NCAA Basketball: The Top 10 Mid-Major Coaches in the Country

As yet another college basketball season comes to a close, the ever-changing coaching carousel has already began to take place. Former UNLV coach Lon Kruger accepted the head coaching job at Oklahoma this past week.

After Kruger made the move, I wondered to myself what other coaches that are currently at the mid-major level could make the jump to a big-time school.

While not every coach on this list will make a move, I feel these are the best coaches at the mid-major level and they will undoubtedly get looks from schools in the power conferences in the future.  

Jim Larranaga: George Mason

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CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 18: Head coach Jim Larranaga of the George Mason Patriots claps from the bench during the game against the Villanova Wildcats during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Quicken Loans Arena on March 18, 20

Jim Larranaga has done some incredible things at George Mason. He helped turn a program that finished 9-18 in his first season in 1997, to a Final Four team in 2006.

Larranaga's Patriots weren't just one-hit wonders in 2006 as they continue to qualify for the NCAA tournament annually.

Larranaga would be higher on this list, but he is 61 years old. His age might prevent bigger schools from looking his way, but he is more than qualified regardless of how old he is.  

Chris Mooney: Richmond

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Head coach Chris Mooney of the Richmond Spiders celebrates after defeating the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. Richmo

When Chris Mooney arrived at Richmond to take over the head coaching duties, the team was average at best. In Mooney's first two seasons at Richmond, he finished just 13-17 in 2005 and 8-22 in 2006.

Since then, Mooney has helped the Spiders finish over .500 every season, including three straight 20+ win seasons. 

Mooney's stock is rising. Last season he helped Richmond reach the Sweet 16 and finish with a 29-8 record. Maybe not this year, but a big program looking for a proven coach could come knocking on Mooney's door. 

Stew Morrill: Utah State

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TUCSON, AZ - MARCH 17: Head coach Stew Morrill of the Utah State Aggies coaches against the Kansas State Wildcats during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at McKale Center on March 17, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Chris

Stew Morrill is a fixture in Logan, Utah. He has helped Utah State become a lock to make the NCAA Tournament every year. He has helped the Aggies have 12 straight 20+ win seasons. 

Morrill gets solid recruits to go to Utah State and helps each of his players reach all of their potential and more. Anyone that has seen Utah State play knows that they aren't the most athletic guys or most talented players; but somehow Morrill turns these teams into winners every year.

At 58, Morrill is reaching that age that he might not receive some of the calls that his resume merits. But he can flat out coach. A big team looking for someone to help turn their program around should look at Stew Morrill. 

Steve Fisher: San Diego State

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ANAHEIM, CA - MARCH 24: Head coach Steve Fisher of the San Diego State Aztecs shouts from the sidelines during the west regional semifinal of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at the Honda Center on March 24, 2011 in Anaheim, California. (Photo

Steve Fisher might have the best resume of all the coaches on this list. He inherited a National Championship team and later coached the Fab Five at Michigan. 

After Fisher was fired at Michigan, he took the job at San Diego State. In 2000 the Aztecs finished a dismal 5-27. This past season the Aztecs were ranked in the top 10 all year and made it to the Sweet 16. 

Fisher has not only revolutionized the basketball program at San Diego State, he's helped re-energize the entire school's basketball spirit.

Like a few of the other coaches on this list, Fisher is old. At 66, he likely isn't a long term fix for a big time program. However, he could help a program get on the right track very quickly. 

Randy Bennett: St. Mary's

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LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 06: Head coach Randy Bennett of the Saint Mary's Gaels appears on the court during a semifinal game of the Zappos.com West Coast Conference Basketball tournament against the Santa Clara Broncos at the Orleans Arena March 6, 2011 in

At 48, Randy Bennett is a prime candidate to land a job at a school in the power conferences. Bennett has helped St. Mary's reach new basketball heights. 

The Gaels have won more than 20 games in four consecutive seasons. They have gained national respect and a lot of the credit should go to Bennett. 

It was rumored that Bennett nearly joined Utah as they headed into the Pac-12, but he ultimately denied those rumors. Utah likely won't be the only school that Bennett is linked to; he is a very good coach and could help a program fast.  

Mark Few: Gonzaga

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 19: Head coach Mark Few of the Gonzaga Bulldogs gestures from the bench against the Brigham Young Cougars during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 19, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Phot

Mark Few. This really needs no explanation. 315-83 in 12 years at Gonzaga. Four Sweet 16 appearances. 

What more is there to say?

Dave Rose: BYU

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: Head coach Dave Rose of the Brigham Young Cougars looks on from the bench during the second round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 17, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty I

I recently wrote an article explaining why Dave Rose is so valuable to BYU. Some will say it's easy to win games when you have Jimmer Fredette on your team. But Rose has been winning long before Jimmerpalooza came to Provo and will continue to do so in the future.

Rose has resurrected a program that was the bottom-feeder of the conference. During his tenure at BYU, the team has never finished lower than second in the regular season conference standings. 

Rose is a great coach that is going to be heavily sought after. Reports have already said that Oklahoma was interested in the BYU coach as well as Utah.

Rose would be able to help a program in need and those programs will come calling.  

Blaine Taylor: Old Dominion

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NEW ORLEANS - MARCH 20: Coach Blaine Taylor of the Old Dominion Monarchs reacts during the second round of the 2010 NCAA men's basketball tournament game against the Baylor Bears at the New Orleans Arena on March 20, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Pho

Blaine Taylor's stock is at the highest it's ever been. After leading Old Dominion to their second straight NCAA Tournament bid, the coach has proven that he has what it takes. 

Taylor has simply performed since taking over at Old Dominion, especially as of late. This season marked the second straight season he reached 27 wins. 

If a team is looking for a talented and animated coach to help turn a program around, Taylor might be the guy.

Shaka Smart: VCU

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 01: Head coach Shaka Smart of the Virginia Commonwealth Rams dives for the ball during a drill at practice prior to the 2011 Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Reliant Stadium on April 1, 2011 in Houston,

Shaka Smart is young, energetic and talented. At just 33, in just his second season at VCU, he took the Rams to the Final Four. 

Smart was an assistant at both Clemson and Florida. That experience and the success that he's had at VCU show how ready he is to take on the next task. Smart is an incredible coach that has jumped onto the national scene. 

Smart's teams are known for pesky defense and high energy play. He has what it takes to be a great college coach and could easily make the move to a power conference in the future. 

Brad Stevens: Butler

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HOUSTON, TX - APRIL 02: Head coach Brad Stevens of the Butler Bulldogs reacts from the sidelines while taking on the Virginia Commonwealth Rams during the National Semifinal game of the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship at Reliant Stadiu

By now, every college basketball fan knows who Brad Stevens is. It should not be a surprise at all that he's the top coach on this list. 

2007-2008: 30-4 and Second Round of the NCAA Tournament

2008-2009: 26-6 and First Round of the NCAA Tournament

2009-2010: 33-5 and NCAA Title Game

2010-2011: 28-9 and NCAA Title Game

Stevens' stock is as high as any coach in the country. If Butler upsets UConn tonight, then Steven's stock will only continue to grow. 

An intelligent, young coach with the ability to recruit talented players and help teach them to utilize that talent is exactly what any college team needs. Stevens will be looked at by many big schools. 

The Others

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DENVER, CO - MARCH 19: Head coach Donnie Tyndall of the Morehead State Eagles looks on from the bench against the Richmond Spiders during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men's basketball tournament at Pepsi Center on March 19, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.

There are many great coaches scattered across the country. If you think that I missed someone that should be on the list, leave a comment that says who you think should be on the list and why they qualify.