Busting Brackets
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NCAA Basketball: 10 college assistants poised to become head coaches

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)
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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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 16: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the 82-78 win over the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – MARCH 16: Rick Barnes the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers gives instructions to his team during the 82-78 win over the Kentucky Wildcats during the semifinals of the SEC Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

6. Michael Schwartz – Tennessee

With the recent rise of the Volunteers, it’ll be no surprise when their assistant coaches get picked off by other programs. Rob Lanier was recently hired to lead Georgia State and Schwartz could be the next coach on the rise. He played for Rick Barnes and has spent seven years coaching under him, but has also bounced around. He’s spent time coaching at Long Beach State, UTSA, Fresno State and under Frank Haith at both Miami FL and Tulsa. He’s got a wide range of experience and has helped Barnes rebuild this Tennessee program.

As a recruiter, Schwartz has begun to shine, reeling in 5-star Josiah James and other big name prospects like Olivier Robinson-Nkahmhuoi and Yves Pons. He’s spent the last two years coordinating the Volunteers defense and the results have been outstanding in Knoxville. They’ve won 57 games the last two seasons and made the Sweet Sixteen, partially because of Schwartz’s presence both on and off the court.

He hasn’t yet been linked to any head coaching jobs, but Schwartz has shown that he has the stuff to lead a program on his own. His ability to bring talent and to put them in the position to succeed on defense speaks volumes, and some program is going to give him a shot very soon.