Emerging Coaches in College Basketball
As the college basketball regular season enters its second half, several coaches from lesser-known programs are emerging as promising candidates for potential openings at larger universities. This trend is especially noteworthy ahead of the 2026 NCAA men’s tournament, as smaller programs demonstrate their competitiveness, drawing attention from power conferences seeking fresh talent during the upcoming coaching carousel period.
Recent Transitions to Power Programs
In the aftermath of the 2024-25 season, several mid-major coaches successfully transitioned to power programs, such as:
- Will Wade, who moved from McNeese to North Carolina State after leading his team to the tournament.
- Bucky McMillan, who advanced from Samford to Texas A&M.
- Richard Pitino, who made the jump from New Mexico to Xavier.
- Ben McCollum, who departed from Drake to Iowa.
Coaching Prospects for the Upcoming Season
Looking ahead to coaching prospects after the current season, several head coaches from smaller programs are positioned for significant advancements:
- Josh Schertz of Saint Louis: Having an outstanding season with a record of 20-1 and a No. 22 ranking in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
- Jerrod Calhoun at Utah State: Leading the Aggies to a strong 17-3 start this season.
- Takayo Siddle, head coach of UNC Wilmington: Boasting a 122-49 record over six seasons.
- Travis Steele: Revitalized his career at Miami (Ohio) with an unbeaten record of 21-0.
- Tony Skinn of George Mason: On target for a third consecutive season with at least 20 wins.
- Eric Olen’s move to New Mexico: Maintaining a commendable 17-4 record since taking charge.
- Bryan Hodgson at South Florida: Performing strongly with a 14-7 record this season.
- Scott Cross of Troy: Looking for his fifth consecutive season of 20 wins.
- Ryan Miller at Murray State: In his inaugural year as a head coach with a 16-6 mark.
- Matt Braeuer at Stephen F. Austin: Leading his team to an 18-3 record.
Conclusion
As the current landscape of college basketball evolves, these rising coaches are poised for greater opportunities, showcasing their talents on national platforms as they guide their teams towards tournament aspirations.
