I made "Modern MBB Era" 50 years. So since 1968. Here's the list:
Kevin Ollie (UCONN) - 2014
Bill Self (KU) - 2008 (Lucky bastard, Memphis dominated most of that game)
Jim Calhoun (UCONN) - 1999, 2004 (Only coach in history to win his first 2 Final 4 appearances)
Tubby Smith (UK) - 1998 (First year at UK with Pitino recruits)
Steve Fisher (Mich) - 1989 (lost in next 2 w/ Fab Five)
Rollie Massimino (NOVA) - 1985 (had to play the "perfect game" to beat a dominant Ewing lead GTown)
Jim Valvano (NC State) - 1983
Jud Heathcote (Mich St) - 1979 (The Magic Johnson show)
8 coaches in 50 years. One every 6.25 years. Last time it was done was 5 years ago. Pretty close to "right on schedule" with 3 coaches in their first Final 4 (Beard, Pearl, Bennett).
Other fun facts:
# of Final 4's before first Championship (Notables) :
6!- Dean Smith
4 - Coach K, Roy Williams
3 - Calipari, Lute Olson
2 - Pitino, Boeheim
1 - Izzo (hasn't won one in his last 6), Knight, Donovan, Wright, Gary Williams
12 Hall of famers that didn't win it all in their first 2.41(on avg) Final Four's. Pretty interesting perspective.
Kevin Ollie (UCONN) - 2014
Bill Self (KU) - 2008 (Lucky bastard, Memphis dominated most of that game)
Jim Calhoun (UCONN) - 1999, 2004 (Only coach in history to win his first 2 Final 4 appearances)
Tubby Smith (UK) - 1998 (First year at UK with Pitino recruits)
Steve Fisher (Mich) - 1989 (lost in next 2 w/ Fab Five)
Rollie Massimino (NOVA) - 1985 (had to play the "perfect game" to beat a dominant Ewing lead GTown)
Jim Valvano (NC State) - 1983
Jud Heathcote (Mich St) - 1979 (The Magic Johnson show)
8 coaches in 50 years. One every 6.25 years. Last time it was done was 5 years ago. Pretty close to "right on schedule" with 3 coaches in their first Final 4 (Beard, Pearl, Bennett).
Other fun facts:
# of Final 4's before first Championship (Notables) :
6!- Dean Smith
4 - Coach K, Roy Williams
3 - Calipari, Lute Olson
2 - Pitino, Boeheim
1 - Izzo (hasn't won one in his last 6), Knight, Donovan, Wright, Gary Williams
12 Hall of famers that didn't win it all in their first 2.41(on avg) Final Four's. Pretty interesting perspective.
