Power Play: Seven Coaches Making the Rounds Among Power Conferences
April 10th, 2025 - 11:11
New Maryland mentor Buzz Williams became the seventh coach to direct teams in four different power conferences. Rick Pitino is the only one of this group to capture an NCAA Tournament championship and secure more than five regular-season league titles. Following is an alphabetical list of bench bosses - Williams among three of coaches beginning power-league career at Marquette - making the rounds with their number of power-league regular-season crowns:
| Coach (# of Titles) | 1st Power-League Member | 2nd Power Member | 3rd Power Member | 4th Power Member |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rick Barnes (5) | Providence 89-94 (Big East) | Clemson 95-98 (ACC) | Texas 99-15 (Big 12) | Tennessee 16-26 (SEC) |
| Tom Crean (3) | Marquette 00-05 (CUSA) | Marquette 06-08 (Big East) | Indiana 09-17 (Big Ten) | Georgia 19-22 (SEC) |
| Lon Kruger (2) | Kansas State 87-90 (Big Eight) | Florida 91-96 (SEC) | Illinois 97-00 (Big Ten) | Oklahoma 12-21 (Big 12) |
| Kevin O'Neill (1) | Marquette 92-94 (Great Midwest) | Tennessee 95-97 (SEC) | Northwestern 98-00 (Big Ten) | Arizona 08/USC 10-13 (Pacific-10/12) |
| Rick Pitino (8) | Providence 86-87/Louisville 06-13/St. John's 24-26 (Big East) | Kentucky 90-97 (SEC) | Louisville 02-05 (CUSA) | Louisville 15-17 (ACC) |
| Kelvin Sampson (3) | Washington State 88-94 (Pacific-10) | Oklahoma 95-96 (Big Eight) | Indiana 07-08 (Big Ten) | OU 97-06/Houston 24-26 (Big 12) |
| Buzz Williams (1) | Marquette 09-14 (Big East) | Virginia Tech 15-19 (ACC) | Texas A&M 20-25 (SEC) | Maryland 26 (Big Ten) |