The menโs college basketball coaching carousel is spinning at full speed, with numerous high-profile firings, hirings, and speculations making headlines. This article delves into the latest intel and buzz surrounding the coaching changes, providing a comprehensive overview of the current landscape.
From Marylandโs search for a new head coach to the surprising moves at Villanova and Texas, the coaching carousel promises to bring significant shifts in the college basketball world.
The Coaching Carousel: Key Moves and Implications
The second wave of the menโs college basketball coaching carousel began turning soon after the first weekend of the NCAA tournament. High-major dominoes fell in quick succession, leaving just one Power 5 job open heading into the Sweet 16: Villanova.
The Wildcats fired Kyle Neptune after three seasons and subsequently hired Kevin Willard from Maryland. This move left a vacancy in College Park, with Maryland now on the hunt for a new head coach.
Marylandโs Search for a New Head Coach
Marylandโs coaching search is complicated by the absence of an athletic director, as Damon Evans recently departed for SMU. Despite this, the Terps are expected to move quickly.
Maryland has a rich tradition and a passionate fan base, along with a talent-rich recruiting base in the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia area. However, financial difficulties and a low name, image, and likeness (NIL) budget pose challenges for the program.
Potential candidates for the Maryland job include:
Find the best accommodations
Check availability at 5* hotels, guest houses and apartments rated "superb" or "exceptional" by visitors just like you.
NO RESERVATION FEES
CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR DATES HERE
- Buzz Williams: Texas A&M coach with 11 NCAA tournaments and four Sweet 16s under his belt.
- Chris Beard: Ole Miss coach who could also be a candidate for Texas A&M if Williams leaves.
- Porter Moser: Oklahoma coach who was a top choice for Villanova before Willardโs hire.
- Chris Collins: Northwestern coach who might be tempted to make a move within the Big Ten.
Villanovaโs Strategic Hire
Villanovaโs hiring of Kevin Willard comes after a week of speculation surrounding his status at Maryland. Willardโs move to Villanova is expected to bring a sizable bump in salary.
The Wildcatsโ decision to hire Willard highlights their commitment to maintaining a competitive edge in the Big East.
Other High-Profile Coaching Changes
Several other high-profile coaching changes have taken place recently, reshaping the landscape of menโs college basketball.
Texas Longhornsโ New Leadership
Texas fired Rodney Terry and quickly hired Sean Miller from Xavier. Millerโs second stint at Xavier was marked by success, and his move to Texas is expected to bring new energy to the Longhornsโ program.
Big Ten Movements
The Big Ten has seen significant coaching changes, including:
- Ben McCollum: Hired by Iowa after leading Drake to the round of 32 in the NCAA tournament.
- Niko Medved: Hired by Minnesota after a successful tenure at Colorado State.
Mid-Major Moves
Mid-major programs have also been active in the coaching carousel:
- Josh Pastner: Hired by UNLV after previous stints at Georgia Tech and Memphis.
- Ryan Odom: Hired by Virginia after leading VCU to the NCAA tournament.
West Virginiaโs Coaching Search
West Virginia is embarking on a coaching search for the third time in 20 months. The Mountaineers are looking for a new head coach after Darian DeVries left for Indiana.
The program is known for its competitive NIL budget and has had success under multiple head coaches, making it an attractive destination.
Top Candidates for West Virginia
The primary names linked to the West Virginia job include:
- Jerrod Calhoun: Utah State coach with ties to West Virginia and a strong track record.
- Ben McCollum: Recently hired by Iowa but could still be a candidate for West Virginia.
Other potential candidates include:
- Niko Medved: Colorado State coach who was in the mix last year.
- Josh Schertz: Saint Louis coach previously linked to the job.
- Steve Forbes: Wake Forest coach with potential interest.
Impact on the NCAA Tournament
The coaching carousel has had a significant impact on the NCAA tournament. Many viable candidates for coaching positions are currently leading their teams in the tournament, which has delayed some decisions.
For instance, Marylandโs Kevin Willard guided the Terps to their first Sweet 16 since 2016 before moving to Villanova.
Conclusion
The menโs college basketball coaching carousel is in full swing, with numerous high-profile changes reshaping the landscape.
From Marylandโs search for a new head coach to Villanovaโs strategic hire of Kevin Willard, the coaching carousel promises to bring significant shifts in the college basketball world.
Stay tuned for more updates as the carousel continues to spin, and visit the coaching carousel tracker for the latest intel and buzz.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews