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Big Ten Basketball: Ranking the head coaches for 2018-19

By Bryan Mauro

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 12: A general interior view of the empty court during the semifinals of the 2011 Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Conseco Fieldhouse on March 12, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans walks off the court after being defeated by the Syracuse Orange 55-53 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 18: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans walks off the court after being defeated by the Syracuse Orange 55-53 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

1. Tom Izzo

Who else but Izzo could be number 1 on this list? He has a better resume than the previous coach and has done impressive things at his only head coaching job. Izzo was hired at Michigan State before the 1995 season, he was tasked with the impossible job of taking over for legend Judd Heathcote. Since that moment the Spartan fans would say it is history.

The first two years of Izzo’s tenure in East Lansing did not go as he had planned. Those were the last two times the Spartans did not make the tournament. The last 21 years everything has went as planned and then some. Michigan State has made the NCAA basketball tournament 21 seasons in a row. Most of those seasons the Spartans were on one of the top seed lines.

Izzo is considered one of the top 5 greatest coaches in the current game. As he enters his 24th season at the helm of the Spartans his resume is unbelievable. In those 21 straight NCAA tournament years this also includes eight regular season conference championships, five Big Ten tournament championships, seven Final Fours, and finally one National Championship. Under Izzo, the Spartans have become the flagship program in the Big Ten and the Midwest.

Next. 25 most successful programs of the 21st century. dark

Izzo at times appears to be hard on his players. When he berates a player and pulls them out of a game it is always justified. Izzo is a perfectionist and coaches his team in that exact way. If you make a mistake he will let you know about it. He has not experienced so much success out of a lack of discipline. Izzo much like his rival in Beilein is an exceptional recruiter and often times is able to snag many top recruits. The Spartans head man has no problem with recruiting players who are only going to be in College for one year. If he can win with them, then he is going to recruit them. Enjoy Coach Izzo as he, as well as a handful of other coaches are living legends.

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