The worst hires in college basketball
When veteran reporter Craig Meyer compiled a list of the 13 worst coaching hires in college basketball over the last 26 years, the exercise quickly became a touchstone for evaluating program collapses and sparked debate across the sport.
Five of the hires come from ACC schools, each of which saw a steep decline after the appointment, illustrating how a single decision can reshape a program’s trajectory.
ACC’s five disastrous tenures
Matt Doherty, who led the University of North Carolina, is often regarded as the most tolerable of the group, yet his period still left the Tar Heels with a depleted roster and diminished expectations.
James Johnson’s 2012 hiring at Virginia Tech was viewed as a lazy choice, especially given the availability of more accomplished candidates at the time.
Jeff Bzdelik’s tenure at Wake Forest University failed to generate excitement, prompting fans to walk away from games in record numbers.
Kevin Stallings, after a successful stint at Vanderbilt, could not replicate that success at the University of Pittsburgh, where his coaching was met with widespread discontent.
Kenny Payne, celebrated for his work as an assistant, could not translate that acclaim into a winning head‑coach record at Louisville, leaving the program in disarray.
The case of Will Wade
Will Wade, though not included among Meyer’s top‑13, became a focal point of criticism after his tenure at NC State University, where roster‑building problems and allegations of rule‑bending emerged.
The controversy extended beyond the campus, as Wade was reported to have secretly negotiated a return to LSU, leaving NC State with a lingering negative impression.
NC State responded by appointing Justin Gainey to stabilize the program, but Wade continues to assemble rosters heavy with older players who bring professional experience.
A call for reform
Prominent figures in college basketball, including Mike Krzyzewski, have argued that the sport needs a commissioner to address the growing controversies and restore credibility.