A number of long-tenured college basketball coaches have become synonymous with their schools. And over that time, at some programs, the coaches have begun to look like their programs' mascots.
Duke – Mike Krzyzewski
Coach K became the first NCAA men’s basketball coach to reach 1,000 wins last weekend. But his likeness to the Duke Blue Devil has been developing for years.
(AP Photos, Michael Conroy & Seth Wenig)
AP Photos, Michael Conroy & Seth Wenig
Maryland – Gary Williams (retired)
Mark Turgeon may guide nationally ranked Maryland now, but Gary Williams tenure as a Terp will always be remembered. Still a special assistant to the athletic director in College Park, his coaching career stretched over 22 years, including the 2002 national title.
(AP Photos, Nick Wass & Patrick Semansky)
AP Photos, Nick Wass & Patrick Semansky
Wisconsin – Bo Ryan
Bo Ryan has been one of the most successful coaches in Big 10 history, leading the Badgers to the NCAA Tournament every year since his tenure began in 2001. He has also developed a resemblance to Bucky Badger.
(AP Photos, Rusty Kennedy & Alex Gallardo)
AP Photos, Rusty Kennedy & Alex Gallardo
Temple – John Chaney (retired)
One of the game’s great innovators, John Chaney won 516 games over 24 seasons at Temple, leading his team to the tourney 17 times. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, credit for the creation of the matchup zone defense and an impressive resemblance to Temple’s owl mascot, Hooter.
(AP Photos, Lynne Sladky and Roberto Borrea)
AP Photos, Lynne Sladky and Roberto Borrea
Georgetown – John Thompson III
Following in his father’s footsteps, Thompson III took the reins at Georgetown in 2004 after four years at the helm of Princeton, his alma mater. He seems much more at home as a bulldog.
(AP Photos, Haraz N. Ghanbari & Nick Wass)
AP Photos, Haraz N. Ghanbari & Nick Wass
Michigan State – Tom Izzo
Izzo has led the rebound-minded Spartans to six Final Fours, as well as a National Championship back in 2000. He’s as much a part of the fabric of East Lansing, Michigan, as Sparty himself, and nearly a doppelganger.
(AP Photos, A.J. Mast & Al Goldis)
AP Photos, A.J. Mast & Al Goldis
Ohio State – Thad Matta
Matta has led both Butler and Xavier but has made his home in Columbus since 2004, leading the Buckeyes to a pair of Final Four appearances. Speaking of appearances, that’s Brutus Buckeye on the left.
(AP Photos, File/Paul Vernon)
AP Photos, File/Paul Vernon
Baylor – Scott Drew
Perhaps less well known than his 1997 NCAA Tournament darling brother Bryce, Scott Drew has taken the Baylor program from the depths into a consistent contender since his arrival in 2003. He also bears a striking resemblance to Bruiser Bear.
(AP Photos, Jae C. Hong)
AP Photos, Jae C. Hong
Florida – Billy Donovan
It’s hard to believe Billy Donovan has been at Florida since 1996, a nearly 20-year run that began in his early 30s. Over that time, he’s won a pair of national titles and more than 450 games while looking ever more like a gator.
(AP Photos, John Raoux & Phil Sandlin)
AP Photos, John Raoux & Phil Sandlin
St. Joseph’s – Phil Martelli
It’s been a while since Martelli’s Hawks have made any noise in the tourney, and he’s arguably less famous than his own grandson. But he’s one of the longest-tenured coaches in the entire nation — having helmed St. Joe’s since 1995 — and is a Hawk through and through.
(AP Photos, H. Rumph Jr. & Mel Evans)
AP Photos, H. Rumph Jr. & Mel Evans
Kansas State – Bruce Weber
Sure, Weber’s better known from his long tenure at Illinois, but he’s already won a Big XII regular season title in Manhattan, Kansas, and looks to be fitting in quite well.
(AP Photos, Tony Gutierrez & Orlin Wagner)
AP Photos, Tony Gutierrez & Orlin Wagner
Louisville – Rick Pitino
Pitino made his name at Providence and Kentucky, but he has found himself at home in Louisville and certainly looks the part of a Cardinal.
(AP Photos, Frank Franklin II & Timothy D. Easley)
WASHINGTON — A number of long-tenured college basketball coaches have become synonymous with their schools. Unlike professional sports, where turnover is constant, tenures at the NCAA level can span several decades. And over that time, the coaches at some programs have begun to look like their programs’ mascots.
Bear with us and really think about it. Whatever the reason — years of side-by-side photos on school branding, the tendency for mascots to pick up body language of those around them, even a subtly subconscious redesign of the mascot itself over the years — the trend has existed for years and continues today.
Is this a vital, burning sports topic? Is it intrinsic to our very understanding of the game we love? Absolutely not. We just think it’s funny, and we hope you will as well.
In that vein, we present 12 college basketball coaches who look like the mascot of the school they represent. Enjoy.
