The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) stands as one of the most competitive college basketball leagues in the United States (US). It has a similar level of media coverage as the National Basketball Association (NBA). With such prominence, it’s bound to inspire coaches to have passion and innovation in basketball.
Some of the most legendary NCAA coaches are still active in the 2024/25 season. Here are six of them and the unique qualities that have earned them a place among the elite:
Rick Barnes (Tennessee Volunteers)
Keeping an undefeated streak is always impressive in any competition and the Tennessee Volunteers kept 14 back-to-back wins under Rick Barnes’ management. The Florida Gators cut their streak on 7 January but they bounced back to win four more right after. Barnes simply kept the Volunteers’ iconic defence that made them formidable. His commitment shows that he can drive a team to success, whether from NCAA basketball or NBA.
To keep the team’s strength, Barnes had to trade last season’s best transfer, Dalton Knecht, for this season’s best transfer, Chaz Lanier. The decision kept their defence strong while bolstering the offence, preparing the team for more aggressive strategies towards the Final Four.
Dusty May (Michigan Wolverines)
The NCAA 2024/25 is Dusty May’s first season in the Big Ten conference and he’s already among the talk of the fans in the league. What made him stand out was his surprisingly risky decisions that kept the team in the top 25 for most efficient offence and defence. One of those decisions is pairing two 7-footers in the same lineup namely Vladislav Goldin and Danny Wolf.
Everyone questioned his decision the first time May suggested it, Goldin and Wolf included. However, Michigan is among the biggest contenders for the finals and the Big Ten title of 2024/25. There is still doubt how far the Wolverines can make it under May’s unorthodox plans but it sparks intrigue that inspires basketball fans.
Darian DeVries (West Virginia Mountaineers)
It is Darian DeVries who debuted as head coach for the Drake Bulldogs in 2018 and helped them make NCAA appearances back-to-back. For 2024/25, he moved on to the West Virginia Mountaineers to work his magic. The team was in a rocky state under Josh Eilert in the 2023/24 season after Bob Huggins retired in 2023 so it was a paramount task for DeVries.
The Mountaineers continued to play well and managed to stay among the top 25 in the NCAA. It will be a difficult season following Tucker DeVries, the coach’s son, being injured and out indefinitely. However, coach DeVries signed Javon Small into the team, giving the Mountaineers one of the best transfers in the country.
Jon Scheyer (Duke Blue Devils)
Jon Scheyer has been the Duke Blue Devils’ head coach since April 2022, following Mike Krzyzewski's retirement at the end of the 2021/22 season. Since then, Scheyer has kept the Blue Devils a title contender by carefully assembling the team every time the transfer portal opens.
For the 2024/25 season, Scheyer has a powerhouse lineup, starting with the 2023/24 National Player of the Year and Mr Basketball USA Cooper Flagg from Montverde Academy. His presence in the frontline adds depth to an already loaded team. Scheyer also recruited double-figure scorers Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach to bolster the offence. He also strengthened the defence by bringing in Sion James, Mason Gillis, and Maliq Brown.
Chris Jans (Mississippi State Bulldogs)
Season 2024/25 is currently Chris Jans’ third competitive year with the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He took the team to NCAA tournament appearances for 2022/23 and 2023/24 back-to-back and plans to do it again this year. The Bulldogs haven’t had this opportunity since 2008/09 to 2009/10 under Rick Stansbury and it’s good to see them back in form.
Jans has been a head coach in the NCAA Division I for 14 seasons total. The teams he took under his belt before the Bulldogs include Howard Bison (2001-03), Bowling Green Falcons (2014-15), and the New Mexico State Aggies (2017-22). Now he’s taking the Bulldogs to the top 15 of the NCAA, ready for the best seeding for the team since 2019 under Ben Howland.
Tom Izzo (Michigan State Spartans)
There are over 350 teams in the NCAA Division I and it is divided into multiple conferences. It is notably difficult to maintain a win streak but Tom Izzo somehow managed for the Michigan State Spartans. They’ve played 21 matches overall, 13 of which are back-to-back victories shooting up the squad’s placement at the top of the Big Ten.
The Spartans have also kept a relatively impressive record just before the start of February. So far, they’ve had 18 wins and 3 losses overall, 9-1 within the conference, and 11-0 at home field. The Michigan Wolverines and the Purdue Boilermakers try hard to eclipse the Spartans’ standings but Izzo keeps his lineup fresh with a legitimate 10-man rotation.
Catch more of them in NCAA Basketball in 2025
The NCAA Division I tournament is still a few weeks away in March 2025 and conferences are heating up to push forward their best squads. Basketball fans in the US have their eyes glued on the progress of these legendary coaches of the current season. If you are thinking of betting outright or who would make the cut, then now’s the time to place your bets on NCAA basketball.
Division I of the men’s division will officially begin on the 18th of March. You can still watch them play in their respective conferences, going head-to-head with their rivals leading up to one of the most prominent competitions in the country. Stay up-to-date with the latest news and analysis, and be sure to tune in for updates be it for NCAA basketball or NBA.
