NCAA Tournament 2011: The Top 5 Coaches in the Sweet 16

After an extensive first weekend of the NCAA tournament history in which 52 teams were eliminated, we are down to the final 16.

Many of the coaches left in the tournament have already had a ton of success in their careers, so much so that Kentucky coach John Calipari didn’t even make this list.

However, after breaking down the Sweet 16 coaches, it is clear that some have what it takes to win championships while others do not.

Here are the top five coaches in the Sweet 16. 

5. Billy Donovan, Florida Gators

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TAMPA, FL - MARCH 19: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators coaches against the UCLA Bruins during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at St. Pete Times Forum on March 19, 2011 in Tampa, Florida. Florida won 73-65. (Phot

Team Record: 28-7

Prior to taking over as the head coach at the University of Florida in 1998, the school had just three tournament appearances in its history.

Donovan quickly turned the program around, leading Florida to nine tournament appearances in his first ten seasons, including back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2006 and 2007.

This season, Donovan won SEC Coach of the Year honors after leading Florida to the regular season conference title, as well as the No. 2 seed in the South East region. 

4. Bill Self, Kansas Jayhawks

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TULSA, OK - MARCH 18: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks yells during the second round game against the Boston University Terriers in the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at BOK Center on March 18, 2011 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald

Team Record: 34-2

Self has made a career out of recruiting the very best players out there, which has clearly paid off.

After spending three quality years as the head coach of Illinois basketball, Self was hired to be the coach at Kansas.

In his eight seasons with the Jayhawks, Self has an excellent record of 236-45, including four 30-win seasons in the last five years.

Despite his regular season success, Self has taken his teams to the Final Four just one time, but he did lead Kansas to the National Championship in 2008.

Self has been on the losing end of several close tournament games in recent years, but he has a great opportunity to make another title run this year and should have many successful seasons ahead of him.

3. Jim Calhoun, Connecticut Huskies

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 12: Head coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies looks on from the bench during the game against the Louisville Cardinals during the championship of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfit

Team record: 28-9

Known as one of the strictest coaches around, Calhoun has done an impressive job once again in 2011.

During the regular season, UConn was just the nine seed in the Big East, but they won five games in five days to win the Big East tournament and suddenly enter the Big Dance as the No. 5 seed in the Southwest Region.

Calhoun has taken UConn to the Final Four three times, including National Championships in 2004 and 2009. He has has won seven Big East tournament championships in his career and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

2. Roy Williams, North Carolina Tar Heels

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GREENSBORO, NC - DECEMBER 18: Head coach Roy Williams of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Texas Longhorns at Greensboro Coliseum on December 18, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Team Record: 28-7

After winning just five conference games last season, it was unclear what to expect out of the 2010-2011 Tar Heels.

North Carolina began the season just 7-4, but quickly turned things around, winning 19 out of their next 21 games, to win the ACC regular season championship and once again become relevant. Currently the No. 2 seed in the East Region, UNC appears back to its dominating ways.

Williams has won titles as the head coach of North Carolina in both 2005 and 2009, but before winning the championship in 2005, he was widely regarded as the best coach in NCAA Basketball history to have never won a national title

Williams has coached teams to seven Final Fours in his careers at Kansas and North Carolina. He also currently has the best winning percentage of any active coach and the third best in history.

1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Blue Devils

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils signals during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the semifinals of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2011 in Gre

Team Record: 32-4

Where do you begin with Coach K?

The man is just three wins away from being the all-time leader in NCAA basketball wins. He has also led Duke to 12 30-win seasons, including national titles in 1991, 1992 and 2010.

This season, Duke finds itself as the No. 1 seed in the West region, despite its star player Kyrie Irving missing the majority of the season. With Irving now back in the lineup, you can bet that no team wants any part of Duke in the tournament.