Colts...Gotta give you props for matching my top five, but I gotta put my Tar Heel coach ahead of Dookie coach on principle...
1. Roy Williams - the best current combination of teacher/recruiter going. At the point in his career that he is reaping rewards of his past success, but hasn't been around so long that some think he is too "old school."
2. Rick Pitino - the best at every school he's coached at inserting his "brand" of basketball into the game. Recruits well, but is behind Roy because of his current tenure at Louisville. Had he remained at Kentucky for the whole time (not a better school, just speaking continuity here), he might be considerd among the best coach ever candidates
3. Coach K - Has proven for longer than any of these coaches that he is among the best. 800 wins and currently coaching teams to 20+ wins every season. High graduation rate at one of the toughest schools in the country. Many of his players don't make it in the NBA, but you don't hear about his players "making it rain," either.
4. Billy Donovan - The best up-and-comer coach in the country, and already has 2 Nat'l Championships. He may never get another one if he remains at Florida, but he'll be around every year. More likly, he will get one of the high profile jobs in the country and become a legend htere in 20 years.
5. Ben Howland - Nothing like Pitino, but most reminds me of him. He has a "brand" of basketball that he teaches succesfully year after year. He is already in the high profile job that will make him a legend, so he might need to be above Donovan.
Honorable Mention -
Rick Barnes- Molding a basketball powerhouse at a football-only school. Old-school ACC coach that has introduced a new brand of basketball in the Big 12
Bill Self- Stepped into a great situation after Roy Williams left. Didn't have to deal with the growing pains because Williams left him a great program. He may be a better coach than ol' Roy when it's all said and done...
Billy Gillespie, Bob Huggins, Tubby Smith - Need to re-prove hemselves at theri current schools before working back into the list
John Thompson III- A few more years, but he's on the way
Gary Williams - Even with Nat'l Champ, he's in the shadow of other ACC coaches. One more, and he approaches the top of hte food chain
Bruce Pearl - On his way, but not there yet... needs a few Final Fours, at least, not just #1 ranking for a few weeks a year
Tim Floyd- May ultimately be #1 on the list. Needs to stay at USC and win a championship or two to get out of the shadow of UCLA
