Navigating the 2025 NCAAM Coaching Carousel: Hot Seats, Top Targets, and Emerging Trends

As the 2025 NCAAM season progresses, the coaching carousel is already in full swing. With several high-profile positions open and more potentially on the horizon, the college basketball landscape is set for significant changes. Here's a comprehensive look at the current state of the coaching carousel, key candidates, and the factors driving these decisions.

Current Open Positions

• Indiana Hoosiers: With Mike Woodson stepping down, Indiana is exploring options like Mick Cronin and Scott Drew, though buyouts and interest levels remain hurdles. T.J. Otzelberger is also a viable candidate.

• Miami Hurricanes: Duke assistant Jai Lucas is the top target, with talks progressing toward a potential deal.

• Utah Utes: After Craig Smith's dismissal, names like Eric Olen and Niko Medved are surfacing as potential replacements.

• Virginia Cavaliers: Following Tony Bennett's retirement, Ryan Odom and Richard Pitino are emerging as leading candidates.

• Florida State Seminoles: The search is divided between NBA coaches like Luke Loucks and mid-major head coaches such as Alan Huss.

Potential Openings

• Arizona State Sun Devils: Bobby Hurley's future is uncertain, with the program weighing the cost of a buyout versus investing in basketball.

• Georgia Bulldogs: Mike White’s third season has been rocky, raising questions about his tenure.

• Iowa Hawkeyes: Fran McCaffery’s long tenure may be nearing its end, with Darian DeVries and Ben McCollum as potential successors.

• North Carolina Tar Heels: Hubert Davis’s performance is under scrutiny, though his recent hires suggest he’ll get another year.

• Texas Longhorns: Rodney Terry’s job security hinges on whether he can secure an NCAA tournament berth.

Emerging Trends

1. NIL Impact: Budgets for Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals are influencing coaching decisions, with schools weighing whether to retain coaches or allocate funds elsewhere.

2. Transfer Portal Dynamics: The timing of coaching changes is often aligned with the opening of the transfer portal, giving new coaches an edge in recruiting.

3. High-Major vs. Mid-Major Moves: Programs are increasingly looking to successful mid-major coaches to fill high-major vacancies, recognizing their potential for growth.

Candidates to Watch

• Buzz Williams (Texas A&M): With a strong track record, Williams is a potential candidate for jobs like Oklahoma or Indiana.

• T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State): His restructured buyout makes him an attractive option for Indiana, though he seems content at Iowa State.

• Tommy Lloyd (Arizona): A West Coast favorite, Lloyd could be a target for Villanova or Texas.

• Chris Beard (Ole Miss): Despite Ole Miss’s success, Beard’s future hinges on interest from programs like Indiana.

The 2025 coaching carousel is poised to reshape the NCAAM landscape, with decisions expected in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for updates on these developments and more!