Keeping It Heel
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UNC Basketball: Five Coaches worth considering to succeed Roy Williams

By Brendan Carducci

Feb 27, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams looks on from the bench against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2016; Charlottesville, VA, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams looks on from the bench against the Virginia Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few (center) instructs guard Josh Perkins (13) and guard Eric McClellan (23) against the BYU Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 7, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few (center) instructs guard Josh Perkins (13) and guard Eric McClellan (23) against the BYU Cougars during the second half in the semifinals of the West Coast Conference tournament at Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Mark Few

Gonzaga Bulldogs head coach Mark Few is one of the most respected coaches in college basketball.

Since taking over the Bulldogs in the 1999-00 season, Mark Few has done one thing, win. At Gonzaga, Few has guided his team to the NCAA Tournament 17 straight times. He has won the West Coast Conference regular season crown 15 times, running the table at the WCC tournament a total of 13 times. In total, Few has an all-time record of 466-111, meaning Few has come out victorious in over 80% of contests he has coached in. This phenomenal record has earned Few the WCC Coach of the Year award a total of 10 times.

Even with all the success, Few has yet to advance past the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight. One of hardest aspects of coaching a mid-major is resources are limited and recruiting is challenging in comparison to a power program like North Carolina.

Every once in a while you see a mid-major win a few upset games and reach the Final Four. Teams like VCU, Butler, George Mason, and Wichita State come to mind.

As Brian Hamilton pointed out, Few might view UNC as a chance to run a blueblood program and reach heights that seem to be just out of reach in Spokane.

Few has been a Gonzaga lifer, coaching within the Bulldogs program since 1989. But if North Carolina were to inquire about taking his services to Chapel Hill, Few may have to ponder coaching somewhere other than Gonzaga for the first time in his career.

As stated above, mid-majors simply can’t recruit enough blue chip talent, and don’t have the resources to consistently advance far in the NCAA Tournament. Few could recognize the opportunities North Carolina provides that his current job in Spokane doesn’t.

Next: Shaka Smart

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