Getty Images Earlier this week, Athlon Sports put out a pretty solid list of the top 30 coaches in college basketball.
They listed Tom Izzo first, and frankly, it is difficult to disagree with them.
The problem with ranking coaches, however, is that there are really two ways to do it because a head coach has, essentially, two jobs.
The most obvious role that he plays is that of the coach. Developing game plans, scouting opponents, designing offenses and defenses that fit his personnel, in-game adjustments. Put easier, his ability to put his team in a position to win a game and whether or not that ability translates into wins, especially in March.
His most important role is that of program facilitator. Can he identify talent, recruit that talent to his campus, and do it without getting caught breaking NCAA rules? Can he develop the talent that he brings in? Can he keep the fan base happy by winning games? Can he keep the boosters around by knowing their names, shaking their hands and turning up at enough events to keep their money coming in? Can he hire a staff that is good enough to make both parts of his job easier?
When it comes to simply being a basketball coach, I’m not sure that there is anyone better than Tom Izzo. There is a reason that his team’s always seem to outperform their seeding in the NCAA tournament. Hot on his heels is Brad Stevens. He led the Bulldogs to two consecutive national title games. That’s unbelievable. VCU’s Shaka Smart, Billy Donovan and Bill Self would be way up on that list as well.
Another guy that would almost assuredly would be a top five coach on that list is Mike Krzyzewski, which is notable because I’m not sure there is a coach in the country that is better at running a program that Coach K. He’s won a national title in three different decades. He turned Duke from a doormat into arguably the nation’s premiere basketball program, and he’s done it without relying on a steady flow of future NBA all-stars.
That’s why I would rank Coach K as the nation’s top college basketball coach.
(Note: I’ve touched on this before, but it bears repeating: I don’t think there has ever been a more perfect fit for a coach at a school than John Calipari at Kentucky. His persona and his attitude are perfect for the passionate fans of Big Blue Nation. His mantra — let’s get you to the NBA as fast as possible after we win a national title! — and his track record make him a perfect fit for every elite recruit in the country.
He’s turned UK into the Freshmen Dynasty.)
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- imforbigblue - Jul 31, 2012 at 10:55 PM
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But your forgot to add that coach Cal will also make you a better player once you leave
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- hondo30 - Aug 2, 2012 at 7:31 PM
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I could have drafted Davis,MKG, and they would have still went pro after 1 year.
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- fooseballfan - Aug 1, 2012 at 12:23 AM
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Calhoun not in the top 5. This is silly. Players leave and make millions in the NBA and don’t return to finish, it shouldn’t matter. Look how many UCONN players are in the NBA, and look at the players he gets.
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- jthammerstix - Aug 1, 2012 at 4:59 AM
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How does cal make you a better player once you leave? That doesn’t even makes sense. The nba teams they get drafted to make them better.
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- willcoop62 - Aug 1, 2012 at 5:25 AM
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What about aim Boeheim
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- scoregasmic - Aug 1, 2012 at 9:37 AM
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Izzo baby!
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- Nerlo Rangel - Aug 1, 2012 at 1:14 PM
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boeheim and cal should swap spots.
izzo
coach k
jimmy bee
self
cal
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- imforbigblue - Aug 1, 2012 at 7:21 PM
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So saying cal will make you a better player once you come to Kentucky doesn’t make any since? If you ask any player coach cal has coached and ask them if there a better player after spending a year or so with him they will tell you ya. It’s ok hate on Cal but he’s showing up every coach in college right now. 15 players into the NBA in 3 years 5 in the first round and 6 over all last year with a elite 8 a FF and a NC and what 3 or 4 #1 classes to add yeah hate all you want lol
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- Mostdiggity - Aug 1, 2012 at 11:26 PM
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Pitino #1
The rest are fighting it out for number two. How can anyone argue with that since he has done more with his talent than any other coach over the past twenty years. Including Izzo.
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- hondo30 - Aug 2, 2012 at 7:30 PM
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I say coach K, Pitino, williams, izzo, donovan, behaim, Cal, self,
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- hondo30 - Aug 2, 2012 at 7:32 PM
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Pitino put together the greatest Team of all time, 96 cats. could have won 3 titles in a row, 96, 97 if anderson would have played and 98 Tubbs won it with ricks teams
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- florida727 - Aug 3, 2012 at 1:58 PM
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One problem with your logic. You see that little two-letter word after the number 97 in your post?
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- hondo30 - Aug 3, 2012 at 5:39 PM
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so an injury to his best player kept him from winning it in 97. what about his team in 98 winning it…either way, still the greatest team ever
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- stlouis1baseball - Aug 9, 2012 at 3:51 PM
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I don’t know who is currently the best Head Coach. But I know Tom Crean not getting Coach of the year last year was an absolute joke. With the season he had in the previous year. Battling and overcoming all the sanctions Kelvin Sampson left in his wake. With the players he had coming back…I can not take this award seriously anymore. There wasn’t a coach last year who did more with less than Tom Crean.
