NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 353 D-I head coaches for 2018-19

30. Leonard Hamilton (Florida State)

• Overall record 534-419

A former longtime Kentucky assistant, Hamilton had head coaching experience with Oklahoma State, Miami FL, and the Washington Wizards before Florida State hired him in 2002. His time in the NBA didn’t go well, but he’s found great success with the Seminoles. Despite tying for eighth in the ACC, he had Florida State in the Elite Eight last year, his best season as a head coach. He already has 527 career coaching wins and has put Florida State in a great position to add to that total.

29. Mike Anderson (Arkansas)

• Overall record 356-185

Anderson was an assistant when Arkansas won the national title in 1994 and has hoped to bring success of his own since his hiring in 2011. He has previous experience as head coach of UAB and Missouri, making a Sweet Sixteen with the Blazers and an Elite Eight with the Tigers, two impressive feats. His time with the Razorbacks has been productive, but he has just three NCAA Tournaments without an appearance in the Sweet Sixteen. There’s still time for impressive results of course, but Anderson doesn’t have this program operating at the same level that Nolan Richardson did back in the 90’s.

28. Ben Howland (Mississippi State)

• Overall record 461-254
• Final Four appearances in 2006,2007, and 2008

Howland was hired at Mississippi State in 2015 with 19 years as a head coach already in his pocket. In his decade at UCLA, he led the Bruins to three straight Final Fours but couldn’t seize a title nor win enough to retain his job. He did solid things with both Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh and is already building Mississippi State into an SEC contender. His upcoming fourth year should lead to his first NCAA Tournament with the Bulldogs, but his recruiting and coaching has provided an incredible lift to MSU.

27. Archie Miller (Indiana)

• Overall record 162-80

Miller had six successful years at Dayton before Indiana hired him in 2017. He went 139-63 at Dayton, with an Elite Eight and an NCAA Tournament bid in each of his last four seasons. He’s tasked with rebuilding the Hoosiers program and his 16-15 wasn’t a bad start. Miller will have Indiana firing on all cylinders in a few years, especially if he can continue to bring in recruits like Romeo Langford.

26. Chris Mack (Louisville)

• Overall record 220-99

Mack just took the Louisville job in 2018 after nine years leading Xavier. He led the Musketeers to great NCAA Tournament success, including an Elite Eight in 2017 as the program shifted from the A-10 to the Big East. He takes over a Cardinals program reloading after Rick Pitino’s dismissal but will have Louisville competing for ACC titles again in a year or two.

25. Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)

• Overall record 345-165

After three solid years at Murray State, Cronin was tabbed to lead Cincinnati in 2006 and has done great things for the Bearcats. As they’ve transitioned from Big East to AAC, the Bearcats have made the last eight NCAA Tournaments, though the last six trips have included early exits. Cronin is 72-18 in AAC conference play and has clearly placed Cincinnati as the dominant program in the young conference. This year will be a bit of a reload, but Cronin’s future shines bright.

24. Bruce Pearl (Auburn)

• Overall record 308-162

After recruiting violations ended his coaching career at Tennessee, Pearl has bounced back nicely since getting hired in 2014 by Auburn. The former head coach also served at D-II Southern Indiana (where he won a national title) and Milwaukee (where he made a Sweet Sixteen as a 12-seed). He’s rebuilt Auburn into a legit contender, tying for the SEC regular season crown last season and expected to do even better this season. He made an Elite Eight with Tennessee but he could have the Tigers in a position to make it even farther in March.

23. Shaka Smart (Texas)

• Overall record 218-108
• Final Four appearance in 2011

Still a relatively young coach, Smart excelled during six years at VCU before Texas hired him in 2015. He led the Rams to the 2011 Final Four as an 11-seed, toppling five power conference teams along the way. He won the CBI in his first year and then made five NCAA Tournament appearances before leaving for Texas. He hasn’t excelled yet with the Longhorns but increased recruiting and a taste of havoc defense will have Texas near the top of the Big 12 before too long.

22. Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)

• Overall record 484-184
• Final Four appearance in 2013

After dominating the Big South during nine seasons leading Winthrop, Marshall took the Wichita State job in 2007 and has greatly elevated the Shockers program. After seven NCAA Tournaments and an upset win in 2007, Marshall won the NIT and made a surprise Final Four run with the Shockers. In 2014, Wichita State’s bid for an undefeated season fell in the NCAA Tournament and they were competitive last year in their first season in the AAC. This coming year could be a struggle, but Marshall is still one of the most accomplished coaches in the NCAA.

21. Dana Altman (Oregon)

• Overall record 624-329
• Final Four appearance in 2017

A longtime head coach, Altman took over at Oregon in 2010 after 16 years at Creighton. He constantly had Creighton in the NCA Tournament and has done the same building up Oregon, leading the Ducks to the Final Four in 2017. Last year was a step back as the team rebuilt following great success, and the next wave of talent in Oregon could make similar strides under Altman.