Baylor’s Scott Drew made history last year winning his first national championship. These five coaches could join Drew with their first ring with a magical March Madness run this spring.
March Madness has officially arrived and with it comes a chance for coaches to ensure their place in college basketball history. Scott Drew cemented his place in the record books last season by guiding Baylor to its first-ever national championship with a resounding victory over Gonzaga in Indianapolis.
The Bulldogs are back in the mix as one of the top teams seeking their first title, but the main focus of this story is to spotlight five coaches who are in position to join Drew as first-time title-winners. Let’s look at the top contenders, beginning with Texas Tech’s Mark Adams.
NCAA basketball coaches in position to win their first national championship
5. Mark Adams – Texas Tech Red Raiders
Chris Beard’s departure for Texas left the Red Raiders in a lurch but long-time assistant Adams has stepped into Beard’s shoes with aplomb. Texas Tech has developed a smothering defense that can shut down the best offenses in the country, a formula that Virginia rode to the national championship back in 2019.
The Red Raiders landed the No. 3 seed in the West Region, which offers them a potentially dangerous second-round matchup against Alabama before getting a shot at Duke in the Sweet 16. Gonzaga would stand in Texas Tech’s way to reach the Final Four but Adams’ defensive schemes could help the Red Raiders spring a key upset on their way to a title.