To cope with our boredom (and yours), Terps.cbb and CollegeHoopsOutlet on Instagram have brought you rankings of every Big Ten coach based on their in game ability, not on recruiting.
Here’s how the rankings panned out:
- Tom Izzo
He led Michigan St. to the Big Ten regular season title the past three years, has seven final fours since 2000, and has made the NCAA tournament every year since 1998. The resume speaks for itself; All-time great coach.
2. Greg Gard
He always does more with less, he’s always got his guys playing harder and Wisconsin’s defense is always near the top of the conference and the country.
3. Matt Painter
He has led Purdue to the NCAA Tournament consistently since he has taken the reigns of HC. Painter always does well with less talented players, deserving of a top spot.
4. Chris Holtmann
Holtmann was a great coach at Butler and since taking over at Ohio St. in 2017. He’s done well, reaching the round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament in 2018 and 2019.
5. Brad Underwood
Underwood came in managing a not ideal situation but, because of his tough hard nose coaching, he’s got Illinois looking like a championship contender next season.
6. Fran McCaffery
McCaffery always comes out with passion which helps his team. Though his defensive schemes aren’t great, he’s a great offensive coach.
7. Juwan Howard
Howard had a good first year as Michigan’s HC, but we couldn’t put him any higher due to only one year of head coaching. The lack of the best in-game decision reiterates his ranking.
8. Steve Pikiell
Pikiell has become an under-the-radar coach, after Rutgers 19-20 season which saw them reach the top-25 for the first time since 1979. Pikiell could rise even higher if he can continually make the tournament.
9. Mark Turgeon
Loved or hated by Terps fans, Mark Turgeon has had success in the tournament before, but not as much success as the Maryland faithful would like. This could be entering a make or break couple of years for his coaching career.
10. Fred Hoiberg
Hoiberg was consistently good at Iowa State, and was a first-year coach at Nebraska in 19-20. Hoiberg has the capability to turn Nebraska into a tournament team, but it’ll be a waiting game for Huskers fans.
11. Richard Pitino
Son of former National Champion* Rick Pitino, Richard has had limited success while coaching Minnesota. The Gophers have yet to make a Sweet 16 under Pitino, and under-performed this past year, with possible lottery pick Daniel Oturu on the roster.
12. Pat Chambers
Chambers has had limited success at Penn State, but was able to have a solid 19-20 campaign to keep his job alive. Only two 20-win seasons (17-18 and 19-20), leave little to boast for on his resume.
13. Chris Collins
Collins took over a terrible basketball program, and was able to give Northwestern their first tournament win. He hasn’t done much since March 2017, but that season alone is enough to place him above 14th.
14. Archie Miller
Miller has underperformed all three years at Indiana, never going over .500 in conference play. The team was a tournament hopeful this past season, but was nowhere near a guaranteed spot. Miller has a great roster this season, in a true make or break year.
Photo: The Athletic
