The Top 100
This was a much more ambitious project than I had originally anticipated. With so many coaches it was a difficult task to narrow the field down to the 100 sexiest in college basketball. But it was a lot of fun!
Definitions of sexy vary so I tried to make sure the list had a little bit of everything, including members of the media. I selected 10 media people for the list. It should be pointed out that no women made this list, which unfortunately excludes the lovely Ms. Angela Lento.
Not only is Angela a hottie, but she is one of the best people that I have ever known. So in other words, being an idiot won’t get you on the list. There were other ladies that would have gotten consideration, but I made the decision to make this an all-male Top 100.
There are 100 people on this list, but the honor of being College Basketball's "Sexiest" goes to Montana head Wayne Tinkle. The snow-capped mountain of a coach may look tough but he truly is a gentle giant. Coach Tinkle has kept Montana among the top mid-major program's in America. He's not exactly the type of coach that seeks attention so this is all probably a little embarrassing for him, but I am sure his lovely wife would agree with the final assessment. Senior Kareem Jamar might be Mr. Montana, but his head coach is America's Sexiest. In addition to the acceptance speech from Coach Tinkle, be sure to check out the hilarious video entries from La Salle's John Giannini and Oakland's Greg Kampe. Very funny.
So what defines sexy? There is no one definitive answer and that’s makes this such an interesting list to compile. Sexy literally comes in all shapes, sizes and colors. Sometimes it’s sneaky quiet. Sometimes it’s bold and outgoing. It looks good dresses up and it looks great when it goes casual. It can be a perfect gentleman and it can have a New York attitude. What one finds appealing another may find appalling. Or one women’s treasure is another women’s... Well you know.
So here it is. The best of the best. The 100 Sexiest in College Basketball.
NICOLE SHEA
Nicole is the special projects manager for CollegeInsider.com. Her duties include assistance with the development and implementation of the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament, Shots from the Heart, and the CollegeInsider.com national coach and player awards.
ALAA ABDELNABY
The former Duke star played in the NBA, CBA and overseas. He is currently an analyst for the CBS Sports Network. The Egyptian native looks like he can still play some ball. Great TV presence and love his wit and wisdom.
AMIR ABDUR-RAHIM
The former start at Southeastern Louisiana has established himself as an excellent young coach. The associate head coach at the College of Charleston has also spent time at Georgia Tech and Murray State. Future star.
CASEY ALEXANDER
Rick Byrd’s longtime assistant at Belmont is now establishing himself as an excellent head coach at Lipscomb. A hard-worker and a no nonsense individual, Casey has been a part of winning programs for many years.
STEVE ALFORD
I’ve always viewed Coach Alford as a no-nonsense guy who will tell you what you don’t want to hear. Those are excellent qualities. Over the years he’s also shown some terrific qualities as a head coach. Good things are around the corner at UCLA.
ORLANDO ANTIGUA
The former Harlem Globetrotter is as dapper and smooth as they come. And I mean that in a good way. He’s a terrific young coach on John Calipari’s staff at Kentucky and considered one of the top recruiters in America. Love the bow ties.
GEOFF ARNOLD
A member of the Saint Joseph's Basketball Hall of Fame (Class of 1992), he has been an assistant there since 2008. Rumor has it that some of coolness rubbed off on Bruiser Flint when Arnold spent seven seasons at Drexel.
MIKE BABUL
Why is it that all the guys who coached with Calipari have a cool look? Is that taught at Coach Cal’s camp? The Wagner assistant coach has been in the business for over a decade now. He will be a head coach one day.
KEVIN BAGGETT
t’s been quite a 12-month stretch for the former Saint Joseph’s star. Last year he coached Rider to its first-ever postseason win and a few weeks later he was crowned the Best-Dressed coach in college basketball.
STEPHEN BARDO
Can someone at ESPN let me know why Stephen isn’t doing more games on TV? The former Illinois star is a terrific television analyst. He’s not one of those guys trying to be funny every time he chimes in. He’s also a sharp looking individual.
JOHN BECKER
What a great guy. Coach Becker has continued the tradition of excellence at Vermont. The head coach is an excellent X-and-O guy, but more importantly he is an even better person. The college game needs more guys like John Becker.
TONY BENNETT
Some coaches love attention. Tony Bennett runs from it so he probably won’t want to talk about making this list. And therein lies the reason he is on the Top 100. An accomplished player, coach and person, Bennett is a winner.
PAUL BIANCARDI
The former Wright State coach is now ESPN National Recruiting director. He has a great on-air presence. He doesn’t overwhelm you with theatrics -- Just the facts. And his house it’s called gravy, not sauce. He joined ESPN in 2006.
JAY BILAS
Hard to believe that he has been an ESPN analyst since 1995. Back then he was good. Today he is their top college basketball analyst. Love Jay’s bits of on-air sarcasm. He’s not afraid to tell his fellow analysts to back it down.
JON BOROVICH
He was Mark Montgomery’s first hire at Northern Illinois. The former Central Michigan star began his coaching career at Michigan State. He’s a terrific young coach, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s an Athletic Director down the road.
JEFF BORZELLO
Jeff isn’t exactly quiet on Twitter, but he isn’t obnoxious either. He covers the game for CBSSports.com and does a very good job. He’s just cocky enough to make his write-ups and tweets more interesting. Good guy but lose the straw.
ALVIN BROOKS
Alvin Brooks is as good of a person as you will know in any profession. His son (below and to the left) is such a quality person. Well you know where he got that from. The former Lamar star is currently an assistant coach at Houston.
ALVIN BROOKS III
If there was an event for kind and good-hearted people, Alvin would be on the podium. Known by his friends as AB3, the Kansas State assistant has quickly made a name for himself. His dad is an assistant at Lamar.
SCOTT BURRELL
He starred at the University of Connecticut and played with Michael Jordan in the NBA. And yet all the while he remained a very down-to-earth individual. That quality is lacking in many today. The Quinnipiac assistant is a great guy.
J.D. BYERS
The young Radford assistant looks like he is going to be in the profession for many years. An academic star in college, Byers is now in his third season with the Highlanders. His coaching career began at the division III ranks. Good young coach.
JOHN CALIPARI
If you pick against him he will say, “That’s okay you picked the Germans in WWII.” That’s Coach Cal, always with a quick response in the holster. He can coach, has can dress and has the electric personality He’s a movie star.
ADAM CAPORN
He was Randy Bennett’s first-ever recruit at Saint Mary’s and coincidentally the first Australian to play for the Gaels. After playing professional he joined Bennett’s staff in 2010. Excellent young coach with a bright future.
CHRIS CAPUTO
The Miami Hurricane assistant has spent many years working with Jim Larranaga and was part of the staff that saw George Mason make a run to the Final Four in 2006. The New York native has a great future in the game.
SHYRONE CHATMAN
One of the young assistants on Derek Kellogg’s staff at UMass, Shyrone has found himself involved in many aspects of the program. The former Memphis Tiger is a sharp young guy who will continue to move up.
RANDOLPH CHILDRESS
Another guy with a Hollywood look about him. The former Wake Forest star is now an assistant coach with the Demon Deacons. He spent 16 seasons playing professional basketball. He brings a lot to the table. Impressive young coach.
FREDDY COLEMAN
He’s in his first-year at North Dakota State. It’s only his third season overall as an assistant coach, but he possesses all the qualities to be very successful in the profession. If he gets tired of coaching he can try Hollywood. He looks like an action hero.
JAMIE DIXON
The Pitt head coach is another one of those guys that is hard to dislike. His teams are always tough, but the head coach is a gentle and kind soul. He’ll take a beating for that last sentence, but Coach Dixon truly is a fantastic human being.
BRYCE DREW
Forever known for hitting “the shot” in the 1998 NCAA Tournament, the Valparaiso head coach has continued the tradition of Crusaders basketball. And he definitely has the reverse aging process thing working well.
ANTHONY EVANS
In a word -- Cool. Can’t think of a better way to describe the FIU head coach. He took Norfolk State to the NCAA Tournament in 2012 (beat Missouri) and was unbeaten in MEAC last season. Really good guy who can also coach!
SEAN FARNHAM
Is there a better looking college basketball analyst than Mr. Farnham? That’s rhetorical. He’s been with ESPN since 2010. Difficult to find guys who have something bad to say about him. By all accounts he is a very cool young basketball analyst.
JAMES FLINT
If there was an event for Smoothness, James “Bruiser” Flint would own it. The all-time winningest coach in Drexel history is one of the best people in the business. Always sharp and well pressed, it’s tough to find many faults in his presentation.
DANA FORD
The former Redbird coached at Chipola Junior College, Tennessee State and Wichita State before returning to where it all began. He has been a part of winning program at every stop and it will be no different at ISU.
ANDY FOX
A Midwestern guy Andy Fox is an assistant at Tulane and was on Ed Conroy’s staff when they took The Citadel to its only postseason appearance. He’s a real quality person so I feel bad that he is a long suffering Chicago Cubs fan.
ANDREW FRANCIS
Coach Francis has worked his way up the ranks, from volunteer assistant at Concordia College to Fran McCaffery's staff at Iowa. Was with McCaffery at Siena when they went to three straight NCAA tournaments. Remember the name.
TYLER GEVING
Coach Geving is a terrific guy. The Washington native has spent his entire coaching career in the Pacific Northwest. The Portland State head coach is one of those guys who loves to coach but doesn’t take himself too serious. Great family guy!
JOHN GIANNINI
The only thing different about the La Salle head coach, from when he was an assistant at Illinois, is a few grays. Coach G. hasn’t changed a bit over the years. A good family man, Giannini is a great coach with a heart of gold. WATCH VIDEO
ANTHONY GRANT
Like it better when I see Anthony Grant smile occasionally. The Alabama coach has that intimidating glare. As a freshman at Dayton (1984) went to the Elite 8 and has known nothing but winning ever since. Top shelf!
SETH GREENBERG
People who say, “Bald is Beautiful” say that because they have no hair. It’s the equivalent to a coach saying, “We play big,” which means that have no height. But this ESPN analyst is a worthy addition to this list.
RONNIE HAMILTON
The Houston assistant coach always seems to have a smile on his face, but I wouldn’t want to see him when he’s mad. Once invited to training camp with the New York Giants, the two-sport star is now moving up the coaching ranks.
B.J. HILL
One of those guys who really worked his way up the ranks. Has done fabulous job since taking over for Tad Boyle at Northern Colorado. Great down to earth coach with a good sense of humor. As they say, “He’s grounded.”
FRED HOIBERG
He owns that “boy next store” look. Hoiberg certainly has that All-American look about him. From the NBA back to his old stomping ground, Hoiberg has Iowa State back among the elite again. The Mayor has it all working in Ames.
DEXTER HOLT
With a wealth of basketball knowledge, Holt was the first hire by current Alabama A&M head coach Willie Hayes. Holt is a very sharp individual. The A&M graduate spent a dozen years coaching the women’s program.
JASON HOOTEN
This Texas guy has done a super job at Sam Houston State. A very funny and personable individual, Jason is a terrific softball player, but he’s not even the best athlete in his own house (that’d be Kristen), but he is on the Top 100 list.
BOB HUGGINS
There is no way you can have this list without the name “Huggins.” On the court he still brings a lot intensity, but off the court he isn’t quite as confrontational. His press conferences were very fun. As cool as they come in this profession.
RON HUNTER
Coach Hunter is seemingly always an eyelash away from a technical foul. That’s how he coaches, but off the court he is a pretty calm guy. It’s almost like night and day. The Georgia State head coach is a very sharp dresser.
BEN JACOBSON
The Northern Iowa coach also moonlights as a Congressional representative from Wisconsin. Seriously Republican Paul Ryan and Ben Jacobson look like they were separated at birth. And if Jacobson ever runs for office, I’d vote for him.
TONY JASICK
The guy looks like he should be on the cover of GQ. This sharp young coach is going to win a lot of games in his career. The former volunteer assistant at North Alabama has done a phenomenal job with the IPFW program. Remember his name.
ROB JETER
One of the really good guys in coaching. The Milwaukee head coach comes from the Bo Ryan coaching tree so you know his teams are going to be tough and well versed. And that describes Coach Jeter. He has it all. Really good guy!
RAPHIELLE JOHNSON
Twitter world is full of “know-it-all” types, but Raphielle isn’t one of those guys. He’s part of NBC Spots’ College Basketball Talk. He does a lot timely and insightful updates throughout the season. He’s know the game and he’s chill.
JAMES JONES
It really is hard to believe he has been at Yale for 15 seasons. He is No. 5 on the Ivy League’s all-time wins list, but you’d never know that from talking to Jones. A very unassuming guy. One of the best guys in the business.
JOE JONES
The younger brother of Yale head coach James, Joe is also high quality individual. The slightly more youthful Jones really rocks some high-end threads. He’s a super guy and an excellent coach. Has a nice job at Boston University.
LAVALL JORDAN
From Butler, to Iowa to Ann Arbor. The Michigan assistant coach has been a part of one successful program after another. Coach Jordan definitely has a quality of cool about him. He has a long career ahead of him in coaching.
JAY JOYNER
The associate head coach at North Carolina A&T, Joyner got his start years back running Cy Alexander’s basketball camps. Cy obviously saw something he liked and that’s why he’s with him at NCA&T. Outstanding young coach.
GREG KAMPE
One of the most unique individuals in the coaching profession. The Oakland head coach is one of those guys who tells you exactly what he’s thinking, whether you like it or not. He’s a character, but he’s also one heck of a basketball coach. WATCH VIDEO
JASON KEMP
This smooth young guy made the move from North Dakota State to Toledo this season. He spent eight seasons with Bison and was integral part of the staff. The Wisconsin native has a Master’s Degree and a great future in whatever he pursues.
SAM KIRBY
The Cal Poly assistant is in his third season with the program and has helped the Mustangs enjoy some recent success. He hasn’t gotten a lot of attention, but he sure looks like he has a bright future. Good smile.
BRANDIN KNIGHT
The former All-American is on Jamie Dixon’s staff at the University of Pittsburgh. The Panther legend had his number No. 20 jersey retired in 2009 and five years later he can add the distinction of being among the Top 100 in America.
PAT KNIGHT
Coach Bob Knight has to be pleased with all of his coaching accomplishments, but he has feel even better about his son Patrick. What a super young man. The Lamar head coach is also quite a character. He has the total package.
GREG LANSING
Can’t find anybody that doesn’t like Indiana State head coach Greg Lansing. Seriously coach is there somebody you picked on when you were younger that would refute that? An outstanding coach and a super quality person.
STEVE LAVIN
From lots of hair-gel to no hair-products and Steve Lavin still looks smooth. The St. John’s head coach has a great sense of humor and is really an engaging individual. It’s great to see him doing well after his brief hiatus from the sidelines.
TODD LEE
Coach Lee looks like he should be playing AVP Beach Volleyball. He has that West Coast surfer look about him, but make no mistake -- He can coach! He left division II Kentucky-Wesleyan to join the staff at Grand Canyon.
DAVE LEITAO
Hard to believe that Leitao’s coaching career goes all the way back to 1984. Coaching can wear one out, but all those years haven’t taken a toll on Coach Leitao. Would like to know what his secret to success is. Highly respected coach.
CARMEN MACIARIELLO
Not many people are as kind and professional as the former New Hampshire star. He helped recruit some of the key pieces for Fran McCaffery’s Siena teams and Carmen is now on the staff at Boston University. Prince of a guy
CHRIS MACK
The Xavier head coach broke the mold. Not only is he an outstanding coach, but he is a real quick-witted and engaging person. He comes from the Skip Prosser coaching tree so you know he is a first class person. Great guy.
CHRIS MARKWOOD
The former Maine assistant is now in his second season at Vermont. He looks like a model. This excellent young coach would appear to have a bright future in the coaching profession. He played his college ball at Maine and Notre Dame.
BOB MARLIN
The head coach at Louisiana-Lafayette is an all-around terrific individual. He’s really worked his way through the coaching ranks, having success all along the way. An excellent coach who also has a pretty sharp wardrobe.
GREGG MARSHALL
Wow can he coach. Remember before all his success at Wichita State he took Winthrop to the NCAA Tournament and they won a game. Plain and simple -- Gregg Marshall is one of the top coaches in the game. Love the stylish eyewear coach.
CUONZO MARTIN
Two words comes to mind when I see Cuonzo on TV -- Smooth coach. The former Missouri State head coach is doing a fine job at Tennessee. It’s not easy to rock an orange blazer, but he can pull it off. Terrific individual.
FRANK MARTIN
I was insistent that his picture show that he does actually smile. Few coaches are more intense on the sidelines than the South Carolina head coach. Pretty scary to think he was on the same staff with Bob Huggins. Talk about some intensity.
MIKE MARTIN
He has movie star looks and all the makings of an outstanding coaching career. Brown’s young head coach has completely changed the tenor of the program. He’s not a household name “yet.” This guy is winner.
STEVE MASIELLO
The former Rick Pitino assistant, Masiello has done a fantastic job at Manhattan. This guy has taken cool and elevated it. But “cool” only gets you so far. He can also motivate and he can coach. His kids love playing for the native New Yorker.
C.B. MCGRATH
Hard to believe that he is in his 15th season with Roy Williams. The former Kansas Jayhawk was a walk-on in college and he excelled in the classroom. This Top 100 selection is a first-class individual and a terrific coach.
RITCHIE MCKAY
The Virginia assistant coach combines friendly with “coolness.” A devout family man, McKay is a pretty quiet and reserved individual. He had success as a head coach and will likely be in charge of a program again one day. Really good guy.
AKEEM MISKDEEN
This impressive young coach helped develop DTP with head coach Edward Joyner Jr (discipline, toughness, and passion). It’s pretty apparent that the Hampton assistant coach has a really bright future in this game.
MARK MONTGOMERY
He became the Northern Illinois head coach in 2011 and has quietly done a really nice job of turning the fortunes of the program. A Tom Izzo disciple, Montgomery has been a coach in waiting for years. He’s an impressive young coach.
DARRIS NICHOLS
The former graduate assistant for Bob Huggins at West Virginia, Nichols is now in his second season at Northern Kentucky. He’s a very respectful young coach who has great leadership qualities. One day he will be a very good head coach.
DEAN OLIVER
The former Iowa Hawkeye has been a great addition to the North Dakota staff. The former guard has done a great job of helping to bring along the young Dakota guards. Very nice tough with the 5-O’Clock shadow look.
KEVIN OLLIE
The former UConn star returned home to coach the Huskies. The former NBA player was once released on Christmas Eve so he has seen the best and worst of the game. It’s helped to mold him into one of the bright young coaches in college basketball.
TERRY PARKER
It’s his first season as an assistant at Utah Valley, after three seasons at Nicholls State. There is definitely a Bokeem Woodbine resemblance there and the bow tie is a nice touch. He graduated from Louisiana Tech in 2006.
JIMMY PATSOS
The new Siena coach is truly an outstanding individual. On the court he is one of the most intense coaches you will ever see. Off the court he is gentle giant. Jimmy is a very passionate and caring guy. He will win big at Siena.
GREG PAULUS
The Ohio State assistant has an All-American quality about him. In addition to being a two-sport star, Paulus was an academic star in college. He’s one of those guys that will likely have success in whatever he does. He’s a young superstar.
CHARLES PAYNE
With nearly 15 years of experience as an assistant coach and an NBA scout, Payne has become an important part of Johnny Dawkins’ staff at Stanford. He’s very regal with a very down-to-earth air about him. He’s a winner.
BUZZ PETERSON
The salt-and-pepper look suits him well. The UNC-Wilmington head coach is the total package. The model for a southern gentleman, combined with a little bit of wit and sarcasm. He’s also a terrific basketball coach.
COLIN PFAFF
He’s in just his third season at the University of Portland, but it’s apparent he has many years of coaching ahead of him. The west coast guy has been a nice addition to the Eric Reveno’s staff. The shadow look works well.
RICK RAY
The Mississippi State head coach began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with a division II program. He’s a hard worker and a guy dedicated to his craft. The second-year head coach will turn the corner in Starkville pretty soon.
KING RICE
It’s been a long and winding road for Rice, but he finally became a head coach in 2011 and he has Monmouth on the track for success. He’s a very open and sincere individual and success awaits the former Tar Heel.
KAREEM RICHARDSON
UMKC’s first-year head coach is a star on the rise. From the Rick Pitino School of coaching, Richardson was a star as a collegiate player and he has had success at every stop as an assistant coach. Some guys just got it.
NORM ROBERTS
The former St. John’s coach is now in his second season at Kansas. If he ever thinks about a career change, modeling would be the way to go. He’s a very sharp looking individual. An excellent coach and a very nice person.
JON ROTHSTEIN
Very suave and debonair on TV. He’s been an analyst with CBS Sports Network since 2010 and is a regular on “Inside College Basketball.” Very knowledgeable and articulate, but the “pen-point” to the host needs to be updated.
BILL SELF
Bill Self is the same guy he was when he was trying to get the Oral Roberts program headed in the right direction. The Kansas head coach is a wonderful person. There is definitely an Aaron Eckhart quality in play in Lawrence, KS.
SHAKA SMART
You have got to love the smile. The VCU coach is a high-energy guy and that’s how his team plays. He has taken the VCU program to another level. Coach is a personable guy and his players seem to love playing for him.
G.G. SMITH
Tubby Smith is a first class guys and they say apples don’t fall far from the tree. His son, in his first season as the head coach at Loyola MD, is proof positive of that. An awful lot of success waits G. G. Smith in this business.
JAY SPOONHOUR
Like his dad Jay has a charismatic appeal. This outgoing and engaging coach has the Eastern Illinois program headed in the right direction. Give him a couple of seasons and the Panthers will be among the contenders in the OVC.
RODNEY TERRY
He’s in his third season as head coach at Fresno State. He spent many seasons as one of the top assistants in America, with a reputation for being a top recruiter. He has certainly recruited a pretty impressive wardrobe. Quality individual.
REGGIE THEUS
The former NCAA and NBA star is back in the college game. The head coach at Cal State Northridge is one of the sharpest guys in the business. Sure some of that NBA coin got him some serious threads, but not everybody can sport it like Coach Theus.
WAYNE TINKLE
The Montana head coach is just plain cool. We had to twist his arm a little bit to do the video feature so all the attention that follows will not exactly be welcome. He has that movie star appeal. He truly is the Cary Grant of coaching. WATCH VIDEO
SCOTT WAGERS
An assistant at Lamar, Scott is a Military guy with a workout regimen that includes some serious martial arts. Like his head coach, Pat Knight, Coach Wagers redefines the expression “He’s a character.” Another guys that tells it like it is.
JAY WILLIAMS
The former Duke star has great on-air presence. Some guys are just naturals and that’s Jay Williams. Very cool and debonair. He has a long career ahead of him in broadcast television. And he will do more than just sports. He’s a talent.
WILLIS WILSON
The longtime Rice head coach is getting the program turned around at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. A real style maven, Wilson is all class all the time. This mild-mannered guy has quietly put together a pretty impressive coaching resume.
JAY WRIGHT
Few people, in any walk of life, combine class and pizzazz quite like Jay Wright. He gets so much attention for his wardrobe that people tend to forget that he is an excellent coach. In short -- complete and total class act.
JAY YOUNG
This longtime assistant has spent the past eight seasons at Stony Brook helping to build the Seawolves into a perennial contender in America East. The defensive-minded coach brings class and character to the Top 100.