Top 10 ACC basketball coaches in position for 2025-26: Investment in coaching ranks highlights big shift

The ACC introduces three new members to the conference last season, but still suffered from the lack of top-end teams which has slowly eaten into their status across college basketball. Even with the reemergence of Louisville to NCAA Tournament level, there is more work to be done.

The conference invested heavily in bringing basketball back to its historic standards with big-time hires across the board. NC State made a big splash with Will Wade, and Virginia turned to Ryan Odom in a new era. Florida State also hit reset with Luke Loucks while Miami started a new era under Jai Lucas.

Ranking the Top 10 coaches in any of the four power conferences is a difficult task heading into any season, as a multitude of factors determine how the coach is viewed in the moment. There are historical markers throughout a coach’s career which cement them in a certain tier, while recent records and recruiting success play a major factor in remaining on top.

Entering the 2025-26 college basketball season, here is a look at how the Top 10 ACC coaches stack up against their peers, a group which has shifted significantly over the past 12 months.

1. Jon Scheyer – Duke

Jon Scheyer faced a tall task when he took over as head coach at Duke, carrying the weight of Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski after being named head coach in waiting. He has achieved at the highest level to this point, landing top recruiting classes with a chance to make deep NCAA Tournament runs.

After showing a commitment to his roster-building strategy, which surrounds top freshmen with defensive veterans who can guard their position and create space for the young players to work. That has carried into this season, as he hits reset again with belief the formula will result in a national championship shot.

2. Will Wade – NC State

Will Wade makes his return to the top of college basketball after a stint turning McNeese into a perineal NCAA Tournament teams and favorite upset pick. As the show-cause expires, it appears he re-enters the Power Four level at the right time with NIL funds at its height.

Building a winning roster has never been an issue for Wade at any level, including LSU which made an NCAA Tournament run before the federal investigation hampered his final years. Without the same rules in place, all signs point to big success in the ACC.

3. Pat Kelsey – Louisville

Pat Kelsey had a massive debut season at Louisville, showing that his up-tempo personality carries over onto the floor and into the locker room in a way fans had not seen in years. The trajectory is pointed up, and excitement over a historic program is a key piece of what the ACC hopes to rebuild.

While his roster from last season was hit hard, they invested heavy in a series of transfer portal splashes. Having the program behind him this quickly suggests continued investment will follow, setting him up for a run of success.

4. Brad Brownell – Clemson

Brad Brownell continues to be one of the most steady presences in the ACC over recent years. He has turned Clemson into a perineal NCAA Tournament team with the team chemistry to make a run with the right draw on Selection Sunday.

His consistent spot in the conference standings will be challenged to the highest degree this season, with multiple other schools all-in on catching or passing the established top tier. His ability to hold off those charges with a new-look group could determine which direction he moved next season.

5. Andy Enfield – SMU

Andy Enfield moved into the ACC as the head coach at SMU after moving on from USC, starting a rebuild with great financial backing from a program with visions at the top of a Power Four conference. He had a successful first season, establishing his system with a group of players which returned this year.

Like the other returning ACC coaches, Enfield must work hard this year and moving forward to hold off the new group of coaches from shuffling the standings. Meanwhile, he has more upward potential to unlock while elevating the perception of the program.

6. Steve Forbes – Wake Forest

Steve Forbes has coached at nearly every level of college basketball, and has now brought Wake Forest into the spotlight as a team always in the bubble conversation. He remains a consistent coach who is lauded for what he has accomplished even has he fights to hold his position in the conference standings.

The next few years will be interesting to follow as Wake Forest looks to move up, rather than down, the ACC rankings in an era which relies heavily on player acquisition. However, there is still plenty room for a development coach, who gets the best out of his group.

7. Ryan Odom – Virginia

Ryan Odom takes over the Virginia job in a new era for the program, forever putting him in a fascinating spot in history. After making them the first 1-seed to lose, he now looks to lead them back to those heights after taking over for a Hall of Famer.

His system has proven successful at every level of basketball to this point, leaving great optimism that he can do the same in the ACC. His first roster shows a balance of transfer portal additions and international talent which matches the blueprint of many successful competitors.

8. Kyle Smith – Stanford

Kyle Smith took over for Stanford on their way to the ACC last season, tasked with finding a way to keep the program relevant in the new era of college basketball. As they look to continue building toward success in the ACC, Smith showed plenty promise that he is the right person to build a unique program built for the specific circumstances.

Entering a new season, he is another coach facing the challenge of holding off new competition from the conference’s programs which have invested in a return to relevance. After losing some big production off last year’s roster, it could be a tall task.

9. Mike Young – Virginia Tech

Mike Young is another under-the-radar coach who consistently puts a good product on the floor and gets the most from his Virginia Tech roster. Last season’s roster did not live up to the standard, but neither did the program’s investment into the roster.

The next step for Young would be to make a push back into March Madness and build momentum around the program moving forward within a conference featuring blue-bloods. He must find ways to avoid a repeat performance to hold his spot in the standings.

10. Hubert Davis – North Carolina

Hubert Davis also took over from a Hall of Fame coach when Roy Williams stepped away, leaving his long-time assistant to run the program his way. Davis has made it deep in the NCAA Tournament, but he continues to struggle finding any level of consistency from year-to-year as the roster shifts and the style of play changes.

The Tar Heels have seen ups and downs in recent years, now entering a pivotal year where the administration invested big in success. From NIL funds to support staff, there is no longer anywhere to point if the rollercoaster continues to shift.

ACC coaches looking to break into Top 10

Earl Grant – Boston College
Mark Madsen – California
Luke Loucks – Florida State
Damon Stoudamire – Georgia Tech
Jai Lucas – Miami
Micah Shrewsberry – Notre Dame
Jeff Capel – Pitt
Red Autry – Syracuse

Listed alphabetically by school.

As can be noted just by the list of names remaining in the ACC, the conference has a great depth of coaching talent. From young program builders looking to turn things around to respected veterans who have a chance to turn back around, there is plenty chance for another shift next season.