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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JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA – MARCH 23: Interim head coach Tony Benford of the LSU Tigers talks with players as they take on the Maryland Terrapins during the second half of the game in the second round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Vystar Memorial Arena on March 23, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

5. Greg Heiar – LSU

Unlike many of the coaches on this list, Heiar actually does have head coaching experience, though it was at Chipola Junior College over a decade ago. He’s spent the last two seasons on Will Wade’s staff and has helped build the Tigers from obscurity to an SEC power. Heiar spent six years on Gregg Marshall’s coaching staff at Wichita State and played a large role in their Final Four run in 2013. He started his coaching career at the junior college level while also spending a few seasons with Southern Miss.

He was responsible for recruiting Naz Reid to LSU, helping bring a top-5 class to Baton Rouge. His performance as both a recruiter and on-floor coach has been impressive, especially as LSU has transformed into a successful team once again. He has done great work coaching guards, including All-Americans Ron Baker and Fred Van Vleet at Wichita State. Additionally, he already has experience running a program, even if it was at the junior college level.

Heiar has shown that he can bring talent into a program, coach that talent to their highest potential, and can also handle the X’s and O’s of a head coaching job. His candidacy may take a hit because of his alleged involvement in the recent bribery trial, but there’s no denying that he wins wherever he goes and he can help build any program back up. Heiar isn’t likely going to land a Naz Reid or Ron Baker at this first head coaching job, but he’s capable of putting his team in a position for success.

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