NCAA Basketball: 10 most unappreciated head coaches in 2022

By Joey Loose | Jun 14, 2022

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - FEBRUARY 26: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles reacts to a play during a game against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena on February 26, 2022 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

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NCAA Basketball TCU Horned Frogs head coach Jamie Dixon Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Jamie Dixon – TCU

Quietly, things have gone quite well for Dixon in his coaching career. After following Ben Howland to three different schools, he finally got his shot in succeeding him at Pittsburgh way back in 2003. When you consider the current state of the Panthers’ program, it makes what Dixon did look even more impressive.

Dixon led the Panthers to 11 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, highlighted by an Elite Eight, a couple Sweet Sixteens, and a couple 1-seeds in the Big Dance. After all that success, he decided to return home, taking over at his alma mater with the Horned Frogs. He proceeded to lead them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance and victory since he himself was a player three decades earlier.

The six years since his departure have been awful in Pittsburgh, and his time in TCU has been valuable for a Horned Frogs program that was a wasteland in basketball. There might not be Final Four banners or Big 12 titles to show for his long run, but Dixon is certainly underappreciated for the success he’s brought these programs, success that others clearly aren’t capable of matching.

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