Power Danger: Jensen/Loucks/Lucas Face Daunting Task as 1st-Year Coaches

There was no grooming comparable to most coaches working their way up the ladder from the bush leagues. Despite boasting zero college head-coaching experience, Jon Scheyer (Duke) and Jerome Tang (Kansas State) each won at least 26 games three years ago before Kevin Young (Brigham Young) did likewise last season after hired to be in charge of a power-conference member. Meanwhile, Kenny Payne (Louisville) endured a painful campaign (4-28) and was dismissed a couple of campaigns ago.

There is no rhyme or reason regarding first-year results. But if Utah's Alex Jensen, Florida State's Luke Loucks and Miami's Jai Lucas assemble an average inaugural campaign, they face an overall record of 19-14 with losing league mark. Just ask dearly-departed Payne plus Mike Boynton, Leonard Hamilton, Mike Hopkins, Ben Johnson, Jerry Stackhouse, Tony Stubblefield and Mike Woodson if first-year worksheets for mentors in this category usually generate positive headlines. For instance, all three newcomers in the Big Ten Conference four years ago registered losing league marks. In the previous 11 years, newcomer power-league mentors combined for an average record of 15-17 overall and 6-12 in league competition. Only eight active coaches on the following alphabetical list compiled a winning power-league ledger in his inaugural season sans benefit of toiling as a full-time college bench boss: