Five Best Coaching Trees In College Basketball

4. Thad Matta, Ohio State

Mar 15, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State head coach Thad Matta talks to his team moments before the start of their game against the Michigan Wlverines in the semifinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports

Notable Proteges: Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics), Sean Miller (Arizona), John Groce (Illinois), Archie Miller (Dayton)

Why He’s a Great Mentor:  Matta teaches a defense-first brand of basketball that is a solid foundation for anyone learning to coach.  Combine that with an inside-out approach to offense, and his proteges are well-schooled in a style of basketball that works. Big Ten title runs and deep advancement in the NCAA tournament form great proving grounds for Matta’s understudies.

Why He’s Here:  Matta’s career can be traced back to Rick Pitino through Arizona State Head Coach Herb Sendek, but Matta gets his own tree because of Big Ten titles and NCAA Tournament success. Matta ranks ahead of Calipari due to the success of Stevens and Miller.  Stevens took Butler to back-to-back title games in 2010 and 2011 before taking over the Celtics and Miller has Arizona poised for a breakthrough.