College basketball fans spend considerable time debating the best head coaches in the country, but the assistants sitting beside them often receive far less attention. Those coaches help develop players, prepare scouting reports, establish defensive strategies and identify recruits who eventually become stars. Some have already experienced success as head coaches, while others have spent years developing their expertise at nationally prominent programs. Their contributions aren't always easy to measure, but successful basketball programs depend on considerably more than the person making the final decisions.
The 2026-27 season features another fascinating collection of assistant coaches with backgrounds that deserve closer examination. Several have worked for national championship programs, while others have built impressive résumés at smaller schools before joining larger coaching staffs. Some are former college stars who returned to the profession, bringing firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing modern players. Others have established reputations as recruiters, defensive specialists or offensive strategists.
Here are 10 assistant coaches worth knowing as another college basketball season approaches.
1. Bryan Mullins, DePaul
Bryan Mullins has already experienced something many assistant coaches spend their careers pursuing: an opportunity to lead a Division I basketball program. He spent five seasons as Southern Illinois' head coach, compiling an 86-68 record before returning to Chicago and joining Chris Holtmann's staff at DePaul. His experience also includes six seasons working under Porter Moser at Loyola Chicago, where he contributed to the Ramblers' remarkable 2018 Final Four appearance. That combination of Missouri Valley Conference experience and major-conference coaching responsibilities makes Mullins an interesting figure in the profession.
His influence at DePaul has been particularly noticeable on the offensive end. The Blue Demons established a program single-season three-point record during the 2024-25 campaign and have produced impressive assist rates under the current coaching staff. Mullins also helped DePaul achieve its best Big East finish in program history during the 2025-26 season, demonstrating that the program's rebuilding efforts have produced measurable progress. Silver Waves Media recognized him among its 100 most impactful high-major assistant coaches entering the new season, providing additional acknowledgment of his contributions.
2. Kimani Young, Connecticut
Kimani Young has been an important part of Connecticut's resurgence under Dan Hurley, but his contributions can sometimes be overshadowed by the Huskies' nationally recognized head coach. Young joined Hurley's original Connecticut staff before the 2018-19 season and was promoted to associate head coach in 2020. He subsequently helped the program capture consecutive national championships in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as a valuable member of one of college basketball's most successful coaching staffs. His experience also includes previous assistant coaching positions at Minnesota and FIU.
Young's responsibilities have included recruiting and developing talented guards while contributing to Connecticut's defensive identity. The Huskies' championship teams featured outstanding backcourt play, disciplined defensive execution and the ability to maintain composure during demanding postseason situations. Young's continued presence provides valuable stability as Connecticut adjusts to another season of roster changes and high expectations. His career demonstrates how an experienced assistant can become an essential part of a program's identity without occupying the head coaching position.
3. Kellen Sampson, Houston
Kellen Sampson has spent years helping his father, Kelvin Sampson, establish Houston as one of the country's most consistent basketball programs. His role goes considerably beyond the family relationship, as he has developed extensive coaching experience while contributing to the Cougars' remarkable rise. Houston reached the 2021 Final Four and advanced to the national championship game in 2025, demonstrating the program's ability to compete successfully against the country's most talented teams. Kellen has remained an important part of the coaching staff throughout that period.
Houston's success has been built around demanding defensive principles, rebounding and the ability to establish a consistent competitive identity. Maintaining those standards requires considerable preparation and coordination throughout the coaching staff, particularly when new players enter the program. Kellen's experience working within that environment provides valuable perspective on how elite teams sustain success over multiple seasons. His continued development makes him an interesting coaching figure as Houston attempts to remain among the nation's championship contenders.
4. Paul Lusk, Purdue
Paul Lusk brings an unusually extensive coaching background to Matt Painter's staff at Purdue. The veteran assistant previously spent seven seasons as Missouri State's head coach, winning 105 games before eventually returning to the Boilermakers. He also worked at Creighton and previously served on Painter's staff during an earlier period of Purdue success. That experience gives him a broad understanding of the Missouri Valley Conference, Big East and Big Ten.
Lusk has been particularly valuable in helping establish strong defensive teams. During Purdue's run to the 2024 national championship game, the Boilermakers ranked among the country's better defensive teams while relying on disciplined positioning and consistent execution. His previous coaching experience also includes working with successful Purdue teams during the late 2000s, when the program established a reputation for defensive intensity. Lusk's ability to combine tactical experience with player development makes him an important resource for a program that consistently competes near the top of the Big Ten.
5. Ron Sanchez, Baylor
Ron Sanchez's coaching journey includes experience at several levels of responsibility, including a lengthy period working alongside Tony Bennett at Virginia. He served as Charlotte's head coach from 2018 through 2023 before returning to Virginia and eventually leading the Cavaliers on an interim basis during the 2024-25 season. Sanchez subsequently joined Scott Drew's staff at Baylor, bringing considerable experience in program management and defensive preparation. His career has included nearly three decades of coaching, providing the Bears with an experienced voice on the bench.
His previous work at Virginia is particularly interesting because of the Cavaliers' nationally recognized defensive identity. During his earlier tenure as an assistant, Virginia consistently ranked among the country's strongest defensive teams while establishing itself as an ACC contender. Sanchez understands the importance of disciplined execution and maintaining consistency throughout a demanding conference schedule. His presence gives Baylor an assistant with substantial experience preparing teams for high-level competition.
6. Jack Murphy, Arizona
Jack Murphy's coaching career has taken him through several different basketball environments, including the NBA, major-conference college basketball and a seven-season tenure as Northern Arizona's head coach. He also has deep connections to Arizona's basketball history, having previously worked on Lute Olson's staff before returning to Tucson in 2019. Murphy now serves as associate head coach under Tommy Lloyd, bringing valuable recruiting experience and familiarity with the program's expectations. Few assistants possess his combination of professional basketball experience and institutional knowledge.
Murphy previously worked as an advance scout for the Denver Nuggets and developed relationships with numerous players during his coaching career. At Arizona, he has contributed to recruiting efforts and player development while helping the Wildcats maintain their status as a nationally prominent program. His previous head coaching experience also provides valuable perspective when the staff must make difficult decisions during games. Murphy represents the type of experienced assistant whose influence can extend well beyond the responsibilities visible during a television broadcast.
7. Antone Gray, Saint Louis
Antone Gray has played an important role in Saint Louis' development under Josh Schertz. Gray joined the Billikens in April 2024 and enters his third season with the program after helping produce one of the most successful campaigns in school history. Saint Louis finished 29-6 during the 2025-26 season, captured a share of the Atlantic 10 regular-season championship and returned to the NCAA Tournament. The Billikens also defeated Georgia in the opening round, earning the program's first NCAA Tournament victory since 2014.
Gray's experience working within Schertz's system provides valuable continuity for a program attempting to build on that success. Saint Louis has emphasized efficient offense, strong decision-making and the ability to execute consistently against conference opponents. Developing those characteristics requires considerable work from assistant coaches during practices and individual instruction sessions. Gray's continued involvement should be important as the Billikens attempt to maintain their momentum in an increasingly competitive Atlantic 10.
8. Jeremy Case, Kansas
Jeremy Case understands Kansas basketball from a perspective that few assistant coaches can match. He played for Bill Self during his college career before eventually returning to the program as a member of the coaching staff. Case has since developed into an important assistant and now serves as associate head coach, giving him significant responsibilities within one of college basketball's most recognizable programs. His familiarity with Self's expectations provides valuable continuity for a staff operating under enormous pressure.
Kansas regularly competes for Big 12 championships and NCAA Tournament success, creating an environment in which assistant coaches must contribute to recruiting, player development and detailed game preparation. Case's experience as both a former player and current coach provides insight into how those expectations affect athletes throughout a season. His promotion to associate head coach reflects the responsibilities he has earned within the program. As Kansas continues navigating the transfer portal and changing roster dynamics, experienced assistants such as Case remain important to maintaining stability.
9. Brian Ayers, Belmont
Brian Ayers represents a different kind of valuable assistant coach. Rather than building his reputation through frequent moves between prominent programs, he has spent much of his career contributing to Belmont's sustained success. Ayers previously coached Evan Bradds during his playing career and remains on the Bruins' staff as the former Belmont star begins his first season as head coach. That relationship creates an interesting dynamic, with an experienced assistant helping a younger head coach navigate the responsibilities of leading a Division I program.
Belmont has established one of the most consistent winning traditions in mid-major basketball, and Ayers has been part of the program through important stages of that development. His familiarity with the university's expectations, recruiting philosophy and basketball culture provides continuity during a significant coaching transition. The Bruins are attempting to maintain their success while adjusting to Bradds' leadership and the challenges of the Missouri Valley Conference. Ayers' experience could prove especially valuable when Belmont encounters the inevitable difficulties associated with a new coaching staff.
10. Robert Szorc, Appalachian State
Robert Szorc brings another interesting perspective to the profession as associate head coach at Appalachian State. Working within the Sun Belt Conference presents challenges that differ from those facing assistants at nationally prominent programs, particularly when it comes to recruiting resources, roster retention and maintaining competitive depth. Those responsibilities require coaches to identify players who fit a program's system while helping them develop over multiple seasons. Szorc's role places him in an important position as Appalachian State prepares for another demanding conference schedule.
The Mountaineers compete in a league where roster continuity and player development can make a significant difference in the standings. Assistant coaches must help prepare teams for opponents with contrasting playing styles while managing the demands of a lengthy conference season. Szorc's position involves contributing to those preparations and supporting the program's overall development. His inclusion provides a reminder that important coaching work takes place throughout Division I basketball, not exclusively at the schools appearing regularly in national television broadcasts.
Why assistant coaches deserve more attention
The responsibilities of assistant coaches have expanded considerably as college basketball has changed. Recruiting now involves evaluating high school prospects, transfers and international players, while roster management requires an understanding of eligibility rules and increasingly complicated financial considerations. Coaches must also help players develop individually while preparing detailed scouting reports for upcoming opponents. Those responsibilities can influence a program's success long before the opening tip.
The 10 coaches featured here demonstrate how different career paths can lead to important roles within successful basketball programs. Some have already experienced the pressures of head coaching, while others have spent years contributing to championship teams or helping smaller programs compete against stronger opponents. Their accomplishments deserve recognition even when they aren't the individuals answering questions during postgame press conferences. As another college basketball season approaches, these assistants will continue influencing games in ways that aren't always obvious to the people watching.
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