So if I would analyze the stats I wold rank the current coaches thusly:
1. Stevens - will need to prove it now that he is in a league with other heavy hitters but 2 finals is impressive. 2. Thompson - although his NCAA tourney record is anemic G'town has done well in the league and he has a FF 3. Wright - good NCAA record, consistent, FF 4. Buzz - good coach; like MU's aggressiveness; needs a deep run in the tourney (FF) 5. Purnell - most wins of any coach in the league; Depaul needs to get its act together and he has not proven his coaching ability here yet, but 400+ wins counts for something 6. Lavin - Can certainly recruit; he needs to keep his players and they can take a big step forward; expect NCAA berth 7. McDermott - Creighton might have the best potential for growth; needs some NCAA success and see what he can do w/out his son 8. Mack - At least made the tourney twice; don't know mch about him other than stats in article 9. Cooley - Just doesn't have the resume yet but expect Prov to take a big step forward 10. Willard - surprised he still has his job honestly; worst coach in the old BE other than Rice
Surprised to see O. Purnell so high on that list. He's won 400 games yes. But what has he done in the Tourney or his conference?
I see a 72-68 (.514 winning percentage) MCC/A-10 Conference record over 9 seasons. Getting to the NCAA's twice (as well as some success in the NIT). In 7 seasons at Clemson he posted a 50-62 record (.446) in the ACC. He did put together a string of First Round NCAA's appearances which garnered him the job at DePaul ahead of the people with pitchforks in Clemson. He's won a whopping 6 Big East Conferences games since joining Depaul (.107 winning percentage). I can't fathom how's he a Top 5 Coach.
The rebuilding job needed to get DePaul up to snuff is going to take YEARS! DePaul is giving him the time to do just that and to me, someone who watch a bunch of DePaul games this last year, they are making improvements. They were actually competitive last year and took 3 teams to OT. They were very close to having 5 conference wins, and for the Blue Demons thats a big deal. Short of Phil Jackson or Coach K no one was turning that program around quickly.