NCAA Basketball: Top head coaches under 40 Years old entering 2020-21

5. Richard Pitino – Minnesota

When you have a Hall of Fame head coach for a father, it’s not a surprise that you become a successful head coach like Pitino has. He spent time on his father’s staff at Louisville, while also working under Billy Donovan at Florida before his head coaching career began. Pitino landed in Minnesota in 2013 after a season with FIU and has already made a significant impact.

First and foremost, Pitino led FIU to an 18-14 mark during his lone season with the Panthers, an impressive feat when you consider how Isiah Thomas ruined the program in the preceding years. In the tough, deep Big Ten, he’s led the Golden Gophers to pair of NCAA Tournaments and won the NIT title in 2014. There have certainly been struggles, especially for consistency, but what Pitino’s accomplished at a young age remains impressive.

Pitino hasn’t moved mountains, but he’s done pretty good work after living in his father’s shadow. Becoming a high major head coach as young as he did is no small feat, and he’s kept this Minnesota program afloat, even if they aren’t winning Big Ten titles. The league is tough but you never know what can happen in the future.