First-Time Head Coaches Thriving Amid College Basketball's Evolving Landscape

College basketball has seen unprecedented turnover in recent years, and this past offseason was no different with over 60 coaching changes and over 40 at the mid-major level alone. Of those, 27 were first-time hires, underscoring the challenges of building stability in an era defined by roster flux, NIL, and aggressive scheduling.

For mid-majors without deep pockets, success often means a short shelf life, as power programs come calling and force yet another rebuild. Yet, coaching remains more pivotal than ever in navigating these dynamics. While many new head coaches are making waves, a standout group of first timers has emerged, inheriting programs with recent histories of success but facing the full brunt of modern roster construction.

These four coaches have hit the ground running. They boast a combined 64-19 overall record and 31-7 in conference play, proving that fresh leadership can yield immediate dividends. Although the success of the school and its program is great, it is also a double-edged sword due to the power programs taking notices as well.

Ryan Miller: Revitalizing Murray State with Tempo and Efficiency

When Ryan Miller took over at Murray State, expectations were cautiously optimistic. The Racers were picked third in the MVC preseason poll despite Miller being a first-time coach and having a brand-new roster. Miller brings over 20 years of assistant coaching experience to Murray State, with stints under heavyweights like John Calipari, Greg McDermott, and Steve Alford.

His debut has been nothing short of sensational. He’s shifted the team’s style from a traditionally slow pace to one of the top 20 tempos nationally, fueling a top 55 offensive efficiency ranking (first in the MVC). The Racers have scored 90+ points in six games and show solid depth, with seven players averaging 6.5+ points and three at 12.5+.

(Chart via Kenpom)

Currently the teams 16 wins match last season’s total already, with two months remaining. Murray State has been projected for 22 victories (via Kenpom), which would be their most since the 2022 NCAA Tournament appearance. Defensively, they’re ninth in efficiency in the MVC and struggle against the three (opponents shooting 37% in MVC play).

To get back to the tournament, the three-point defense must improve. Despite the defensive woes, Miller has the team playing at a high level on offense which has guided them to this great start. This turnaround highlights his ability to adapt and maximize new talent in a short amount of time.

Matt Braeuer: Slowing It Down for Elite Defense at Stephen F. Austin

Few coaches have redefined their program’s identity more quickly than Matt Braeuer. Hailing from Austin, Texas, Matt Braeuer’s coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at Wichita State, where he was a three-year starter as a player. He later served as director of basketball operations at Charleston and spent recent years on Grant McCasland’s staff at North Texas and Texas Tech. Stepping into the head role at Stephen F. Austin, Braeuer inherited a team with a preseason rank of sixth via Kenpom and 234^th overall.

The Lumberjacks have surged to 17-3 overall, their best 20-game start since 2020. While the record is excellent, they are a few bounces away from being undefeated. All three losses came by two possessions or less with SFA being in control most of the way through all three matchups. Projected to win their remaining 11 games, SFA sits inside the KenPom top 100, their highest since Brad Underwood’s 2016 tenure.

(Projections via Kenpom)

Braeuer’s imprint is clearest on defense as the Lumberjacks rank first in the Southland for efficiency, effective field goal% allowed, and three-point% allowed. By slowing the pace drastically (outside the top 250 nationally, the lowest since 2017), he’s cured a chronic turnover issue. SFA now ranks top 50 nationally in offensive turnover% after never cracking the top 300 under Kyle Keller.

(Chart via Kenpom)

They’re one of two conference teams top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency, though free-throw shooting remains a weakness, they have found ways to close games out, usually with defense.

Nolan Smith: Offensive Firepower at Tennessee State

A 2007 national champion at Duke and the 21st overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft by Portland, Nolan Smith transitioned to coaching with assistant roles at Duke, Louisville, and Memphis. He spent three years as Duke’s president of basketball operations and player development before stops at Louisville and Memphis. At Tennessee State, Smith took over a solid foundation from Penny Collins, who delivered winning seasons in four of seven years and double-digit OVC wins in three straight. Picked fourth in the preseason poll, a strong endorsement for a first-timer, Smith was able to retain OVC standout Aaron Nkrumah who is leading the team to its early success.

The Tigers stand at 12-7 overall but 6-3 in conference, making them the second-highest rated team in the OVC per KenPom. An early signature win came over UNLV, showcasing their potential and what could possibly be once OVC play began and some continuity was formed. Offensively, they’re the conference’s best by a wide margin, leading in effective field goal%, turnover%, and three-point%. Smith has eradicated the turnover woes that plagued the team under Collins and with that, it has led to a smoother running offense that has been as efficient as any team in the conference.

(Table via KenPom)

Defensively, challenges persist as they rank 8^th in the OVC from an efficiency standpoint. The biggest concern is the interior defense that has opponents shooting 52% from two-point range. However, they force turnovers at a high clip (50th nationally), providing a counterbalance and live ball turnovers that lead to easy offense. Smith’s NBA roots and recruiting prowess have injected new identity into the program and there has been minimal drop-off from the success the Tigers had under Collins.

Flynn Clayman: Building on Momentum with Turnover-Forcing Defense at High Point

A former player at Colorado State and Troy (2007-2011), Flynn climbed the ranks starting as a special assistant at Southern Utah in 2017. He became interim head coach there in 2023 (going 2-1) before joining High Point, where he served as offensive coordinator for one of the nation’s top offenses over that time frame.

Before the past two seasons, the Panthers had recorded just three total 20+ win seasons in program history. Under Alan Huss and with Flynn Clayman on staff, they won 25+ games in back-to-back seasons, captured two Big South regular season titles, and made an NCAA Tournament appearance. Now, Clayman is the head coach, and the standard hasn’t dipped but instead has become what fans expect to be the norm.

(Table by CBB Analytics)

Despite replacing three First Team All-Big South players, losing four starters, and watching two of those players transfer to SEC programs, High Point entered the season as the overwhelming favorite to win the league. Clayman executed a complete roster flip, bringing in eight new players, while maintaining continuity in philosophy. The results: 18–4 overall, 6–1 in Big South play, and on pace to win 25+ games for a third straight season, which would be a school record.

High Point hasn’t lost back-to-back games this season (only once during Clayman’s staff tenure) which shows the attention to detail and consistency of the team and players. They’re first in both offensive and defensive efficiency in conference, with a ramped-up tempo (top 85 nationally after 230th and 109th under Alan Huss).

(Chart via Kenpom) – Top line is this years defense under Clayman. Bottom two are under Alan Huss

The biggest leap? Defense, especially forcing turnovers in which they’re top 15 nationally in turnover% defense after ranking outside the top 200 in six of the last seven years. With the offense continuing to operate at a high level, the emergence of the defense makes the Panthers more dangerous than prior years, even with a brand-new roster and a first-time head coach.