We have twelve 1st year head coaches across the big conferences. As of Jan 25th here's my ranking. Obviously, things can change with plenty of season left. My conclusions: I didn't think I would have Pitino so high but there seems to be a strong case for it. Georgetown sucks.
(1) Grant McCasland: Texas Tech
(1) Grant McCasland: Texas Tech
- 15-3 and in first place in the Big 12. Projected NCAA’s (7 Seed)
- McCasland proved he can coach at North Texas and knows how to instill defense. Tech was coming off a .500 season and is only one win behind last year’s totals.
- 13-7 and 5th place in a loaded Big East; Projected NCAA’s (8 Seed)
- There is no question that Pitino is one of the all-time great coaches. He inherited a program that last made the NCAA tournament in 2019 (if you consider the First Four the NCAA’s) and last tournament win in 2015. Pitino quickly rebuilt the team through the portal and has them in position for the NCAA’s. He may only last five years but he has turned the program around quickly.
- 16-3; Projected NCAA’s (10 Seed)
- Beard can coach but shouldn’t be allowed to based on his assault on his wife. If we just focus on basketball he’s done a very good job with Ole Miss and positioned them well for an NCAA bid. Ole Miss was coming off back-to-back losing seasons, including 12-21 last year. Unlikeable coach and person but this will be one the single best season turnarounds you can get.
- 13-6, Projected NCAA (last 4 in)
- Has held team together despite losing his best player to injury. Inherited program that had back-to-back 20 win, NCAA tournament seasons. Kept a good core in place and done well.
- 14-5; Projected NCAA (1st 4 out)
- Terry inherited a very good Texas team that has reached 3 straight NCAA tournaments and won 29 games and reached the Regional Finals last year. There have been some bumps but recent wins against Baylor and at Oklahoma bode well for remainder of season.
- 13-6; Projected NIT
- Inherited a program that had grown stale under the prior regime. Implemented major change to style and energy. Season has largely played to expectations. Beat who you should and lose to the teams you should. Having no bad losses is a plus. Having 6 blowout defeats is a minus. This off-season’s roster makeover and next year’s performance will be critical to Autry’s future.
- 7-12; No postseason
- Madsen took over one of the worst programs in the NCAA’s (3-29 last year and 6 straight losing seasons). A couple nice wins over UCLA, Colorado and Santa Clara and being competitive in every game (only two losses by double figures 10 and 19) provide hope for the future. Cal probably could not have asked for a better turnaround given the depths they sank.
- 9-10; No postseason
- Solid wins over Duke, Miss State and Clemson; competitive losses throughout show this team isn’t far off and competes for the coach. Tech program had only won 27 games over past two losing seasons and not an easy repair job.
- 9-10, No postseason
- Inherited team that made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament and won 24 games. However, that team lost a lot of talent.
- 8-11; No postseason
- When your best win of the year is over Notre Dame by 4 and your second best is over DePaul by 3 you are not having a good year. Cooley gets some leeway as the Hoya program had been run into the ground with back-to-back 25 loss seasons and one winning record since 2016. Cooley has shown he can recruit and can play the transfer portal.
- 7-12; no postseason
- Beating Virginia by 20 seems like an anomaly. Notre Dame lost 21 games the year before and may do so again. Can he recruit at ND and if not this may be a short term hire?
- 7-12; No postseason
- Dealt a tough hand with the Bobby Huggins implosion. Injury to old friend Jesse Edwards does not help but they were bad before he went down. Recent wins against Texas and Kansas show team has not quit.
