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 /

4 of 4

ACC Basketball Virginia Cavaliers Tony Bennett Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Tony Bennett, Virginia

Bennett has done a spectacular job since coming to Charlottesville. The 2018 national coach of the year has directed the Cavaliers to a national championship (2019) in 10 NCAA tournament appearances. Virginia went 18-7, and the Wahoos claimed their third ACC regular season chip in the last four years. He is 295-103 with the Cavs with five ACC regular-season titles and two ACC conference crowns.

Virginia is currently No. 25 in the WTE rankings as Bennett has brought in ECU transfer Jayden Gardner and Armaan Franklin from Indiana to replace the production, Jay Huff and Sam Hauser. Kihei Clark and Trey Murphy are also back.

2. Jim Boeheim, Syracuse

The nearly 77-year-old is the longest-tenured coach in the ACC as he has been in Syracuse since 1976. Boeheim has led SU to 31 NCAA appearances, 5 Final Fours, and 1 national championship. The Orange went 18-10 last season, meaning that they have won at least 16 games in each season under Boeheim. He has a 989-409 record, which does not include the vacated games due to violations.

Syracuse lost several key pieces from last year’s Sweet 16 squad, but the Orange get Joe Girard and Buddy Boeheim back. Boeheim brought in three transfers, led by Cole Swider, who should be rotational players, and freshman Benny Williams.

1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke

The 74-year-old legend will step down at the end of the season. The Blue Devils are coming off a 13-11 season and finished 10th in ACC play at 9-9, marking the program’s fewest wins since 1982-83 when the team won 11 contests.

Krzyzewski has been at Duke for four decades (1980) and has accumulated a 1,097-302 record and five national championships in 35 NCAA tournament appearances. The 3-time national coach of the year has guided the Blue Devils to 12 regular-season crowns and 15 ACC titles.

Next. Top 20 impact ACC transfers for 2021-22. dark

Duke once again has to replace a lot of talent, but the Blue Devils once again brought in a top-notch recruiting class featuring Paolo Banchero, AJ Griffin, and Trevor Keels. The Blue Devils are ranked No. 15 in the WTE rankings.