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) /

5 of 11

SOUTH BEND, IN – NOVEMBER 17: Head coach Rob Jeter of the Milwaukee Panthers (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

7. Horizon League Basketball rankings – Rob Jeter (Milwaukee, 2005-2016)

There’s plenty to like about what Jeter did for this Milwaukee program, but there is some reason for pause when we consider the history. A former Panther assistant himself, he served on Bo Ryan’s staff both there and then at Wisconsin, while Bruce Pearl was leading Milwaukee to the Sweet Sixteen. When Jeter took over in 2005, he was inheriting a fantastic team in prime shape for further success.

His first team won the Horizon League title and knocked off 6-seed Oklahoma in the NCAA Tournament. After that, success was rare for the Panthers. As the 5-seed in the Horizon League, Jeter got the Panthers back to the Tournament in 2014 and does have a few other postseason bids on his resume. Five times, he won at least 20 games with the Panthers and he did win 56% of conference games.

When you compare him to Pearl, it’s easy to lament Jeter’s lack of accomplishment when Pearl’s players departed from the school. Regardless, Jeter is responsible for an NCAA Tournament win and kept Milwaukee near the top of the conference for most of those years. He may have had tough shoes to fill, but he continued the Panthers’ success and should do big things as he continues his head coaching career at Western Illinois next season.