deseret
As the Big 12 Conference gathers in Kansas City for its annual media days, the spotlight shines not only on the teams but also on the impressive array of head coaches who patrol the sidelines. The league's reputation as a basketball powerhouse is reinforced by the caliber of its 16 coaches, a mix of legendary figures, seasoned veterans, and emerging talents.
The Legends Club
Bill Self of Kansas stands at the pinnacle, with a lifetime record of 855-272 and a resume that includes two national championships, four Final Four appearances, and 16 Big 12 regular-season titles. The 63-year-old Hall of Famer, who considered retirement after last season, is one of eight coaches with multiple national titles in the past four decades and ranks 12th on the all-time wins list.
Kelvin Sampson of Houston, a coaching veteran of nearly 50 years, has transformed the Cougars into a national contender. A two-time National Coach of the Year, Sampson has guided Houston to two Final Fours and the 2025 national championship game, missing only a title to complete his legacy.
Scott Drew of Baylor took over a program with minimal prestige in 2003 and built it into a perennial power, winning the 2021 national championship. Despite a rare non-winning season, a strong recruiting class has the Bears poised for another March run.
Tommy Lloyd of Arizona may be relatively new to head coaching, but his tenure has been historically prolific. He holds the Division I record for most wins in a coach's first five seasons, including four Sweet 16 appearances and a Final Four run, following two decades as a Gonzaga assistant.
Accomplished Veterans
Jamie Dixon of TCU is just six wins away from becoming the program's all-time winningest coach. He has led the Horned Frogs to five of their 12 NCAA tournament appearances and an NIT title in 2017, after a successful stint at Pittsburgh.
Johnny Dawkins of UCF, the only other Hall of Famer in the conference besides Self, has provided stability as the Knights transitioned from the AAC to the Big 12. The former Duke star has guided UCF to its lone NCAA tournament victory and its first NBA lottery pick.
Tad Boyle of Colorado has the unique distinction of coaching the Buffaloes in both their original Big 12 tenure and their return to the conference. With 10 20-win seasons in his first 14 years, Boyle has been a steadying force in Boulder.
Rising Stars
T.J. Otzelberger of Iowa State inherited a 2-22 team in 2021 and quickly turned it into a Sweet 16 participant, with two more appearances since. Grant McCasland of Texas Tech has won over 70% of his games after years of grinding at the junior college and Division II levels. Kevin Young of BYU has set a school record for wins in a coach's first two seasons and already reached the Sweet 16.
New Faces
Randy Bennett, after a quarter-century at Saint Mary's, returns to his home state to lead Arizona State, which hasn't escaped the NCAA tournament's first round since 2009. Jerrod Calhoun, the latest former Utah State coach to move on, takes over at Cincinnati, where he began his coaching career as a student assistant. Casey Alexander, with nine consecutive 20-win seasons at Stetson, Lipscomb, and Belmont, inherits a Kansas State program looking to rebound from a downturn.
Important Season Ahead
Alex Jensen, a beloved former Utah player, faces the challenge of rebuilding the Runnin' Utes with a roster of new transfers and international prospects. Steve Lutz of Oklahoma State has shown improvement each season, but the pressure is mounting as the Cowboys endure their longest NCAA tournament drought since the 1980s. Ross Hodge of West Virginia captured the College Basketball Crown in his first season and will look to build on that success in Year 2.
Originally reported by deseret.