The college basketball coaching carousel is in full swing for the 2025 season, with several marquee programs already searching for new leadership and a robust class of mid-major coaches making strong cases for promotion. From early hires to coaches on the hot seat and an impressive list of 13 rising stars, this cycle promises significant shifts across the collegiate landscape.
The annual college basketball coaching carousel, affectionately known as “silly season” by some, has commenced earlier and with more intensity than usual for the 2025 season. It’s a period that can dramatically alter a program’s trajectory, as demonstrated by the success of hires like Pat Kelsey at Louisville, Dusty May at Michigan, and Mark Byington at Vanderbilt in the previous cycle, all of whom quickly revitalized their respective teams.
Before the 2024-25 regular season even concluded, several high-profile positions had already opened, setting the stage for a dramatic offseason. The urgency is heightened by the looming NCAA Tournament and the opening of the transfer portal, both critical junctures for program building.
Early Moves and Remaining High-Major Openings
The coaching market wasted no time heating up. Florida State, Indiana, Miami, Utah, and Virginia were among the programs with vacancies before the regular season’s end, with NC State joining the list shortly thereafter. Some swift decisions have already been made:
- Utah tapped into its alumni network, hiring Dallas Mavericks assistant Alex Jensen, who notably played for former Utes coach Rick Majerus. This move was widely reported by outlets like CBS Sports.
- Florida State followed a similar path, bringing in Sacramento Kings assistant Luke Loukus, an alum who played under outgoing coach Leonard Hamilton, as announced by Seminoles.com.
- Miami made a significant splash by recruiting Duke assistant and ace recruiter Jai Lucas, who departed the Blue Devils shortly after a pivotal victory over North Carolina, as confirmed by ESPN.
As of now, Virginia, Indiana, and NC State remain in the thick of their coaching searches, with more vacancies anticipated once conference tournaments conclude and the NCAA Tournament begins.
Coaches Feeling the Heat: Hot Seats and Retirement Watches
Beyond the already open positions, several high-major coaches are under intense scrutiny, with many predicting their tenures might be nearing an end:
- Indiana’s Mike Woodson is facing a “five-alarm fire” situation, with many expecting his departure. The pressure at Indiana, a program deeply invested in its basketball legacy, is immense, as highlighted by discussions on sports forums and analysis from outlets like Sportskeeda.
- Leonard Hamilton at Florida State is on retirement watch, compounded by ongoing legal issues regarding NIL promises.
- Porter Moser at Oklahoma, despite previous Final Four success with Loyola Chicago, is on a “four-alarm fire” hot seat due to disappointing conference play, with fan discussions pointing to his substantial buyout and contract clauses, including a “stay benefit.”
- Other coaches under pressure include Bobby Hurley (Arizona State), Johnny Dawkins (Central Florida, though he might be doing enough to stay), Penny Hardaway (Memphis, showing improvement but with a history of late-season collapses), Wayne Tinkle (Oregon State), Kyle Neptune (Villanova), and Mike Young (Virginia Tech), who struggles with NIL resources in the ACC.
The Rising Stars: 13 Mid-Major Candidates Primed for Promotion
This carousel cycle is particularly exciting due to a deep bench of highly successful mid-major coaches who have demonstrated an ability to win consistently, recruit effectively, and adapt to modern basketball. Here are 13 candidates expected to draw significant interest:
Mitch Henderson, Princeton
- Age: 49
- Experience: Princeton | 2011-2025
- Overall Record: 251–131 (.657)
- Case for Henderson: In his 13th season, Henderson has built a consistently outstanding program at his alma mater. He boasts four Ivy League regular-season titles, conference tournament wins, and was named Coach of the Year twice. His 2023 team’s run to the Sweet 16 showcased his tactical prowess. While high-major recruiting is often a question for coaches moving up, Henderson has a proven ability to identify and develop talent, as evidenced by players like NBA-level prospect Xaivian Lee.
Ross Hodge, North Texas
- Age: 44
- Experience: North Texas | 2023-25
- Overall Record: 42-22 (.666)
- Case for Hodge: Elevated from assistant after Grant McCasland’s departure, Hodge has exceeded expectations. After an NIT second-round appearance in year one, his squad is in second place in the American Athletic Conference in year two after being picked seventh. His teams are defined by suffocating defense, ranking 35th in defensive efficiency this season. Hodge is a no-nonsense, highly effective coach whose success speaks for itself.
Alan Huss, High Point
- Age: 46
- Experience: High Point | 2023-25
- Overall Record: 56–14 (.800)
- Case for Huss: In just two years, Huss has transformed High Point, leading them to the NCAA Tournament in his second season after winning two Big South regular season titles and two Coach of the Year awards. His teams run an efficient offense, consistently ranking high in KenPom’s offensive efficiency metrics. With prior experience as a highly regarded assistant at New Mexico and Creighton, Huss brings recruiting prowess, a deep understanding of the transfer portal, and strong international contacts.
Robert Jones, Norfolk State
- Age: 45
- Experience: Norfolk State | 2013-2025
- Overall Record: 233–158 (.596)
- Case for Jones: Jones is a model of consistency, guiding Norfolk State to 11 top-two finishes in the MEAC over 12 seasons, including two NCAA Tournament appearances (2021, 2022) and a CIT title (2024). A three-time MEAC Coach of the Year, he has a remarkable 74.9% career winning percentage in conference play. At 45, he’s proven all he can at his current level and is ripe for a high-major opportunity.
Ben McCollum, Drake
- Age: 43
- Experience: Northwest Missouri State (Division II) 2009-2024 | Drake 2024-25
- Overall Record: 395-91 (.831) (D-II & D-I combined)
- Case for McCollum: Labelled “your favorite coach’s favorite coach,” McCollum made an immediate splash in his first Division I season, leading Drake to Missouri Valley regular season and conference tournament titles with a 30-3 record. A Division II legend with four national championships and five NABC Coach of the Year awards, his seamless transition and tactical mastery make him a coveted candidate.
Bucky McMillan, Samford
- Age: 41
- Experience: Samford | 2020-25
- Overall Record: 99-52 (.655)
- Case for McMillan: McMillan’s collegiate success follows a remarkable high school career with five state championships. At Samford, he’s a three-time SoCon Coach of the Year, leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back titles and pushing Bill Self’s Kansas to the brink in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. His commitment to a fast-paced, modern offensive style makes him an attractive prospect.
Niko Medved, Colorado State
- Age: 51
- Experience: Furman 2013-2017 | Drake 2017-18 | Colorado State 2018-25
- Overall Record: 153-91 (.627)
- Case for Medved: Medved has steadily climbed the coaching ladder, culminating in his success at Colorado State. Despite being picked seventh, he led the Rams to second in the competitive Mountain West, including two NCAA Tournament appearances in three years. His teams consistently field top-60 offenses and he has a knack for developing unheralded talent into high-level performers.
Ryan Odom, VCU
- Age: 50
- Experience: Lenoir Rhyne 2015-2016 | UMBC 2016-2021 | Utah State 2021-2023 | VCU 2023-2025
- Overall Record: 219-126 (.635)
- Case for Odom: Odom is on the verge of leading a third program to the NCAA Tournament. He gained national attention with UMBC’s historic upset of Virginia in 2018, followed by an NCAA bid with Utah State, and now has VCU leading the A-10. His excellent work in the transfer portal, combined with a balanced offense and suffocating defense (top 20 on KenPom this season), makes him one of the hottest names in this hiring cycle.
Eric Olen, UC San Diego
- Age: 44
- Experience: UC San Diego | 2013-2025
- Overall Record: 238–118 (.668)
- Case for Olen: Olen has transformed UC San Diego, leading them through a successful transition to Division I. After significant D-II success (three regular season, four tournament titles, four NCAA appearances), he now has UCSD topping the Big West, cracking the top 35 in KenPom and NET rankings. His teams’ embrace of three-point shooting aligns perfectly with modern offensive trends, making him a popular name for West Coast jobs.
Richard Pitino, New Mexico
- Age: 42
- Experience: FIU 2012-2013 | Minnesota 2013-2021 | New Mexico 2021-2025
- Overall Record: 244-184 (.570)
- Case for Pitino: At only 42, Pitino is a seasoned coach ready for another high-major shot. Despite a challenging end at Minnesota, he led the Gophers to two NCAA bids and earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. Now in his fourth year at New Mexico, he has the Lobos atop the competitive Mountain West and poised for back-to-back NCAA appearances. His teams play a fast, fearless offense and have developed into dangerous defensive squads.
Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilmington
- Age: 38
- Experience: UNC Wilmington | 2020-2025
- Overall Record: 105–46 (.695)
- Case for Siddle: Programs in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic seeking a young, rising coach should eye Siddle. Fresh off his first NCAA Tournament bid, he’s amassed a conference title, Coach of the Year award, and consistently finishes in the top three of the CAA. Siddle is a grinder with a knack for finding under-the-radar athletes and maximizing their potential, demonstrating what he could achieve with greater resources.
Drew Valentine, Loyola Chicago
- Age: 33
- Experience: Loyola Chicago | 2021-2025
- Overall Record: 79-49 (.617)
- Case for Valentine: Valentine took over Loyola Chicago after assisting on Final Four and Sweet Sixteen teams. He immediately led the Ramblers back to the NCAA Tournament in his first year and, after a tough transition to the A-10, has them back to a 20-win season and postseason play. At 33, he brings immense energy, a keen eye for talent, and a strong understanding of how to foster player development.
Will Wade, McNeese State
- Age: 42
- Experience: Chattanooga 2013-15 | VCU 2015-17 | LSU 2017-2022 | McNeese State 2023-25
- Overall Record: 241-104 (.699)
- Case for Wade: After navigating NCAA issues from his LSU tenure, Wade has seized his second chance at McNeese State, winning two straight Southland Conference titles and compiling an impressive 47-8 overall record in two years. With a track record of top-two conference finishes in eight of his 11 seasons and guiding three different programs to the NCAA Tournament, Wade is an ace recruiter with strong grassroots loyalty. For programs seeking a quick turnaround, he is a clear, proven choice.
The Fan Pulse: Desperation, Ethics, and NIL in the Carousel
The coaching carousel isn’t just about wins and losses; it’s a constant debate among fan communities, especially concerning hot seats and potential hires. Programs like Indiana exemplify this, with fans openly discussing the level of desperation they might reach to return to “blue blood status.” The discussion around potentially hiring a coach like Chris Beard, despite his past legal troubles (charges later dropped), highlights a complex interplay between winning and institutional values. Some fans argue that the “moral high ground” was lost long ago with hires like Kelvin Sampson, whose NCAA infractions were seen by many as minor compared to the broader landscape of collegiate athletics.
The role of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) also heavily influences coaching decisions. Coaches like Mike Young at Virginia Tech are struggling to compete for talent when NIL resources are disproportionately allocated to other sports within the university, forcing them to operate with “mid-major talent in the ACC.” This new era reshapes how programs evaluate coaches and how coaches approach recruiting and retention.
What’s Next for the Spinning Carousel?
As the college basketball season progresses into its most critical stages, the coaching carousel will only accelerate. More jobs are expected to open, and the competition for these talented candidates will intensify. Programs will weigh factors from coaching philosophy and recruiting acumen to NIL strategy and past controversies. This year’s carousel promises to be one of the most dynamic in recent memory, shaping the future of college basketball for years to come.
