a mid-major when he was hired, making this selection seem underwhelming in comparison.
25. Mike Magpayo – Fordham
Mike Magpayo, 45, made history in 2020 as the first NCAA Division I men’s basketball head coach of full Asian heritage. He previously coached at UC Riverside, leading the team to multiple successful seasons, including a 21-13 record in the 2024-25 season with an NIT First Round appearance. His overall record stands at 89-63.
However, his KenPom rankings have trended downward. His best season was his first, finishing 106th, but the team slipped to 217th two years ago and 160th last year.
26. John Andrzejek – Campbell
John Andrzejek, 31, has an extensive coaching background, having worked at Columbia, San Francisco, Johns Hopkins, Dartmouth, Washington State, and Florida. He was named to ESPN’s 40 Under 40 list in 2020 and played a key role in Florida’s success, including a 30-4 start in the 2025 season and the program’s first SEC title since 2014.
Given Florida’s success, it was surprising that he didn’t land a higher-profile job. However, Campbell seems like a logical step for a young coach looking to accelerate his career trajectory. It will be a challenging job, given Campbell’s remote location and the recent trend of players transferring up to bigger programs like Arizona, San Diego State, and Missouri.
27. Ali Farokhmanesh – Colorado State
Ali Farokhmanesh, 36, is now the head coach of Colorado State men’s basketball. Known for his iconic game-winning three-pointer in Northern Iowa’s 2010 upset over Kansas, he later played professionally in Europe before transitioning into coaching. His coaching career includes stints as a graduate assistant at Nebraska and assistant roles at Drake and Colorado State under Niko Medved.
In 2025, he became the 21st head coach in Colorado State’s history. While he has been part of successful teams, promoting from within during the NIL and transfer portal era seems to have less value than it did five years ago. The key will be whether he can retain players and maintain roster continuity.
28. Landon Bussie – Chicago State
Landon Bussie, 37, previously led Alcorn State from 2020 to 2025, securing multiple winning seasons and back-to-back NIT appearances. In 2025, he took over at Chicago State, aiming to build the program within the Northeast Conference. He also spent a season as a women’s coach at Prairie View A&M.
This seems like a strong hire. Bussie gained valuable experience coaching in a tough situation and performed well, winning nearly 70% of his games in the SWAC with a 59-26 record. For a program like Chicago State, this is a very promising hire.
29. Dan Geriot – Iona
Dan Geriot, 36, began his coaching career in 2011 as an assistant at Princeton before moving to Campbell in 2013. In 2015, he transitioned to the NBA, working as a video coordinator for the Cleveland Cavaliers before advancing to an assistant coaching role and later becoming head coach of their G League affiliate, the Cleveland Charge.
Most recently, he served as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Pelicans in 2024. His diverse coaching background across college and professional levels makes him an interesting choice for Iona.
30. Clint Allard – UCSD
Clint Allard, 38, is a UCSD alum who spent most of his career playing or coaching under Eric Olen. The hire stands out because of UCSD’s recent success—finishing 39th in the country while still transitioning from Division II.
Keeping the momentum going with a coach who has deep ties to the program makes sense. Given his strong connection to UCSD, it may take a lot to lure him away, making this a logical hire for the school.
31. Zach Chu – Radford
Zach Chu, 32, is the last of the former 2011 University of Richmond players to land a head coaching job. He started as a player development intern with the Los Angeles Clippers before serving as an assistant coach for the Texas Legends. His career then shifted to analytics roles with the Dallas Mavericks and Indiana Pacers before he became the chief strategist for SMU.
This led to his first head coaching opportunity at Radford. While this hire is somewhat puzzling, perhaps his fundraising ability or other behind-the-scenes factors played a role.
32. Josh Pastner – UNLV
Josh Pastner, 47, played for Arizona’s 1997 national championship team before moving into coaching. He served as an assistant at Arizona and Memphis before becoming Memphis’s head coach in 2009. He later led Georgia Tech from 2016 to 2023, earning ACC Coach of the Year honors in 2017. His career record stands at 276-187, with five NCAA Tournament appearances, including a couple of wins.
However, this hiring at UNLV is surprising. Reports suggest the school is in a financial crunch and reallocating resources to football. If budget constraints were the main concern, it’s unclear why they opted for Pastner instead of taking a chance on a Division II coach or someone with more upside. Pastner’s last two KenPom finishes at Georgia Tech were 151st and 161st, which doesn’t inspire much confidence in his ability to elevate UNLV’s program.
33. Ronnie Thomas – Longwood
Ronnie Thomas, 32, is an American basketball coach and the current head coach of the Longwood Lancers men’s basketball team. A former player at Bridgewater College, Thomas transitioned into coaching after a brief semi-professional career. He previously served as an assistant at Guilford College before joining Longwood, where he worked his way up from director of recruiting to assistant coach before being named head coach in 2025.
I didn’t think there had been enough winning to justify an internal promotion over seeking outside options, but perhaps it will work out. Longwood finished 210th last year and peaked around 145 in KenPom rankings. However, they have made two NCAA tournament appearances in the last four years, which may have factored into the decision.
34. Kory Barnett – Oral Roberts
Kory Barnett, 32, is a former Indiana Hoosiers walk-on who played in 49 games before transitioning into coaching. He started as a graduate assistant at Indiana in 2012 and then spent six years at UCLA in various coaching and operations roles. Barnett also served as an assistant coach at Nevada and West Virginia before landing the head coaching job at Oral Roberts.
Oral Roberts has a strong track record, including a Sweet 16 run in 2021 and producing coaches like Bill Self. However, this hire seems somewhat underwhelming on paper. While Barnett has experience at notable programs, his lack of head coaching experience raises some questions about whether he is the right fit to sustain and build upon Oral Roberts’ success.
35. Phil Cunningham – Louisiana Monroe
Phil Cunningham, 58, previously served as the head coach at Troy University from 2013 to 2019. During his tenure, he led the Trojans to an NCAA tournament appearance in 2017 after winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament. With over a decade of head coaching experience and a long career in college basketball, he certainly brings a wealth of knowledge.
The good news? He has a solid resume. The bad news? His overall record is 80-111, translating to a 42% winning percentage. That one good season in six years at Troy, where he finished 131st nationally, is commendable. However, failing to crack the top 250 four out of six years does not inspire confidence in his upside. I’d always be more inclined to take a chance on an unknown with potential rather than a retread at this level. What are we doing here?
36. Doug Davenport – Bellarmine
Doug Davenport began his coaching career in 2010 as a graduate assistant at Xavier. By 2012, he joined Louisville as the director of video operations. He later became an assistant coach at Eastern Kentucky in 2015 before returning to his alma mater, Bellarmine, as an assistant in 2016. Heading into the 2022 season, he was named head coach in waiting, eventually taking over the program.
However, since his promotion, things have gone downhill. Bellarmine finished 347th last year, 316th the year before, and 262nd three years ago. That is a concerning trend. Additionally, his coaching exposure outside of his father—whom he played for and worked under for nine years—is quite limited. This raises questions about his ability to turn the program around.
37. Luke McConnell – St. Francis
Moving to the Division III level, there isn’t much to say here.
