CAA Basketball: Top 10 head coaches of the century (2000-20)

1. Jim Larranaga – George Mason (2000-2011)

Among the head coaches of the CAA, it’s hard to find a coach with a greater impact than what Larranaga brought to George Mason. This Patriots program wasn’t exactly a juggernaut at the time of Larranaga’s arrival in 1997, though of course there’s one particular season that stands out.

He led the Patriots to 5 NCAA Tournaments (four since 2000), but it’s that 2006 season that shines brightest of course. His 11-seeded Patriots knocked off Michigan State, North Carolina, Wichita State, and Connecticut to make an improbable run to the Final Four. When you throw in a first round win over Villanova in 2011, Larranaga is responsible for every NCAA Tournament win in program history. His Patriots regularly contended at the top of the CAA before his departure for Miami in 2011.

Today, George Mason struggles to find themselves in the A-10, following in VCU’s footsteps but without the continued success. Larranaga stands alone in George Mason history and his success with an unheralded CAA program looms large even today. While teams like VCU and Loyola have made similarly impressive runs, that 2006 Final Four was an incredible performance led by one of the conference’s greatest head coaches.

We’ve looked closely at the ten greatest CAA head coaches since the turn of the century, but which coaches will stand out in the years to come? It’ll be fascinating to watch as the coming years develop and as new coaches enter this mid-major league.