I dont think Boeheim should even sniff that list...Sure they have talent but they have missed the tourney over the last few years too a couple of times. This year too everyone has been saying how much talent Cuse has but they aren't playing like it, who do you blame the talented players or the talented coach?
It is easy to get to the Final Four, when you don't have to leave California.
I think Ben Howland is a great coach and and a top 10 coach, but he is not number one until he can prove he can win the biggest game.
They have been fortunate the Pac 10 hasn't had any heavy hitters the past 3 years, good teams, but not great aside from UCLA.
They were owned by Florida 2 years in a row and by Memphis last year. I will agree that both teams were more talented than UCLA, but there is nothing wrong with scoring points. You aren't going to beat everyone the way they beat A&M last year.
I think Ben Howland is a great coach and and a top 10 coach, but he is not number one until he can prove he can win the biggest game.
They have been fortunate the Pac 10 hasn't had any heavy hitters the past 3 years, good teams, but not great aside from UCLA.
They were owned by Florida 2 years in a row and by Memphis last year. I will agree that both teams were more talented than UCLA, but there is nothing wrong with scoring points. You aren't going to beat everyone the way they beat A&M last year.
Boeheim is number 1 on that list 80s, 90s and up to 5 years ago, but has lost it. He should be on no ones top ten list. He can't control his players, year in and year out we have top talent and sometimes don't even make the tournament, he takes the air out of the ball when we are up (has haunted us 20x at least with blown leads), he is the worst coach in college ball when its crunch time and its under 3 mins....again most importantly a coach is a teacher and a mentor and he has NO CONTROL over his players. And he doesn't do the recruiting so don't throw that at me either
Just going to use a list that was posted earlier and make some comments about each coach.
Roy WIlliams
Have never been a big Roy Williams fan. How his Kansas team lost to Melo's 'Cuse team is beyond me. It was like his team didn't know McNamara would shoot 3s. He consistently does less with more in the tournament than any other coach. His in-game adjustments might be the worst of anyone on this list. Case in point the Final 4 game vs Kansas. He sat there and kept shuffling in new players as opposed to calling a timeout during that amazing 1st half run. When his team's talent overcame their lack of coaching, they almost won the game. Roy won a national title with someone else's players. When he wins with his own recruiting class, he will deserve top 5.
Jim Calhoun
Great at developing NBA talent. The problem with that is when you have NBA ready kids in NCAA, you lose some games you probably shouldn't. Yes, it does make sense. It is much harder to consistently motivate the NBA talent. He has 2 national titles and the upset of Duke was a masterful coaching job. Didn't like the 1st round NCAA exit last year, but it was the first time in 15 years it happened.
Tom Izzo
Had a great 4 year run and things have cooled down since then. The game has changed a bit and is more guard oriented, making his bruising physical style a little less successful. Still has been to four Final 4s in the past 9-10 years. His teams are always prepared and never lack intensity or effort. One of the best tournament coaches out there.
Pitino
Coach K
The gold standard of coaches. You can say he has his pick of McD All Americans (the relevance of McD AA can be argued elsewhere), but he still wins. Roy Williams has arguably had as much talent and has never won with his own players. The guy took Duke from nothing into the elite college basketball program of the past 15 years. Has a very rigid system and teaches it well. He has 3 national titles, but has hit a bit of a tournament road block the past 2 seasons.
Bill Self
Think he was kicking himself when he left Illinois and they went to the Championship game with players he recruited? Has taken 3 different programs to the Elite 8. Earned his spot on this list with his national championship last season.
Billy Donovan
Winner of back-to-back championships. He also lost to Izzo in the championship game of 99/00. A member of the Pitino coaching tree and is a very good offensive coach. One of the top coaches when it comes to the pick and roll motion offense. Creates an atmosphere that players enjoy, as seen by his entire team returning to win a second title.
Ben Howland
Quite possibly the best defensive coach on this list. Has been to 3 straight Final 4s but his detractors will say he is yet to win the big one. If not for Florida having a 2 year dynasty, he would have his title. Built Pitt into a Big East contender and then left for UCLA. First final 4 team at UCLA has Sweet 16 talent at best. Isn't the best offensive coach and that has kept him from reaching the top of this list.
Pitino
Arguably the best pressure defensive coach on this list. Took Providence to their miracle run. Won a national title with Kentucky, had a great Celtics press conference and now has Louisville on the national map.
My top 10
1. Coach K
2. Izzo
3. Pitino
4. Donovan
5. Howland
6. Calhoun
7. Self
8. Few
9. Calipari
10. Boeheim
Roy WIlliams
Have never been a big Roy Williams fan. How his Kansas team lost to Melo's 'Cuse team is beyond me. It was like his team didn't know McNamara would shoot 3s. He consistently does less with more in the tournament than any other coach. His in-game adjustments might be the worst of anyone on this list. Case in point the Final 4 game vs Kansas. He sat there and kept shuffling in new players as opposed to calling a timeout during that amazing 1st half run. When his team's talent overcame their lack of coaching, they almost won the game. Roy won a national title with someone else's players. When he wins with his own recruiting class, he will deserve top 5.
Jim Calhoun
Great at developing NBA talent. The problem with that is when you have NBA ready kids in NCAA, you lose some games you probably shouldn't. Yes, it does make sense. It is much harder to consistently motivate the NBA talent. He has 2 national titles and the upset of Duke was a masterful coaching job. Didn't like the 1st round NCAA exit last year, but it was the first time in 15 years it happened.
Tom Izzo
Had a great 4 year run and things have cooled down since then. The game has changed a bit and is more guard oriented, making his bruising physical style a little less successful. Still has been to four Final 4s in the past 9-10 years. His teams are always prepared and never lack intensity or effort. One of the best tournament coaches out there.
Pitino
Coach K
The gold standard of coaches. You can say he has his pick of McD All Americans (the relevance of McD AA can be argued elsewhere), but he still wins. Roy Williams has arguably had as much talent and has never won with his own players. The guy took Duke from nothing into the elite college basketball program of the past 15 years. Has a very rigid system and teaches it well. He has 3 national titles, but has hit a bit of a tournament road block the past 2 seasons.
Bill Self
Think he was kicking himself when he left Illinois and they went to the Championship game with players he recruited? Has taken 3 different programs to the Elite 8. Earned his spot on this list with his national championship last season.
Billy Donovan
Winner of back-to-back championships. He also lost to Izzo in the championship game of 99/00. A member of the Pitino coaching tree and is a very good offensive coach. One of the top coaches when it comes to the pick and roll motion offense. Creates an atmosphere that players enjoy, as seen by his entire team returning to win a second title.
Ben Howland
Quite possibly the best defensive coach on this list. Has been to 3 straight Final 4s but his detractors will say he is yet to win the big one. If not for Florida having a 2 year dynasty, he would have his title. Built Pitt into a Big East contender and then left for UCLA. First final 4 team at UCLA has Sweet 16 talent at best. Isn't the best offensive coach and that has kept him from reaching the top of this list.
Pitino
Arguably the best pressure defensive coach on this list. Took Providence to their miracle run. Won a national title with Kentucky, had a great Celtics press conference and now has Louisville on the national map.
My top 10
1. Coach K
2. Izzo
3. Pitino
4. Donovan
5. Howland
6. Calhoun
7. Self
8. Few
9. Calipari
10. Boeheim
