Top 5 College Coaches Who Could Make It In the NBA

Top 5 College Coaches Who Could Make It In the NBA

By Jacob Dennis

July 22, 2014

Top 5 College Coaches Who Could Make It In the NBA

Mike Krzyzewski USA Basketball — College basketball and professional basketball are different in many ways, and few men can claim success on both levels. Coaching legend Larry Brown once said, "When you’re at a college game, in the second half you probably have to make two or three decisions late. In a pro game, you probably make 30." Despite the differences, here are five men who would be successful coaches in both the NCAA and NBA.

College basketball and professional basketball are different in many ways, and few men can claim success on both levels. Coaching legend Larry Brown once said, "When you’re at a college game, in the second half you probably have to make two or three decisions late. In a pro game, you probably make 30." Despite the differences, here are five men who would be successful coaches in both the NCAA and NBA.

5. Tom Izzo, Michigan State University

Tom Izzo Michigan State

5. Tom Izzo, Michigan State University

Tom Izzo Michigan State — If you play basketball for Tom Izzo, you're almost guaranteed a Final Four appearance. Izzo is a legend of the college game, as shown by his 468-187 career record. The Michigan State man is also a mastermind defensively, so his system would translate well to any level. Izzo's coaching style could be compared to that of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, and Thibodeau has experienced success in Chicago. Izzo would be a great NBA coach.

If you play basketball for Tom Izzo, you're almost guaranteed a Final Four appearance. Izzo is a legend of the college game, as shown by his 468-187 career record. The Michigan State man is also a mastermind defensively, so his system would translate well to any level. Izzo's coaching style could be compared to that of Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, and Thibodeau has experienced success in Chicago. Izzo would be a great NBA coach.

4. Billy Donovan, University of Florida

Billy Donovan Florida

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4. Billy Donovan, University of Florida

Billy Donovan Florida — We almost got to witness Donovan in the NBA, but he backed out of a gig with the Orlando Magic after the Gators won the National Championship in 2007. Donovan consistently has Florida playing at a high level, and his coaching talent would translate well to the NBA. He isn't going to leave the greatness he's achieved at Florida for a low-level NBA job, however, which is exactly what coaching Orlando would have been.

We almost got to witness Donovan in the NBA, but he backed out of a gig with the Orlando Magic after the Gators won the National Championship in 2007. Donovan consistently has Florida playing at a high level, and his coaching talent would translate well to the NBA. He isn't going to leave the greatness he's achieved at Florida for a low-level NBA job, however, which is exactly what coaching Orlando would have been.

3. Kevin Ollie, University of Connecticut

Kevin Ollie Connecticut

3. Kevin Ollie, University of Connecticut

Kevin Ollie Connecticut — Ollie played professionally for 13 seasons before accepting the job to coach the Connecticut Huskies. His experience in the NBA would make him successful at that level, and we already know he's a great coach. Ollie led UCONN on an improbable run to win the NCAA Title in 2013-14, and he's known as having great relationships with his players. Ollie's style would successfully translate to the professional level if he ever took on the challenge.

Ollie played professionally for 13 seasons before accepting the job to coach the Connecticut Huskies. His experience in the NBA would make him successful at that level, and we already know he's a great coach. Ollie led UCONN on an improbable run to win the NCAA Title in 2013-14, and he's known as having great relationships with his players. Ollie's style would successfully translate to the professional level if he ever took on the challenge.

2. John Calipari, University of Kentucky

John Calipari Kentucky

2. John Calipari, University of Kentucky

John Calipari Kentucky — John Calipari boasts a 597-177 career record, and during his time at Kentucky he has become a master of putting together young, talented teams. His squads don't always gel together at first, but Calipari's Wildcats are usually monsters down the stretch; and his 2013-14 team was no different. Calipari would be a great coach of a team loaded with stars, like LeBron's old Miami Heat teams or the current Cleveland Cavaliers or Chicago Bulls.

John Calipari boasts a 597-177 career record, and during his time at Kentucky he has become a master of putting together young, talented teams. His squads don't always gel together at first, but Calipari's Wildcats are usually monsters down the stretch; and his 2013-14 team was no different. Calipari would be a great coach of a team loaded with stars, like LeBron's old Miami Heat teams or the current Cleveland Cavaliers or Chicago Bulls.

1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University

Mike Krzyzewski Duke

1. Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University

Mike Krzyzewski Duke — Coach K is, simply put, one of the best coaches in the history of basketball. He has a brilliant basketball mind and is a proven commodity when it comes to coaching NBA talent. Krzyzewski led Team USA to Olympic gold twice in a row, meshing the NBA's stars together brilliantly. While Krzyzewski is probably the least likely coach on this list to actually take on the professional challenge, he would experience the most success.

Coach K is, simply put, one of the best coaches in the history of basketball. He has a brilliant basketball mind and is a proven commodity when it comes to coaching NBA talent. Krzyzewski led Team USA to Olympic gold twice in a row, meshing the NBA's stars together brilliantly. While Krzyzewski is probably the least likely coach on this list to actually take on the professional challenge, he would experience the most success.

Jacob Dennis is a writer at www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter, “Like” him on Facebook, and add him to your network on Google.

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