Fansided

25 worst coaching hires in the history of college basketball

By Joey Loose

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 21: Head coach Billy Gillispie of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to the action during the SEC game against the Auburn Tigers at Rupp Arena on January 21, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 21: Head coach Billy Gillispie of the Kentucky Wildcats reacts to the action during the SEC game against the Auburn Tigers at Rupp Arena on January 21, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Worst college basketball coach hires
5 Dec 1995: Forward Shareff Abdur-Rahim and coach Todd Bozeman of the California Bears speak to each other during a game against the San Francisco Dons at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. California won the game 83-70. Mandatory Credit: Otto Greule /Allsport /

16. Todd Bozeman – California (1993-1996)

  • 63-35 record (3.5 seasons)

For the first time since winning the national title in 1959, the Golden Bears were trending in the right direction and thriving in the late ’80s, but the success was not sustained. Head coach Lou Campanelli led them to their first NCAA Tournament in three decades, but he was fired in February 1993 following a couple of subpar seasons from his Golden Bears. An interim coach took over for the rest of the season, but he impressed so much that Cal stuck with him beyond that season.

Todd Bozeman had spent the last three seasons on staff with the Golden Bears and was made interim head coach despite being just 29 years old. His previous experience had not been extensive, as the former guard at Rhode Island had been a high school assistant as well as putting in a couple of years at George Mason and Tulane. This clearly represented his first chance as a head coach, and it started well, leading California to the Sweet Sixteen that season, finishing 11-2 in his interim year.

Bozeman maintained that success with two more NCAA Tournaments but it all came undone in 1996. He was forced out of the program after illegally paying the parents of a recruit, while also dealing with a sexual harassment issue at the school. The Golden Bears were forced to vacate most of his final two seasons and he was given a lengthy eight-year show-cause order after lying to NCAA officials during the investigation. Thankfully, the program wasn’t completely devastated as a result, and Bozeman would bounce back nearly a decade later, beginning a long stint leading Morgan State.