College Basketball Icons Now Lead Teams in Men’s NCAA Tournament

This March brings a compelling subplot to the Big Dance. Several former stars from the college game are now head coaches guiding teams into the men’s NCAA Tournament.

From Duke pedigrees to head-coaching jobs

Johnny Dawkins — UCF Knights

Johnny Dawkins starred at Duke from 1982 to 1986. He finished his college career as Duke’s leading scorer with 2,556 points before JJ Redick surpassed him.

Dawkins averaged 20.2 points per game in 1985–86. He played nine seasons in the NBA and later spent a decade on Mike Krzyzewski’s staff.

He moved into college head coaching at Stanford, then UCF. Now in his 10th season at UCF, Dawkins has taken the Knights to the NCAA tournament for a second time. UCF draws UCLA in the opening round.

Jon Scheyer — Duke Blue Devils

Jon Scheyer was a standout at Duke from 2006 to 2010. He led the 2010 national title team in scoring and assists as a senior.

Scheyer joined Coach K’s staff in 2014. As head coach, he has won multiple ACC regular-season and tournament crowns and led Duke to a recent Final Four.

Nolan Smith — Tennessee State Tigers

Nolan Smith was a key guard on Duke’s 2010 championship team. He averaged 17.4 points per game that season and earned All-American honors later in college.

After brief pro stops, Smith joined coaching staffs at Duke, Louisville and Memphis. In his first season as Tennessee State’s head coach, he guided the Tigers to a 23–9 record and OVC regular-season and tournament titles.

Tennessee State earned a No. 15 seed and will meet No. 2 Iowa State in the first round.

Former stars turned program rebuilders

Gerry McNamara — Siena Saints

Gerry McNamara started every game during his four years at Syracuse. He was the lead guard on the 2003 national championship team with Carmelo Anthony.

McNamara played professionally overseas and in the developmental ranks before entering coaching in 2009. He rose through Jim Boeheim’s staff and became Siena’s head coach in 2024.

In just two seasons, McNamara led Siena to a 23–11 record and a MAAC tournament title. The 16-seed Saints will face No. 1 Duke in the opening round.

Rod Strickland — Long Island Sharks

Rod Strickland starred at DePaul and had a 17-year NBA career. His college résumé includes two Sweet 16 appearances and a jersey retired by DePaul.

He worked in college operations and as an assistant at multiple programs before taking Long Island’s head job in 2022. After two modest seasons, Strickland’s squad surged to a 24–10 mark this year.

Long Island captured the NEC regular-season and tournament crowns. The Sharks earned their first NCAA berth and will face No. 1 Arizona.

Speedy Claxton — Hofstra Pride

Speedy Claxton was a four-year starter at Hofstra from 1996 to 2000. He averaged 16.9 points and 5.5 assists for his college career.

Claxton won a 2003 NBA title with the Spurs. He returned to Hofstra as an assistant in 2013 and became head coach in 2021.

He has produced four 20-win seasons, including a 24-win campaign and a CAA tournament championship this year. Hofstra draws No. 4 Alabama as the No. 13 seed.

Alumni leading major programs

Mark Pope — Kentucky Wildcats

Mark Pope began his college career at Washington before transferring to Kentucky in 1994. He was part of Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team under Rick Pitino.

Pope’s coaching path included assistant roles and head jobs at Utah Valley and BYU. He won two NCAA bids with BYU before returning to Kentucky as head coach.

He has guided Kentucky to consecutive NCAA appearances. The Wildcats enter the tournament as a seven-seed and will meet Santa Clara.

Hubert Davis — North Carolina Tar Heels

Hubert Davis played at North Carolina from 1988 to 1992. He finished his college career as one of the program’s best three-point shooters.

After a 12-year NBA career, Davis worked as an ESPN analyst and later as Roy Williams’ assistant. He became North Carolina’s head coach following Williams’ retirement.

Davis led the Tar Heels to a national championship game appearance early in his tenure. This season he captured an ACC regular-season title, despite losing key player Caleb Wilson. North Carolina opens against 11-seed VCU.

Filmogaz.com will track these storylines during the tournament. Expect plenty of attention on former players who now lead teams from the bench.