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

1. Big Ten Basketball coach – Tom Izzo (Michigan State, 2000-2020)

Any program that can land consecutive Hall of Fame head coaches is doing something right, but it’s more than that for Izzo and Michigan State. He’s been a part of the success of the Spartans since joining the staff in 1983. After twelve years under Jud Heathcote, he took over the program and has simply extended the Spartans’ legacy. Prior to the turn of the century, he already secured the program’s second national title in 2000, but there was more success to come.

Since then, the Spartans have been a part of every single NCAA Tournament, appearing in the Final Four six times. Michigan State is a regular national contender with deep Tournament runs on a regular basis. Izzo has led them seven Big Ten regular-season titles since 2000, including each of the last three seasons. He has over 600 wins during his entire tenure and has finished in the top 5 of the conference each of the last 13 years.

Izzo is the best head coach in the Big Ten and he’s built the conference’s best program. He has never gone more than 5 years between Final Four runs and he continues to bring impressive talent to East Lansing. The program he inherited and helped build was already in great shape but Izzo has taken it to another level. Sadly, this past Tournament was cancelled, robbing the Spartans of yet another chance to get Izzo his second title. Never fear, as long as Izzo is this team’s coach, they’ll be contenders.

We’ve taken a close look at the ten greatest Big Ten head coaches since the turn of the century. Even as the Big Ten looks for its first title since 2000, this remains a power conference with some legendary head coaches and should have quite an exciting future.