Jerome Tang's coaching journey began at Heritage Christian Academy, where he led the team from 1993 to 2003, shaping them into formidable competitors. He mentored future NBA talent Von Wafer during his time there. Transitioning to assistant coaching at Baylor in 2003, Tang played a pivotal role under Scott Drew's leadership. His efforts resulted in an associate head coach position in 2017, contributing significantly to Baylor's 2021 national championship. Tang's coaching prowess led him to become the head coach of Kansas State in March 2022, succeeding Bruce Weber.
- Salary: $3.1 million
- Wins: 45
- Losses: 24
- National Championships: 0
- Kansas State Coach: 2022-present
Chris Beard has risen from humble beginnings to the helm of Ole Miss's basketball program. Following stints as a student manager and assistant, Beard honed his skills across various colleges and leagues. His time at Texas Tech marked a turning point, where he led the Red Raiders to unprecedented success, including a historic Final Four appearance. Now, at Ole Miss, Beard aims to rejuvenate the Rebels, bringing his wealth of experience and a hunger for victory to the court.
- Salary: $3.25 million
- Wins: 256
- Losses: 109
- National Championships: 0
- Ole Miss Head Coach: 2023-present
Taking over the Iowa head coach position in 2010, Fran McCaffery quickly made an impact, snapping a lengthy losing streak against ranked opponents in his inaugural season. Over the years, his teams showcased resilience, securing wins over formidable opponents like Purdue and Michigan State. Despite challenges, including personal struggles with his son's health, McCaffery's leadership propelled Iowa to postseason success and national recognition.
- Salary: $3.3 million
- Wins: 531
- Losses: 368
- National Championships: 0
- Iowa Head Coach: 2010-present
At Jacksonville State, Mike White catalyzed the team's ascent to Division I success, spearheading recruiting efforts that yielded conference victories and accolades for standout players. His tenure at Ole Miss solidified his reputation, where he played a pivotal role in the Rebels' resurgence in the SEC. At Louisiana Tech, White orchestrated a resurgence, securing conference titles. His tenure at Florida, though marked by consistent NCAA Tournament appearances, eventually led him to Georgia, where he's currently poised for greatness.
- Salary: $3.5 million
- Wins: 279
- Losses: 161
- National Championships: 0
- Georgia Head Coach: 2022-present
Steve Pikiell's coaching experience began as an assistant at UConn, then Yale, and interim head coach at Wesleyan. He later assisted at Central Connecticut State, contributing to an NCAA Tournament appearance. Joining George Washington, Pikiell aided in two postseason runs. At Stony Brook, he transformed a struggling program, securing their first NCAA Tournament berth. Pikiell's move to Rutgers saw immediate success, earning the Scarlet Knights their first tournament win in 38 years and garnering national recognition
- Salary: $3.55 million
- Wins: 329
- Losses: 297
- National Championships: 0
- Rutgers Head Coach: 2016-present
Jeff Capel began his coaching journey at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he became the youngest head coach in Division I men's college basketball at just 27. During his tenure, he led the Rams to unprecedented success, achieving a record number of wins and earning accolades such as Coach of the Year. Capel later transitioned to the University of Oklahoma before joining Duke University's coaching staff. Currently, he serves as the head coach for the University of Pittsburgh, earning recognition for his achievements in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
- Salary: $3.6 million
- Wins: 259
- Losses: 202
- National Championships: 0
- Pittsburgh Head Coach: 2018-present
Matt Painter's a familiar face at Purdue University, where he played college ball himself. Now the head coach, he's become a fixture, leading the Boilermakers to consistent success. Known for his strategic mind and ability to develop well-rounded players, Painter has taken Purdue to the NCAA tournament multiple times, even reaching the Elite Eight. While a national championship win still eludes him, Purdue remains a force under Coach Painter's leadership.
- Salary: $3.7 million
- Wins: 469
- Losses: 206
- National Championships: 0
- Years Purdue Head Coach: 2005-present
Greg Gard, a native of Cobb, Wisconsin, assumed the role of head coach for the Badgers on December 15, 2015, succeeding Bo Ryan. With 23 years as Ryan's assistant, Gard's coaching prowess became evident. Despite a rocky start in 2015-2016, his leadership led to a notable turnaround, earning him the permanent head coach position. Gard's tenure, however, encountered controversy in 2021-22 when a postgame altercation with Michigan's coach marred his reputation temporarily.
- Salary: $3.77 million
- Wins: 186
- Losses: 107
- National Championships: 0
- Wisconsin Head Coach: 2015-present
Jamie Dixon, head coach of the TCU Horned Frogs men's team, boasts an illustrious career. A former player at TCU himself, Dixon has excelled as a coach, notably leading the University of Pittsburgh's men's basketball team from 2003 to 2016. His accolades include coaching the FIBA Under-19 gold-medal winning United States national basketball team in 2009, earning several Coach of the Year awards, and guiding Pitt to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
- Salary: $3.81 million
- Wins: 328
- Losses: 123
- National Championships: 0
- TCU Head Coach: 2016-present
Kevin Willard boasts a rich background in basketball. Having played at Western Kentucky and Pittsburgh, he honed his skills under the tutelage of his father, Ralph Willard, and alongside renowned coach Rick Pitino. Willard's coaching journey includes notable stints at Iona College and Seton Hall University, where he achieved remarkable successes, including leading the Pirates to the 2016 Big East championship.
- Salary: $4 million
- Wins: 308
- Losses: 240
- National Championships: 0
- Maryland Head Coach: 2022-present
Dana Altman's coaching journey spans from Marshall to Oregon, marked by success and milestones. At Kansas State, his knack for close-game victories and upsets defined his tenure, including upsetting top-ranked teams. Altman's move to Creighton brought accolades, with MVC Coach of the Year honors. Oregon witnessed his prowess with multiple Pac-12 titles and NCAA tournament triumphs, culminating in a Final Four appearance. His legacy is etched in 755 career wins and a commitment to excellence.
- Salary: $4 million
- Wins: 755
- Losses: 395
- National Championships: 0
- Oregon Head Coach: 2010-present
Dennis Gates embarked on his coaching journey as an intern for the Los Angeles Clippers before venturing into collegiate coaching. He held assistant roles at Marquette, Florida State, Northern Illinois, and Nevada. Gates rejoined Florida State, contributing to their ACC Tournament victory and multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2019, Gates assumed the head coaching position at Cleveland State, earning recognition as Horizon League Coach of the Year. He later took the reins at Missouri, securing a lucrative contract.
- Salary: $4 million
- Wins: 83
- Losses: 73
- National Championships: 0
- Missouri Head Coach: 2022-present
Tony Bennett, the head coach at Virginia, is known for his defensive strategy, often nicknamed "Bennettball." This disciplined style focuses on keeping the other team from scoring. Under Coach Bennett, Virginia has won a national championship and is known for being a tough team to beat in March Madness.
- Salary: $4.02 million
- Wins: 433
- Losses: 169
- National Championships: 1 (Virginia - 2019)
- Virginia Head Coach: 2009-present
Tommy Lloyd, the current head coach at the University of Arizona, has made NCAA Division I history with 61 wins in his first two seasons. Renowned for his international recruiting prowess at Gonzaga, Lloyd's coaching career burgeoned from humble beginnings in junior college. He now embarks on a new chapter as the head coach of the United States men's national under-18 basketball team, poised to lead them in the 2024 FIBA U18 Men’s AmeriCup alongside esteemed assistant coaches.
- Salary: $4.1 million
- Wins: 87
- Losses: 19
- National Championships: 0
- Arizona Head Coach: 2021-present
Mick Cronin is the head coach at UCLA, known for his tough coaching style and focus on discipline. He's had success at other schools like Cincinnati, consistently taking his teams to the NCAA tournament. While Cronin hasn't yet won a national championship, his teams are known for their defensive prowess and ability to grind out wins.
- Salary: Estimated $4.1 million
- Wins: 479
- Losses: 224
- National Championships: 0
- UCLA Head Coach: 2019-present
Mike Woodson, currently the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team, brings a wealth of experience from both his playing days and coaching career. Drafted by the New York Knicks in 1980, Woodson enjoyed an 11-season stint in the NBA. Transitioning to coaching, he found success in the league before taking the helm at Indiana. Woodson's tenure at Indiana has seen the team's resurgence, marked by consecutive NCAA tournament appearances and a focus on modern strategies.
- Salary: $4.2 million
- Wins: 350
- Losses: 217
- National Championships: 0
- Indiana Head Coach: 2021-present
Eric Musselman was the head coach turning things around at the Arkansas Razorbacks. Before Arkansas, he led Nevada to several winning seasons. Coach Musselman is known for his high-energy style and focus on building strong defenses. The Razorbacks didn't win a national championship under his leadership, but they made strides under his coaching, reaching the Sweet Sixteen multiple times. Musselman recently accepted a new head coach position at USC.
- Salary: ~$4.25 million
- Wins: 221
- Losses: 93
- National Championships: 0
- USC Head Coach: 2024-present
Fred Hoiberg's coaching career saw notable highs and lows, particularly highlighted by his time at Nebraska. After successful stints, including leading Iowa State to NCAA tournament appearances and signing a lucrative extension, Hoiberg faced challenges with the Chicago Bulls, ultimately being relieved of his duties. Returning to his roots in Nebraska, Hoiberg's fifth year saw remarkable success, earning him Big Ten Co-Coach of the Year honors and securing a contract extension after guiding the Huskers back to the NCAA Tournament.
- Salary: $4.25 million
- Wins: 178
- Losses: 150
- National Championships: 0
- Nebraska Head Coach: 2019-present
Buzz Williams, current head coach at Texas A&M University, boasts an illustrious coaching career. Prior to his tenure at Texas A&M, Williams led successful programs at Marquette and Virginia Tech. At Marquette, he guided the Golden Eagles to multiple NCAA tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen berth. At Virginia Tech, he revitalized the program, earning ACC Coach of the Year honors.
- Salary: $4.49 million
- Wins: 350
- Losses: 217
- National Championships: 0
- Texas A&M Head Coach: 2019-present
Nate Oats, the current head men's basketball coach at the University of Alabama, hails from Watertown, Wisconsin. Prior to his tenure at Alabama, he coached at the University at Buffalo, where he achieved remarkable success, including leading the team to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Oats' coaching philosophy emphasizes values like max effort and continuous growth, traits reflected in his teams' performances. His leadership has earned him recognition and accolades throughout his coaching career.
- Salary: $4.53 million
- Wins: 210
- Losses: 96
- National Championships: 0
- Alabama Head Coach: 2019-present
Kelvin Sampson is a proven winner who's transformed the Houston Cougars into a powerhouse. Before Houston, he led other schools like Oklahoma to success. Coach Sampson is known for his recruiting skills and ability to develop players into stars. He's taken Houston to multiple NCAA tournaments and even a couple of Final Four appearances. While a national championship win is still on his wishlist, Sampson's coaching has Houston consistently competing at the highest level.
- Salary: $4.61 million
- Wins: 763
- Losses: 349
- National Championships: 0
- Houston Head Coach: 2014-present
Brad Underwood has quickly become a star coach at the University of Illinois. He's known for attracting top recruits and turning them into winners. In just a few seasons, Coach Underwood has led the Fighting Illini to multiple winning seasons and even a Big Ten championship title. With his exciting style of play, Illinois is a team to watch in the years to come.
- Salary: $4.7 million
- Wins: 249
- Losses: 114
- National Championships: 0
- Illinois Head Coach: 2017-present
Dan Hurley is the head coach at the University of Connecticut, leading the Huskies back to prominence. After a rough patch for the program, Coach Hurley has rebuilt them into a defensive powerhouse. He focuses on tough defense and developing his players, and his efforts have the Huskies competing for championships again. UConn now won back-to-back titles.
- Salary: $5 million
- Wins: 288
- Losses: 163
- National Championships: 2 (UConn 2023, 2024)
- UConn Head Coach: 2018-present
Scott Drew has led a remarkable turnaround at Baylor University. Before his arrival, the program faced some challenges. Coach Drew has rebuilt Baylor into a national contender, known for its strong team spirit and exciting play. The hard work paid off with a dramatic win in the 2021 NCAA tournament, bringing Baylor their first ever national championship title!
- Salary: $5.13 million
- Wins: 466
- Losses: 254
- National Championships: 1 (Baylor - 2021)
- Baylor Head Coach: 21 yrs
Kentucky has just announced one of their own, Mark Pope, as their new head coach. Pope was a captain of the 1996 National Championship team and has now signed a five-year contract to coach the Wildcats. Previously, he was head coach at Utah Valley and then Brigham Young University from 2019-2024, where he led the team to the NCAA tournament twice in that short time period. Because he understands the past, present, and future of the Kentucky program, a national championship could likely be on its way.
- Salary: $5.5 million
- Wins: 187
- Losses: 108
- National Championships: 0
- Kentucky Head Coach: <1 year
Rick Barnes is a proven leader in college basketball. Before his time at Tennessee, he coached at other universities like Clemson and Texas. Known for building strong teams and getting the best out of his players, Coach Barnes has consistently led his teams to the NCAA tournament, the biggest basketball event in March. While he hasn't yet secured a national championship title, his teams are always contenders.
- Salary: $5.7 million
- Wins: 804
- Losses: 414
- National Championships: 0
- Tennessee Head Coach: 2015-present
Bruce Pearl brings excitement and energy to the court at Auburn. He's known for his high-powered offense and ability to turn programs around. Coach Pearl has led Auburn to their best March Madness run in years, even reaching the Final Four! While he hasn't yet secured that title, his passionate coaching style keeps Auburn a force to be reckoned with.
- Salary: $5.72 million
- Wins: 676
- Losses: 264
- National Championships: 0
- Auburn Head Coach: 2014-present
Tom Izzo is synonymous with Michigan State basketball. He's built a dynasty in East Lansing, consistently leading his Spartans to deep runs in the NCAA tournament. Coach Izzo boasts one national championship (2000) and a .722 winning percentage, solidifying his place as a college basketball icon.
- Salary: $6.2 million
- Wins: 707
- Losses: 295
- National Championships: 1 (Michigan State - 2000)
- Michigan St Head Coach: 1995-present
Nicknamed "Coach Cal," John Calipari is a legend in college basketball. He's famous for his ability to recruit the best high school players in the country, turning them into stars who often go on to play in the NBA. At Kentucky, Coach Cal led the team to a national championship win and is known for his exciting, high-scoring style of play. He very recently accepted the head coach position at Arkansas, maintaining his second-highest-paid college basketball coach title.
- Salary: $7.5-$8 million
- Wins: 813
- Losses: 260
- National Championships: 1 (Kentucky - 2012)
- Arkansas Head Coach: 2024-present
Bill Self has established himself as a winner at Kansas. He's led the Jayhawks to two national championships (2008 and 2022) and has a .768 winning percentage, one of the highest among active coaches. Self's consistent success and ability to build championship contenders year after year make him a coaching force to be reckoned with.
- Salary: $9.63 million
- Wins: 806
- Losses: 243
- National Championships: 2 (Kansas - 2008, 2022)
- Kansas Head Coach: 2003-present
