Top 5 New Head Coaches in College Basketball

Some familiar faces are showing up in new places, as head coaches are finding new opportunities to impact college programs. After an off-season that included Hall of Fame coaches announcing their final seasons, some big schools have brought in new faces.

Hubert Davis- North Carolina

After eighteen years under Coach Roy Williams, the North Carolina Tar Heels have promoted former Assistant Coach Hubert Davis to succeed the legendary coach. Davis, a North Carolina Tar Heel through and through, played for the team from 1988-1992 before turning pro. He had a twelve-year playing career and a six-year broadcasting career. Davis made his return to his alma mater as an assistant coach in 2012. As an assistant, Davis appeared in two Final Four appearances and won one National Championship in 2017. As the Head Coach, Davis will continue to instill the wisdom and guidance learned from Williams, as well as his own, to help the Tar Heels head back to a National Championship.

Mike Woodson- Indiana

The Indiana Hoosiers Basketball team has their second head coach in five years. The university has hired Mike Woodson to return them to a national contender. Woodson was a first-round pick back in 1980 by the New York Knicks and after a ten-year career, Woodson decided to take some time away from the game. Woodson spent time as an assistant coach for a number of teams in the NBA between 1996 and 2004. After coaching the Atlanta Hawks in 2004 Woodson continued to stay in the NBA as an assistant and head coach until this year. Woodson and the Hoosiers are excited about his NBA pedigree and knowledge. He is also returning to his alma mater after four decades.

Chris Beard- Texas

The Texas Longhorns are one of the more recognizable college programs in all sports. After a mediocre run under Coach Shaka Smart, the Longhorns have moved on and hired former student manager, Chris Beard. Beard takes over a Longhorns team that has had recent success in their recruiting but has struggled to put it together on the court. With thirty years of coaching experience from schools such as the University of Arkansas Little Rock and Texas Tech. Beard will come into the program with transfer big men Christian Bishop and Dylan Disu. Beard follows up on the high expectations that were brought with Shaka Smart. He will hope to not only create his own name but bring his alma mater back to the tournament.

Tommy Lloyd- Arizona

After a tumultuous twelve years under former head coach Sean Miller, the Arizona Wildcats have decided to move on. They hope to bring a fresh face and image to the program. With the hiring of Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats feel they have found their fresh new face. Llyod is a former associate head coach of the Gonzaga Bulldogs for two decades. A journeyman coach, Lloyd comes in with a great deal of experience and knowledge. He has been a part of two runner-up teams, and four Elite Eight appearances. Lloyd comes into a program with transfer junior Kim Aiken Jr., looking forward to the opportunity to move the program in a new direction.

Shaka Smart- Marquette

Shaka Smart became a household name in the college basketball community after leading his VCU Rams to a March Madness birth and Final Four appearance in 2011. Smart became the head coach for the Texas Longhorns program from 2015 until this past year. This past year Smart decided his time at Texas was coming to an end. He Packed up shop and headed to fill the vacancy left by Steve Wojciechowski. Smart found his new home with the Marquette Golden Eagles. A team whose appearances in the tournament are spotty, to say the least, Smart hopes to come in with a fresh start and lead them back. Hoping to relive the glory days of the Dwayne Wade era, the Golden Eagles will have a strong fight this upcoming season.