College Hoops Power Rankings: Top 25 Coaching Jobs So Far This Season

With February here, the college basketball season has been going long enough in 2010-11 to see which teams are playing as expected, which are playing well and which are under-performing.

We've also had enough time to look at how good of a job the nation's Division-I coaches are doing.

The following is a list of the top 25 coaching jobs so far this season.

Just because your team is in the ESPN/USA Today Poll, doesn't mean that your coach will make it.

Just because your team isn't in the Top 25 rankings, doesn't mean that your team's coach will be excluded.

Overall record and national ranking will certainly come into play. But how teams are doing in their conference, what "big wins" the team has this year and if a team is playing up to potential will be just as important.

See if your team's coach (or your rival's coach) made it!

25. Chris Mack: Xavier Musketeers

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - DECEMBER 9: Xavier Musketeers head coach Chris Mack looks on against the Butler Bulldogs at Cintas Center on December 9, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Xavier defeated Butler 51-49. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Current Record: 15-5

Conference Record: 7-0 (tied for first in the Atlantic 10)

Chris Mack has started off his Division-I head-coaching career with a bang.

In his first year, he led Xavier to a 26-9 record last season, tying for first place in the A-10 and making it to the Sweet 16.

As of the last weekend in January, CollegeRPI.com ranked the Muskies 18th in the RPI with a No. 22 strength of schedule.

Under Mack, Xavier plays tough defense, only allowing opponents to shoot 40 percent from the field.

Mack has the Musketeers possibly headed for another conference title and deep run in the tournament.

24. Gregg Marshall: Wichita State Shockers

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 15: Head coach Greg Marshall of the Winthrop Eagles cheers on his team on during a game against the University of North Carolina Tar Heels November 15, 2006 at the Charlotte Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by

Current Record: 18-4

Conference Record: 9-2 (first in the Missouri Valley Conference)

After a successful coaching run at Big South Conference Winthrop (five time conference Coach of the Year in nine seasons), Gregg Marshall is turning Wichita State back into a mid-major team to be reckoned with.

He is a coach who makes defense his priority and he is winning ballgames because of it.

The Shockers are holding their opponents to 62 points per game and 40-percent shooting from the floor.

Marshall has Wichita State moving in the right direction to get back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2006.

23. Gary Waters: Cleveland State Vikings

Current Record: 20-3

Conference Record: 9-2 (first place in the Horizon Conference)

If you play against a Gary Waters-coached team, you better be ready to face defensive pressure.

This season, Cleveland State is limiting opponents to 60 points per game (19th best in the country) and holding them to 39.8-percent shooting.

After back-to-back losses in early January, the Vikings have reeled off five straight wins with a margin of victory of 15 points per game.

Cleveland State could be one of those ballclubs that takes a power conference team by surprise in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament.

22. Leonard Hamilton: Florida State Seminoles

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 12: Head coach Leonard Hamilton of the Florida State Seminoles gestures during the quarterfinal game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the 2010 ACC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Greensboro Coliseum on March 12, 2010

Current Record: 15-6

Conference Record: 5-2 (third in the ACC)

Leonard Hamilton's ninth season coaching the Seminoles may be his best.

Florida State has already pulled off one of the bigger upsets of the season in knocking off Duke at home 66-61 on January 12.

The Seminoles also beat No. 15 Baylor in Hawaii over Christmas.

While nothing is guaranteed as a team makes its way through the ACC schedule, Hamilton's Florida State squad has a good chance at improving on their previous best season (third-place tie last year) under his leadership.

21. Anthony Grant: Alabama Crimson Tide

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 12: Head coach Anthony Grant of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts as he coaches against the Kentucky Wildcats during the quarterfinals of the SEC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Bridgestone Arena on March 12, 2010 in Nashville, Ten

Current Record: 13-7

Conference Record: 5-1, (first in SEC West)

Through mid-December, Alabama was not a good basketball team. To be honest, they weren't predicted to be very good this year. 

When the Crimson Tide lost to Oklahoma State on December 18, they were sitting with a record of 5-6.

Since that time, Anthony Grant has turned things around, watching his Alabama team win eight of the last nine games.

Grant's biggest win of this season, and possible in his two years in Tuscaloosa, was when Alabama beat No. 12 Kentucky 68-66.

Grant's coaching philosophy begins with defense. And it's working.

Alabama is holding opponents to 36-percent shooting (No. 2 in the nation) and limiting opponents to 57.3 points per game (sixth best in the country).

While the Crimson Tide will have to make a strong run through the rest of the regular season and in the SEC tournament to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, Anthony Grant's team is getting it done at the most important part of the season. 

20. Billy Donovan: Florida Gators

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

OKLAHOMA CITY - MARCH 18: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Florida Gators reacts as he coaches against the BYU Cougars during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men�s basketball tournament at Ford Center on March 18, 2010 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. (Photo

Current Record: 16-5

Conference Record: 5-2 (first in the SEC East)

After losing to Ohio State in the second game of the season followed by two odd losses in December (Central Florida and Jacksonville), Billy Donovan has righted the ship and has the Florida Gators playing good ball heading into February.

Unless something terrible happens with the Gators 2010-11 season, Donovan will lead Florida to his 13th 20-plus win season in Gainsville.

When you go up against a Donovan-coached team, you better get ready to box out on the defensive end because he likes to be real aggressive on their offensive glass. The Gators are averaging 14 offensive rebounds per game.

With Vanderbilt and Kentucky to play twice still in the regular season, Florida has a chance to take control of its own destiny and build momentum towards the NCAA Tournament.

19. Stew Morrill: Utah State Aggies

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

SAN DIEGO - MARCH 16: Head Coach Stew Morrill of the Utah State Aggies reacts to a play during the game against the Washington Huskies at the first round of the NCAA Finals on March 16, 2006 at Cox Arena in San Diego, California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfe

Current Record: 20-2

Conference Record: 9-0 (first in the Western Athletic Conference)

Stew Morrill, in his 13th season at Utah State has the Aggies playing great ball.

Over the past 11 years, Utah State (.764) has the fourth-best winning percentage in the nation behind Duke (.831), Kansas (.809) and Gonzaga (.799).

After a December 4th loss to Georgetown this year, USU is a perfect 15-0.

It is possible that the Aggies could win the next eight regular-season WAC games and head toward the NCAA Tournament with a high level of momentum and confidence.

18. Rick Byrd: Belmont Bruins

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

WINSTON-SALEM, NC - MARCH 15: Head coach Rick Byrd of the Belmont Bruins reacts in the first half against the Georgetown Hoyas during round one of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum on March 15, 2007 in Winst

Current Record: 20-4

Conference Record: 12-1, (first in the Atlantic Sun Conference)

Rick Byrd is currently one of only five NCAA coaches to have 500 wins at one school. 

He has an overall record of 600–332 and a record at Belmont of 508-277 and Rick Byrd continues to turn out quality teams in Nashville.

Byrd likes his teams to push the ball and put lots of shots in the air. Currently, Belmont is No. 3 in the nation in field goals attempted and No. 2 in field goals made. 

This year's team scores nearly 82 points per game (No. 11 in the country).

17. Mark Turgeon: Texas A&M Aggies

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SPOKANE, WA - MARCH 21: Head coach Mark Turgeon of the Texas A&M Aggies watches the action against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Spokane Arena on March 21, 2010 in Spokane, Washington.

Current Record: 17-3

Conference Record: 4-2 (third in the Big 12)

Mark Turgeon has the Aggies breathing down the necks of both No. 8 Texas and No. 6 Kansas at the top of the Big 12.

Turgeon's Texas A&M teams won 73 games in his first three seasons in College Station.

Texas A&M has quality wins this season against Temple, Washington, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas State.

The Aggies get a chance for revenge on their rivals, the Texas Longhorns, Jan 31.

If Turgeon's troops can pull off an upset at home, it could be what sets the course for the remainder of the season and the NCAA Tournament.

16. Randy Bennett: St. Mary's Gaels

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

HOUSTON - MARCH 26: Head coach Randy Bennett of the St. Mary's Gaels during play against the Baylor Bears during the south regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Reliant Stadium on March 26, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by

Current Record: 18-4

Conference Record: 6-1 (first in the West Coast Conference)

Randy Bennett has elevated St. Mary's into one of the premier mid-major programs in the country.

The Gaels averaged 27 wins over the previous three seasons and no apologies are necessary for three of their four losses this season: BYU, San Diego State and Vanderbilt.

Bennett's bunch has collected quality wins against St. Johns, Mississippi and conference foe Gonzaga.

The Gaels are No. 5 in the nation in scoring margin, beating their opponents by an average of 18.8 points per game.

While bettering their last year's Sweet 16 appearance will be a challenge, look for St. Mary's to make some noise in this year's NCAA Tournament. 

15. Sean Miller: Arizona Wildcats

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 26: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats watches his team take on the Santa Clara Broncos during the third round of the Las Vegas Invitational at The Orleans Arena November 26, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Arizona won 82-59.

Current Record: 18-4

Conference Record: 7-2 (tied for first in the Pac-10)

Sean Miller continues to do a great job at rebuilding Arizona basketball.

Almost having to start from scratch, Miller has recruited exceptionally well and has his young team contending for the conference championship in his second year.

Because Miller stresses shot selection, it's no surprise that the Wildcats shoot nearly 49 percent from the floor (No. 18 in the nation).

Largely because of Derrick Williams' relentless attack on the rim (he goes to the free throw line more than anyone else in the country), Arizona is No. 2 in the country in points per possession (1.49)

If the Wildcats continue playing at the level they have been thus far this season, they will return to the NCAA Tournament and may surprise many people in making a surprising March run.

14. Dave Rose: BYU Cougars

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS, NV - JANUARY 05: Head coach Dave Rose of the Brigham Young University Cougars watches his players during their game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center January 5, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. BYU won 89-77. (Photo by Ethan Mille

Current Record: 20-2

Conference Record: 6-1 (tied for first in the Mountain West)

Dave Rose's Cougars are one of the most potent offensive teams in the country. I guess it doesn't hurt if you have Jimmer Fredette in your starting lineup.

BYU gets up-and-down the court with the best of them. They put a lot of shots in the air and make a high percentage of them (46 percent).

The Cougars are ranked No. 5 in scoring (84 points per game).

Dave Rose's squad has quality wins against Utah State and Arizona, as well as beating previously undefeated San Diego State last week. 

13. John Thompson III: Georgetown

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

NEW YORK - MARCH 13: Head coach John Thompson III of the Georgetown Hoyas gestures from the bench against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the championship of the 2010 NCAA Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2010 in New York Ci

Current Record: 16-5

Conference Record: 5-4 (seventh in the Big East)

From a conference play standpoint, the Hoyas have the worst record of any team on this list.

But John Thompson III, after losing four of his first five Big East games this season, has made corrections and is moving forward.

Georgetown has won the last four conference games in a row, including beating No. 7 Villanova over the weekend.

Having played at and coached at Princeton before coming to Georgetown, Thompson utilizes the same ball-movement and cutting principles that Pete Carrill established at the Ivy League school.

Because of that, Georgetown shoots the ball well (50.9 percent, No. 2 in the nation) and moves the ball effectively (16.5 assists per game, No. 20 in the nation).

12. Rick Pitino: Louisville Cardinals

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - JANUARY 26: Rick Pitino the Head Coach of the Louisville Cardinals gives instructions to his team during the Big East Conference game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at the KFC Yum! Center on January 26, 2011 in Louisville, Kentuc

Current Record: 17-4

Conference Record: 6-2, (second in the Big East)

Pitino holds the distinction of being the only men's coach in NCAA history to lead three different schools (Providence, Kentucky, and Louisville) to the Final Four.

When you face Rick Pitino's Cardinals, you better have your running shoes on. Pitino likes his teams to push the ball, move the ball and put pressure on the ball.

The Cardinals are scoring 79 points (No. 19 in the country), handing out 18 assists (No. 4) and stealing the ball 10 times (No. 3) per game.

Louisville had its biggest win of the season over the weekend, beating UConn on the road in double-overtime.

If Pitino can keep his Cardinals playing at the current level, they will challenge for the Big East title and make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. 

11. Mike Brey: Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

LOUISVILLE, KY - DECEMBER 08: Mike Brey the Head Coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives instructions to his team during the game against the Kentucky Wildcats in the 2010 DIRECTV SEC/BIG EAST Invitational at Freedom Hall on December 8, 2010 in Louis

Current Record: 17-4

Conference Record: 6-3, (third in the Big East)

Mike Brey runs a tight ship. The Fighting Irish play disciplined, team basketball and they have used that to put together quite a season.

This year's team takes care of the ball; Notre Dame has one of the best assist-to-turnover ratios in college hoops (1.49, No. 8 in the country).

Brey's squad has quality wins against Georgia, Wisconsin, Gonzaga, Georgetown, UConn and, most recently over the weekend, No. 2 Pitt.

10. Steve Fisher: San Diego State

Elsa/Getty Images

PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 18: Head coach Steve Fisher of the San Diego State Aztecs directs his players in the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament on March 18, 2010 at the Dunkin Do

Current Record: 21-1

Conference Record: 6-1 (tied for first in MWC)

Steve Fisher's Aztecs are having their best year in school history.

They were the second-to-last undefeated team in Division-I basketball this year.

While San Diego State lost its first game against conference-foe BYU last week in Provo, Fisher has his squad ready to contend the rest of the way.

Fisher preaches limiting opponents scoring (59.3 points per game), crashing the boards and taking good shots (49 percent as a team, No. 13 in the nation).

The Aztecs have quality wins over Gonzaga, St. Marys, Wichita State, Cal and UNLV.

Fisher has been "there" before and may finally have the SDSU team in place this season to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament. 

9. Jim Calhoun: Connecticut Huskies

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

HARTFORD, CT - FEBRUARY 13: Coach Jim Calhoun of the Connecticut Huskies reacts to fans as he walks onto the court before a game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at the XL Center on February 13, 2010 in Hartford, Connecticut. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Ima

Current Record: 17-3

Conference Record: 5-3 (fourth in the Big East)

Jim Calhoun has won over 800 games in his Division-I coaching career. But all of his success is not in the past and he has UConn playing at a high level again this season.

Calhoun's teams are built around playing up-tempo, high-pressure, tough-on-the-boards basketball.

This year's Huskies are scoring nearly 76 points and grabbing 42 rebounds per game (No. 4 in the nation).

The Huskies have an impressive resume of quality wins this season: Michigan State, Kentucky, Texas, Villanova and Marquette. 

Especially with having a player like Kemba Walker on the court, Calhoun's Huskies have a good chance of advancing deep into the NCAA Tournament.

8. Bo Ryan: Wisconsin Badgers

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - NOVEMBER 20: Head coach Bo Ryan of the Wisconsin Badgers argues a referee's call during a game against the UNLV Rebels at the Thomas & Mack Center November 20, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UNLV won 68-65. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Current Record: 15-5

Conference Record: 5-3 (third in the Big Ten)

Bo Ryan basketball isn't always pretty, but the Badgers play tough and Ryan's teams force their opponents to play at their pace and their style.

Wisconsin doesn't always score a lot of points (69.5 points per game, No. 175 in the nation) and don't always rebound that well (32.9 rebounds per game, ranked 278th in the country) but they play really good, physical defense.

They limit their opponents to very few points (56 points per game, No. 3 in the nation).

They also have the third best points-per-possession rate (1.19) in the country.

Wisconsin still has Ohio State and Purdue twice on their schedule, so they will have their conference destiny in their own hands.

7. Matt Painter: Purdue Boilermakers

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN - JANUARY 09: Matt Painter the Head Coach of the Purdue Boilermakers gives instructions to his team during the Big Ten Conference game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Mackey Arena on January 9, 2011 in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue won

Current Record: 18-4

Conference Record: 7-2 (second in the Big Ten)

Matt Painter started off the 2010-11 facing a major challenge: the season-ending injury of a preseason All-American, Robbie Hummel.

For most teams that would have changed or ended the whole outlook on the season. As huge as this injury was, Painter has the Boilermakers competing for the Big Ten title.

Purdue has quality wins against Alabama, Michigan State and Minnesota.

6. Lorenzo Romar: Washington Huskies

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

SYRACUSE, NY - MARCH 25: Head coach Lorenzo Romar of the Washington Huskies reacts as he coaches against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the east regional semifinal of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Carrier Dome on March 25, 2010

Current Record: 15-5

Conference Record: 7-2 (tied for first in the Pac-10)

Don't let the five losses fool you (to Kentucky, Michigan State, Texas A&M, Stanford and Washington State), Lorenzo Romar's Huskies are one of the best teams in the West. Maybe the best in the West.

Even with having to finish the season after losing point guard Abdul Gaddy to injury, Washington is a high-scoring, tough-to-handle team.

Romar's Huskies have made it to the Sweet 16 three previous times in his eight seasons in Seattle.

This year's team could go at least that far again.

5. Bill Self: Kansas Jayhawks

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

LAWRENCE, KS - DECEMBER 29: Head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks reacts from the bench during the game against the University of Texas Arlington Mavericks on December 29, 2010 at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty

Current Record: 20-1

Conference Record: 5-1 (second in the Big 12)

Other than an individual loss to Texas on January 22, Bill Self has his Jayhawks playing as good of basketball as any team in the country.

Self not only has talent, but he has his players working like a well-oiled machine.

Self teaches ball movement and shot selection. So there's no big shock when you discover that Kansas is the best shooting team in the country (51.9 percent), and they hand out the third most assists per game (18.3 per game).

Even though there are Big 12 challenges ahead, Self has Kansas ready to compete every night, which will help them through the rest of the season and into the NCAA Tournament.

4. Mike Kryzewski: Duke Blue Devils

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

DURHAM, NC - DECEMBER 01: Head coach Mike Krzyzewski of the Duke Blue Devils calls a play against the Michigan State Spartans during their game at Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 1, 2010 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Image

Current Record: 19-2

Conference Record: 6-1 (first in the Atlantic Coast Conference)

When it's all said and done (maybe by the end of this season), Coach K will be the winningest coach in Division-I history.

It is very possible that he will eclipse Bob Knight's record of 902 wins if Duke makes a major run in this year's NCAA Tournament.

Kryzewski continues to pull in some of the best talent in the country and combines that talent to play exceptional basketball.

This year's Blue Devils are scoring over 85 points per game (No. 4 in the nation) and they have one of the highest points per possession rate (1.17, ranked sixth in the country).

Even with their two January road losses, look for Duke to make a serious run at returning to this year's Final Four. 

3. Jamie Dixon: Pitt Panthers

Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

WASHINGTON, DC- JANUARY 12: Head coach Jamie Dixon of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts to play during a college basketball game against the Georgetown Hoyas on January 12, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. The Panthers won 72-57. (Photo by Mi

Current Record: 20-2

Conference Record: 8-1 (first in the Big East)

For a team to make it through the first half of this year's Big East schedule with only one loss, someone is doing some coaching...His name? Jamie Dixon.

Dixon's Panthers are always one of the toughest, most physical teams in the country, and that's no accident. Dixon preaches defense and rebounding (No. 3 in the nation) like few others.

But he also makes sure his teams take care of the ball well. This season, the Panthers are No. 1 in the nation in points per possession and No. 2 in assists.

Pitt has already beaten Texas, UConn, Georgetown and Syracuse this year.

If Pitt makes it through the season healthy, Dixon's Panthers are primed for a great NCAA Tournament.

2. Rick Barnes: Texas Longhorns

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 11: Head coach Rick Barnes of the Texas Longhorns reacts while taking on the Baylor Bears during the quarterfinals of the 2010 Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament at the Sprint Center on March 11, 2010 in Kansas City, M

Current Record: 18-3

Conference Record: 6-0 (first in the Big 12)

Rick Barnes' teams historically can beat you in a lot of different ways.

If they need to score points, they can put the ball in the hole.

If they need to get a stop, they can lock down on defense.

This year's Longhorns are no different.

They are scoring nearly 77 points (No. 37 in the nation) and they are also holding their opponents to 28.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc (ranked seventh in the country).

Texas has already beaten Illinois, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Kansas and Missouri this season.

This year's team is long and physical and has the chance of being the most balanced teams that Barnes has had since coming to Austin.

1. Thad Matta: Ohio State Buckeyes

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Thad Matta looks on against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Assembly Hall on January 22, 2011 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State won 73-68. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Current Record: 22-0

Conference Record: 9-0 (first in the Big Ten)

It's hard to find much to complain about when your team is No. 1 in the nation and currently hasn't lost a game.

Thad Matta continues to recruit some of the best talent in the country and puts one of the most disciplined teams on the floor.

His Buckeyes' shot selection is very good (shooting 50 percent from the field, No. 3 in the nation), and they rarely turn the ball over 10 times in a game (Matta should get a large amount of credit for both of these).

Even in a close game against Northwestern, Ohio State only turned the ball over five times.

While the Buckeyes may not run the regular-season table, look for them to win the Big Ten Tournament before making a very deep run in the NCAA Tournament. We might see them on Monday night in Houston.