Tommy Amaker has been a head coach at the highest level since 1997, and at 60 years old, he continues to guide Harvard with experience and calm authority. Now entering his 19th season leading the Crimson, Amaker’s goal remains clear, to restore Harvard basketball to national relevance.
The Crimson are still seeking their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2015, the tail end of an incredible run that saw them win five straight Ivy League titles and make four tournament trips. While Harvard has tied for the regular season crown twice since then, they haven’t finished in the league’s top four since 2020.
After consecutive fifth-place finishes and a combined 26-28 record, Amaker’s group will need to find consistency and leadership to climb back to the top.
The Road That Shaped a Veteran Coach
Amaker’s coaching journey began at his alma mater, Duke, where he served as an assistant under Mike Krzyzewski following a standout playing career with the Blue Devils. His first head coaching job came in 1997 at Seton Hall, where he led the Pirates to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in just his third season.
From there, he moved to Michigan in 2001. In six seasons with the Wolverines, Amaker brought stability but never reached the NCAA Tournament, leading to his dismissal in 2007. Less than a month later, Harvard gave him a fresh start, one that would soon transform the program’s identity.
His early years in Cambridge were a grind, but by his fourth season, Harvard reached the NIT. What followed was the most successful stretch in program history: five consecutive Ivy League titles, four NCAA Tournament berths, and a national reputation for academic and athletic excellence.
Harvard’s 2025-26 Outlook
Harvard opens the 2025-26 campaign on November 7 at home against the Massachusetts Institute of Technology at Lavietes Pavilion. The Crimson begin with three straight home games before facing tougher road challenges at Army on November 15, Penn State later in the month, and a local matchup with Boston College near Thanksgiving. Before Christmas, they’ll visit St. John’s in Queens.
Sophomore standout Robert Hinton is expected to lead the way after earning unanimous Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors last season, averaging 14.6 points per game. Amaker is counting on Hinton to elevate the Crimson back into contention and end the decade-long NCAA Tournament drought.