Top college freshman basketball players to watch ahead of March Madness
As March Madness approaches, an outstanding freshman class is already shaping the picture for the tournament. Meet four rising stars ready to make an impact on the national stage.
The 2025-26 men’s basketball regular season ends Sunday and we’ve already seen a number of schools make coaching changes.
Kansas State’s Jerome Tan was one of the first domino players to fall, but his $18.7 million buyout is still under discussion between Tan and the school. Kansas State claims it is obligated to fire Tan for cause, which would invalidate the total amount.
Power conference teams Providence, Boston College and Georgia Tech are also poised to have new coaches next season.
Below is an updated list of head coaching changes during the 2025-26 men’s college basketball season.
College basketball coach fired, not returning: complete list
This story is updated live.
Boston University has fired fifth-year coach Earl Grant, according to reports. Grant has a 72-92 record in five seasons with the Eagles. BC went 4-14 in ACC play, tied for the second-worst record in the conference. The Eagles went 11-20 overall.
According to a report from Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Western Michigan has fired head coach Dwayne Stevens. Stevens and the Broncos finished the 2025-26 season with a 10-21 record. Western Michigan went 42-84 in four seasons under Stephens. – Ethan Kasim
Georgia Tech has fired third-year coach Damon Stoudemire, according to multiple reports. The Yellow Jackets ended the 2026 season with a 79-76 loss to Clemson, finishing the season with an 11-20 record, including 12 straight losses. Stoudemire had a 42-55 record with the Yellow Jackets. – Ethan Kasim
Northern Illinois University has fired fifth-year coach Rashon Bano, according to multiple reports. NIU finished the season with a record of 9 wins and 21 losses, but had a losing streak in each of Bano’s other four seasons at the helm. – Austin Cartwright
According to Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman, Ball State has fired coach Michael Lewis.
Lewis went 61-64 in four seasons at the school and 12-19 this season. After going 20-12 in Lewis’ first season in 2022-23, Lewis’ Cardinals teams went just 41-54. – Craig Meyer
This season will be Mark Schmidt’s last at San Bonaventure, but the circumstances of his impending departure are not entirely clear.
Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman initially reported that Schmidt, 63, planned to announce his retirement this weekend, but later edited his post to say Schmidt was “separating” from St. Bonaventure. ESPN’s Pete Thamel also reported that Schmidt is expected to retire. However, the Orient Star reported that Schmidt was informed by general manager Adrian Wojnarowski and athletic director Robert Beretta that he would be relieved of his duties at the end of the season.
Schmidt has been at St. Bonaventure since 2007, compiling a 339-253 record in perhaps the toughest job in the Atlantic 10 Conference. That accomplishment included NCAA Tournament appearances in 2012, 2018 and 2021. Prior to Schmidt’s hiring, the Bonnies had appeared in the NCAA Tournament just once from 1979 to 2007. – Craig Meyer
Kim English has no plans to return to Providence next season, according to multiple reports. Providence is on the verge of missing out on the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive year under a third-year head coach. English has a record of 42-49 so far at the school.
English played at the University of Missouri from 2008 to 2012 before being selected in the second round of the 2012 NBA Draft. He was the head coach at George Mason from 2021-2023 before leaving for Providence. – Austin Cartwright
Coach Lamar announced on March 3 that Alvin Brooks will not return for the 2026-27 season. He coached the Cardinals for five years and led Lamar to a 12-19 regular season finish in 2025-26.
“I would like to personally thank Coach Brooks and his staff for their hard work and dedication to the men’s basketball program,” Lamar athletic director Jeff O’Malley said in a statement. “Alvin has been inducted into the Cardinal Hall of Fame and we wish him and his family the best of luck in the future.” – Austin Cartwright
Tennessee Tech has fired John Pelphrey on March 3, the school announced. Tennessee Tech is scheduled to move to the Southern Conference next season, and is conducting a nationwide search ahead of the move.
Pelfrey went 79-138 in seven seasons at Tennessee Tech, including 13-18 in 2025-26.
“We would like to thank John for his service and contributions to the men’s basketball program,” Tennessee Tech athletic director Casey Fox said in a statement. “We felt it was the right time to make a leadership change and refocus our men’s basketball program. We wish John and his family the best moving forward.” – Austin Cartwright
Billy Gillispi will not return to Tarleton State next season, according to multiple reports on February 27th. Gillispi has been sidelined since Jan. 15 due to health issues and was placed on administrative leave at the beginning of the season while the school was investigated in October following an anonymous complaint.
Gillispie has dealt with numerous health issues over the years, and resigned from Texas Tech University in 2012 for health reasons. The former Kentucky coach missed most of the 2023-24 season due to blood pressure issues and was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2017. – Austin Cartwright
Oregon State University announced the transfer of Wayne Tinkle. The school made the announcement on February 26th. Tinkle has coached OSU since 2014, leading the Beavers to an Elite Eight appearance in 2021 and another NCAA Tournament appearance in 2015-16.
Oregon State is 16-14 this season as a member of the WCC until the Pac-12 returns as a full conference in 2026-27. It’s unclear whether Tinkle will remain as coach for the remainder of the season. – Austin Cartwright
Scott was suspended indefinitely in January during an investigation into his treatment of Air Force Cadet players. However, on February 20, it was announced that he and the school had agreed to part ways.
“Coach Scott’s passion for the game of basketball has long been evident in his competitive, direct coaching style. It was this coaching style that led Air Force Basketball to some of the program’s most memorable accomplishments during his first tenure at the Air Force Academy,” Air Force Athletic Director Nathan Pine said in the announcement. “Today is a different day, and now is the perfect time for new voices and new approaches to driving the culture and success of our men’s basketball program, consistent with the Air Force Academy’s mission to develop leaders of character cultivated to lead the Air Force and Space Force.
“We would like to thank Coach Scott for his 10 years of service to the Academy and wish him and his family well.”
During Scott’s second head coaching tenure after 2020, Air Force posted a 97-183 record. He also led the program from 2000 to 2004, leading the team to an NCAA Tournament berth in 2004. — Austin Cartwright
Lavin will not return to San Diego for the 2026-27 season, but will remain as head coach for the remainder of the season. The former UCLA and St. John’s coach had a 46-79 record in four seasons in San Diego and is currently 11-17 this season.
“As my tenure as coach at USD begins to end, I would like to pause and express my sincere gratitude to President Jim Harris for giving me this life-changing opportunity in 2022,” Lavin said in the announcement. “Teaching and coaching at the University of San Diego has been an experience of unique pride and joy. Above all, I will carry on the gift of being a part of my players’ journeys and cherish the relationships built along the way.” — Austin Cartwright
Tan led Kansas State to the Elite Eight in his first season in 2022-23, but it was a downward spiral from there. The Wildcats missed the NCAA Tournament for the next two seasons, going 10-15 in conference play and 1-11 in conference play this season before Tann was fired.
“This was a decision made in the best interest of the university and the men’s basketball program,” K-State athletic director Gene Taylor said. “Recent public comments and actions, along with the overall direction of the program, are not consistent with K-State’s standards of supporting student-athletes and representing the university. We wish Coach Tan and his family the best in their future endeavors.”
Kansas State is firing Tan with cause after he criticized the players in a press conference after a blowout loss to Cincinnati. — Austin Cartwright
Kansas City announced in January that Menzies would finish the season with Kansas City but would not return for the 2026-27 season. The Ruths hired former Maryland coach Mark Turgeon soon after. — Austin Cartwright
