ACC Basketball: Ranking all 15 head coaches entering 2021-22 season

Jan 19, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Mike Krzyzewski (middle) talks to the Blue Devils during a time-out against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1 of 4

ACC Basketball Pittsburgh Panthers head coach Jeff Capel Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

ACC Basketball has a history of having some of the top coaches in the industry, and that hasn’t changed in recent time. Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim are all-time greats, while Tony Bennett and Leonard Hamilton have seen their stock take an upswing since taking over Virginia and Florida State, respectively.

Here is a look at my rankings of the ACC coaches.

15. Hubert Davis, North Carolina

Davis is in his first season as a head coach. While I believe Davis will do a fantastic job on Tobacco Road, he has yet to prove anything besides that he is a fantastic recruiter.

14. Steve Forbes, Wake Forest

A long-time assistant coach, Forbes begins his second year with the Demon Deacons. Wake was 6-16 last year. He is 136-59 in six seasons overall.

13. Jeff Capel, Pittsburgh

Hot seat alert. Capel is undoubtedly a fantastic recruiter, but his problem at Pitt has been keeping the talent. 11 players have left the Panthers’ program since the 46-year-old arrived in Southwestern Pennsylvania, including five this past season. Xavier Johnson, Trey McGowens, Au’Diese Toney are among the players that have departed.

Pitt has yet to post a winning season in any of Capel’s three campaigns, and the Panthers have finished 12th or worse in the ACC each season. Capel is 40-44 during his tenure at Pitt, including 15-38 in conference play.

This year is significant for Capel, but I don’t see it as a make-or-break season since he is under contract until 2027. Capel owns a 202-158 career record.

12. Earl Grant, Boston College

The 44-year-old gets his first chance with a high-major program. Grant comes to Chestnut Hill from the College of Charleston, where he directed the Eagles to six winning seasons in eight years and two postseason appearances, including a berth in the NCAA Tournament (2017-18). He enters his BC tenure with a 127-89 record.