Celebrating First-Year Coaching Success: Recognizing Standout Coaches of 2023

In this final day of April, we take a moment to reflect on the past season and recognize the coaches who excelled in their first year. Every spring, we at CBS Sports evaluate which coaching hires made an immediate impact. This year, our evaluation will be published later this week, recognizing first-year coaches who stood out in their debut seasons.

In 2023, over 60 coaching hires were made, and 16 coaches were recognized for their immediate success at their new schools. Grant McCasland quickly rebuilt Texas Tech and brought pride back to the program, earning him recognition for his outstanding debut season. Despite close calls, two first-year high-major coaches who didn’t make the NCAA Tournament still had solid seasons and ratings.

Recognition is not limited to NCAA Tournament appearances. Small-school coaches who excelled in their first year were also acknowledged. Four of them made the NCAA Tournament in their debut seasons, and two of those coaches have already moved on to new opportunities. In 2023, nearly 50 mid-major coaching changes occurred, with eleven first-year hires making a significant impact.

While a successful first year doesn’t guarantee success in the following years, it certainly helps with recruiting through the transfer portal. It’s important to note that evaluating a coach’s success takes time and context – we wait four years before publishing our final evaluation of each coach’s performance. But for now, let’s celebrate the coaches who stood out in their first year and set themselves up for future success.