Five Best Coaching Trees In College Basketball

5. John Calipari – Kentucky

Nov 9, 2014; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with his team during a time in the game against the Georgetown Tigers in the first half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Georgetown 121-52. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Notable Proteges: Josh Pastner (Memphis), Derek Kellogg (UMass), Bruiser Flint (Drexel), Orlando Antigua (South Florida), Scott Padgett (Samford)

Why He’s a Great Mentor: Calipari is an innovator.  He embraces the trends in modern basketball while his peers wish they could change them.  From exploiting the one-and-done culture to having Drake headline Big Blue Madness, no one in the game appeals to today’s elite recruits more than Calipari. He has even adapted his offense to accommodate the skill set of today’s players.  His coaching proteges leave Kentucky knowing how to build a program with modern-day flair.

Why He’s Here: Calipari’s coaching tree is just taking shape.  Young guns like Kellogg and Pastner have had success at their schools, but they are just beginning to climb the coaching ladder. With the success Calipari is enjoying at Kentucky, his tree and his influence on today’s basketball landscape will explode.