As we bid farewell to April, it’s a great time to reflect on the past season and recognize the coaches who made an immediate impact. We at CBS Sports take this opportunity every spring to look back on which coaching hires stood out and excelled right away. While we don’t grade them in this post, as it’s too soon to judge a coach’s success right after they’ve been hired, we wait four years before evaluating their performance.
In 2023, over 60 coaching hires were made, with 16 coaches being recognized for their immediate success at their new schools. One such coach is Grant McCasland, who quickly rebuilt Texas Tech and brought pride back to the program. Despite close calls, two first-year high-major coaches who didn’t make the NCAA Tournament still had solid seasons and ratings. Recognition is not limited to NCAA Tournament appearances; small-school coaches who excelled in their first year were also acknowledged. Four of them made the NCAA Tournament in their debut seasons, and two of those coaches have already moved on to new opportunities. In 2023, nearly 50 mid-major coaching changes occurred, with eleven first-year hires making a significant impact.
Last year, there were 12 high-major coaching hires, with only two coaches having notably successful seasons. We also included two more power-conference coaches who did well overall. At the mid-major level, a dozen coaches received praise for their outstanding debut seasons. A successful first year doesn’t guarantee success in the following years, but it certainly helps with recruiting through the transfer portal.
In conclusion, recognizing first-year coaches who excelled right away is an important aspect of evaluating their success in the future. While there is no guarantee of continued success, a strong debut season can set the stage for long-term growth and stability within a program.