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

By Joey Loose | Jun 9, 2020

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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MIAMI, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 13: Head coach Brad Brownell (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

9. Horizon League Basketball rankings – Brad Brownell (Wright State 2006-2010)

Years before Nagy’s success, Brownell himself had quite a four-year run with the Raiders. Brownell arrived on campus after four great years as head coach at UNC Wilmington, seeking the extra challenge of the Horizon League. Prior to Brownell’s arrival, the Raiders hadn’t made the NCAA Tournament or won 20 games since 1993, but both of these things were well within reach.

In Brownell’s very first season, he led the Raiders to 23 wins and their second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. At a time where Butler was beginning to dominate the conference, Brownell won at least 12 conference games in each of his four seasons, though he failed to make another postseason run with the Raiders. After a long drought of success, he also won at least 20 games in all four of his seasons.

Brownell is directly responsible for the rise of Wright State in today’s Horizon League, as his momentum was continued by Donlon and Nagy after him. He departed for Clemson in 2010 and has spent the last decade building consistency in the much tougher ACC. You can argue that Brownell could have led the Raiders to more postseason success, but just look at this program’s history before him and you’ll see why he stands out.