Movin On? Top 10 College Coaches Who Might Be Filling One of the New Vacancies

Along with March Madness, another annual (spring) college basketball tradition is the spinning of the coaching carousel.

Schools have "had it" or "decided to go a different direction."

Whatever the label that is put on it, dozens of men's basketball coaches are fired every year and then colleges and universities look for someone to lead their program and help them find success...as quickly as possible.

The most recent firing announced was Steve Cleveland of Fresno State. He had been there for six seasons and had a record of 92-98.

Rumor has it that Billy Gillespie (formerly of UTEP, Texas A&M and most recently, Kentucky) will be hired in a matter of days to follow Pat Knight at Texas Tech.

Tubby Smith has said that he expects to be back at Minnesota next season.

Arizona's Sean Miller has stated that, while his name was thrown out there for the NC State position, he has zero interest in any job openings.

To my knowledge, the following coaches haven't publicly expressed interest in going to any of the open head coaching positions.

And yes, schools may approach guys like Jamie Dixon (Pitt), Rick Barnes (Texas), Billy Donovan (Florida), John Calipari (Kentucky), Rick Pitino (Louisville) or even Matt Painter (Purdue).

But all of them are set up very well, so I don't think they will be tempted too easily.

Here is a short list of some of the coaches who may be considered when the interviewing starts.

Ed Cooley (Currently at Fairfield)

Ed Cooley is another young (41) up-and-coming head coach that might be considered for some of the current openings.

Cooley received the inaugural 2010 Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award, presented annually to the top minority men's basketball coach in the nation.

In five years as Fairfield's head coach, he has a 92-68 record. 

Under Cooley's leadership, the Stags have improved their record each year—from 13 wins in 2006-07 to 25-7 this season.

Cooley served nine years as an assistant coach under Al Skinner at Boston College. 

Cooley is highly regarded on the East Coast, and so don't be surprised when you hear his name mentioned.

Josh Pastner (Currently at Memphis)

Josh Pastner is the youngest coach (33) on this list, and is one of the youngest coaches in Division I basketball.

He is in his second year as head coach at Memphis with a record of 49-19.

This year his Tigers won the Conference USA tournament and qualified for the NCAA tournament.

Before coming to serve on John Calipari's Memphis staff, Pastner was a player and then an assistant for six years for Lute Olson at Arizona.

Pastner is known as a tireless recruiter with a superior work ethic.

If Memphis bumps out Arizona in the first round, Pastner's stock goes through the roof. 

Paul Hewitt (Formerly at Georgia Tech)

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GREENSBORO, NC - MARCH 10: Head coach Paul Hewitt of the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets communicates with his team during the first half of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round of the 2011 ACC men's basketball tournament at the Green

Paul Hewitt, recently fired from Georgia Tech, is likely to get a strong look.

His overall coaching record is 255-187.

He was 66-27 in three years at Siena (of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference).

He was 189-160 in 11 years at Georgia Tech.

Over the years, Hewitt has recruited well (Chris Bosh, Jarret Jack, Javaris Crittendon and Derrick Favors).

He led the Yellow Jackets to the 2004 national championship game against UConn.

In 2009-10, they went 23-13, and made it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Unfortunately, though, Georgia Tech has not finished higher than sixth place in the ACC for the last six seasons.

My guess is that Hewitt's long-term effectiveness will put him in the mix for some of the current openings.

Steve Alford (Currently at New Mexico)

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LAS VEGAS - MARCH 11: Head coach Steve Alford of New Mexico signals to his players during their 75-69 quarterfinal game victory over the Air Force Falcons during the Conoco Mountain West Conference Basketball tournament at the Thomas & Mack Center March

Steve Alford may be the answer for one of the bigger open jobs.

His overall head coaching record is 405-221 in 20 years...is it even possible that he's been coaching that long?

His current four-year run at New Mexico has been good (97-38), with a 30-5 record last season, making it to the second round of the NCAA tournament.

At the end of the 2009-10 season, Alford received a 10-year contract extension through the 2019–20 season.

I don't know what his "escape clause" is. That could make it difficult for a school to make a legitimate run at the former Indiana University All-American.

He might be an interesting candidate for Oklahoma or Arkansas.

Chris Mooney (Currently at Richmond)

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PROVIDENCE, RI - MARCH 18: Coach Chris Mooney of the Richmond Spiders reacts to an official's call against the Saint Mary's Gaels during the first round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Dunkin' Donuts Center on March 18, 2010 in Providence

Chris Mooney is another young (38), up-and-coming coach who will be looked at in this year's cycle of coach hiring.

As a player, Mooney was a four-year starter at Princeton.

Mooney is in his sixth year at Richmond, having a record of 110-96 at the school.

Before Richmond, Mooney coached Air Force to its second-best record (18-12) in school history.

Last year, the Spiders were 26-9, and made it to the NCAA tournament

This year, Richmond is 27-7 going into this year's March Madness.

Tommy Amaker (Currently at Harvard)

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CHICAGO - MARCH 08: Head coach Tommy Amaker of the Michigan Wolverines coaches against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during Day 1 of the Big Ten Men's Basketball Conference Tournament March 8, 2007 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jo

Tommy Amaker is ripe for the picking. He has just completed his second 20-plus win season at Harvard.

His overall head coaching record over 14 years is 242-187.

After playing at Duke in the mid/late 1980s, Amaker served on Coach K's staff for 11 years.

Even at Harvard, Amaker, 45, is known to be an exceptional recruiter.

Chris Mack (Currently at Xavier)

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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)

At 41, Chris Mack might be considered one of the best young coaching candidates in the country.

Only in his second year in the "first chair," Mack has put together excellent back-to-back seasons with a combined record of 48-15 (could get even better; the Musketeers are, again, in this year's NCAA tournament).

Last year, in his first season, Xavier made it to the Sweet 16.

Working under both Skip Prosser and Sean Miller, Mack is known as a great recruiter.

Don't be surprised if you hear Mack's name thrown around when schools are making their short lists.  

Jeff Capel (Formerly at Oklahoma)

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MEMPHIS, TN - MARCH 27: Head coach Jeff Capel of the Oklahoma Sooners reacts in the second half while taking on the Syracuse Orange during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament South Regionals at the FedExForum on March 27, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee. The

Unless there are some problems behind the scenes that have not been revealed yet, Jeff Capel will not be unemployed for long.

Capel's overall record at OU was 96-69. Not bad. The last two seasons the Sooners went a combined 27-35.

Before coming to Norman, Capel was 79-41 in four years at Virginia Commonwealth.

Capel recruited well early (Blake Griffin and Willie Warren) and OU won, making it to the Elite Eight.

Both of these players left early. Even though Capel had pulled in another top-ranked recruiting class, off-the-court issues left the team reeling and players leaving.

Capel will land on his feet, and will find a high-level position to lead again soon. Maybe Georgia Tech?

Mike Brey (Currently at Notre Dame)

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 18: Head coach Mike Brey of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish talks with Ben Hansbrough #23 in the first half of the game against the Akron Zips during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the United Center on

Mike Brey has done a super job at Notre Dame, and this year might put him over the top for being considered for a "next-level" coaching position.

Brey, 51, has posted an overall coaching record of 329-168 in 16 years at Delaware (five years) and Notre Dame (11 years).

In those 16 years, Brey has led his teams to a postseason tournament 14 times (nine NCAA, five NIT).

Only one of his 11 seasons in South Bend has resulted in fewer than 20 wins.

It might be very attractive for Brey to consider leaving after this season. The Fighting Irish are doing great, they are a No. 2 seed in the tournament and most of his top players are seniors.

Brad Stevens (Currently at Butler)

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LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 16: Brad Stevens the Head Coach of the Butler Bulldogs gives instructions to his team during the game against the Louisville Cardinals at the KFC Yum! Center on November 16, 2010 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/G

Butler fans better just accept the fact that their head coach, Brad Stevens, is going to be contacted by every major college looking to fill its position.

Stevens, 34, has already compiled a 113-24 record in just four years. He has led Butler to the NCAA tournament all four years, and took the Bulldogs to the national championship against Duke in 2010.

In 2009-10, his third year as head coach, Stevens broke the NCAA record for most wins in a coach's first three years, exceeding the previous record of eight.

Shortly after the season ended, he signed a contract extension with Butler through the 2021–22 season.

His team has already advanced to Round 2 this year. If they beat Pitt in their next game, watch out!