NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 353 D-I head coaches for 2019-20 season

80. Porter Moser (Loyola IL) (Last year: 75)

• Overall record: 246-226
• Final Four in 2018

Moser’s fame continues to resonate from leading the Ramblers to the Final Four in 2018. He formerly served as head coach at Little Rock and Illinois State but has clearly had his best success in recent seasons. Loyola faltered in the MVC Tournament last season and that Final Four run remains his only NCAA Tournament appearance as a head coach. The bottom line is that the work Moser has done with the Ramblers cannot be understated and he should have this program firing on all cylinders for as long as he sticks around.

79. Anthony Grant (Dayton) (Last year: 85)

• Overall record: 228-139

Grant begins his third season as head coach at his alma mater, having previous experience with VCU and Alabama. He’s a disciple of Billy Donovan, having spent time with him at Marshall, Florida, and with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He led the Rams to a few NCAA Tournaments but his time at Alabama ended unceremoniously. Last year’s Dayton squad won 21 games and made the NIT, a big step forward after the team he inherited in 2017. Can Grant make this one of the A-10’s premier teams again?

78. Penny Hardaway (Memphis) (Last year: 78)

• Overall record: 22-14

Hardaway begins his second season at his alma mater after a long NBA career. He’s already setting the world on fire on the recruiting trail, bringing the #1 class in the nation to Memphis this season. His Tigers look to improve off a 22-win debut season. He’s only been in coaching for a few years so it’ll be interesting to see how this team gels as he continues to adjust to the college game. Look for big things from Memphis moving forward.

77. Ron Hunter (Tulane) (Last year: 90)

• Overall record: 392-274

Four years after falling off his stool when son RJ knocked 3-seed Baylor from the NCAA Tournament, Hunter left Georgia State and will begin this season at Tulane. The Green Wave have really struggled since joining the AAC, but Hunter should bring a new energy to the program. He’s made four NCAA Tournaments in his career, one of which during his long run at IUPUI. Making big strides at Tulane will take time but Hunter might be exactly the kind of breath of fresh air that this program needs right now.

76. Tim Cluess (Iona) (Last year: 82)

• Overall record: 199-108

Cluess has already led an impressive coaching career and it gets better with each passing year. In his nine years at Iona, he’s led the Gaels to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including each of the last four seasons. He has thoroughly dominated the MAAC and was formerly a successful coach at the high school and D2 levels. From what we’ve seen in recent years, is there really any reason not to believe that Iona will take home their fifth straight MAAC crown?

75. Craig Smith (Utah State) (Last year: 175)

• Overall record: 107-62

Smith’s name has really risen in the last few seasons after a very successful first year at Utah State. He nearly won an NAIA title at Maryville State, led South Dakota to 26 wins in 2018, and took the Aggies to the NCAA Tournament last year. Utah State should be in prime position for another Tourney run this year as Smith’s stock continues to rise. The former longtime Tim Miles assistant is certainly outshining his mentor.

74. Frank Haith (Tulsa) (Last year: 72)

• Overall record: 300-195

Haith will enter his sixth season leading Tulsa, a job he took after 7 years at Miami and 3 years at Missouri. In his career, he’s made four NCAA Tournaments, though his teams have struggled once they’ve gotten there. His Golden Hurricane snuck into the Tourney in 2016 but haven’t finished higher than 4th in the AAC in the last three seasons. Haith looks to build on last season’s 18 wins, though time may run out on him if he can’t get this team dancing again.

73. Matt McMahon (Murray State) (Last year: 135)

• Overall record: 87-42

McMahon took over as head coach at Murray State in 2015 and has certainly done his part for the Racers to remain one of college basketball’s best mid-majors. He brought Ja Morant to Murray State and made a pair of NCAA Tournaments, upsetting 5-seed Marquette last season. McMahon has already had chances to leave for bigger jobs but seems happy making Murray State an OVC power again. Winning 54 games in the last two years is certainly how that happens.

72. Richard Pitino (Minnesota) (Last year: 81)

• Overall record: 130-106

Pitino is already entering his seventh year at Minnesota, leading the team to his second NCAA Tournament last season. He formerly gained experience as an assistant under his father at Louisville while spending a year leading FIU. He led the Panthers to a big turnaround but his time with the Golden Gophers has been up and down. Winning his first NCAA Tournament game last year helps, but he’s on the hot seat if this Minnesota program can’t get going soon.

71. Kevin Willard (Seton Hall) (Last year: 91)

• Overall record: 215-177

Willard has done fantastic work in his nine years at Seton Hall, leading the Pirates into the last four NCAA Tournaments. The former Iona head coach has helped make this program one of the better teams in the new Big East, bringing impressive talent to Seton Hall. Another former Rick Pitino disciple, Willard’s run with the Pirates has been great, even if his record doesn’t show it. With Myles Powell still on this team, he has Seton Hall in a great position.