NCAA Basketball: Ranking all 68 head coaches in 2022 NCAA Tournament
By Joey Loose
40. Hubert Davis (North Carolina)
0 NCAA Tournaments
After starring at North Carolina and having a lengthy playing career in the NBA, Davis now leads the Tar Heels to the NCAA Tournament for the first time as head coach. He spent the last nine years on Roy Williams’ coaching staff, but this was his very first year calling the shots at any level. Time will tell how Davis develops as a coach, though that upset win at Duke just over a week ago still looks pretty impressive for year one.
39. Penny Hardaway (Memphis)
0 NCAA Tournaments
Hardaway needed four seasons, but he’s finally led Memphis back to the NCAA Tournament. He’s won at least 20 games every year and won the NIT title last season, but now the Tigers are in the Big Dance and could make some noise. Hardaway’s reunion Memphis marked his return to the college game after a long stint as an NBA player and assistant coach; but now his moment has come.
38. Mark Adams (Texas Tech)
0 NCAA Tournaments
He may not have had any NCAA Tournaments as head coach of Texas-Pan American, but you can guarantee Adams will relish this first chance to dance as head man. He was a vital part of Chris Beard’s staff with the Red Raiders and is the reason that this program is one of the best in the nation defensively. Adams has been impressive this season, leading Texas Tech to another fantastic season; they’re going to be just fine without Beard on the sidelines.
37. Matt McMahon (Murray State)
2 NCAA Tournaments (1-2)
McMahon has been a home run at Murray State, a school that seems to breed an endless supply of great young coaches. McMahon recruited Ja Morant and pulled a Tourney upset back in 2019. Now, in his seventh year with the Racers, he’s back for a third trip to the Big Dance and has another team with the firepower to make March Madness magic. Not bad for someone who spent most of the first decade of his career as an assistant at Appalachian State.