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2019 NCAA Tournament: Ranking all 68 head coaches in the Big Dance

By Joey Loose

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands before North Carolina's game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 27: Head coach Tony Bennett of the Virginia Cavaliers and head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels shake hands before North Carolina's game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 27, 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Chet Strange/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 14: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MARCH 14: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies reacts against the Florida State Seminoles during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men’s ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

28. Rick Byrd (Belmont)

7 NCAA Tournaments (0-7)

Byrd took over at Belmont in 1986 and has completely built and revolutionized the Bruins program, taking them from NAIA to OVC powerhouse. Belmont is 97-19 in OVC play since joining the league in 2012 and always finishes at or near the top of their league. The sustained success that Byrd has built at a mid-major is outstanding, and leading this team into the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team is even more impressive. This is his eighth trip, and we’ll have to see if this is the one where he finally breaks through and scores a Tourney win.

27. Kelvin Sampson (Houston)

15 NCAA Tournaments (13-15), 1 Final Four

While his stint at Indiana was marred with controversy, Sampson has led a pretty successful coaching career. He took Oklahoma to 11 NCAA Tournaments including the Final Four in 2002. In just five seasons, he’s built this Houston team back into success, with 31 wins already this year. Recruiting has been his strong suit (when legitimate), and he has had struggles in the NCAA Tournament. His Cougars were devastated at the buzzer last year and Sampson will use that as inspiration for this team.

26. Randy Bennett (Saint Mary’s)

6 NCAA Tournaments (4-6)

Bennett’s Gaels shocked the world by knocking off Gonzaga and winning the WCC Tournament, just the latest success for this program. Bennett has been with Saint Mary’s since 2001 and will lead them to their 7th Tourney. As a 10-seed, they made the Sweet Sixteen in 2010, knocking off Richmond and Villanova. Bennett also notched NCAA Tourney wins in 2013 and 2017. If Gonzaga wasn’t in the WCC, this team would be the program’s best and Bennett would easily be the best coach, with a 414-173 record to show for his time. Bennett has a lot of experience, but can he get this team to knock off the defending champions?

25. Buzz Williams (Virginia Tech)

7 NCAA Tournaments (8-7)

Williams is about to take the Hokies to the NCAA Tournament for an unprecedented third straight season and has brought growth to this team. He made five trips to the Tourney with Marquette, including an Elite Eight run in 2013. His team’s been over .500 for 4 straight years in a tough ACC and the job he’s done has been pretty remarkable. He’s a great coach who can bring in solid recruits and build up a program and he’s already shown that at Virginia Tech.

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