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5 best NCAA basketball coaches that never won a national championship

By Mike Phillips

Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)
Bob Huggins of the West Virginia Mountaineers. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images) /
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Best NCAA basketball coaches never won a national championship
(Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

3. Best NCAA basketball coaches without a ring: Bob Huggins (Akron 1984-1989, Cincinnati 1989-2005, Kansas State 2006-2007, West Virginia 2007-Present)

Another elite head coach who hasn’t found that elusive national title yet is West Virginia’s, Bob Huggins. No one has questioned Huggins’ ability to win as he has taken three different schools to the NCAA Tournament.

After a lengthy spell as an assistant, Huggins got his first Division I head coaching job at Akron in 1984. Huggins immediately got the Zips into a good place, going 97-46 with an NCAA Tournament appearance to boot.

That success attracted the attention of Cincinnati, which hired Huggins in 1989. Huggins’ run with the Bearcats was dominant, featuring plenty of Conference USA titles and a Final Four appearance, but he was forced to resign after the school decided to move on.

After a layover year at Kansas State Huggins landed at West Virginia, where he has helped the Mountaineers continue winning at a consistent clip. Huggins’ use of the press has enabled West Virginia to develop a new identity that has helped it succeed in the rugged Big 12.

Despite picking up 879 wins at this point, Huggins has yet to win a championship. Entering this season at age 66 it is fair to wonder how much longer Huggins will coach in pursuit of one.