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WVU Basketball Greats Huggins, Beilein Ranked Among Top 25 Coaches
Sports Illustrated recognized the legendary careers of two Mountaineer basketball icons.
Apr. 1, 2026 at 4:08pm
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Sports Illustrated's recent ranking of the 25 best men's basketball head coaches in the past 25 years included two all-time great WVU basketball coaches - John Beilein at No. 18 and Bob Huggins at No. 24. Beilein was credited for his success at Michigan, including two Final Four appearances, while Huggins was recognized for his 935 career wins, Final Four appearances with both Cincinnati and WVU, and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
Why it matters
Huggins and Beilein are two of the most successful and influential basketball coaches in WVU history, leading the Mountaineers to numerous NCAA Tournament appearances, deep postseason runs, and helping establish the program as a national power. Their inclusion among the top 25 coaches over the past quarter-century is a testament to their lasting impact on the sport.
The details
John Beilein was ranked slightly higher than Bob Huggins at No. 18, with his two Final Four appearances and 11 NCAA Tournament bids since 2001 cited as key accomplishments. While Beilein's tenure at Michigan was the primary focus, his time at WVU - including an Elite Eight run in 2005 and an NIT title in 2007 - was also highlighted. Huggins came in at No. 24, with a resume that includes one Final Four, 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, and 935 career wins, making him one of only six Division I coaches to surpass 900 victories. Huggins led WVU to the 2010 Final Four and three more Sweet 16s after taking over the program in 2007.
- Huggins was WVU's head coach from 2007 to 2023.
- Beilein was hired as WVU's head coach in April 2002 after the retirement of Gale Catlett.
- Huggins was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
The players
Bob Huggins
A legendary Division I men's basketball coach who led WVU from 2007 to 2023, guiding the Mountaineers to the 2010 Final Four and three more Sweet 16 appearances. Huggins is one of only six Division I coaches to surpass 900 career wins and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
John Beilein
The former head coach of the WVU men's basketball team from 2002 to 2007, leading the Mountaineers to an Elite Eight appearance in 2005 and an NIT Championship in 2007. Beilein then went on to coach Michigan, taking the Wolverines to two National Championship Game appearances in 2013 and 2018.
The takeaway
The inclusion of Huggins and Beilein among the top 25 coaches of the past 25 years by Sports Illustrated underscores the lasting impact these two legendary figures have had on WVU basketball and the sport as a whole. Their sustained success, postseason achievements, and induction into the Hall of Fame cement their status as all-time greats in the game.
