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NCAA Basketball: 10 best coaching hires from the 2018 off-season

By Tristan Freeman

WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Kevin Keatts of the North Carolina State Wolfpack calls out instructions in the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
WICHITA, KS - MARCH 15: Head coach Kevin Keatts of the North Carolina State Wolfpack calls out instructions in the first half against the Seton Hall Pirates during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Tournament at INTRUST Arena on March 15, 2018 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /
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ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 20: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders looks on with Reggie Upshaw
ST LOUIS, MO – MARCH 20: Head coach Kermit Davis of the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders looks on with Reggie Upshaw /

8. Kermit Davis to Ole Miss Rebels

Previous coach and record: Andy Kennedy 12-20 (5-13)

After a decade of overall success, it was probably time for both Kennedy and Mississippi to move on from one another. Of all the teams in the SEC, the Rebels might have the hardest job of getting an elite coach, given the lack of winning history. Same could be said when it comes to getting the top-100 recruits to come to Oxford.

That’s why getting someone like Davis from Middle Tennessee is such a solid move. His reputation as a developer will serve the program well, while his success with transfer Nick King will make Ole Miss an option for other transfers.

7. Travis Steele to Xavier Musketeers via promotion

Previous coach and record: Chris Mack 29-6 (15-3)

While Xavier has been great in the five years since elevating from the A-10 to the Big East, there’s always a chance that the program could take a step back if certain things happen. After Chris Mack went to Louisville, the Musketeers decided to promote from within Steele, a longtime assistant.

He’s had immediate success when it comes to getting transfers so from the recruiting front this was a solid pickup already. Xavier has gone from Sean Miller to Chris Mack without missing a beat and will hope that this transition goes just as smoothly.

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