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NCAA Basketball: 10 Best Mid-Major Coaches in 2018

By Tristan Freeman

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 07: Head coach Randy Bennett (L) of the Saint Mary's Gaels and head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs greet each other before the championship game of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 74-56. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 07: Head coach Randy Bennett (L) of the Saint Mary's Gaels and head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs greet each other before the championship game of the West Coast Conference Basketball Tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 7, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Gonzaga won 74-56. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Ben Jacobson of the Northern Iowa Panthers directs his team during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 21, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 21: Head coach Ben Jacobson of the Northern Iowa Panthers directs his team during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at the Dean Smith Center on December 21, 2016 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

8. Greg Kampe – Oakland Grizzlies

Career wins: 602 – NCAA Tournament appearances: 3

Best result: Round of 64 with Oakland in 2005, 2010, and 2011

The head coach of Oakland since 1984, Kampe has led the program into Division-1 basketball, as well as switching different conferences. Since arriving in the Horizon, the Grizzlies have been one of the best teams in the league, with a few postseason appearances (none in the Big Dance though) to show for it.

Kampe’s reputation is also starting to pay off when it comes to transfers, which will be a big boost for Oakland going forward. He’s had an under the radar great career with this program, which seems to be heading into new heights.

 7. Ben Jacobson – Northern Iowa Panthers

Career wins: 250 – NCAA Tournament appearances: 4

Best result: Sweet Sixteen with Northern Iowa in 2010

The Panthers have quietly been one of the biggest giant-killers of the NCAA Tournament in the past decade, with a few memorable performances to speak of. Jacobson was the mastermind of the upset wins, including over top-seeded Kansas to get to the second weekend for the first time ever.

In the heyday of the Missouri Valley, Northern Iowa was right there in the thick of things. And even though the past two seasons have overall been a struggle, they still managed to pull off some big wins in the non-conference. If Jacobson is around, the Panthers aren’t someone a powerhouse team wants to play in the first round of the Big Dance.

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