Chris Holtmann (Butler)
Pros: One of several young coaches on this list (he’s 43), Holtmann turned in one of the best coaching performances in the country this year. He went from interim head coach at Butler to shedding that label while leading the Bulldogs to a 23-11 record and the Round of 32. He served as an assistant at Butler for one season before taking over as head coach. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Gardner Webb for three seasons and improved that program from an eight win team the year before he took over to a 21 win team the year he left. He was named Big South Coach of the Year in 2013. Holtmann also has a squeaky clean reputation – something that will be important this time around. Tennessee has been in contact with Holtmann and there is definitely mutual interest there. His contract details aren’t public, but he’s believed to be the lowest-paid coach in the Big East.
Cons: His overall record is just barely over .500 (67-65) and he’s definitely a bit of an unproven commodity. That said, he has averaged 22 wins his last two seasons as a head coach. He doesn’t have the extensive reputation as a recruiter as some of the other names on this list.
