The Most Dramatic Coaches in College Basketball

One of the most entertaining spectacles in all of sports is the sight of a college basketball coach delivering an Oscar-worthy performance on the sideline.

From Kansas State's Frank Martin to Kentucky's John Calipari, each coach has a unique way of inspiring their team.

Some are more demonstrative than others, and some go to great lengths to express their joy or displeasure in what's transpiring on the court.

So who exactly are the most dramatic coaches in college hoops? Let's take a look.

Rick Pitino, Louisville Cardinals

Louisville Cardinals head coach Rick Pitino began his coaching career in the late 1970's, and he's coached for nine different professional, collegiate and national teams.

You think he would be tired and mellowed down by now, but that's not the case. Pitino might not display the amount of vigor and theatrics we saw in previous decades, but he still brings a boatload of emotion and zeal to every game.

He knows how to light a fire in his team, as evidenced by his five Final Four appearances and 1996 NCAA Tournament Championship.

Brian Gregory, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The Atlantic Coast Conference has a feisty newcomer in Brian Gregory, head coach of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

After years of leading the Dayton Flyers to Atlantic-10 glory, he's now charged with leading the Yellow Jackets out of the ACC basement. It's a tall task, but one thing's certain: He has plenty of energy for the job.

Gregory is intense on the sidelines and takes every opportunity to fuel his players with encouragement.

Thad Matta, Ohio State Buckeyes

The charismatic Thad Matta has been one of the best coaches in the midwest for the last decade, starting when he was calling the shots for the Butler Bulldogs and Xavier Musketeers.

In 2004, he took his talents to Columbus, where he brought the Ohio State Buckeyes to an NCAA title game and several Big Ten championships.

Matta's enthusiasm and competitive fire are quite noticeable on the sideline, and his spirited disposition is certainly effective; he's earned coach of the year honors in the Horizon League, the Atlantic-10 and the Big Ten.

Sean Miller, Arizona Wildcats

Sean Miller took over for Thad Matta at Xavier in 2004. He picked up where Matta left off when it comes to sideline theatrics.

He might not be bursting with emotion on every play, but when it comes to facial expressions and body contortions, Miller is up there with the best of them.

After an extremely successful run at Xavier, Miller moved to the Pac-12, taking the reins of the Arizona Wildcats program.

So far, he's done a pretty good job of following in Lute Olson's footsteps, and the Wildcats are poised to be a contender out west for years to come.

Buzz Williams, Marquette Golden Eagles

I'm almost certain that the Marquette Golden Eagles basketball squad already knows how to play defense. I guess Buzz Williams just wanted to give them a subtle reminder.

Williams' passion on the Marquette bench has led the team to three straight big dance spots, but the biggest dance might be the one he delivered after Darius Johnson-Odom's dunk. You can enjoy the footage here.

In all seriousness, Buzz has been one of the best coaches in the Big East in recent years, and his Golden Eagles are tied for second in the conference.

Seth Greenberg, Virginia Tech Hokies

Want proof that Seth Greenberg is a demonstrative, dramatic leader? Look no further than him shedding his sport coat and chucking it in disgust.

He's not always that expressive, but he is an emotion-filled coach who fights an uphill battle every game in the ACC. His Virginia Tech Hokies have never been an elite team in the conference, but they've been known to spring an upset every once in awhile.

The Hokies' most recent disruption was a 47-45 road win over the heavily-favored Virginia Cavaliers.

John Calipari, Kentucky Wildcats

Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari is one of the highest-paid coaches in college basketball. It only makes sense that he should put on a show every game so he can earn every penny.

He's been known to run halfway across the court to get the team's or officials' attention. Sometimes he puts his hands on his head and gawks as if he's watching his house fall into a sinkhole. And other times, he folds his hands and begs the referees for mercy to reverse a call.

Despite his questionable past and NCAA violations, you can't deny that Calipari is a coach that is passionate about the game and puts every ounce of his energy in helping his team win.

Frank Martin, Kansas State Wildcats

This list would be worthless if it didn't have Kansas State Wildcats head coach Frank Martin on it.

The 2010 Big 12 Coach of the Year is one of the most unique and intimidating personalities in the entire sports world, not just college hoops.

Whether it's staring into his players' souls, barking at the officials or calling a timeout just to rip into his team, Frank Martin always has some form of drama brewing.

He's a leader who expects so much out of his players, and most of the time, they deliver for him—the Wildcats have been near the top of the Big 12 standings in each of his four years at KSU.

Roy Williams, North Carolina Tar Heels

It's impossible to find a coach that loves his players and his program more than North Carolina's Roy Williams. The Tar Heels' leader cherishes the responsibility to help young student-athletes grow, and that passion is obvious on and off the court.

Most of the time, he channels that passion into positive energy and motivation for his team, and it frequently results in a trip to the Final Four. 

North Carolina will be in the thick of the ACC title race again this spring, and we'll get to see Williams bleed Carolina Blue throughout the postseason.

Tom Izzo, Michigan State Spartans

Tom Izzo is the heart and soul of Michigan State Spartans basketball, and under his direction the program has been a perennial Big Ten power and six-time Final Four member.

He wears his emotions on his sleeve, doing everything in his power to steer his team to victory. Izzo isn't afraid of anybody, and he's made it abundantly clear on numerous occasions.

When the Spartans play well, no one has a bigger grin than Izzo. When the players don't perform or the referees upset him, he looks grief-stricken and inconsolable.