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

By Joey Loose

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 26: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Butler Bulldogs celebrates with his team after they defeated the Florida Gators 74 to 71 in overtime during the Southeast regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 26: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Butler Bulldogs celebrates with his team after they defeated the Florida Gators 74 to 71 in overtime during the Southeast regional final of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 26, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 4: Head Coach Bruce Pearl (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
FAYETTEVILLE, AR – FEBRUARY 4: Head Coach Bruce Pearl (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

2. Horizon League Basketball rankings – Bruce Pearl (Milwaukee, 2001-2005)

After winning a D2 national title and leading Southern Indiana to a boatload of success, Pearl began his D1 head coaching career with the Panthers in 2001, taking over after the departure of Bo Ryan. While Ryan had begun to rescue the program from mediocrity and struggle, it was Pearl who not only pushed them over the edge but reaped the benefits, achieving major success in Milwaukee.

In each of his four seasons, Milwaukee was a top-3 Horizon League team and won at least 11 conference games, but there were known for far more than their conference accomplishments. In 2003, Pearl led the program to its very first NCAA Tournament appearance. Milwaukee would follow this up with a pair of regular-season titles, punctuated by an incredible Sweet Sixteen run as a 12-seed in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. Not only was he a fantastic recruiter but he had a knack for getting the best out of his players.

After that Cinderella run, Pearl departed for Tennessee, leading the Volunteers to six straight NCAA Tournaments before being fired as a result of violations. Considering he just led Auburn to their first Final Four in 2019, it’s fair to say that he’s been successful everywhere he’s gone. Pearl has been fantastic at every level, with every program, and truly builds tough and talented rosters. After all, he brought long-awaited success to the Panthers.