Busting Brackets
Fansided

Mountain West Basketball: Top 10 head coaches of the century (2000-20)

By Joey Loose

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: San Diego State Alumni Kawhi Leonard participates in his jersey retirement ceremony with former college coach Steve Fisher during half time of the game against the San Diego State Aztecs and the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 01: San Diego State Alumni Kawhi Leonard participates in his jersey retirement ceremony with former college coach Steve Fisher during half time of the game against the San Diego State Aztecs and the Utah State Aggies at Viejas Arena on February 01, 2020 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 11
Next
2 Dec 1998: Coach Rick Majerus of Utah talking to Andre Miller #24 Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport
2 Dec 1998: Coach Rick Majerus of Utah talking to Andre Miller #24 Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Allsport /

8. Rick Majerus – Utah (2000-2004)

Before the turn of the century, Majerus was already a big name in coaching for his success with the Utes. The former Ball State and Marquette head coach had built a juggernaut in the WAC, leading the Utes all the way to the national title game in 1998. Majerus would continue that success as Utah joined the Mountain West in 1999, even if his final years were greatly affected by health issues.

Those health issues limited him in 2001, but he led the Utes to the NCAA Tournament bids in both 2002 and 2003, including the program’s second Mountain West regular-season title. Unfortunately, his health issues returned, and he retired before the end of the season in 2004, though that team did return to the NCAA Tournament as well. In the games he coached, Majerus finished 62-22 in those four seasons.

Majerus returned to coaching and built success in the A-10 with Saint Louis before passing away in 2012. The impact he had on this Utah program is profound, even if nearly all of that success came before 2000. Utah became one of the top programs in the Mountain West under Majerus’s leadership. He left behind an indelible legacy, winning a whole bunch of games and respect for this program and conference.