Podcast Summary: Eye On College Basketball Episode: Coaching Carousel Recap and Deep Dive: Thoughts + Intel on All 14 High-Major Changes, Plus the Most Notable Mid-Major Job Swaps Release Date: April 16, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of CBS Sports’ official college basketball podcast, "Eye On College Basketball," hosts Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander delve into the whirlwind of the coaching carousel that has reshaped the landscape of college basketball. Focusing on all 14 high-major coaching changes and highlighting the most notable mid-major job swaps, the duo provides insightful commentary, insider information, and statistical analysis to help fans navigate the evolving dynamics of the sport.

Overview of the Coaching Carousel

Every March, the coaching carousel spins rapidly, often overshadowed by the excitement of the NCAA Tournament. However, the implications of these coaching changes extend far beyond the tournament, impacting programs and player development for years to come. Gary and Matt aim to shed light on these pivotal changes, assessing their potential impact on the respective programs.

High Major Coaching Changes

1. NC State – Will Wade

   • Background: At 42 years old, Will Wade brings a wealth of experience with 246 career wins from stints at Chattanooga, VCU, and LSU.
   • Analysis: Matt Norlander considers Wade the most intriguing hire, emphasizing his potential to uplift NC State's program. Gary Parish echoes this sentiment, stating, “We should see if [Wade] can make State matter” and expresses strong belief in Wade’s ability to bring relevancy back to NC State (04:01).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “NC State could not have asked for a better situation and a better coach in that spot” (01:59).

2. Minnesota – Nico Medved

   • Background: At 51 years old with over 200 career wins, Medved has a successful record at Furman, Drake, and Colorado State.
   • Analysis: Both hosts agree that Medved is a perfect fit for Minnesota. Gary highlights Medved’s history of improving programs: “he left every single one of those places in a better spot” (10:42).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “Nico Medved will do the same at Minnesota” (10:42).

3. Iowa – Ben McCollum

   • Background: With a remarkable 31-4 record at Drake, McCollum is known for his winning consistency and ability to build strong programs.
   • Analysis: Gary Parish praises McCollum’s track record, asserting that Iowa’s strong financial support will likely position the program in the top third of the Big Ten (10:42).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “I believe in winners, and he’s undeniably a winner” (10:42).

4. Texas – Sean Miller

   • Background: A seasoned coach with 487 career wins, Miller joins Texas after a controversial departure from Xavier.
   • Analysis: Gary acknowledges the friction his departure caused but agrees that Texas offers Miller a chance to compete for national championships (40:26).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “He believes he’ll have a better chance to consistently make Final Fours at Texas” (40:26).

5. Maryland – Buzz Williams

   • Background: At 52 years old, Buzz Williams brings 373 career wins and experience from New Orleans, Marquette, Virginia Tech, and Maryland.
   • Analysis: Gary views Williams as a solid hire, noting Maryland’s improved resources and the potential for multiple Sweet Sixteens under his leadership (33:07).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “This is a guy who knows how to run a basketball program” (28:34).

6. Miami – Jay Lucas

   • Background: The youngest hire at 36, Jay Lucas comes from an NBA background with a strong defensive coaching reputation.
   • Analysis: Gary appreciates Lucas’s impressive resume and sees potential in Miami’s healthy NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) situation to support his coaching methods (23:33).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “He checks all the boxes of somebody that you would have to seriously consider” (23:33).

7. Indiana – Drew DeVries

   • Background: With a 169-68 record and a reputation as an excellent ball coach, DeVries moves to Indiana following the swift coaching changes post-selection Sunday.
   • Analysis: Gary is optimistic about DeVries’s ability to utilize Indiana’s resources effectively, believing that DeVries will stabilize the program (28:34).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “He has an incredible reputation and he'll have the resources” (28:34).

8. West Virginia – Ross Hodge

   • Background: At 44 years old with a 192-48 record, Hodge is known for his elite defensive strategies.
   • Analysis: Gary views Hodge as a promising hire who can adapt his high school coaching success to the SEC’s competitive environment (43:34).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “He gets this opportunity at a relatively young age. Let’s see how it works in the SEC” (43:34).

9. Xavier – Rich Patino

   • Background: With 247 career wins and experience at FIU, Minnesota, New Mexico, and now Xavier, Patino is poised to bring new energy to the Big East program.
   • Analysis: The hosts discuss Patino’s solid performance at Drake and his potential to maintain Xavier’s top-tier status (53:27).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “Patino has done a solid job. We’ll see how he adapts to the high major level” (53:03).

10. Indiana – Fran McCaffrey

    • Background: McCaffrey returns to Penn, bringing extensive experience from Iowa, Siena, and more.
    • Analysis: Gary confirms McCaffrey’s return to his alma mater, emphasizing the positive impact he will have on Penn’s program (56:06).
    • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “Fran McCaffrey is back at Penn, contributing significantly to the program” (56:06).

Mid-Major Coaching Changes

1. Creighton – Alan Huss

   • Background: Formerly at High Point, Huss joins Creighton as an associate head coach, positioning him as the future head coach.
   • Analysis: Gary praises this strategic move, highlighting the unique situation of aligning succession planning at Creighton (55:34).
   • Notable Quote: Gary Parish: “This is a unique situation that’s intriguing for Omaha” (55:34).

2. Drake – Eric Henderson

   • Background: Coming from South Dakota State, Henderson steps into the Drake program with high expectations.
   • Analysis: Both hosts view Henderson as a strong hire capable of maintaining Drake’s dominance in the Missouri Valley (54:35).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “I think that is a very, very good hire” (54:35).

3. UNLV – Josh Pastner

   • Background: Pastner moves from ESPN to coach UNLV, bringing a media-savvy approach to the Rebels.
   • Analysis: Gary and Matt are optimistic about Pastner’s ability to bring consistency and relevancy back to UNLV (37:16).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “We keep waiting for UNLV to have year over year consistency” (44:33).

4. VCU – Phil Martelli Jr.

   • Background: Martelli Jr., formerly of South Dakota State, takes over the VCU Rams amid the program’s unique contractual clauses.
   • Analysis: Gary notes the intriguing nature of VCU’s hiring practices and the potential for long-term stability under Martelli (53:27).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “VCU has a great track record of producing excellent coaches” (53:27).

5. New Mexico – Eric Olin

   • Background: Olin moves from UC San Diego to lead the Lobos, aiming to navigate the Mountain West’s shifting dynamics.
   • Analysis: Gary discusses the challenges New Mexico faces within a transitioning conference and praises Olin’s potential (57:08).
   • Notable Quote: Matt Norlander: “Undoubtedly, they can set themselves as annual participants in the NCAA Tournament” (57:08).

Analysis and Insights

Gary and Matt provide a comprehensive analysis of the coaching changes, emphasizing the importance of fit and the resources available to new hires. They highlight that coaches like Will Wade and Ben McCollum are expected to make significant positive impacts due to their proven track records and the support from their new programs. Conversely, younger or less experienced coaches such as Luke Laux and Jay Lucas present more uncertainty, with their success contingent on adaptation and support.

The discussion also touches on the financial realities driving these changes, noting that programs with substantial budgets and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) support are better positioned to attract and retain top coaching talent. Additionally, the hosts express concerns about the increasing volatility in coaching positions, likening the trend to a move toward an “NBA-like” environment where short-term success is paramount.

Conclusion

The coaching carousel of 2025 has introduced a mix of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers into the high-major and mid-major college basketball landscape. Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander offer a balanced view, recognizing the potential for both success and challenges as these coaches settle into their new roles. While some hires are viewed as clear front-runners with high expectations, others carry more uncertainty, underscoring the unpredictable nature of coaching transitions. As the season progresses, the impact of these changes will become more evident, shaping the future trajectory of college basketball programs nationwide.

This summary is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the podcast episode for those who have not listened to it, highlighting key discussions and insights shared by Gary Parrish and Matt Norlander.