List of Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball head coaches

Last updated

Adolph Rupp is the winningest coach in school history. Adolph Rupp 1954 portrait.jpg
Adolph Rupp is the winningest coach in school history.

The men's basketball team representing the University of Kentucky plays at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The Kentucky Wildcats originally did not play within any athletic conference, before joining the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1910. In 1921 they joined the newly established Southern Conference. Eleven years later they would join the SEC as a founding member. The Wildcats play their home games in Rupp Arena, named after their 16th head coach Adolph Rupp. They previously played in Memorial Coliseum, Alumni Gymnasium, Buell Armory Gymnasium, and began their existence playing in State College Gymnasium. [1] [2]

There have been 23 head coaches in the history of Kentucky basketball. The program has played over 3,100 games across 113 seasons from the program's inaugural 1903–04 season to the most recent year, 2022–23. Five Kentucky coaches, the most of any school, have led the team to an NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship: Rupp in 1948, 1949, 1951 and 1958; Joe B. Hall in 1978, Rick Pitino in 1996, Tubby Smith in 1998, and John Calipari in 2012. Kentucky also received two retroactive national championships for the 1932-33 and 1933–34 teams coached by Rupp given by the Premo-Porretta Power Poll and Helms Athletic Foundation respectively. Seven coaches have won a conference regular season championship by having the best overall regular season record with the Wildcats: Ray Eklund, Rupp, Hall, Eddie Sutton, Pitino, Smith and Calipari. Seven coaches have won a conference tournament with the Wildcats: George Buchheit, Rupp, Hall, Sutton, Pitino, Smith and Calipari. [1] [2] [3]

Rupp had the longest tenure at Kentucky, coaching for 42 seasons, and is the all-time leader in games coached (1,066) and wins at the school (874). Rupp's 874 wins were the most of any NCAA men's Division I coach at the time of his retirement in 1972. Eklund is the team's all-time leader in winning percentage, with a .833 winning percentage. Statistically, Basil Hayden has been the least successful coach of the Wildcats, with a winning percentage of .187. Five coaches have received national coaching awards while the head coach of Kentucky: Rupp, Sutton, Pitino, Smith, and Calipari. Four Wildcat coaches: Rupp, Sutton, Pitino, and Calipari have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. [1] [2]

Kentucky's current head coach was Mark Pope, has held the position since April 12, 2024. [2]

Statistics

Statistics are correct as of the 2021–22 college basketball season.

Coaching awards are only listed if won while the individual was the coach of Kentucky.

Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball head coaches
#NameTermGCOWOLO%CWCLC%RCsCCsNCsAwards
1 W. W. H. Mustaine and others1903–19045612.333———
2 Edwin Sweetland / R.E. Spahr 1909–19101248.333———
3 Harold Iddings 1910–19111156.454———
4 Edwin Sweetland 1911–19129901.000———
5 John J. Tigert 1912–1913853.625———
6 Alpha Brumage 1913–191526197.731———
7 James Park 1915–19161486.571———
8 William P. Tuttle 1916–19171046.500———
9 Stanley A. Boles 1917–19181192.792———
10 Andrew Gill 1918–19191468.428———
11 George Buchheit 1919–1924714427.61998.52901
12 Clarence Applegran 1924–192521138.61962.75000
13 Ray Eklund 1925–192618153.833801.00010
14 Basil Hayden 1926–192716313.18716.14300
15 John Mauer 1927–1930544014.740246.80051
16 Adolph Rupp †1930–19721066876190.82339975.84227136:

1933 ♥
1934 ‡
1948 ♠
1949 ♠
1951 ♠
1958 ♠

 BHOF (1969) [5]

NCHOF (2006) [6]

NABC (1966) [7]

USBWA (1966) [8]

SEC (1964,1966,1968,1969,1970,1971,1972) [8]

17 Joe B. Hall 1972–1985397297100.74817262.735811: 1978 ♠

SEC (1973,1975,1978,1983) [9]

18 Eddie Sutton †1985–19891278839.6934823.67611

BOHF (2020) [10]

NCHOF (2011) [11]

NABC (1986) [7]

AP (1986) [12]

SEC (1986) [12]

19 Rick Pitino †1989–199726921950.81410428.788251: 1996 ♠

BHOF (2013) [13]

SEC (1990,1991,1996) [14]

20 Tubby Smith 1997–200735126883.76012040.750551: 1998 ♠ LOCA (2016) [15]

NABC (2003) [7]

N (2003) [16]

USBWA (2003) [17]

AP (2003) [17]

SEC (1998,2003,2005) [17]

21 Billy Gillispie 2007–2009674027.5972012.62500SEC (2008) [18]
22 John Calipari †2009–2024532410122.77419865.752661: 2012 ♠ BHOF (2015) [19]

NABC (2009,2015) [7]

N (2015) [16]

AP (2015) [20]

SEC (2010,2012,2015,2020) [20]

23 Mark Pope 2024–present
Totals314023927480.76110973210.77355338
Adolph Rupp 1954 portrait.jpg
Joe B. Hall.jpg
Rick Pitino addressing the crowd.jpg
Tubby Smith 140507-D-HU462-310 (cropped).jpg
John Calipari (15536413759).jpg
Pictured from left to right: Adolph Rupp, Joe B. Hall, Rick Pitino, Tubby Smith, and John Calipari have all won national championships as the head coach of Kentucky.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Haskins</span> American basketball player and coach (1930–2008)

Donald Lee Haskins, nicknamed "The Bear", was an American basketball player and coach. He played college basketball for three years under coach Henry Iba at Oklahoma A&M. He was the head coach at the University of Texas at El Paso from 1961 to 1999. In 1966 his team won the NCAA tournament over the Wildcats of the University of Kentucky, coached by Adolph Rupp. The watershed game highlighted the end of racial segregation in college basketball.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adolph Rupp</span> American college basketball coach (1901–1977)

Adolph Frederick Rupp was an American college basketball coach. He is ranked seventh in total victories by a men's NCAA Division I college coach, winning 876 games in 41 years of coaching at the University of Kentucky. Rupp is also second among all men's college coaches in all-time winning percentage (.822), trailing only Mark Few. Rupp was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 13, 1969. Rupp played college basketball at Kansas under Phog Allen.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tubby Smith</span> American college basketball coach

Orlando Henry "Tubby" Smith is an American college basketball coach who last coached the men's basketball team at High Point University, his alma mater. Smith previously served in the same role at the University of Tulsa, the University of Georgia, the University of Kentucky, the University of Minnesota, Texas Tech University, and the University of Memphis. With Kentucky, he coached the Wildcats to the 1998 NCAA championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Calipari</span> American college basketball coach (born 1959)

John Vincent Calipari is an American basketball coach who is the head coach at the University of Arkansas. He was the head coach at the University of Kentucky from 2009 until the end of the 2023–2024 season, which he led to one NCAA National Championship in 2012. He has been named Naismith College Coach of the Year three times, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

The Adolph F. Rupp Trophy was an award given annually to the top player in men's Division I NCAA basketball until 2015. The recipient of the award was selected by an independent panel consisting of national sportswriters, coaches, and sports administrators. The trophy was presented each year at the site of the Final Four of the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Barksdale</span> American basketball player

Donald Argee Barksdale was an American professional basketball player. He was a pioneer as an African-American basketball player, becoming the first to be named NCAA All-American, the first to play on a United States men's Olympic basketball team, and the first to play in a National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Game. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Wildcats</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats are the men's and women's intercollegiate athletic squads of the University of Kentucky (UK), a founding member of the Southeastern Conference. The Kentucky Wildcats is the student body of the University of Kentucky. 30,473 students attend the university. Historically, the women's teams and athletes were referred to as the "Lady Kats", but all athletic squads adopted the "Wildcats" nickname in 1995. Collectively, the fans of the Kentucky Wildcats are often referred to as the Big Blue Nation. Their main and most intense rival is the University of Louisville. The Wildcats are composed of 25 varsity teams that compete nationally—23 in NCAA-recognized sports, plus the cheerleading squad and dance team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Ramsey (basketball)</span> American basketball player and coach (1931–2018)

Frank Vernon Ramsey Jr. was an American professional basketball player and coach. A 6-3 forward/guard, he played his entire nine-year (1954–1964) NBA career with the Boston Celtics and played a major role in the early part of their dynasty, winning seven championships as part of the team. Ramsey was also a head coach for the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA during the 1970–1971 season. Ramsey was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cliff Hagan</span> American basketball player and coach

Clifford Oldham Hagan is an American former professional basketball player. A 6′ 4″ forward who excelled with the hook shot, Hagan, nicknamed "Li’l Abner", played his entire 10-year NBA career (1956–1966) with the St. Louis Hawks. He was also a player-coach for the Dallas Chaparrals in the first two-plus years of the American Basketball Association's existence (1967–1970). Hagan is a five-time NBA All-Star and an ABA All-Star. He won an NCAA basketball championship in 1951 as a member of the Kentucky Wildcats, and he won an NBA championship with the Hawks in 1958.

Charles Martin Newton was an American collegiate basketball player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head men's basketball coach at Transylvania University from 1956 to 1968, the University of Alabama from 1968 to 1980, and Vanderbilt University from 1981 to 1989, compiling a career college basketball coaching record of 509–375. He was chairman of the NCAA Rules committee from 1979 to 1985 and was the president of USA Basketball from 1992 to 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball</span> NCAA Division I Mens Basketball team representing the University of Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball program is the men's college basketball team of the University of Kentucky. It has eight NCAA championships, the best all-time winning percentage, and the most all-time victories. The Wildcats compete in the Southeastern Conference and are coached by Mark Pope.

William Bond Keightley was the equipment manager for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team, a position he held for 48 years. Known affectionately to most as "Mr. Wildcat," players referred to him as "Mr. Bill" or "Big Smooth."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009–10 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team</span> 2009–10 season of University of Kentucky mens basketball team

The 2009–10 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented the University of Kentucky during the college basketball season of 2009–10. This season was the first of John Calipari's tenure as head coach; he accepted the position on March 31, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002–03 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team</span> 2002–03 season of University of Kentucky mens basketball team

The 2002–03 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented University of Kentucky. The head coach was Tubby Smith, who was in his sixth season as the Wildcats head coach. For the program, it was the 100th season of Kentucky Wildcats basketball. The team was a member of the Southeast Conference and played their home games at Rupp Arena.

The Adolph Rupp Cup was an award given annually since 2004 to the men's college basketball head coach in NCAA Division I competition "who best exemplifies excellence in his dedication to the game of basketball and to his student athletes." The award is named for former University of Kentucky head coach Adolph Rupp, who compiled an overall record of 876–190 with four recognized national championships and one NIT championship. Rupp coached Kentucky between 1930 and 1972, and his winning percentage of 82.2% is still the NCAA record.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana–Kentucky rivalry</span> College sports rivalry

The Indiana–Kentucky rivalry is a college sports rivalry between the Indiana University Hoosiers and the University of Kentucky Wildcats. The rivalry between these two schools, located about 180 miles (290 km) apart, dates to their first college football game in 1893, and has continued across all sports, with the men's basketball series gaining particular attention. The football game was previously played for a wooden Bourbon Barrel trophy, which was discontinued in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1989–90 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team</span> 1989–90 season of University of Kentucky mens basketball team

The 1989–90 Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team represented University of Kentucky in the 1989–90 NCAA Division I men's basketball season. The head coach was Rick Pitino and the team finished the season with an overall record of 14–14. Coming off the controversy of the Eddie Sutton scandal, the NCAA banned the Kentucky Wildcats from television for one season. The NCAA sanctions placed on the program would also ban any postseason competition for two years and a three-year probational period. Pitino knew this and still took the challenge of making this team successful despite the many deficient parts of the program.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1995–96 NCAA Division I men's basketball season</span> Basketball season

The 1995–96 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began in November 1995 and concluded with the 64-team 1996 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, whose finals were held at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Kentucky Wildcats earned their sixth national championship by defeating the Syracuse Orangemen 76–67 on April 1, 1996. They were coached by Rick Pitino, and the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player was Kentucky's Tony Delk.

The Sporting News Men's College Basketball Coach of the Year Award, often informally called the "Sporting News Coach of the Year Award," is an annual basketball award given to the best men's college basketball head coach in NCAA Division I competition. The award was first given in 1964 following the 1963–64 season and is presented by The Sporting News, a United States–based sports magazine that was established in 1886.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "2008-09 UK Factbook" (PDF). UKathletics.com. p. 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-01-31. Retrieved 2008-11-24.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Kentucky Wildcats Index". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on March 29, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ "All-Time UK Coaches". UK Athletics. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved September 15, 2007.
  4. ↑ A running total of the number of coaches of the Wildcats.
  5. ↑ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Adolph Rupp". www.hoophall.com . Archived from the original on April 24, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  6. ↑ "Adolph F. Rupp". College Basketball Experience . Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "NABC Coaches of the Year". National Association of Basketball Coaches . 2021-12-07. Archived from the original on April 30, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  8. 1 2 "Adolph Rupp Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on February 5, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  9. ↑ "Joe B. Hall Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  10. ↑ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Eddie Sutton". www.hoophall.com . Archived from the original on December 4, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  11. ↑ "Eddie Sutton". College Basketball Experience . Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  12. 1 2 "Eddie Sutton Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  13. ↑ Courier-Journal, The (Louisville, Ky ). "Rick Pitino selected to Basketball Hall of Fame". USA TODAY . Archived from the original on April 11, 2013. Retrieved 2023-04-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  14. ↑ "Rick Pitino Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on April 16, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  15. ↑ "Texas Tech's Tubby Smith Named 2016 John R. Wooden Award "Legends of Coaching" Recipient". Texas Tech Red Raiders. Archived from the original on April 5, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  16. 1 2 "Past Winners | Naismith Awards". Archived from the original on March 30, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  17. 1 2 3 "Tubby Smith Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on February 13, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  18. ↑ "Billy Gillispie Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-26.
  19. ↑ "The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: John Calipari". www.hoophall.com . Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
  20. 1 2 "John Calipari Coaching Record". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com . Archived from the original on February 3, 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-25.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.