2026 college basketball coaching carousel grades:North Carolina gets a 'C', LSU earns 'A-'

Several big-time programs will have new faces on the bench next season, and we've got grades for all of them

Cody Nagel

Apr 6, 2026

6:57 pm ET

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6 min read

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The 2026 college basketball coaching carousel has concluded for the Power Five ranks -- at least for now -- after North Carolina finally filled its vacancy with a surprising hire. Former Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who won an NBA championship three years ago, is the last of a dozen new head coaches at major-conference programs for the 2026-27 season.

There's always a sense of excitement and optimism surrounding a new hire: fresh ideas, a new culture and the hope of turning programs around. Yet it's worth noting that evaluating these decisions immediately is tricky. The true measure of success -- or misstep -- usually comes with hindsight after a few seasons when on-court results have fully played out.

Of the dozen Power Five hires this cycle, five were alumni returning to lead their alma maters, while only one -- Will Wade's return to LSU -- came directly from another high-major head coaching position.

Below are grades for the 12 Power Five programs that made a coaching change this cycle.

Arizona State | Randy Bennett

Previous job: Saint Mary's

After 25 seasons, Randy Bennett finally found a job offer good enough to leave the comfort of Saint Mary's. Arizona State lands a coach it has targeted before, and one with a long track record of building something sustainable. The résumé speaks for itself: Bennett led Saint Mary's to twice as many NCAA Tournament appearances as Arizona State managed over the past quarter century, turning a modest program into a consistent winner that regularly challenged Gonzaga in the WCC. The Big 12 presents a much tougher test, but this is a clear upgrade and a bet on proven program-building. Grade: A-

Butler | Ronald Nored

Previous job: Atlanta Hawks (assistant)

The Bulldogs turned to a former player who helped Butler reach back-to-back national championship games in an attempt to re-establish a link to the program's glory days. His return could spark renewed energy for a team that hasn't reached the NCAA Tournament in eight years, let alone posted a winning record in the Big East in six seasons. Nored brings nearly 15 years of coaching experience across the NBA, G-League and college ranks, including an early stint as a Boston Celtics assistant under Brad Stevens. Grade: B+

Boston College | Luke Murray

Previous job: UConn (assistant)

Boston College has been a near-perennial bottom-feeder in the Power Five, with minimal resources and a program long overshadowed by other sports -- particularly football, hockey and women's lacrosse. Since Al Skinner left in 2010, the Eagles have cycled through four coaches and haven't reached the NCAA Tournament in 17 years. Enter Luke Murray, the offensive architect behind UConn's two national championships and a key lieutenant to Dan Hurley for the past eight seasons. He'll take the reins as a first-time head coach, with plenty of experience to draw on -- and yes, don't be surprised if Bill Murray is in the stands cheering him on next season. Grade: A

Cincinnati | Jerrod Calhoun

Previous job: Utah State

Cincinnati has been shut out of the NCAA Tournament every year since Mick Cronin left for UCLA in 2019, and Jerrod Calhoun may be the program's best chance to change that. An alum and former student assistant under Bob Huggins, Calhoun brings local ties and a winning pedigree that checks every box for a program in need of stability. Calhoun has consistently built winners at every stop. He guided Utah State to a 55-15 record over two seasons with back-to-back NCAA Tournament berths, and his prior stints at Youngstown State and Division II Fairmont State produced multiple 20-win seasons and postseason runs. Grade: A-

Creighton | Alan Huss

Previous job: Creighton (assistant)

This hire wasn't a shock to anyone. Huss was Creighton's coach-in-waiting after returning to his alma mater prior to this season. He totaled six seasons as an assistant under Greg McDermott and proved his ability as a head coach with a 56-15 record in two years at High Point, including an NCAA Tournament appearance last season. Huss knows the program and the Big East landscape, making him a smooth transition from the long-tenured McDermott. Grade: B

Georgia Tech | Scott Cross

Previous job: Troy

Georgia Tech has struggled for relevance in the ACC over the past 15 years, with just a single NCAA Tournament appearance since Paul Hewitt was fired. The Yellow Jackets went with a familiar blueprint, hiring a successful mid-major coach to make the jump to a Power Five league -- a path that hasn't yet translated to success. Cross, however, brings a steady track record, including five straight 20-win seasons at Troy and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. Grade: B-

Kansas S