Illinois, UCLA and 5 College Basketball Teams That Must Make Coaching Changes

College basketball coaches don’t make shots or play defense. But that doesn’t mean they don’t affect the outcomes of games.

Whether it’s due to a stagnant offensive system or poor recruiting, coaches can negatively impact teams.

When a coach starts to lose his grip on his team, a coaching change is usually not far behind.

Let’s take a look at five teams that should take a long, hard look at firing their coaches after this season.

5. USC Trojans

Kevin O’Neill and his wife got into an altercation with an Arizona booster during last year’s Pac-10 tournament, resulting in a suspension.

This year, the Trojans find themselves in last place in the Pac-12 under his leadership.

Things clearly aren’t working out for O’Neill and USC. It’s probably time for both parties to move on.

4. Georgia Bulldogs

Mark Fox wasn’t Georgia’s first choice to be head basketball coach in 2009.

Now, it’s becoming clear why. Fox’s three seasons at Georgia have been very inconsistent.

After a rough first season, Fox made improvements, getting the Bulldogs into the NCAA tournament last year.

But the team has taken a major step back this year, calling into question whether or not last season was a fluke. Georgia might want to see if a new coach could lead to more consistent performances.

3. UCLA Bruins

The Ben Howland era has run its course in Los Angeles.

The once-proud Bruin team has been mired in mediocrity in recent years.

This team hasn’t been good since 2008.

Even with three Final Four appearances under Howland, four years of mediocre records should be enough to get him fired.

2. Washington Huskies

Lorenzo Romar is a good coach, but he’s not great.

The Huskies haven’t been able to take advantage of a comically weak Pac-12 this year, finding themselves in second place behind California.

Romar hasn’t been able to get this team over the hump despite one of the most talented rosters in the conference.

This team needs a coach who can take it to the top of the Pac-12 on a consistent basis.

1. Illinois Fighting Illini

Bruce Weber just isn’t getting the job done in Champaign this year.

Despite having several talented players, including a potential lottery pick in Meyers Leonard, the Illini probably won’t make the tournament this year.

He’s a good recruiter, but Illinois needs to move on from Weber’s offensive style, which resembles a clogged toilet.

Bringing in a new offense would really help improve this team.