There are a lot of coaches that can take their program to the next level. But they have not been to the tournament or the coach hasn’t done anything good with the program. I have top five programs that might fire their coach.
- Washington State – Ernie Kent has done absolutely nothing with the Washington State Cougars. In the last three seasons their record is 47 – 77. Ernie Kent hasn’t taken The Cougars to the tournament yet. When he was the Head Coach for Oregon he only took them to the tournament six times in his 13 year stent. He only took them to tournament consecutively twice. Currently Washington State is last in the PAC-12 and no big name talent is going there. He needs to show at least a little bit of improvement if not he should be fired.
- Penn State- Pat Chambers has been with Penn State for 7 seasons. He has never taken them to the NCAA tournament. Last season was his first time winning more than 21 games in his career. Last season he took them to the NIT and beat Utah to win the NIT title. Last season they beat Ohio State in the BIG 10 tournament. They lose Tony Carr. But they do bring back Lamar Stevens and Shep Garner. But even with the NIT win and all, they didn’t make the tournament. Its cool to have a NIT trophy but that is not the trophy AD wants to see when you been there 7 seasons and haven’t taken the program to a NCAA tournament.
- Minnesota – I do not think this will happen one because of the Coach’s last name. And also because of last season he dealt with injuries and lots of controversy with Reggie Lynch. He has only taken the Golden Gophers to the tournament once which was once in the 2016-17 season. Minnesota brings back top scorer Jordan Murphy which will help to get them a chance to compete in the BIG 10 and a chance to make it to the NCAA tournament. Richard Pitino’s record with Minnesota is 90-78. Coach Pitino will be going into his 6th year as the Minnesota Head Coach. And only has taken them to one NCAA tournament. We will see after this season.
- Texas A&M – Last season they made it to NCAA tournament and lost in the Sweet 16 to Michigan. Billy Kennedy during his time at Texas A&M he has only taken them to the tournament twice. Once in the 2015-16 season and the other time being last season 2017-18 season. Which if he keeps making the tournament consecutively his job isn’t going anywhere.
- DePaul – DePaul hasn’t been great with Coach Leitao. In his three seasons as Head Coach for DePaul he has only won 29 games in three seasons. He still has a year of until all of his talent comes in. He first time as the Head Coach of DePaul he only took them to the tournament once and that was in 2003-04 season. I think he might be fired if he doesn’t show improvement in this team this seaoson.
Honorable Mentions: Iowa’s Fran McCaffery, Utah’s Larry Krystkowiak, Oregon State’s Wayne Tinkle, Colorado’s Tad Boyle, and BYU’s Dave Rose.
