They are supposed to be the constants, the anchors holding " firm in college basketball's swirling sea of change. In a sport in which players often leave before their eligibility runs out, the stability of the coaches becomes the focal point upon which alumni dollars are raised and television ratings generated.
But that stability is being threatened heading into the 1997-98 season.
More than a fifth of the 306 schools with Division I programs will have new head coaches. The recent reassignment of Liberty coach Jeff Meyer brings the number of coaching changes to 63 since the end of last season. Many left for better jobs, others were fired and a few, including a legend named Dean Smith, simply retired.
The number of changes -- representing a shade more than 20 percent -- is the second-largest since the NCAA began keeping records on coaching moves in 1950. The only year when there were more changes was 1987, when 66 of 290 Division I teams switched coaches. In contrast, as recently as 1994, there were only 33 changes among 301 schools.
The two winningest programs of all time found themselves in the market after Rick Pitino left Kentucky for the Boston Celtics last spring and Smith, in a surprise announcement, left North Carolina for the golf course last month, replaced by longtime assistant Bill Guthridge.
Another high-profile program, Michigan, recently removed Steve Fisher for alleged NCAA improprieties after an eight-year stint that included three Final Fours and one national championship.
But this coaching carousel is a trend that seems to afflict programs at every tier of Division I.
Some coaches wound up with better jobs -- albeit interim positions -- despite not being rehired at their former schools. After Brian Ellerbe did not return to Loyola for his fourth season by what was called "mutual consent" with athletic director Joe Boylan, he was hired as an assistant at Michigan and later was named to direct the Wolverines this season. Ditto for Don Newman, who went 20-114 in five years at Sacramento State and is now coaching Arizona State after Bill Frieder was fired.
Why are more coaches being fired, particularly at the middle and lower level on which most schools in Division I reside? There are myriad reasons, some as simple as a won-lost record or not adhering to NCAA rules; others are more complex, such as not building the fan support needed to raise money that helps defray the cost of the school's nonrevenue sports, or being perceived ++ as not fitting in with the community or the philosophy of the athletic program.
"Where it has changed the most is at the lower levels of Division I," said Virginia athletic director Terry Holland. "The pressures that were normally reserved for only the top 60 programs in the country have been passed down. It's a lot easier for athletic directors to hire a new coach and give him an extra $30,000 or $40,000 than fix an entire program for hundreds of thousands of dollars."
Holland, who was previously the athletic director at Davidson, said that he was able to stick with Bob McKillop for several losing years because expectations were not high at the small school outside Charlotte, N.C. McKillop finally turned things around. But others were not as fortunate and their athletic director not as patient as Holland, a former coach at Davidson and Virginia.
Terry Truax, who in 14 years took Towson State twice to the NCAA tournament, was fired by new athletic director Wayne Edwards last March after a 9-19 season. He was told that the school wanted to go "in a new direction." Edwards wound up hiring Mike Jaskulski, an assistant at Miami. Truax said he understands the pitfalls of a profession in which most Division I coaches make more than $100,000 a year and many between $350,000 and $500,000.
"The coaches have created their own monster," said Truax, who recently was offered a job coaching a professional team in Seoul, South Korea. "Dean Smith said that most coaches are overpaid. When you have a $500,000 job, you might do certain things to protect that lifestyle, like cut corners when it comes to recruiting. And you also have athletic administrators who start to feel the pressure to generate money."
Truax had tried to take advantage of his success and came close to leaving Towson a couple of times. But coaches sometimes stay too long. Others leave before they're going to get fired, as was the case with Pat Kennedy's going to DePaul from Florida State after several run-ins with new athletic director Dave Hart. When a request for a contract extension was turned down, Kennedy left despite having three years remaining.
The man who replaced him, Steve Robinson, left Tulsa despite signing a seven-year contract weeks after being courted by Memphis and Tennessee and three months before Hart contacted him. It left much bitterness among Robinson's former employers and raised the question as to why coaches can leave without much, if any penalty, but players who transfer are usually required to sit out an entire season.
The attraction of big-name coaches is as strong as it has ever been, even if the coach has lost some of his luster. Georgia State and Jacksonville hired Lefty Driesell and Hugh Durham, respectively, and Rhode Island brought in Jim Harrick less than a year after he was fired at UCLA for lying to his athletic director about a recruiting dinner.
Driesell, who was fired at James Madison seven victories shy of reaching 700, was hired to build a program with no tradition. Durham was brought in to revive a program that had gone to the Final Four in 1970, something Durham himself had done at Georgia in 1983. Harrick was given a second chance on a career that had seemingly had reached its height with a national championship in 1995.
Many coaches wind up staying put. It would have made perfect sense for Dave Odom to leave Wake Forest along with Tim Duncan, and he reportedly had the chance to go to Georgia or Tennessee. Ben Braun, who spent 11 years at Eastern Michigan before going to California last year, was offered the Michigan job last month. He turned it down and signed a 10-year contract at Cal.
"I like to get to know the neighborhood deli, I like to get to know the neighbors and I even like to get to know my players," Braun said. "If you get to know your players, you have a better chance to coach them. But like anyone else, when the opportunities are there in your profession, you have to consider them. I take it as a compliment to have my name mentioned. But that's not my motivation for coaching."
Said Odom: "Coaches are like other people. We feel pressure. If we can make a change, we feel that the change is always going to be for the better. What we know is that change isn't always for the better. The problems in the short term [at the current school] you might trade for long-term problems somewhere else. At some point, doing something different gives way to stability. Where I live becomes more important than what I'm doing."
Boylan, athletic director at Loyola, said that the tumult in the coaching profession has a lot to do with the exposure the sport receives. It could be called the ESPN generation, with Dick Vitale as its chief spokesman. (Vitale, of course, reached this vaunted position after getting fired by the Detroit Pistons.) Coaches, players and the media are not the only ones watching -- administrators are, too.
"Basketball is like baseball; everybody thinks they can coach a college basketball team," Boylan said.
Edwards, athletic director at Towson, said that the popularity of the sport has led to the widespread changes in the coach's office.
"It's a sport that's very, very visible," said Edwards, who admittedly was influenced by moves made at other America East schools in his decision regarding Truax . "Basketball offers most institutions some degree of recognition without spending millions and millions of dollars like some schools do in football."
And Odom, who is now looking to maintain the level of success he had during Duncan's four years, said that college basketball is merely a reflection of college athletics as a whole.
"College athletics right now is in a state of flux," Odom said. "College presidents, the NCAA, coaches themselves, each as a body is trying to decide what they want college athletics to look like. We've got a lot of different issues to resolve -- Title IX and gender equity being the most visible -- and we're trying to get it all together. Coaches are not the only ones moving around. You see it with athletic directors and presidents, too."
F8
Don Markus' projected 64-team NCAA tournament field
Team -- Arizona
Conference -- Pac-10
Last season's record -- 25-9
Tournament result -- Beat Kentucky in NCAA championship game
Player to watch -- So. G Mike Bibby
Overview -- The Wildcats have a chip on their shoulder after being picked second in the league
Team -- Arkansas
Conference -- SEC
Last season's record -- 18-14
Tournament result -- Lost to Connecticut in third round of NIT
Player to watch -- Jr. G Kareem Reid
Overview -- Razorbacks come back with top seven players and no lingering NCAA investigation
Team -- Butler
Conference -- Midwestern Collegiate
Last season's record -- 23-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Cincinnati in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Jon Neuhouser
Overview -- A team that plays its home games in fabled Hinkle Field House has to have some magic
Team -- California
Conference -- Pac-10
Last season's record -- 23-9
Tournament result -- Lost to North Carolina in Sweet 16 of NCAA
Player to watch -- So. G Sean Jackson
Overview -- Despite losing five starters, Ben Braun passed up chance to return to Michigan
Team -- Central Florida
Conference -- Trans America
Last season's record -- 7-19
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. G Mark Jones
Overview -- Transfers Jones (Minn.) and Bucky Hodge (Ga. Tech) could help unseat Coll. of Charleston
Team -- Clemson
Conference -- ACC
Last season's record -- 23-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Minnesota in Sweet 16 of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Terrell McIntyre
Overview -- Tigers have depth and balance to win ACC
Team -- Cincinnati
Conference -- Conference USA
Last season's record -- 26-8
Tournament result -- Lost to Iowa State in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Michael Horton
Overview -- With eligibility questions looming, a likely bid has become a big question mark
Team -- Connecticut
Conference -- Big East
Last season's record -- 18-15
Tournament result -- Lost to Florida State in NIT semifinal
Player to watch -- So. G Richard Hamilton
Overview -- With all five starters back, the Huskies should be back in national picture
Team -- Coppin State
Conference -- Mid-Eastern Athletic
Last season's record -- 22-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Texas in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Antoine Brockington
Overview -- The Eagles won't be able to sneak up on any of their early-season opponents
Team -- Davidson
Conference -- Southern
Last season's record -- 18-10
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Jr. G Ali Ton
Overview -- It has been a long time coming for this beleaguered program and Bob McKillop
Team -- Duke
Conference -- ACC
Last season's record -- 24-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Providence in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Trajan Langdon
Overview -- Best recruiting class since Fab Five has added size to perimeter game
@Team -- Florida State
Conference -- ACC
Last season's record -- 20-12
Tournament result -- Lost to Michigan in NIT final
Player to watch -- Jr. F Randell Jackson
Overview -- New coach Steve Robinson brings discipline to talented underachievers
Team -- Fresno State
Conference -- WAC
Last season's record -- 20-12
Tournament result -- Lost to Nevada in first round of NIT
Player to watch -- Jr. G Chris Herren
Overview -- Will things ever quiet down under Jerry Tarkanian for Bulldogs to realize their potential?
Team -- George Washington
Conference -- Atlantic 10
Last season's record -- 15-14
Tournament result -- Lost to Michigan State in first round of NIT
Player to watch -- Jr. G Shawnta Rogers
Overview -- The Colonials might have underachieved more than
any team in the country last season
Team -- Georgia
Conference -- SEC
Last season's record -- 24-9
Tournament result -- Lost to UT-Chatt. in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G G.G. Smith
Overview -- G.G.'s dad, Tubby, didn't leave the cupboard bare with all five starters returning
Team -- Hartford
Conference -- America East
Last season's record -- 17-11
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. F Ryan Howse
Overview -- With seven of top eight players back, the Hawks could make NCAA tournament for first time
Team -- Illinois
Conference -- Big Ten
Last season's record -- 22-10
Tournament result -- Lost to UT-Chatt. in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Jerry Hester
Overview -- The Fighting Illini have only three players taller than 6-6
Team -- Illinois State
Conference -- Missouri Valley
Last season's record -- 24-6
Tournament result -- Lost to Iowa State in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. F Rico Hill
Overview -- Four returning starters is a big reason Kevin Stallings turned down Michigan
Team -- Iona
Conference -- Metro Atlantic
Last season's record -- 22-8
Tournament result -- Lost to UConn. in first round of NIT
Player to watch -- So. F Tariq Kirksay
Overview -- Gaels have been dominant in regular season but are still looking for first NCAA bid since 1985
Team -- Iowa
Conference -- Big Ten
Last season's record -- 22-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Kentucky in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Jess Settles
Overview -- The return of former all-conference player Settles gives Hawkeyes best frontcourt in league
Team -- Iowa State
Conference -- Big 12
Last season's record -- 22-9
Tournament result -- Lost to UCLA in Sweet 16 of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Jerry Curry
Overview -- The last time the Cyclones were supposed to be rebuilding, they won 23 games in 1995
Team -- Indiana
Conference -- Big Ten
Last season's record -- 22-11
Tournament result -- Lost to Colorado in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Andre Patterson
Overview -- If Bob Knight loses this team, even Hoosiers fans might finally be fed up
@Team -- Jackson State
Conference -- Southwestern Athletic
Last season's record -- 14-16
Tournament result -- Lost to Kansas in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr F Trent Pulliam
Overview -- All but two players who accounted for 98 points and 108 rebounds return
Team -- Kansas
Conference -- Big 12
Last season's record -- 34-2
Tournament result -- Lost to Arizona in Sweet 16 of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. F Paul Pierce
Overview -- The Jayhawks might want to win one for Roy Williams in case he leaves for Chapel Hill
Team -- Kentucky
Conference -- SEC
Last season's record -- 35-5
Tournament result -- Lost to Arizona in NCAA final
Player to watch -- Sr. G Allen Edwards
Overview -- Tubby Smith will have the same pressure as Rick Pitino but not nearly the talent
Team -- Louisville
Conference -- Conference USA
Last season's record -- 26-9
Tournament result -- Lost to North Carolina in East Regional final
Player to watch -- So. F Nate Johnson
Overview -- Denny Crum will start a new backcourt for the first time in a decade
Team -- Long Island
Conference -- Northeast
Last season's record -- 21-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Villanova in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Charles Jones
Overview -- The 1-2 punch of Jones and Richie Parker should
again be too strong for this league
Team -- Marquette
Conference -- Conference USA
Last season's record -- 22-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Providence in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Aaron Hutchins
Overview -- The Golden Eagles will need to be a bit more consistent during the regular season
Team -- Maryland
Conference -- ACC
Last season's record -- 22-11
Tournament result -- Lost to Coll. of Char. in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Laron Profit
Overview -- Terrapins must compensate for loss of Keith Booth
@Team -- Miami of Ohio
Conference -- Mid-American
Last season's record -- 21-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Clemson in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. F Wally Szczerbiak
Overview -- The Red Hawks have to replace college basketball's most dreadlocked player, Devin Davis
Team -- Minnesota
Conference -- Big Ten
Last season's record -- 31-4
Tournament result -- Lost to Kentucky in NCAA semifinal
Player to watch -- Sr. G Sam Jacobson
Overview -- The Gophers have raised expectations, but the loss of Bobby Jackson could be devastating
Team -- Mississippi
Conference -- SEC
Last season's record -- 20-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Temple in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Ansu Sesay
Overview -- The Rebels now must back up their first 20-win season in nearly 60 years
Team -- Mississippi State
Conference -- SEC
Last season's record -- 12-18
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. F Horatio Webster
Overview -- A down year in Starkville will be forgotten as all five starters return
Team -- Murray State
Conference -- Ohio Valley
Last season's record -- 20-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Duke in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Deteri Mayes
Overview -- The Racers should have enough to compensate for losses of Vincent Rainey and Vincent Dahl
Team -- Navy
Conference -- Patriot
Last season's record -- 20-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Utah in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Michael Heary
Overview -- With four starters back, Mids should take advantage of Adonal Foyle's early exit from Colgate
Team -- New Mexico
Conference -- WAC
Last season's record -- 25-8
Tournament result -- Lost to Louisville in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. C Kenny Thomas
Overview -- Lobos will have to compensate for the loss of Charles Thomas, the school's all-time scorer
Team -- North Carolina
Conference -- ACC
Last season's record -- 28-7
Tournament result -- Lost to Arizona in NCAA semifinal
Player to watch -- Jr. F Antawn Jamison
Overview -- Dean Smith's retirement puts spotlight on longtime assistant Bill Guthridge
Team -- N.C. Charlotte
Conference -- Conference USA
Last season's record -- 22-9
Tournament result -- Lost to Utah in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F DeMarco Johnson
Overview -- Second-year coach Melvin Watkins will have trouble duplicating rookie season
Team -- North Carolina State
Conference -- ACC
Last season's record -- 17-15
Tournament result -- Lost to SW Mo. State in third round of NIT
Player to watch -- So. G Justin Gainey
Overview -- Wolfpack went to the ACC tournament final as eighth seed in Herb Sendek's first season
Team -- Northern Arizona
Conference -- Big Sky
Last season's record -- 21-7
Tournament result -- Lost to Arkansas in first round of NIT
Player to watch -- So. G Ross Land
Overview -- The Lumberjacks led the country in three-point shooting (41.9 percent)
Team -- Oklahoma
Conference -- Big 12
Last season's record -- 19-11
Tournament result -- Lost to Stanford in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Corey Brewer
Overview -- After four tries, Kelvin Sampson is still looking for first
NCAA victory
Team -- Old Dominion
Conference -- Colonial Athletic
Last season's record -- 22-11
Tournament result -- Lost to New Mexico in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Mike Byers
Overview -- Despite loss of Odell Hodge, the Monarchs have become the league's most dominant team
Team -- Pacific
Conference -- Big West
Last season's record -- 24-6
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. C Michael Olowokandi
Overview -- The 7-foot Olowokandi and senior guard Adam Jacobsen are healthy for Tigers
Team -- Princeton
Conference -- Ivy
Last season's record -- 24-4
Tournament result -- Lost to California in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Gabe Lewullis
Overview -- Pete Who? Bill Carmody's first season proved that the system works pretty well
Team -- Purdue
Conference -- Big Ten
Last season's record -- 18-12
Tournament result -- Lost to Kansas in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Chad Austin
Overview -- NCAA investigation might affect Boilermakers' season and Gene Keady's boiling point
Team -- Radford
Conference -- Big South
Last season's record -- 15-13
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. F Corey Reed
Overview -- Highlanders might have enough experience to give Ron Bradley his first NCAA invitation
Team -- Rhode Island
Conference -- Atlantic 10
Last season's record -- 20-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Purdue in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Tyson Wheeler
Overview -- Former UCLA coach Jim Harrick gets new life with Rams
Team -- St. John's
Conference -- Big East
Last season's record -- 13-14
Tournament result -- Did not appear in postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. C Zendon Hamilton
Overview -- Now seniors, Hamilton and Felipe Lopez finally might be ready to go to the Big Dance
Team -- San Francisco
Conference -- West Coast
Last season's record -- 16-13
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. F Hakeem Ward
Overview -- The Dons will be looking to go back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 16 years
Team -- South Alabama
Conference -- Sun Belt
Last season's record -- 23-7
Tournament result -- Lost to Arizona in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. F Rico Alderson
Overview -- Bill Musselman took off for the NBA after spat with new AD, but Jags have four starters back
Team -- South Carolina
Conference -- SEC
Last season's record -- 24-8
Tournament result -- Lost to Coppin State in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Melvin Watson
Overview -- The Gamecocks are still thinking about their NCAA loss to the Eagles
Team -- Stanford
Conference -- Pac-10
Last season's record -- 22-8
Tournament result -- Lost to Utah in Sweet 16 of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. C Tim Young
Overview -- Arthur Lee has the unenviable job of taking over the point for Brevin Knight
Team -- Stephen F. Austin
Conference -- Southland
Last season's record -- 12-15
Tournament result -- Was not invited to postseason
Player to watch -- Sr. F Wayne Allen
Overview -- The town of Nacogdoches might never be the same if the Lumberjacks get NCAA bid
Team -- Syracuse
Conference -- Big East
Last season's record -- 19-13
Tournament result -- Lost to Florida State in first round of NIT
Player to watch -- Sr. F Todd Burgan
Overview -- It has been only two years since the Orangemen went to the Final Four, it only seems like 20
Team -- SW Missouri State
Conference -- Missouri Valley
Last season's record -- 24-9
Tournament result -- Lost to N.C. State in first round of NIT
Player to watch -- Jr. C Danny Moore
Overview -- Steve Alford's coaching star continues to rise
Team -- Temple
Conference -- Atlantic 10
Last season's record -- 20-11
Tournament result -- Lost to Minnesota in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G R. Brokenborough
Overview -- Owls will need to fill void left by Mark Jackson's early exit and death of Marvin Webster Jr.
Team -- Texas
Conference -- Big 12
Last season's record -- 18-12
Tournament result -- Lost to Louisville in Sweet 16 of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Kris Clack
Overview -- Longhorns will have to replace Reggie Freeman's 21.8 points., 7.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists
Team -- UCLA
Conference -- Pac-10
Last season's record -- 24-8
Tournament result -- Lost to Minnesota in Midwest Regional final
Player to watch -- Sr. G Toby Bailey
Overview -- Suspensions of Jelani McCoy (season) and Kris Johnson (indefinite) put cloud over Bruins
Team -- UNLV
Conference -- WAC
Last season's record -- 22-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Arkansas in third round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. C Keon Clark
Overview -- The Runnin' Rebels will improve when Clark and transfer Kevin Simmons become eligible
Team -- Utah
Conference -- WAC
Last season's record -- 29-4
Tournament result -- Lost to Kentucky in West Regional final
Player to watch -- Sr. C Michael Doleac
Overview -- The Utes are out to prove that there is life after Keith Van Horn
Team -- Valparaiso
Conference -- Mid-Continent
Last season's record -- 24-7
Tournament result -- Lost to Boston College in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Sr. G Bryce Drew
Overview -- Valpo is looking for its fifth straight league title and third straight trip to NCAA
Team -- Villanova
Conference -- Big East
Last season's record -- 21-10
Tournament result -- Lost to California in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Fr. G Jermaine Medley
Overview -- Four starters are gone, but it doesn't take much to rebuild these days in Big East
Team -- Wisconsin
Conference -- Big Ten
Last season's record -- 18-10
Tournament result -- Lost to Texas in first round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. F Sam Okey
Overview -- All the focus will be on Okey now that Paul Grant is in the NBA
Team -- Xavier
Conference -- Atlantic 10
Last season's record -- 23-6
Tournament result -- Lost to UCLA in second round of NCAA
Player to watch -- Jr. G Lenny Brown
Overview -- Skip Prosser has made the Musketeers' fans forget all about Pete Gillen
Coaching shuffle
The biggest change in college basketball this season is on the bench. There are 63 new coaches among the 306 Division I programs.
School ............... Former coach .......... New coach
American ............. Chris Knoche .......... Art Perry
Arizona State ........ Bill Frieder .......... Don Newman
Army ................. Dino Gaudio ........... Pat Harris
Bethune-Cookman ...... Tony Sheals ........... Horace Broadnax
Boston College ....... Jim O'Brien ........... Al Skinner
Bowling Green ........ Jim Larranga .......... Dan Dakich
Brigham Young ........ Tony Ingle ............ Steve Cleveland
Irvine ............ Rod Baker ............. Pat Douglass
Canisius ............. John Beilein .......... Mike MacDonald
Centenary ............ Tom Vardeman .......... Billy Kennedy
Central Michigan ..... Leonard Drake ......... Jay Smith
Chattanooga ....... Mack McCarthy ......... Henry Dickerson
Delaware State ....... Art Perry ............. James Dubose
DePaul ............... Joey Meyer ............ Pat Kennedy
Eastern Kentucky ..... Mike Calhoun .......... Scott Perry
Florida State ........ Pat Kennedy ........... Steve Robinson
Furman ............... Jon Cantafio .......... Larry Davis
George Mason ......... Paul Westhead ......... Jim Larranaga
Georgia .............. Tubby Smith ........... Ron Jirsa
Georgia State ........ Carter Wilson ......... Lefty Driesell
Gonzaga .............. Dan Fitzgerald ........ Don Monson
Hampton .............. Byrone Samuels ........ Steve Merfeld*
Idaho ................ Kermit Davis .......... David Farrar
Indiana State ........ Sherman Dillard ....... Royce Waltman
Jacksonville ......... George Scholz ......... Hugh Durham
James Madison ........ Lefty Driesell ........ Sherman Dillard
Kentucky ............. Rick Pitino ........... Tubby Smith
Liberty .............. Jeff Meyer ............ Randy Dunton*
Louisiana State ...... Dale Brown ............ John Brady
Loyola ............... Brian Ellerbe ......... Dino Gaudio
Loyola Marymount ..... John Olive ............ Charles Bradley
Memphis .............. Larry Finch ........... Tic Price
Mercer ............... Bill Hodges ........... Mark Slonaker
Michigan ............. Steve Fisher .......... Brian Ellerbe*
Morehead State ....... Dick Fick ............. Kyle Macy
New Mexico State ..... Neil McCarthy ......... Lou Henson*
New Orleans .......... Tic Price ............. Joey Stiebing
North Carolina ....... Dean Smith ............ Bill Guthridge
North Texas .......... Tim Jankovich ......... Vic Trilli
Northwestern ......... Ricky Byrdsong ........ Kevin O'Neill
Ohio State ........... Randy Ayers ........... Jim O'Brien
Oral Roberts ......... Bill Self ............. Barry Hinson
Oregon ............... Jerry Green ........... Ernie Kent
Rhode Island ......... Al Skinner ............ Jim Harrick
Richmond ............. Bill Dooley ........... John Beilein
Rider ................ Kevin Bannon .......... Don Harnum
Rutgers .............. Bob Wenzel ............ Kevin Bannon
Sacramento State ..... Don Newman ............ Tommy Abatemarco
Mary's ........... Ernie Kent ............ Dave Bollwinkel
Samford .............. John Brady ............ Jimmy Tillette
Seton Hall ........... George Blaney ......... Tommy Amaker
Siena ................ Robert Beyer .......... Paul Hewitt
South Alabama ........ Bill Musselman ........ Bob Weltlich*
Missouri State .... Ron Shumate ........... Gary Garner
SW Louisiana ......... Marty Fletcher ........ Jessie Evans
Stetson .............. Randy Brown ........... Murray Arnold
Tennessee ............ Kevin O'Neill ......... Jerry Green
Texas-Pan American ... Mark Adams ............ Delray Brooks
Towson ............... Terry Truax ........... Mike Jaskulski
Tulsa ................ Steve Robinson ........ Bill Self
Virginia Tech ........ Bill Foster ........... Bobby Hussey
Wright State ......... Jim Brown ............. Ed Schilling
Wyoming .............. Joby Wright ........... Larry Shyatt
* -- interim
Pub Date: 11/13/97