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

1. Marvin Menzies – New Mexico State (2007-2016)

Prior to his head coaching career getting jumpstarted with the Aggies, Menzies bounced around as an assistant coach. He served under coaches like Rick Pitino, Steve Fisher, and Lon Kruger before New Mexico State plucked him away in 2007, coming after two years assisting at Louisville. He had been a junior college head coach, but New Mexico State was a completely new challenge, one that he immediately aced.

Menzies turned New Mexico State into a dominant force in the conference. He led the Aggies to five NCAA Tournaments in his nine seasons and won 73% of his conference games. New Mexico State finished in the top 3 every season and won at least 21 games in all but two of his seasons in Las Cruces. By the end of his tenure, New Mexico State had taken complete control of the conference, though the aforementioned upset loss to Cal State Bakersfield stole what would have been a sixth Tourney appearance.

Menzies took that success and bolted for UNLV, though three less than successful years followed. He spent last season assisting Majerle at Grand Canyon but finds himself looking for a new opportunity. He set up New Mexico State for great success and is responsible for their continuing dominance of the WAC.

We’ve completed our look at the ten best WAC coaches since the turn of the century. The very shape of the WAC continues to transform before our eyes, but it’ll be cool to see the new coaches that continue to lead and succeed in this longtime league.