90. Eric Henderson (Drake) (Last year: 108)
Overall record: 129-60
A notable branch of Greg McDermott’s coaching tree, Henderson played for him at Wayne State and was an aide for several years at Iowa State as well. Though he did have experience as a high school head coach, Henderson got his first college shot with South Dakota State back in 2019. He had spent a few years on staff with the Jackrabbits, but as head coach was responsible for a ton of wins and 2 trips to the NCAA Tournament. Henderson now takes over a Drake program in fantastic shape in the MVC and hopes to continue that momentum in Des Moines.
89. Bucky McMillan (Texas A&M) (Last year: 139)
Overall record: 99-52
Less than a decade ago, McMillan was one of the most successful high school coaches and had zero collegiate coaching experience. The former Birmingham-Southern player built great success at Mountain Brook High School in Alabama before taking Samford’s opening in 2020. There were few missteps in that first collegiate experience, building the Bulldogs into a great program, including a trip to the NCAA Tournament back in 2024. This past offseason saw McMillan take a giant leap with the Aggies and we’ll see if his brand of basketball becomes successful in the SEC.
88. Matt McMahon (LSU) (Last year: 75)
Overall record: 199-120
Most of the early work for McMahon came at Appalachian State as a shooting guard, student assistant, and full-time coach with the Mountaineers. A few years later he caught on at Murray State, first as an assistant to Steve Prohm before being promoted to the top job in 2015. His first head coaching gig saw him win a pair of NCAA Tournament games, bringing Ja Morant and other talent to Murray. Since 2022, McMahon has led LSU but hasn’t had anywhere near the same success, with just 45 wins in three years and fresh off a 15th place finish in the SEC.
87. Archie Miller (Rhode Island) (Last year: 85)
Overall record: 245-176
It’s been quite a ride throughout Miller’s coaching career to date. The former NC State point guard aided several coaches of prominence, including Thad Matta and his brother Sean before becoming Dayton’s head coach back in 2011. Miller was masterful with the Flyers, making four straight NCAA Tournaments including an Elite Eight run in 2014. Unfortunately he failed to make headway across four years at Indiana and hasn’t yet built success at Rhode Island. Miller just finished year three with the Rams and 18 wins was a great step forward but his team finished just 10th in the A-10.
86. Ron Hunter (Tulane) (Last year: 101)
Overall record: 481-363
Boasting more than three decades of head coaching experience, Hunter has had quite the journey in coaching basketball. A former player at Miami (OH), his first top job came at IUPUI way back in 1994, leading the program into D1 and to their first NCAA Tournament. After his time with the Jaguars, Hunter spent eight years at Georgia State, notably taking the Panthers to that upset over Baylor during the 2015 NCAA Tournament. He’s been with Tulane since 2019 and hasn’t had that same memorable success, though he did get the Green Wave to 19 wins and a postseason berth last year.
85. Steve Lutz (Oklahoma State) (Last year: 87)
Overall record: 86-53
The early work in Lutz’s head coaching career has been fantastic and it’s culmination of many years on many staffs. He worked as an assistant for decades, with notably stints with SMU, Creighton, and Purdue. His head coaching career began with two years at Texas A&M Corpus Christi and one at Western Kentucky, making the NCAA Tournament in all three campaigns. Oklahoma State brought him aboard last offseason and while 17-18 isn’t a standout start he did at least get the Cowboys into the postseason.
84. Scott Nagy (Southern Illinois) (Last year: 89)
Overall record: 348-209
Nagy has spent the last thirty years as a collegiate head coach, with a great deal of his work at South Dakota State. A former grad assistant to Lou Henson at Illinois, Nagy became the head coach of the Jackrabbits in 1995, leading them to great D2 success, the transition to D1, and three trips to the Big Dance. Nagy then spent eight years with Wright State, with two more trips to the NCAA Tournament and a number of Horizon League titles. Last offseason saw him jump to Southern Illinois and a respectable tie for 8th place in year one.
83. Wes Miller (Cincinnati) (Last year: 82)
Overall record: 267-194
Miller was a backup point guard for North Carolina when the Tar Heels won the national championship in 2005 and is looking to make his mark in his coaching career. He had a marvelous stint at UNC Greensboro, first as assistant and then interim head coach before spending nearly a decade helming the Spartans. Miller won 100 games and made multiple Tourneys in final four seasons before jumping to Cincinnati in 2021. Unfortunately, he hasn’t led the Bearcats into the Big Dance and underachieved last season in the Big 12.
82. James Jones (Yale) (Last year: 103)
Overall record: 418-319
Despite his roots on Long Island and his playing career at Albany, Jones has created his legacy with his work at Yale. He was an assistant for the school in the late 90’s before leaving but was lured back as head coach in 1999. Jones has helmed Yale ever since and is responsible for five trips to the NCAA Tournament. His most recent work has been sensational, winning the Ivy League regular season or tournament title in each of the last six seasons, and made the Big Dance once again this past year.
81. Steve Lavin (San Diego) (Last year: 74)
Overall record: 272-212
Lavin was a relatively young coach when he joined the UCLA coaching staff in the early 90’s, helping the Bruins to a title before becoming head coach in 1996. He led the Bruins to an Elite Eight and five Sweet Sixteen’s but didn’t do enough to keep that job longer. Between stints in media, he’s also helmed St. John’s to a pair of Tourney appearances and has led San Diego since 2022. Life in the WCC in Gonzaga’s shadow isn’t easy but last year was a mess, with his Toreros winning just 6 games.