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

By Joey Loose

ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 07: Phillip Nolan #0, Shabazz Napier #13, his mother Carmen Velasquez, and head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies look on after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 in the NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at AT&T Stadium on April 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - APRIL 07: Phillip Nolan #0, Shabazz Napier #13, his mother Carmen Velasquez, and head coach Kevin Ollie of the Connecticut Huskies look on after defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 60-54 in the NCAA Men's Final Four Championship at AT&T Stadium on April 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 20: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 20: Head coach Rick Pitino of the Louisville Cardinals (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

5. Rick Pitino – Louisville (2013-2014)

Pitino and Louisville spent just one season in the AAC, but it was a pretty great season compared to the rest of the conference. The Cardinals had just won the national championship in 2013, though Pitino had put together a deep enough roster and recruiting class to contend again in 2014. He was already infamous for his time with Providence and Kentucky years before becoming a legend with the Cardinals.

While all the wins have since been vacated, Louisville finished with a 31-6 record in their one season in the conference. They tied for the first AAC regular-season title and made the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. Pitino was upset by his old rivals at Kentucky, but the season they had was still impressive. Compared to what AAC teams have done since then, this season really does stand out.

Pitino was fired in 2017 after various allegations, including those that wiped out their national title run in 2013. He did incredible things at each stop in his coaching career and was recently hired as head coach at Iona. Don’t be shocked to see Iona continue to dominate the MAAC, especially if Pitino can bring in impressive recruits on a consistent basis. The AAC was a much better league before Louisville found their new home in the ACC.