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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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COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 20: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Valparaiso Crusaders (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – MARCH 20: Head coach Bryce Drew of the Valparaiso Crusaders (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

4. Horizon League Basketball rankings – Bryce Drew (Valparaiso, 2011-2016)

When Drew got his shot in 2011, taking over after dad Homer retired, there was certainly excitement around the Valparaiso program. After six years as an assistant, Drew was finally getting his shot to take over the program he had put on the map as a player over a decade earlier. With no coaching experience outside of the Crusaders, there was reason to wonder how he’d fare, but those questions were soon dismissed.

Under Drew, Valparaiso became the face of the post-Butler Horizon League. Valparaiso made NCAA Tournament appearances in 2013 and 2015, while the 2016 team ran all the way to the NIT championship game. He won four Horizon League regular-season titles in his five years, racking up a 124-49 record that included a school-record 30 wins in 2016. The Crusaders had only joined the Horizon League in 2007 but Drew quickly made them a force in the league.

After this success, Drew departed for Vanderbilt, but sputtered out after three seasons with the Commodores. Valparaiso accepted a jump to the MVC in 2017, with a big thanks to the improved play that Drew brought to his alma mater. As the Crusaders acclimate to their new conference, Drew begins a new job at Grand Canyon next season and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him lead those Antelopes to the promised land very soon.