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

By Joey Loose | Jul 16, 2020

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - MARCH 21: Ivan Aurrecoechea #15 of the New Mexico State Aggies reacts during the second half against the Auburn Tigers in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 21, 2019 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

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26 Nov 1996: Fresno State Bulldogs head coach Jerry Tarkanian Mandatory Credit: Todd Warshaw /Allsport /

6. Jerry Tarkanian – Fresno State (2000-2002)

For Tarkanian, his time with Fresno State was the final stop on a long Hall-of-Fame career. He rose to success with Long Beach State before taking UNLV to the national championship in 1990 and four total Final Fours. Tarkanian also spent time coaching the San Antonio Spurs before landing at Fresno State in 1995. By the turn of the century, he had already had five solid years with the Bulldogs.

Fortunately, he saved his best success for 2001, leading the Bulldogs to 26 wins and a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Not only did Fresno State win the WAC regular-season and conference titles, but they upset 8-seed California in the NCAA Tournament, which remains Fresno State’s most recent tournament win. Before retiring, he led the Bulldogs to the NIT in 2002.

In total, Tarkanian had an amazing career and has gone down as one of the greatest head coaches in the history of the game. His work with Fresno State is the least impressive of the bunch, but it’s still remarkable all things considered. This Bulldogs program has done very little during their history, especially in the 18 years since Tarkanian departed the program. Tarkanian passed away in 2015 and left behind an incredible legacy at all three schools.