CBS Sports analysts predict long-term stability for 2026 college basketball hires
Following 13 high-major coaching changes, analysts identify key appointments at Creighton, Cincinnati, Oregon State, and North Carolina as most likely to achieve sustained success.
CBS Sports experts have published assessments regarding which new head coaches from the 2026 college basketball coaching carousel are best positioned for sustained long-term success. The 2026 carousel resulted in 13 high-major coaching changes, prompting a review of appointments based on factors such as institutional familiarity, track records, and roster construction capabilities.
Analysts identified four key hires as having strong potential for stability: Alan Huss at Creighton, Jerrod Calhoun at Cincinnati, Justin Joyner at Oregon State, and Mike Malone at North Carolina. The evaluations focused on which coaches are most likely to maintain their positions for extended periods while delivering consistent performance, rather than achieving short-term gains.
At Creighton, 47-year-old Alan Huss left High Point to return to Omaha as the coach-in-waiting. Analysts cite his familiarity with the program, the fan base, and Creighton’s resources as factors supporting a decade-long tenure. Huss previously served as an assistant under Greg McDermott and led High Point to the NCAA Tournament, with experts suggesting his knowledge of the Big East landscape positions him for long-term stability.
Jerrod Calhoun was hired by Cincinnati to lead a program that has not made the NCAA Tournament since 2019. An Ohio native and former Bob Huggins pupil, Calhoun brings a history of winning records at Fairmont State, Youngstown State, and Utah State. Experts highlighted his comprehensive track record and understanding of the program's history as key indicators of his ability to rebuild the Bearcats' fortunes.
Justin Joyner was appointed to lead Oregon State, with analysts pointing to his strong roster construction as a positive indicator. Joyner, a former assistant under Dusty May and Randy Bennett, has assembled a roster featuring transfers such as Xavion Staton, Dennis Evans, and Jackson Rasmussen. Experts noted his West Coast ties and the strength of his incoming players as foundations for long-term competitiveness in the Pac-12.
Mike Malone, a former NBA championship-winning coach with the Denver Nuggets, was hired by North Carolina to replace Hubert Davis. Analysts noted his tactical expertise and ability to build winners, despite his lack of college head coaching experience. Malone’s hiring was viewed as a significant move for the prestigious program, with success measured by the potential to secure national titles over the next several years.
Other notable changes included the elevation of Mike Boynton at Michigan on a two-year contract following Dusty May’s departure to the Dallas Mavericks, and the hiring of Justin Gainey at NC State to replace Will Wade, who returned to LSU. These appointments underscore the dynamic nature of the 2026 coaching landscape, where institutional alignment and historical context play crucial roles in predicting future outcomes.
