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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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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Head coach Lorenzo Romar of the Washington Huskies looks on during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 78-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 08: Head coach Lorenzo Romar of the Washington Huskies looks on during a first-round game of the Pac-12 Basketball Tournament against the USC Trojans at T-Mobile Arena on March 8, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. USC won 78-73. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

6. Lorenzo Romar to Pepperdine Waves

Previous coach and record: Marty Wilson 6-26 (2-16)

There are going to be some who rolls their eyes at this one, but one thing Romar can’t be denied for is his elite ability to recruit. He defeated now WCC peer Mark Few many times for the best Seattle-area players and still has many connections in the Northwest area.

The Waves reside in Malibu, one of the best-recruiting advantages a coach can ask for. If he can get some quality transfers and sneak in some under the radar prospects, Pepperdine could eventually become a thorn in Gonzaga’s side.

5. Penny Hardaway to Memphis Tigers

Previous coach and record: Tubby Smith 21-13

Smith was not fired because of the on the court product, but rather due to the politics of college basketball recruiting. The city of Memphis (one of the best cities when it comes to prospects) wasn’t responding well to him, and the program made the change.

Hardaway is a local legend and will have a tremendous impact on recruiting both locally and nationally. The only question will be whether he’s a good enough coach to take the Tigers back to the Big Dance. But he’ll at least have the players to give himself a real shot.

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