NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 358 D-I head coaches for 2021-22 season

5. Tom Izzo (Michigan State) (Last year: 3)

• Overall record: 643-254
• Final Four in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019
• National championship in 2000

Michigan State’s head coach since 1995, Izzo has had his fair share of success at Michigan State, even if his only title came way back in 2000. The Spartans are regularly in the NCAA Tournament and competing for Big Ten titles, winning three straight before this past season’s struggle. In the Final Four on a semi-regular basis, this year’s Spartans couldn’t make it out of the First Four, but it’s likely only a brief setback for the program.

4. Jay Wright (Villanova) (Last year: 8)

• Overall record: 612-274
• Final Four in 2009, 2016, 2018
• National championships in 2016, 2018

Wright just keeps producing winning teams at Villanova, completely dominating the Big East in recent years. Those national titles in 2016 and 2018 are the highlights for a program that’s won seven of the eight Big East titles since the conference restructured. He led the Wildcats to another Sweet Sixteen this past season and has this program in shape to keep winning conference titles and postseason games.

3. Bill Self (Kansas) (Last year: 5)

• Overall record: 729-223
• Final Four in 2008, 2012, 2018
• National championship in 2008

One of the sport’s most consistent winners, Self keeps churning out successful teams at Kansas. Having led both Tulsa and Illinois to Elite Eight runs, he landed with the Jayhawks in 2003, leading the program to a slew of postseason victories and Big 12 titles. His only national championship came in 2008, but he’s had a few teams that have come close. Last year ended in the second round, but you’ll see Kansas bounce back again near the top very soon.

2. John Calipari (Kentucky) (Last year: 4)

• Overall record: 784-233
• Final Four in 1996*, 2008*, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015
• National championship in 2012

Calipari remains one of the best in the sport and likely remains the best recruiter in the land. He took UMass and Memphis to Final Fours (that were vacated) and led Kentucky to a national title back in 2012. He’s achieved a ton of postseason success, including seven trips to at least the Elite Eight already with the Wildcats. Last year was a horrible dud for the Wildcats, but the future is bright again.

1. Mike Krzyzewski (Duke) (Last year: 1)

• Overall record: 1170-361
• Final Four in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2010, 2015
• National championships in 1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, 2015

Krzyzewski enters his final season before retirement hoping to go out with a bang. He’s already won five national titles with the Blue Devils and led the program to profound success at every turn. Even though Duke struggled and missed last year’s NCAA Tournament, there’s no denying the impact that Coach K has had on the game, especially after a recent pair of Elite Eights and continued success both on and off the court. The biggest question becomes who will take this top spot next season after Krzyzewski bids farewell.