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

14. Danny Sprinkle (Washington)

The first half decade of Sprinkle’s head coaching career has been very successful, though he now faces a much stiffer challenge. A former player at Montana State, Sprinkle was a collegiate assistant on the West Coast for nearly twenty years, with much of that coming in the state of California. His head coaching career began at his alma mater, and he led the Grizzlies to a pair of NCAA Tournaments before bolting last offseason for Utah State.

Sprinkle’s turnaround with Montana State was impressive but paled in comparison to this past season’s work with the Aggies. Inheriting a program where the roster was empty, Sprinkle built a roster that won the MWC regular season title and won a first round game in the NCAA Tournament. After an impressive 28-win campaign, Sprinkle now adjusts to life in the Big Ten, taking over at Washington as the Huskies transition to their new league. What exactly does the future hold for him amidst a new environment?

13. Kevin Willard (Maryland)

A former point guard under father Ralph at Western Kentucky and Pittsburgh, Willard has been a collegiate coach for more than two decades. He aided Rick Pitino both at Louisville and with the Boston Celtics before getting his head coaching start at both Iona and Seton Hall. He rebuilt success for the Gaels and made five trips to the Big Dance with the Pirates during a 12-year tenure.

Willard left Seton Hall for Maryland two seasons ago and has gotten his Big Ten career off to an iffy start. Maryland was great in his debut season, finishing 5th in the Big Ten and winning a Tournament game, but this past season was far less successful. The Terrapins were near the bottom of the league standings and finished under .500. There’s work to be done in steadying this program, meaning Willard could quickly rise up the list if he can get Maryland back on track.