NCAA Basketball: Grading the biggest 2022 CBB coaching hires two years later

Shaheen Holloway, Seton Hall Pirates: B

After leading Saint Peters on an infamous run to the Elite Eight as a 15 seed in 2022, Shaheen Holloway returned to his alma mater, Seton Hall, after Kevin Willard left for Maryland. In year one, the Pirates were mired in mediocrity, although they were competitive in the Big East. In year two, the Pirates got off to a slow start but would score big-time wins over UConn and Marquette, finishing Big East play with 13 wins. Under normal circumstances, the Pirates would have qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

Thanks to a copious amount of bid stealers, the at-large pool shrunk a seed line and the Pirates narrowly found themselves on the outside looking in of the NCAA Tournament picture (yet would end up winning the NIT). Under Holloway, the Pirates have made themselves one of the hard-nosed, better defensive teams in the Big East, making the grade a B in Holloway's two seasons in South Orange.

Lamont Paris, South Carolina Gamecocks: B+

The year two jump in Columbia was real for Lamont Paris and the South Carolina Gamecocks. Paris was hired to lead the Gamecocks after taking Chattanooga to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. Results in year one of the Paris era were troublesome. South Carolina finished the season at just 11-21 (4-14) and struggled mightily on the offensive end of the floor. Year two, however, was much different. According to the athletic department website, Paris orchestrated the most significant single-season turnaround in the program's history, increasing the team's wins from 11 to 26. The 26 wins are tied for the most in school history.

History aside, the Gamecocks were really, really good last year, even if the metrics didn't like them. A deflating Round of 64 loss wasn’t ideal, but the foundation was laid for success in the future under Paris. Expecting South Carolina to have 13 wins every year in the SEC isn’t necessarily realistic but expecting them to be competitive -- and NCAA Tournament quality -- is a realistic epxecation thanks to Lamont Paris.