by Pete D.
As Mike Krzyzewski reels in his mentor, Bobby Knight, as the all-time winning coach in NCAA Men’s Basketball history, I thought it was a great time to take a look at the greatest coaches the game has offered up over the years.
10. John Thompson: Led the Georgetown Hoyas to the NCAA Title in 1984. Also led his squads to 3 Final Four appearances, 6 Big East Tournament Championships and 5 Big East Regular Season Titles. Left the game with 596 total wins.
9. Tom Izzo: Led Michigan State to the NCAA Championship in 2000. Under his watch, the Spartans have gone to 6 Final Fours, won 6 Big Ten Regular Season Championships and 2 Big Ten Tournament Championships.
8. Jim Boeheim: Has led Syracuse to 1 NCAA Title, 3 Final Fours, 8 Big East Regular Season Championships and 5 Big East Tournament Titles. Has won 856 games, placing him 5th on the all-time list.
7. Adolph Rupp: Led Kentucky to 4 National Championships and 6 Final Four appearances. Left the game as the all-time winning coach with 876 wins (4th all time today).
6. Roy Williams: Has led his teams to 2 NCAA Championships (UNC), 7 Final Fours, 5 ACC Regular Season Championships (UNC), 2 ACC Tournament Championships (UNC), 4 Big 12 Regular Season Championships (Kansas), 3 Big 12 Tournament Titles (Kansas), 1 Big Eight Tournament Championship (Kansas) and 5 Big Eight Regular Season Championships (Kansas).
5. Jim Calhoun: Has coached UConn to 2 NCAA Chamionships (3 Final Fours), 9 Big East Regular Season Championships, 7 Big East Tournament Championships and 1 NIT Championship. He is also in 6th place on the all-time winning list with 840 victories.
4. Dean Smith: Led UNC to 2 National Titles (11 Final Fours), 13 ACC Tournament Championships and 17 ACC Regular Season Championships. He retired as the all-time winning coach with 879 victories. Also won the NIT in 1971.
3. Bobby Knight: Nicknamed “The General” for being such a nice guy, this all-time wining coach (902 wins) led Indiana to 3 NCAA Championships, 5 Final Fours and 11 Big Ten Championships.
2. Mike Krzyzewski: “Coach K” has guided Duke to 4 NCAA Championships, 11 Final Fours (8 Finals appearances), 13 ACC Tournament Championships and 12 ACC Regular Season Championships. Two days ago his won his 900th game, placing him in second place behind Mr. Knight on the all-time list. He will leave the game with the most wins of all time.
1. John Wooden: Nicknamed the “Wizard of Westwood”, the greatest coach of all time led UCLA to 12 final fours and 10 NCAA championships in 12 years, including 7 in a row. He also led his squad to 88 straight victories and four 30-0 seasons.
Roy Williams does not belong on this list. He is a great recruiter that gets the best athletes every year, but he does less with more. His teams don’t play defense and he does not run an offense.
I hear what you are saying, but it’s hard to argue with the stats, wins (with 2 teams), and overall resume.
true but why is he ahead of Adolph Rupp?
Thank you $ Mike B, you said it perfectly
How about Phil Jackson?
When I do the top Professional Basketball Coaches of all time, I am sure he will be very high on the list.
John Wooden is my hero.
Where’s Jerry tarkanian
Probably chewing on a towel.
No love for Tark the Shark??
Tark definitely had my vote.
How could anyone include a racist like John Thompson?
Then I guess by your logic I have to take off Rupp too.
No doubt Dean Smith has the numbers, buts that due to longevity. I think he did less with more than anyone on this list. Probably had more NBA players than anyone and only won two titles in 30 years. Where’s the love for Nolan Richardson?
Bobby Knight is not #3. Top ten yes, but thats where it ends. Only 5 final four’s in 40+ years? Thats just downright bad. Sorry guy, you blew that one bad.