Top 10 Big 12 basketball coaches in position for 2025-26: Legendary coaches face competition from challengers

The Big 12 continues to be the home of multiple legendary college basketball coaches who remain at the top of the sport. Right beside them is a group of rising coaches with great success in their career so far. How those two groups interact could determine the future of this list.

West Virginia moves to its fourth coach in four season, due to a number of factors, tabbing Ross Hodge the new leader. Utah followed in the footsteps of their Big 12 rival by hiring former NBA assistant Alex Jensen to guide the program forward.

Ranking the Top 10 coaches in any of the four power conferences is a difficult task, as a multitude of factors determine how the coach is viewed in the moment. There are historical markers throughout a coach’s career which cement them in a certain tier, while recent records and recruiting success play a major factor in remaining on top.

Entering the 2025-26 college basketball season, here is a look at how the Top 10 Big 12 coaches stack up entering a new season with high expectations.

1. Kelvin Sampson – Houston

Kelvin Sampson continues to coach at the top of college basketball year after year. He has taken Houston from a mid-major program to the top of the Big 12 and a Final Four contender each season. Last season further proved his ability to build a roster and system which breeds success.

With the rare ability to return significant production from last season’s roster, there is little sign that the ability to develop talent will slide anytime soon. Pairing the clear vision with a top recruiting class this season has the Cougars in great position.

2. Bill Self – Kansas

Bill Self has proven himself as a Hall of Fame coach throughout his career, keeping Kansas at the top of the sport through multiple eras in charge. He continues to build preseason favorites over recent seasons, remaining in the mix for deep NCAA Tournament runs across multiple years.

With a large group of multi-year contributors on the way out the door, Kansas will rebuild in a new model which could ultimate decide how high Self remains on this list for years to come. Surrounding a five-star freshman with a collection of transfers and international prospects is a model which he has not yet perfected to the level of some competition.

3. Scott Drew – Baylor

Scott Drew has remained near the top of the Big 12 standings regardless of the roster he had in recent seasons, showing versatility in his ability to roster-build. With opportunities to leave for bigger perceived jobs across college basketball, he has remained loyal to the program he helped build into a consistent contender.

As college basketball continues to change, it remains a challenge for established coaches to adjust year-over-year to the latest trends in many cases. Facing the challenge of building a roster from scratch, Drew will have a chance to show his ability to build a culture without the benefit past teams held.

4. TJ Otzelberger – Iowa State

TJ Otzelberger has brought Iowa State into the mix as an NCAA Tournament contender since taking over the program. He has taken the Cyclones to new heights on a consistent basis during his time. With the ability to retain players and bring in underrated transfer help year after year, he appears to have a model for the future.

Iowa State has another roster primed for success this season, and has proven over time that their scheduling method helps elevate them to the top of college basketball rankings. In a challenging Big 12, nothing is guaranteed, but the Cyclones seem to be one of the safest bets.

5. Grant McCasland – Texas Tech

Grant McCasland is a former Scott Drew assistant finding success in the Big 12 as a head coach now. His commitment to playing a different style from others has paid off with success at multiple stops. he has now led Texas Tech to new heights with plenty confidence he can continue building the program into a regular contender.

Proving their worth in the NIL market was a big advantage for Texas Tech, which was able to retain and add talent under McCasland moving forward. That sets the tone when paired with the on-court success, making the Red Raiders one of the fastest rising teams in college basketball.

6. Tommy Lloyd – Arizona

Tommy Lloyd sat back and learned from Mark Few at Gonzaga before finding the right time to jump to a big-time program of his own and lead the ship. Arizona has picked right up with his approach as a constant threat, continuing to get in the mix with top prospects with a flair of international talent.

The 2022 National Coach of the Year has consistently taken his team to the NCAA Tournament, promising to continue that run of success with a talented group which features young players and experienced veterans who fit the system well. The ability to string together consistent success is a huge strength of Lloyd’s which could quickly move him up the list.

7. Kevin Young – BYU

Kevin Young entered his first season as a complete unknown from a college basketball standpoint. The duties of recruiting were a new task for the former NBA assistant, but clearly did not prevent him from finding early success. Between international prospects and five-star talent, he has gotten in the mix with every top player. thanks in part to big NIL backing.

Being able to sell players on the idea he can coach them the same way he did Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, among others, has clearly helped him get in the mix. Now, he will get the chance to show off his X’s and O’s work which got him onto many radars. There is a championship ceiling for his team.

8. Jamie Dixon – TCU

Jamie Dixon remains a steady force in the Big 12 and college basketball, just as he has throughout his career. While his recent teams have not reached the heights their competition have, he continues to run a solid program which produces talent and finds a successful style.

While his past achievement and overall success carry plenty weight, there is also pressure to move back toward the top. As he continues to adjust to the new way of roster-building, he has the chance to revitalize the conversation around him with one big jump.

9. Wes Miller – Cincinnati

Wes Miller might be the best coach in college basketball without an NCAA Tournament win, something he hopes to change this season with a new-look Cincinnati roster which invested big in top-end talent. While they also lost some of last year’s production, he has a group capable of getting him over the hump.

After coming close on multiple occasions, Miller remains on the verge of the breakout conversation. However, he is getting dangerously close to a different conversation about the lack of postseason success if he does not find a way past the hurdle soon.

10. Ross Hodge – West Virginia

West Virginia turns to a fourth coach in four seasons, largely through no fault of their own with an interim coach and a top coach who was poached this offseason. They landed a great replacement in Ross Hodge, who starts Grant McCasland’s coaching tree by running into the Big 12 with a unique play-style.

Hodge had success during his first head coaching gig at North Texas, leading to the West Virginia job. Perhaps most importantly to his candidacy to take over, he is among the most loyal coaches in college basketball and appears locked in for the long-haul.

Big 12 coaches looking to break into Top 10

Bobby Hurley – Arizona State
Tad Boyle – Colorado
Jerome Tang – Kansas State
Steve Lutz – Oklahoma State
Johnny Dawkins – UCF
Alex Jensen – Utah

Listed alphabetically by school.

The Big 12 has potential to become even stronger as a conference as they continue to invest in college basketball success as a key point. This group of coaches have a chance to shake things up, and some will make their case to crack into the list over the coming months.