OT: Who are the best coaches in college basketball

[TheRealKBuks]

I thought this would be an interesting discussion. What are the boards thoughts on the best coaches currently in the game (not in terms of all time rank but current coaching ability). Until Duke is knocked out I'll include Coach K in this.

Just off the top of my head I'd say:

1) Jay Wright
2) Coach K
3) Mark Few
4) Tom Izzo
5) Scott Drew

Honorable mention: Kelvin Sampson, Eric Musselman, Matt Painter.

 

[August_West]

I think Rothstein is on to something. Its Kelvin and Jay Wright neck and neck. Wright has built an incredible system at Nova and coaches the hell out of it. But there is no one in the country that gets more out of less than Kelvin Sampson. And that has to be THE hallmark of judging coaches.

 

[Hungryhusky99]

Tony Bennett

 

[Kolumbo]

Sha-Holl

 

[hamster]

Geno Auriemma not in there?

Gotcha...You didn't say Mens LOL

 

[superjohn]

Jay Wright is the best coach in college basketball.

 

[SouthBayHusky]

I’m sorry, Mark Few does not belong on a list where he has not won a single national championship with decade plus talent.

 

[UConn Esq]

Ill leave off K since he's leaving but probably is deserving of the top spot otherwise..

1. Jay Wright
2. Bill Self
3. Scott Drew
4. Izzo
5. Sampson
358. Boeheim

 

[John]

who's better, Danny or Bobby?

 

[auror]

I’m sorry, Mark Few does not belong on a list where he has not won a single national championship with decade plus talent.

Going to the title game twice is more impressive than winning 1 title from a coaching perspective. Different from a fan enjoyment perspective, though.

 

[UConn Esq]

who's better, Danny or Bobby?

Elizabeth.

 

[dogpause]

I’m sorry, Mark Few does not belong on a list where he has not won a single national championship with decade plus talent.

I always felt that this is an unfair standard, one which brought unfair criticism to Jim Calhoun prior to '99. Supposee you're such a good coach that you get your team to overperform enough that they get further than anyone had a right to expect? Does that make you a bum?

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I don't know how you can possibly say that someone is unequivocally the best coach in college basketball but what Sampson is doing this season is certainly among the more impressive coaching jobs I've ever seen.

 

[uconngb]

Ill leave off K since he's leaving but probably is deserving of the top spot otherwise..

1. Jay Wright
2. Bill Self
3. Scott Drew
4. Izzo
5. Sampson
358. Boeheim

Bill Self?? You were trying to see if we were paying attention right??

 

[aburks41]

Jay Wright is undoubtedly the clear #1. I don't think there is a better system in basketball than Villanova. They are a machine.

Perfect roster construction, his players execute, they don't foul, don't turn the ball over. Probably most importantly, he understands that having multiple 3 point shooters and spacing the floor is how you win games in 2022.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Jay Wright
Kelvin Sampson
Greg McDermott

 

[KingAG]

Jay Wright
Kelvin Sampson
Greg McDermott

Idk if I can put McDermott over Few. When Few does what McDermott does at a higher level

 

[ThabeetDown]

Jay Wright
Kelvin Sampson
Greg McDermott

I don't think McDermott is #3, but he's certainly top 20, probably approaching 10-15 range if he's not already there.

 

[UConn Esq]

Bill Self?? You were trying to see if we were paying attention right??

On pace for over 1,100 wins...

 

[auror]

Bill Self?? You were trying to see if we were paying attention right??

He has won a conference regular season or tournament championship in 21 of his last 24 years coaching. In the other 3 years, he still won at least a game in the NCAAs.

 

[8893]

Jay Wright is the best coach in college basketball.

And Kimani Young is undefeated against him.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I thought this would be an interesting discussion. What are the boards thoughts on the best coaches currently in the game (not in terms of all time rank but current coaching ability). Until Duke is knocked out I'll include Coach K in this.

Just off the top of my head I'd say:

1) Jay Wright
2) Coach K
3) Mark Few
4) Tom Izzo
5) Scott Drew

Honorable mention: Kelvin Sampson, Eric Musselman, Matt Painter.

One interesting thing is that nearly the entirety of that list (including honorable mention) already has qualified for an AARP membership card.

 

[Scoe]

Bruce Pearl has to be up there made a final four win everywhere he has gone, made a sweet 16 with UW Milwaukee, can definetly recruit.

Rick Barnes consistently wins everywhere he has gone, you just don’t want him coaching in March, didn’t even make a sweet 16 with Durant.

Right now it’s clearly Wright and Sampson, can’t wait to see that chess match on Saturday.

 

[8893]

No mention of Pitino?

 

[tentoes4rings]

On pace for over 1,100 wins...

But he’s also had a ridiculous amount of talent too. He should have more to show for all that talent, as should Calipari.

 

[BGesus4]

Jay Wright was playing modern 4 out offense in the early 2000s, way before it had any real traction.

He’d get my vote, although he and Sampson are the best I’ve seen at getting players on the roster to fill the exact roles needed in their systems.

Also, hard not to love how business like Wrights teams are. They seem incapable of falling prey to their opponents getting momentum.

 

[Scoe]

List of HOF coaches in today’s game.

Already in: K, Pitino, Izzo, Nose picker, Self

Locks: Wright, Few, Huggins, Sampson, Pearl, Barnes

 

[superjohn]

List of HOF coaches in today’s game.

Already in: K, Pitino, Izzo, Nose picker, Self

Locks: Wright, Few, Huggins, Sampson, Pearl, Barnes

Jay Wright is in the Hall of Fame.

 

[olehead]

Jay Wright
Kelvin Sampson
Rick Pitino
Mark Few
Leonard Hamilton
Jim Larranaga
Musselman
Drew
Painter (eventually at the top)
McDermott (no 1 on uconn fans list
Cooley
Self
Pearl
Bennett (if his O philosophy had any semblance of excitement)

 

[PNolanFan]

I think you gotta define what makes a great coach, cause i would say recruiting is absolutely an important part of coaching, I think that is Hurley's best attribute, not that I think he is on this list anyway