Fantasy World: Could K, Wright or Bennett Conclude Career at Small College?
October 19th, 2024 - 8:57
It has been done before by prominent pilots. How many small colleges might be fantasizing about Mike Krzyzewski, Jay Wright or Tony Bennett at their helm after championship-club luminaries left DI coaching ranks the past few years? What about a small-time or rural Krzyzewskiville? Coach K is unlikely to follow suit just for the love of the game after 42-year stint with Duke including a total of 13 Final Fours. But following is a summary of celebrated coaches who ended their careers guiding obscure small-college programs after directing a major university to the NCAA Division I Final Four:
| Celebrated Coach | School(s) | Final Four(s) | Small-School Concluding Career |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forddy Anderson | Bradley/Michigan State | 1950-54-57 | Hiram Scott OH (1965-66 through 1969-70) |
| Jim Calhoun | Connecticut | 1999 and 2004-09-11 | Saint Joseph CT (2018-19 to 2021-22) |
| Ed Jucker | Cincinnati | 1961-62-63 | Rollins FL (1972-73 through 1976-77) |
| Rollie Massimino | Villanova | 1985 | Northwood/Keiser FL (2006-07 through 2016-17) |
| Jim O'Brien | Ohio State | 1998 | Emerson MA (2011-12 through 2013-14) |
| Phil Woolpert | San Francisco | 1955-56-57 | San Diego* (1962-63 through 1968-69) |
*The Toreros moved up to NCAA DI level in 1979-80.