Which New Head Coach Will Succeed the Most?
The 2025 college basketball coaching carousel brought plenty of intrigue as proven winners and rising stars landed in new homes. The wave of changes brought immediate roster overhauls thanks to the transfer portal, and now the question becomes which first-year head coach is set to succeed most in year one. With names like Will Wade, Darian DeVries, Ben McCollum, Jai Lucas, Buzz Williams, and Bucky McMillan all stepping into new jobs, the balance of power across multiple conferences could shift dramatically.
Which Coach Recruited the Best?
Will Wade’s move to NC State might be the most headline-grabbing hire of the cycle. The former McNeese coach has already proven his ability to recruit and attract talent, and he wasted no time reloading the Wolfpack roster. His additions include Darrion Williams, Terrance Arceneaux, Tre Holloman, and Quadir Copeland, who followed him from McNeese. In the ACC, where the Wolfpack are often overshadowed by Duke and North Carolina, Wade’s aggressive roster construction positions NC State to become an immediate threat.
Meanwhile, Darian DeVries takes over at Indiana after a short stint at West Virginia, bringing along his son Tucker DeVries, Lamar Wilkerson, Tayton Conerway, and Reed Bailey. With Big Ten experience and a core that already knows his system, DeVries has a chance to revitalize the Hoosiers with continuity and cohesion right away. Another hire rooted in proven success is Ben McCollum, the longtime winner at Northwest Missouri State and now successor to DeVries at Drake before quickly jumping to Iowa. His system emphasizes discipline and efficiency, and Bennett Stirtz provides him with an NBA-ready centerpiece as McCollum begins to test his formula at the Big Ten level.
The ACC also saw a shake-up when Jai Lucas left his assistant role at Duke to take over Miami. Lucas instantly reshaped the Hurricanes with transfers like Tre Donaldson, Malik Reneau, and Marcus Allen, and his ties to recruiting pipelines should keep Miami relevant. Buzz Williams, on the other hand, chose Maryland as his next stop after leaving Texas A&M. True to his player-first reputation, Williams brought Pharrel Payne, Solomon Washington, George Turkson Jr., and Andre Mills with him from College Station, while also adding Indiana guard Myles Rice. That mix of loyalty and immediate production could set the Terrapins up for a quick Big Ten turnaround. Finally, Texas A&M turned to Bucky McMillan, who made his name at Samford for his fast-paced, energetic style. McMillan arrived with perhaps the flashiest haul of the cycle, securing Indiana’s Mackenzie Mgbako, Texas Tech’s Fede Federiko, Kansas guard Rylan Griffen, and Creighton’s Pop Isaacs. If his ability to manage high-level talent matches his on-court creativity, the Aggies could quickly transform into SEC contenders.
Early Outlook
Each new coach faces unique challenges, but a few stand out as early favorites to succeed. Wade’s proven track record of recruiting and roster building makes NC State a strong pick for an immediate impact in the ACC. DeVries could stabilize Indiana and raise their floor with a group that already knows his system, while McMillan offers the highest upside at Texas A&M if his star-heavy roster gels. Lucas and Williams both bring strong identities to the ACC and Big Ten, but may need a season of transition before reaching full stride. In all, this carousel could be remembered as one of the most impactful in recent memory, with Wade and McMillan leading the race to deliver wins right away.
