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NCAA Basketball: A look at current coaching changes through Mid-March

By Daniel Benjamin

LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 21: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals and John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats talk before the game at KFC YUM! Center on December 21, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 21: Rick Pitino the head coach of the Louisville Cardinals and John Calipari the head coach of the Kentucky Wildcats talk before the game at KFC YUM! Center on December 21, 2016 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: head coach Dan Majerle of the Grand Canyon Lopes (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 09: head coach Dan Majerle of the Grand Canyon Lopes (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

 Grand Canyon: Out Dan Majerle In: TBD

This is a bit of disappointment to see Dan Majerle getting fired after doing an excellent job leading the Antelopes. “Thunder Dan”, as he was known as while playing in the NBA, went 136-86 in seven seasons. While never winning a WAC Title or receiving an NCAA Tournament bid, the 54-year-old did post 20 wins on four occasions and directed the Antelopes to six CBI Tournaments.

Current interim coach Melvin Menzies is among the candidates for the opening. Other possibilities include Washington assistant Dave Rice, Oklahoma assistant Carlin Hartman, UCLA assistant Darren Savino and Quinnipiac head coach Tom Pecora.

Iona: Out: Tim Cluess In: Rick Pitino

Cluess has stepped away from coaching as a result of health problems though he will remain with the school in an advisory role. The 61-year-old, who missed all of this past season, took over the Gaels at the start of the 2010-11 season and compiled a 211-125 overall record while winning at least 20 games in his first eight seasons.  The two-time MAAC Coach of the Year led the program to four regular-season titles, five conference tournament crowns, and six NCAA Tournament bids — including in each of the last four years. Iona reached the postseason in each of his nine years on the bench.

Rick Pitino was hired to replace Cluess on Saturday.  The 67-year-old has not been in college basketball since being fired by Louisville in 2017. However, he has remained active in coaching as he is currently leading Panthathinkos of the Greek League as well as the Greek National Team. Pitino is 770-271 in 32 seasons, this includes vacated games. as a collegiate head coach with 10 regular-season crowns, 12 conference tournament titles, and 21 NCAA Tournament appearances. He has led his teams to seven NCAA Final Fours and two national championships.

Idaho: Out: Don Verlin  In: Zac Claus

Don Verlin was terminated this past summer as a result of NCAA violations. Verlin was with the Vandals for 11 years, where he posted a 117-116 record, which included going 5-27 in 2018-19 and 2-18 in the Big Sky. The Vandals participated in five postseason tournaments under Verlin.

Zac Claus took over the program on an interim basis, and Idaho went 7-20 and 3-13 in the Big Sky this past season. The Vandals took off the interim tag late last month.

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