College basketballis well into postseason mode with the remaininghigh-major conference tournamentsgetting underway around the country this week.
It's a time of the year that makes or breaks a head coach's career at their respective school. Look at the handful of universitiesthat "part ways"with head coacheseach Marchafter disappointing postseason runs.
But it's also one that can make a name for a young head coach as they lead their respective team on aMarch Madness run. A recent example of this isDusty May,who leveraged aFlorida Atlantic Final Four runinto becoming the head coach at Michigan, which won the outright Big Ten regular season championship this season.
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The 2026 men's NCAA Tournamentis expected to be flooded with some of the top coaching talent in the country, both young and experienced. There's Dan Hurley, who's looking for his third national title in the last four yearsat Connecticut. There's also Jon Scheyerat Duke,who is looking to bring the first national championship to Durham, North Carolina since Mike Krzyzewski retired.
There are also veteran coaches such asMichigan State's Tom Izzo,Arkansas' John CalipariandKansas' Bill Self,who have all proven they can rip off a deep run in March at any time. But who are the top coaches in the sport heading into the heart of this year's conference tournaments and March Madness?
Here's a look at the top coaches, ranked, inmen's college basketballheading into March:
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Ranking top 10 coaches in men's college basketball
1. Dan Hurley, UConn
When Hurley took over the program in 2018,the Huskieshad not made the NCAA tournament in back-to-back years since 2011-12. The program lacked the physicality and toughness that it once had under Jim Calhoun. He has since built UConn back into a national powerhouse, famously warning the entire country about thisafter a loss at Villanova in 2020that the Huskies were "coming" after all.
Since then, he led the Huskies to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024 and has his program back to being a national championship contender after not meeting expectations last season with a second-round exit in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
2. Jon Scheyer, Duke
Taking over for the legendary Krzyzewski can be a daunting task. Jon Scheyer, however, has made it look seamless, asthe Blue Devilshave retained their status as one of the top programs (with the help of players such as Cooper Flagg and Cameron Boozer). He's once again in the mix for national coach of the year with the Blue Devils sitting at 29-2 overall on the season and in line for their second consecutive ACC tournament title.
But Scheyer's resume is still missing a national championship, and that's what has him under Hurley on the list. That title very much could be in store for him this season, though, given how dominant the Blue Devils have been.
3. Tommy Lloyd, Arizona
Speaking of former assistants who have thrived as head coaches, Tommy Lloyd is right up there with Scheyer. The former Gonzaga assistant under Mark Few is 140-35 in his five seasons withArizona, and has passedBrad Stevens for the most winsin the first five seasons.
Lloyd hasn't made it past the Sweet 16, however, and has a first-round loss to No. 15 seed Princeton in 2023.
4. Dusty May, Michigan
Everyone remembers the Owls' Final Four in 2023 that helped May land the Michigan job, and a 19-win improvement in his first season that finished with a trip to the Sweet 16.
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He bought into the transfer portal over the offseason tobuild a national championship contenderthat's in line for its fourth NCAA tournament 1-seed in program history. Their NCAA tournament resume features 14 Quad 1 wins — highlighted by their 3-0 record at the Players Era Festival Championship over San Diego State, Auburn and Gonzaga — and five top-25 wins in Big Ten play over Southern California, Nebraska, Purdue, Michigan State and Illinois.
5. Todd Golden, Florida
In Year 3at Floridalast season, Golden, then 39 years old, became theyoungest coach to lead a teamto a national championship since Jim Valvano did so at North Carolina State in 1983. It's a national championship that brought the Gators back into national contention for the first time since the Billy Donovan Era in Gainesville, putting him in the class of elite young coaches in the country.
This season, Golden has done a fantastic job of turning around the Gators' season after they went 5-4 in the first month and 0-3 against top five opponents in Arizona,Dukeand UConn. Since then, the Gators are 19-2 and are knocking at the door of the 1-seed line.
6. Tom Izzo, Michigan State
It's March, so don't count out Izzo. The 71-year-old coach has won 59 games in the NCAA tournament, which he'll be leading theSpartansto for the 28th consecutive season this year. He might not have his best national contending roster this year, but the Spartans can still do some damage in the NCAA tournament.
7. Kelvin Sampson, Houston
Houstonhasn't lost a beat under Kelvin Sampson since they made to the Big 12 in 2023. The Cougars have remained one of the top programs in the country, earning back-to-back No. 1 seeds and making the national championship game last season. The Cougars' likely top-three seeding projection in the NCAA tournament will be their fourth straight under Sampson.
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8. John Calipari, Arkansas
There aren't many active coaches who have a national title and multiple Final Four appearances on their resumes outside of John Calipari. He led the Razorbacks to a Sweet 16 appearance in Year 1 atArkansas, where they nearly made the Elite Eight.
His Xs and Os may not be what they were during the prime of his tenure at Kentucky, but he can still recruit like no other, develop NBA talent and still coach. Any form of Coach Cal is better than no Coach Cal.
9. Bill Self, Kansas
Kansas' 2025-26 season hasn't necessarily gone exactly as planned with a 22-9 record and Darryn Peterson drawing attention for his limited minutes usage. Yet, the Jayhawks still find themselves between the 3- and 5-seed line. It's a true testament to Self's coaching and adaptability.
10. Rick Pitino, St. John's
Rick Pitino ledSt. John'son a magical run last season, where it won its first Big East Tournament crown since 2000 and earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Basketball Hall of Fame coach, who won his900th career on-court gameearlier this season, reloaded his roster through the transfer portal and has the Johnnies once again atop the conference with UConn.
The Johnnies sometimes lack production from their front court outside of Zuby Ejiofor, but their defense is what makes them a headache for teams to scout. Just look attheir statement win at Madison Square Garden vs. the Huskies.
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Honorable Mentions
Here's a list, in no particular order, of coaches that just missed the top 10 cut line:
Mark Few, Gonzaga
Matt Painter, Purdue
T.J. Otzelberger, Iowa State
Brad Underwood, Illinois
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:College basketball's top 10 coaches before conference tournaments
