NCAA Basketball: 10 college assistants poised to become head coaches

By Joey Loose | May 21, 2019

ATLANTA, GA - NOVEMBER 13: head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils holds his left knee after falling to the floor during a timeout against the Kentucky Wildcats during the 2012 State Farm Champions Classic at Georgia Dome on November 13, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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CHAPEL HILL, NC – FEBRUARY 09: Head coach Jim Larranaga of the Miami Hurricanes reacts during the first half of their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Dean Smith Center on February 9, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

7. Chris Caputo – Miami FL

In reality, it’s a bit of a surprise that Caputo isn’t yet a college head coach. He’s spent 17 years coaching under Jim Larranaga, including the last 12 as a full-time assistant. He helped build and prepare George Mason’s Final Four team in 2006 and has brought talent to the Hurricanes during his last 8 years. Four years ago he became Miami’s associate head coach after the departures of fellow assistants Eric Konkol (Louisiana Tech’s new head coach) and Michael Huger (Bowling Green’s new head coach).

As previously mentioned, it’s surprising that Caputo hasn’t followed in those footsteps, though pretty soon he’ll have his own program to lead. He helped bring 4-star talent like Harold Beverly and James Palmer to Miami, while also playing a role in landed back-to-back top 15 recruiting classes. Back in 2015 he was also promoted to the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator, continuing to build on the Hurricane’s solid defense.

Caputo has been by Larranaga’s side for a long time, and he’s another coach who may have the misfortune of only learning from one head coach. However, these past few years have shown that Caputo is ready to make the jump to leading his own program. After Miami struggled last season, a bounce back 2020 season could really help promote his candidacy to some of these schools. He was contacted this offseason about Buffalo’s opening and it’s only a matter of time before someone snatches him from the Hurricanes.

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