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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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LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 02: Tommy Amaker, head coach of the Harvard Crimson, watches from the bench during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Harvard Crimson at Rupp Arena on December 2, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY – DECEMBER 02: Tommy Amaker, head coach of the Harvard Crimson, watches from the bench during the second half of the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and the Harvard Crimson at Rupp Arena on December 2, 2017 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /

6. Tommy Amaker – Harvard Crimson

Career wins: 387 – NCAA Tournament appearances: 5

Best result: Sweet Sixteen with Seton Hall in 2000

Most times, it’s the mid-major coaches that move up in search of a permanent home. In this case, it was the complete opposite for Amaker. After making the Big Dance just once in a decade with both Seton Hall and Michigan, he went to Harvard in the hopes of them becoming one of the top teams in the Ivy.

That’s what happened from 2011-15, where the Crimson won the Ivy League four straight years to cash their ticket. The success made Harvard a now viable place for recruits, with a historically ranked recruiting class coming in a couple of years ago. Looks like Amaker finally found a permanent home, making it “third times a charm”.

5. Phil Martelli – St. Joe’s Hawks

Career wins: 432 – NCAA Tournament appearances: 7

Best result: Elite Eight with St. Joe’s in 2004

He’s been the head coach at St. Joe’s since the 1995-96 season, consistently being one of the top teams in a usually competitive Atlantic 10 Conference. In that historic 2004 season, Martelli was awarded the AP Coach of the Year.

The Hawks rarely ever get stars, so it’s up to him to develop them over time to become good enough to lead the program year after year. His recent teams have been decimated with injuries, otherwise, they too would’ve been good enough to contend for a bid.

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