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NCAA Basketball: 10 best coaching performances from the 2017-18 season

By Tristan Freeman

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines reacts against the Villanova Wildcats in the first half during the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four National Championship game at the Alamodome on April 2, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE – MARCH 23: Head coach Brad Brownell of the Clemson Tigers reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the first half in the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Midwest Regional at CenturyLink Center on March 23, 2018 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

Honorable coaching mentions

Johnny Dawkins – Central Florida Knights

2017-18 season record: 19-13 (9-9 in AAC)

Despite losing the team’s best offensive for part of the year in BJ Taylor, and their best defensive player in Tacko Fall, Dawkins was still able to make UCF competitive this past season.

Will Wade – LSU Tigers

2017-18 season record: 18-15 (8-10 in SEC)

It would’ve been acceptable if LSU finished at the bottom of what ended up being a very deep and tough SEC. But in just his first season with little true talent on the roster, Wade was able to make this team a factor. Unfortunately for him, it arguably wasn’t even the third best coaching job in the league.

Brad Brownell – Clemson Tigers

2017-18 season record: 25-10 (11-7 in ACC)

This could have easily been his last season as the head coach, with several underachieving years prior. Things changed this time, with a Sweet Sixteen appearance to show for it. Why Brownell makes this list is because when the team’s second-leading scorer went down, Clemson still went on without missing a beat.

Damon Stoudamire – Pacific Tigers

2017-18 season record: 14-18 (9-9 in WCC)

Before the former NBA guard came to Pacific, the Tigers were the doormat of the WCC. This year was finally different, with the team winning three more conference games than their next previous-high. It was done thanks to an influx of a bunch of transfers, giving the program the talent they finally need to become a thorn in the top team’s sides.

Archie Miller – Indiana Hoosiers

2017-18 season result: 16-15 (9-9 in Big Ten)

In what was supposed to be a complete rebuilding year, the Hoosiers were a tough out for every team they played. Like he did at Dayton, Miller maximized the talent he had available and kept Indiana afloat for as long as possible. And unlike when he was with the Flyers, he’ll have some big-time talent coming up the pipeline.

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