Now that the basketball season is over, it is time to hand final year-end grades to the basketball coaches like we did for the football coaches. We are going to start at the bottom and work our way up giving grades to all 15 ACC Coaches, even * cough * if they are no longer employed.
ACC Coaches 1-5 | ACC Coaches 6 -10
Syracuse – Jim Boeheim : C
The season wasn’t a complete disaster for Syracuse, but it was definitely an un-even season. Even a Hall of Famer like Jim Boeheim has a year that he’d like to forget. The Orange did have a 10-8 record in the ACC, but this was also a team that lost to St. Johns and Georgetown at home. They also lost to Boston College. With an NCAA bid within reach, Syracuse lost 5 of their last 7 games.
Clemson – Brad Brownell : D+
This was supposed to be Brad Brownell’s breakthrough year at Clemson. Jaron Blossomgame had returned, and the Tigers we were in a brand new facility. The season was a gigantic disappointment as the Tigers finished 17-16, and blew a 20 point home lead to Oakland in the NIT. That falls on Brownell, who failed to get his team to play consistently on the defensive end time and time again. Brownell was fortunate to survive the season.
Pittsburgh – Kevin Stallings : D
Kevin Stallings was a hire at Pitt that was universally panned. Stallings lived up to the low expectations, by leading the Panthers to a 16-17 season despite having couple of All-ACC caliber players in Michael Young and Jamel Artis. Pitt had some talent, but their offense looked disjointed and the shot selection often seemed completely random. Here’s more…a number of players have decided to transfer.
NC State – Mark Gottfried : D
Mark Gottfried had the ACC’s best freshman in Dennis Smith, and the Wolfpack went 15-17. They were arguably the most under-achieving team in the ACC this year. Predicted to finish 6th in the ACC, the Wolfpack finished ahead of just 1 ACC team. Defense was usually just a suggestion for this team. The season was too much for NC State, and Gottried was fired.
Boston College – Jim Christian : F
Jim Christian has been at Boston College for 3 years, and the Eagles have won 6 ACC games. He’s just not equipped to coach in a league like the ACC. BC showed some signs of life early in the ACC season. They quickly reverted to what we’ve seen during the entirety of Christian’s tenure at BC, and that is Boston College being one really bad basketball team.
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