Fansided

Ranking every coach in the 2019 NCAA Tournament

By Mike Phillips

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 18: Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski (L) of the Duke Blue Devils and Head Coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels talk prior to their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 18, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke defeated North Carolina 92-90 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 18: Head Coach Mike Krzyzewski (L) of the Duke Blue Devils and Head Coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels talk prior to their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 18, 2015 in Durham, North Carolina. Duke defeated North Carolina 92-90 in OT. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Head coach Craig Smith of the Utah State Aggies celebrates after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 16: Head coach Craig Smith of the Utah State Aggies celebrates after his team defeated the San Diego State Aztecs during the championship game of the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center on March 16, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Utah State won 64-57. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /

56. John Brannen, Northern Kentucky

In a similar fashion as Rhoades, Brannen has put together a strong track record at Northern Kentucky over a brief period. The Norse have won at least 22 games in the past three years, earning two tournament bids and one trip to the NIT in the process, while Brannen is 81-50 in his four years at the helm.

55. Craig Smith, Utah State

Utah State hadn’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2011, but Craig Smith brought them back in his first year on the job, going 26-8 and winning the Mountain West Tournament. Smith also had a solid run at South Dakota, going 79-55 there and guiding them to two straight postseason appearances (one NIT bid and one CBI invite) before accepting the job at Utah State.

54. Matt McMahon, Murray State

Another popular hot-shot coach, McMahon has gone 72-39 since taking over Murray State in 2015, including back-to-back trips to the NCAA Tournament with future lottery pick Ja Morant. Expect the 40-year-old McMahon to be a hot candidate after the season concludes for higher major opportunities.

53. Russell Turner, UC Irvine

Turner has built a Big West powerhouse at UC Irvine, compiling a 187-127 record since taking over in 2010. The Anteaters have made six postseason appearances under Turner’s watch, including two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

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