Big Ten Basketball: Ranking all 18 head coaches for 2024-25 season

2. Matt Painter (Purdue)

A Purdue guard under Gene Keady in the early 90’s, Painter has become the epitome of Purdue basketball and came just short of immortality with the Boilermakers this season. He actually started his head coaching career by succeeding Bruce Weber at Southern Illinois, but departed after just a season to succeed Keady at his alma mater. Suffice to say his program has made a great decision, with Purdue in great shape these last 19 years.

Even before this season, there were several Big Ten titles and Tournament runs to laud during Painter’s long stint in West Lafayette. He made an Elite Eight back in 2019 and numerous Sweet Sixteen’s, though this year’s run to the national championship game sort of blows that out of the water. He’s brought incredible talent to Purdue over the years and has led the Boilermakers to nine consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Painter is the backbone of this Purdue program and certainly sits among the best coaches in the nation.

1. Tom Izzo (Michigan State)

The Big Ten’s most successful coach of the century, Izzo has been entrenched at Michigan State for more than forty years. After playing and coaching at Northern Michigan, he joined the great Jud Heathcote’s staff in 1983 and succeeded him as head coach twelve seasons later. The Spartans have had many fantastic moments since Izzo took over in 1995, most notably winning the national championship in 2000.

Izzo has taken Michigan State to eight Final Fours, most recently in 2019. He’s won a slew of Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, boasts more than 700 wins, and constantly has the Spartans in the thick of things in the Big Ten. However, the four years since the pandemic have been less kind, with Michigan State finishing 4th place or lower each season. Regardless, Michigan State hasn’t missed an NCAA Tournament in 27 years and will keep being in the national conversation under Izzo’s watch.