We’re still looking at the top 50 college basketball coaches in preparation for the season that begins just over 30 days from now.
At spots No. 44-40, we’ve got a handful of recognizable names that everyone in the country should be familiar with, at this point.
44. Ed Cooley, Providence Friars
It’s been all about recruiting for coach Cooley, who has the Friars back in business after two years of rebuilding. Landing five-star point guard Kris Dunn was his first major coup, and it’s paid off with Dunn becoming one of the country’s best lead guards. Providence has yet to make any noise in the Big Dance, but two straight appearances have expectations even higher for this season.
43. Leon Rice, Boise State Broncos
A longtime assistant at Gonzaga, Rice took a chance heading to a Boise program that was, well, poorly represented in March. After a major adjustment season in the MWC, Rice has turned BSU into a name that is synonymous with offensive efficiency. Of course, he and the Broncos capped things off with the regular season MWC crown a year ago.
42. Tim Miles, Nebraska Cornhuskers
One of the most respected names in college coaching circles, Miles took on the task of turning Nebrasketball into a “thing”, aided by flashy new facilities and a renewed investment from the university. He turned that into a surprise NCAA Tournament appearance two seasons ago. His work at stops like Colorado State, before arriving in Lincoln, deserves mention too.
41. Rick Barnes, Tennessee Volunteers
Some are wondering if Barnes still has it, but there’s no denying his track record at Texas. He turned the Longhorns into a consistent threat in the Big 12 while going to the NCAA Tournament 16 out of his 17 seasons at the helm. Now tasked with directing another UT going through a public relations nightmare, Barnes has a real argument to be higher on this list.
40. Cuonzo Martin, California Golden Bears
The current coach in Knoxville to a former one, Martin has officially brought the mojo back to Berkeley. It’s not that former head coach Mike Montgomery didn’t enjoy his own successes there, because he did, but Martin is making his own impact as one of the best recruiters in the country.
