NCAA Basketball: Purdue, Vols with head coaching hires from the year 2005

3. Dave Rose (BYU)

BYU is a solid mid-major program with a decent basketball history. Back in 2005, the then-Mountain West program was looking for new leadership after struggling to a 9-21 finish. Fortunately, the Cougars had a familiar name already on staff who was ready to lead the program.

Dave Rose played for Houston two decades earlier, having been part of Phi Slama Jama. He had been a high school coach in Utah before spending a decade at Dixie State. Before the Trailblazers became a D1 program, he spent seven years as their head coach. Rose joined the BYU staff in 1997, but after eight years as an aide was ready to take over his own D1 program.

Rose had great success during a 14-year run leading the Cougars. He led BYU to eight NCAA Tournaments, bringing Jimmer Fredette and other talent to the Cougars. He took BYU to the Sweet Sixteen in 2011, led them into the WCC, and has remained a talented program even while competing with Gonzaga. Throw in a handful of NIT bids, and there’s no denying the Cougars remain one of the country’s best mid-majors, especially with what successor Mark Pope has done these last two seasons.