I have to say that this list turned into a bigger challenge than I originally thought. Upon researching some of these coaches' accomplishments there are also others who could very easily have made it on this list for me. These are the ones I chose and though they may not necessarily belong in this order they belong at the top
No. #1 Mike Krzyzewski - Duke
This Hall of Fame Coach sets the bar as a humanitarian of sport, an ambassador of education, a coach, a teacher, a friend, a family man, a leader and a motivator. The Duke program has become one of the most successful of all time. In 28 years at Duke, Krzyzewski, a 12-time National Coach of the Year, has built a dynasty that few programs in the history of the game can match. Named “America’s Best Coach” in 2001. What more should I say about a legend? His Career Record: 833-274 (.752) in 34 years, His Duke Record: 760-215 (.779) in 28 years and His NCAA Record: 71-22 (.763) in 25 trips. These accomplishments are every coaches dream in making it to the Top.
No. #2 Bill Self - Kansas
I know that those who read this that know me will say I am biased. Being a huge fan of The University of Kansas (and Kentucky) and choosing Bill Self as the overall No.2 pick. He is a proven leader and recruiter. He has got enough talent on that team this year to just about make two teams out of the one. I didn't rate him at the top for those reasons and those alone. His productivity as a coach speaks for itself.
In Self's six seasons as head coach at KU he has won one national championship, five straight regular-season Big 12 titles and three league tournament championships. In his first trip to the Final Four in 2008, Self's team won the title. He was named just the eighth head coach in Kansas basketball history on April 21, 2003.
Overall, Self has coached 16 seasons with a 376-145 (.722 percent) record.
No. #3 Rick Pitino - Louisville
"They say the best men are molded out of faults, and for the most part, become more the better for being a little bad." Shakespeare
Yes in the past year his off the court accusations and self admitted adultery has created some questionable marks against his abilities. I beg to differ with how it defines him as coach and a leader of young men. His harshest critics will say, "how can he be a leader of young men and screw around on his wife of 23 yrs.?" And I say, "What's in your [wallet] err closet?" In 23 seasons as a collegiate head coach at four different schools, Pitino has compiled a 552-197 record, a .737 winning percentage that ranks him 10th among active coaches. His current contract ties him with U of L through the 2012-2013 season. Pitino's .745 winning percentage in NCAA Tournament games (38-13) is fourth best among active coaches. 23 former Pitino assistant coaches or players have become collegiate head coaches. He has one National Championship and Pitino is the only coach to take three different schools to the Final Four. His accomplishments have to be considered when taking a look at such a list as Top Coaches. Can he beat Kentucky? That's all Cardinal fans want to know. Jan 2 we'll find out.
No. #4 Roy Williams - North Carolina
Williams was honored as National Coach of the Year four times while at Kansas. He is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and is one of the most accomplished coaches in college basketball.
Williams KU teams averaged almost 28 wins per season. A record of 869-199 in 31 seasons as a collegiate head coach and assistant coach. Seven Final Fours, the fourth-most in history behind John Wooden, Smith and Krzyzewski. Over the last eight years, Williams has won 239 games, including 30 in the NCAA Tournament, and led Kansas and UNC to the Final Four five times and has two National Championships in the last five years. That's more wins, more NCAA Tournament victories and more Final Fours than any coach in the nation. He also coached National Players of the Year in four of the eight seasons. He is a proven leader and encourages his players to focus on the same goal. Several of his staff and players have gone on to head coaching positions, including Matt Doherty, Neil Dougherty, Jerry Green, Steve Robinson, Kevin Stallings, Mark Turgeon and Rex Walters.
UNC Basketball-Roy Williams --A must read by any fan this link is an attachment to a story that Coach Williams wrote on 11/05/09
No. #5 Tom Izzo - Michigan State
When I think of Coach Izzo I always think of the Spartans. When I think of the Spartans I usually see their football team in my thoughts first. When I reflect on this list I do not automatically think of either. I do think he belongs here though. Over the course of time and year after year Coach Izzo seems to always be in your face with his teams. A Four-Time National Coach of the Year with a career record of 336-137. Five Final Fours, One National Championship, 5 outright Big Ten Championships & Two Big Ten Tournament Championships along with 12 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. For a Coach who has to compete with the ones previously on this list I think these accomplishments and his Top 5 on my list is well deserved.
Obviously there are others that are definitely worth mentioning and may deserve to be on my list, but not everybody can make my Top Five.
Who is your top coaches, favorite coaches or who should be here that isn't. I encourage your comments and appreciate them even more.
