Top Coaches of The Tourney

We made it! The tournament is just a day away! Of course the players are crucial to the success of the squad, but I also believe that the best head coaches have a significant impact in college basketball during March Madness.

Here are my top coaches for the 2025 Tournament.

1. Dan Hurley

I have to start with the coach that has won back-to-back NCAA championships and was recruited by the Lakers this offseason. Dan Hurley is as intense and passionate as they come. On offense he prioritizes off-ball screens and high-level passing. Defensively he emphasizes creating turnovers and making his opponents shoot from long range. Although the 2024-2025 Huskies are having a down year with a 23-10 record, you cannot count them out. They were given a 8 seed and will face 9 seeded Oklahoma on Friday. If they can defeat the Sooners, they will most likely take on the red-hot Florida Gators in round 2. Despite the fact that they are on fire right now, there is no way Todd Golden wants to face Hurley on Sunday.

2. Kelvin Sampson

Sampson has made the transition from the AAC to the Big 12 look easy. Houston has won back-to-back regular season titles and just took home the conference tournament championship as well. The 69 year-old has all of the accolades in the world besides a National Championship. The good news is the Cougars are 30-4 this season and have the shot-making ability that they have not had in the past. Kelvin Sampson’s defense is once again elite and are a nightmare for opposing offenses. The 1 seeded Cougars will most likely steamroll 16 seeded SIU Edwardsville on Thursday. I would be surprised if they don’t make it to San Antonio for the Final Four.

3. Rick Pitino

Everywhere he goes, Rick Pitino turns around the program. After missing out on the tournament last season, St. John’s came back with a vengeance. They went 30-4 winning the Big East regular season championship as well as the conference tournament championship. Pitino has all of New York singing his praises. He is known for his intense practices and developing the skill of his players. His full-court press disrupts opposing offenses and forces costly turnovers. Pitino is a two time NCAA Tournament champion and has made it to seven Final Fours. The Johnnies are a 2 seed in the West Region and should be able to destroy Omaha before they face the winner of Kansas and Arkansas.

4. Bill Self

Some may argue that Bill Self should be higher on this list. He is a two time NCAA Champion and had made it to four Final Fours. The six time Big 12 Coach of the Year is known for building a strong team culture where players hold each other accountable and work together to achieve success. However, the 2024-2025 Kansas Jayhawks are having a down season. They are just 21-12 on the year but they still managed to make the tournament. The Jayhawks are a 7 seed and will face an Arkansas team led by John Calipari. This matchup of legendary coaches is a must watch. Get your popcorn ready.

5. Tom Izzo

Tom Izzo is entering his 31st season as a head coach and continues to impress me. The job that he’s done with this year’s team is truly remarkable. The 2024-2025 Michigan State Spartans won the Big 10 regular season going 27-6. Tom Izzo’s commitment to defense and his relentless work ethic has instilled a culture of resilience and grit in his players. He’s made it to eight Final Four appearances, which is the most among active coaches. I expect Michigan State to make a run in this tournament. They are a 2 seed in South Regional and square off vs. 15 seeded Bryant.

Other coaches that could have made the list are Mark Few, Nate Oats, Matt Painter and Bruce Pearl. The best advice I could give anyone while filling out the bracket is if you believe the teams matchup evenly, pick the team with the better coach. Let’s have a great tournament.