Vandal Nation writers give their thoughts on who is currently the best coach in college basketball.
Meredith Spelbring
Meredith Spelbring –– Geno Auriemma, UConn Huskies Women’s Basketball
Haven’t heard of him? Follow more women’s basketball. This program is legendary and it is mostly in part to his coaching. He has been with the program for a whopping 33 years and lead the team to 11 national titles. How can you beat that?
Chris Deremer
Chris Deremer –– John Beilein, Michigan Wolverines Men’s Basketball
Yes, I know Michigan just got stomped in the championship, but coach Beilein is amongst the best in the nation. Beilein has two Final Four victories under his belt and led a Michigan squad to win a Big Ten Tournament title, as well as one victory shy of a National Championship win. Michigan wasn’t supposed to be this good, but that is what good coaching can do.
Elizabeth Marshall
Elizabeth Marshall –– Jim Boeheim, Syracuse Orange Men’s Basketball
Jim Boeheim is a coaching legend and for good reason. Boeheim has been the loyal head coach at Syracuse for 42 years, and that’s in addition to his years as a player and assistant coach at Syracuse. If it weren’t for some unfair sanctions leveled by the NCAA, Boeheim would have been the first coach in the NCAA with over 1,000 wins with one team. Plus, Coach K stole the 2-3 zone from Boeheim during their time together coaching the USA men’s national basketball team.
Zack Kellogg
Zack Kellogg –– Jay Wright, Villanova Wildcats Men’s Basketball
Jay Wright is the best coach in college basketball right now. With the well-rounded team’s he has been able to create and coach, it has led to two championships in the last three seasons, becoming the third active coach to win multiple championships.
Jonah Baker
Jonah Baker –– Porter Moser, Loyola-Chicago Ramblers Men’s Basketball
Nobody did more with less than Porter Moser from Loyola-Chicago. Moser coached the Ramblers to 18 straight wins leading into the final four with a roster that had less star power than their chaplain. Expect to see him in bigger opportunities soon.
Clay McKinley
Clay McKinley –– Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Blue Devils Men’s Basketball
Not a duke fan, but Coach K is the ultimate head coach. There’s a reason Duke consistently has some of the nation’s top recruits and is constantly in the top of the polls.
Hannah Goertz
Hannah Goertz –– Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Blue Devils Men’s Basketball
There are a lot of top coaches out there, but Coach K has been on the top of his game for a while. He surpassed 1,000 career wins and won 4 National Men’s Basketball Tournament titles. He is a talented man and deserves recognition for his dedication to the game.
Colton Clark
Colton Clark –– Mark Few, Gonzaga Bulldogs Men’s Basketball
Have to go with the hometown icon in Mark Few. He not only has established Gonzaga as a national brand and consistently flourished, even in predicted “down years” (see this season), but he’s also loyal. Despite a slew of money-bag contract offers, especially in the last 10 or so years, he refuses to abandon a city where he will predictably win a title and retire in.