Bold shifts are quietly redefining the landscape of college basketball this season, yet many of these transformative coaching changes are flying under the radar. But here’s where it gets controversial: some of these moves could end up reshaping the balance of power in unexpected ways. As we dive into the 2025–26 college hoops season, these four coaching transitions deserve a spotlight — and most fans aren’t talking about them enough.
Central Michigan Chippewas
Andy Bronkema, at just 41 years old, brings a hardworking mentality and championship experience to Central Michigan. Before this, Bronkema carved out an impressive career at Ferris State, where he amassed 278 wins over 11 years, reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament seven times and clinching a national championship in the 2017–18 season. His teams consistently excelled, posting 22 or more wins for four straight years, capped by a 25–9 record last season. Bronkema’s background is fascinating — he began coaching football at Grand Rapids Community College and later transitioned back to basketball, the sport he played at Cornerstone University. On the flip side, Tony Barbee departs after four seasons without any NCAA Tournament appearances, highlighting a period of underperformance. Barbee, a former UMass player, has only made the Big Dance once in his 12-year head coaching career, all the way back in 2010 with UTEP.
VCU Rams
The VCU program welcomes a fresh face with a strong pedigree: Phil Martelli Jr., who steps in after two productive seasons leading Bryant University. At 44, Martelli Jr. has already demonstrated his coaching chops by guiding Bryant to 43 wins in 68 games, including clinching the America East Conference championship and an NCAA Tournament berth. He takes over from Ryan Odom, who left in March to become head coach at Virginia following Tony Bennett’s retirement. Odom has a notable coaching lineage himself, being the son of former Wake Forest coach Dave Odom. VCU’s roster remains talented and competitive, positioning Martelli Jr. to potentially elevate the team’s status in the Atlantic 10 under his leadership. But the question lingers: can he sustain success in this more demanding conference?
Wofford Terriers
Wofford's coaching change is a return to tradition. Kevin Giltner, a former star player for the Terriers and only 34 years old, has been named head coach. After a solid college career from 2008 to 2012, Giltner joined Wofford’s staff as an assistant in 2014, gaining valuable experience that includes a stint at Virginia Tech before returning to lead his alma mater. He replaces Dwight Perry, who posted a 48–43 record over three seasons and guided the Terriers to the NCAA Tournament just last year. Perry’s unexpected dismissal in September surprised many, with Drew Gibson serving briefly as interim coach until Giltner’s promotion became official. This raises an intriguing debate: should a program value steady progress or take risks on youthful energy and familiarity within the school’s culture?
Saint Joseph’s Hawks
Steve Donahue's return to Philadelphia is a homecoming filled with potential. At 63 years old, Donahue moves into the Saint Joseph’s head coach position after previous roles at Cornell, Boston College, and Penn. His career coaching record stands at 331–344, including two NCAA Tournament wins and an Ivy League championship while at Cornell. Before this appointment, Donahue served as associate head coach under Billy Lange, who departed in September to accept a front office role with the New York Knicks. Now stepping up as the 16th head coach in Hawks’ history, Donahue aims to bring stability and a wealth of experience to the program, which is crucial for maintaining competitive momentum. But here’s the part most people miss: will his Ivy League success translate well to the more intense environment of the Atlantic 10?
These lesser-known coaching shifts might not be dominating the headlines, but they carry the potential to stir significant changes in college basketball’s landscape. Which of these moves do you think will have the biggest impact? Are fresh faces or proven veterans the better bet for a program’s future? Share your take and join the conversation below!
