But beneath the surface, a handful of smaller, under-the-radar moves could have a big impact this season. Here are four coaching changes you might have missed, but shouldn’t, as we head into the 2025–26 college basketball season:
Central Michigan Chippewas
In: Andy Bronkema
Out: Tony Barbee
At 41 years old, Andy Bronkema brings a blue-collar edge and a championship pedigree to Mount Pleasant. A former Cornerstone player, Bronkema started his career coaching football at Grand Rapids Community College before finding his way to basketball and success at Ferris State. During his 11 years there, he piled up 278 wins, seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and a national championship in 2017–18. His teams have won 22 or more games in four straight seasons, including a 25–9 mark last year. Tony Barbee, meanwhile, exits after four seasons and zero NCAA Tournament bids. The former UMass guard has made just one Big Dance appearance in 12 years as a head coach, all the way back in 2010 with UTEP.
VCU Rams
In: Phil Martelli Jr.
Out: Ryan Odom
There’s a new Martelli in charge. Phil Martelli Jr., son of the legendary former St. Joseph’s coach, takes over at VCU after two strong seasons at Bryant. The 44-year-old led the Bulldogs to 43 wins in 68 games, including an America East title and an NCAA Tournament trip. He replaces Ryan Odom, who left for the Virginia Cavaliers job in March after Tony Bennett’s retirement. Odom, himself the son of former Wake Forest coach Dave Odom, leaves behind a talented VCU squad ready to contend in the Atlantic 10 under Martelli’s watchful eye.
Wofford Terriers
In: Kevin Giltner
Out: Dwight Perry
Wofford is going back to its roots. Former Terrier standout Kevin Giltner, just 34 years old, now leads the program he once played for. After his playing career (2008–2012), Giltner joined the staff as an assistant in 2014, later making a stop at Virginia Tech. He replaces Dwight Perry, who went 48–43 in his three seasons and led the Terriers to the NCAA Tournament last year. Perry’s firing in September was a late surprise, with Drew Gibson briefly serving as interim coach before Wofford made the full-time move to Giltner.
Saint Joseph’s Hawks
In: Steve Donahue
Out: Billy Lange
A familiar face is back in Philly. Veteran coach Steve Donahue, 63, takes over at Saint Joseph’s for his fourth head coaching stop after stints at Cornell, Boston College, and Penn. He owns a 331–344 career record, including two NCAA Tournament wins and an Ivy League title with Cornell. Donahue had been serving as associate head coach under Billy Lange, who left in September to join the New York Knicks’ front office. Donahue becomes the 16th head coach in Hawks history and looks to steady the program with decades of experience and a strong local pedigree.