Who is the all-time winningest college basketball coach? Careers of Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Bob Huggins, and more
College basketball has produced many legends. Among them are the coaches who have led their teams to multiple victories, championships and memorable moments.
Who are the most successful coaches in Division I men's basketball history, who has won the most games?
5 winningest coaches in DI men's college basketball history
All five coaches are in the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame, while Krzyzweski, Williams, Calhoun and Boeheim are also in the College Basketball Hall of Fame.
#1, Mike Krzyzewski
No one has more wins in DI men’s basketball than Mike Krzyzewski. The legendary coach, better known as Coach K, finished his 47-year career with a record of 1,202-368, a .766 win percentage. He started at Army in 1975 and moved to Duke in 1980, where he became a legend over 42 seasons. He hung up his whistle in 2022.
Krzyzweski has won five national titles and has more Final Four appearances (13) than any other coach in history.
Exclusive from @TheAthletic: Mike Krzyzewski, the legendary former Duke head coach, spoke about his decision to retire and how he's finding purpose after college basketball.
"I just think I squeezed every bit of joy from that sponge, you know?" nyti.ms/3xFDh2H https://t.co/J3pZk8hU5I
#2, Jim Boeheim
Jim Boeheim is second only to Coach Krzyzewski in DI men’s basketball wins. He was loyal to Syracuse for his entire 46-year coaching career, leading the Orange to 998 wins and 426 losses, a .701 win percentage. He joins Pat Summitt of Tennessee as the only coaches to reach 1,000 wins at one school.
Boeheim took Syracuse to five Final Fours, winning it all in 2003.
#3, Jim Calhoun
Jim Calhoun ranks third on the all-time wins list with 920 victories in his 44-year career. He led three programs to success: Northeastern, UConn and St. Joseph (Connecticut). He dominated his opponents, winning seven out of every 10 games he coached.
Calhoun won three national championships and made four Final Four trips with UConn.
#4, Bob Huggins
Bob Huggins is the third-winningest active coach in DI men’s basketball. He worked his way up, coaching at five schools: Walsh (NAIA), Akron, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and West Virginia. He has racked up 916 wins and 399 losses in 40 seasons, a 69.7 win percentage.
Huggins took Cincinnati (1992) and West Virginia (2010) to the Final Four and has been the Coach of the Year in the Big 12, Ohio Valley and Conference USA.
#5, Roy Williams
Roy Williams ranks fifth on the all-time wins list with 903 victories in 33 seasons. He led two programs to the top of the sport: Kansas and North Carolina. He hung up his whistle in 2021 after 18 years with the Tar Heels.
Williams won three national titles with North Carolina and has made nine combined Final Four appearances with UNC and Kansas. He's been the Coach of the Year in the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big 12/Big Eight.