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NCAA Basketball: Who are the best D-I coaches who have played professional basketball?

By Daniel Benjamin

Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing works with a player before their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Charlotte Hornets associate head coach Patrick Ewing works with a player before their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 8, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; UCF Knights head coach Johnny Dawkins works the bench in the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; UCF Knights head coach Johnny Dawkins works the bench in the first half against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Johnny Dawkins, UCF Golden Knights

Johnny Dawkins has had a better career as a player than a coach to date. Dawkins was an excellent college player who had a solid NBA career. He averaged 11.1 points, along with 5.5 assists over nine seasons, with stints with Philadelphia, San Antonio, and Detroit.

Dawkins started his college coaching career in 1996 as an administrative assistant in the Duke administrative department. He joined Mike Krzyzewski’s staff in 1998 and stayed there until 2008. He was then named the head coach at Stanford.

Dawkins had an up-and-down tenure at Stanford. He finished his eight-year stay with a 156-115 record, which included two NIT crowns, though, just a single NCAA Tournament appearance.

After being unemployed for just eight days, UCF selected Dawkins as their next head coach. The 53-year old coach led the Golden Knights to a historic season. UCF went 24-12 in 2016-17, marking its first winning campaign in four years and its second most wins ever. The Knights reached the NIT semifinals.

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