Busting Brackets
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Sun Belt Basketball: Top 10 head coaches of the century (2000-20)

By Joey Loose

PHOENIX - MARCH 27: Head coach Darrin Horn of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers yells at his team during the second half of the West Regional Sweet 16 game against the UCLA Bruins at the U.S. Airways Center on March 27, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
PHOENIX - MARCH 27: Head coach Darrin Horn of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers yells at his team during the second half of the West Regional Sweet 16 game against the UCLA Bruins at the U.S. Airways Center on March 27, 2008 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 12: Head coach Mark Byington of the Georgia Southern Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
FAIRFAX, VA – DECEMBER 12: Head coach Mark Byington of the Georgia Southern Eagles (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

8. Mark Byington – Georgia Southern (2014-2020)

Byington started his head coaching career when he took over at Georgia Southern in 2013, and suffice to say he did some pretty solid work. The former assistant at Virginia and Virginia Tech led the Eagles into the Sun Belt in 2014, and from there, things got even better for the program.

In those six seasons, Byington led the Eagles to an impressive 116-78 record, finishing in the top 5 in their new conference in each season. While Georgia Southern didn’t win a regular-season or conference title during Byington’s tenure, he absolutely had a positive impact on the program, especially adjusting to a new league. He won at least 20 games in his final three seasons.

Byington accepted the head coaching job at James Madison a few months ago and will soon begin a new challenge in what’s considered a tougher conference. His work transforming Georgia Southern into a conference contender has been impressive, though his lack of postseason appearances (aside from one CBI) gives reason for pause. Still, Byington should continue his success with James Madison and has set up this Eagles program for the future.