Top 10 Winningest CBB Coaches

College basketball is played fast and furious, with some of the finest athletes in the world of sport. Many highly talented college men's basketball coaches have come and gone over the years, but these top 10 winningest CBB coaches have a legacy that spans generations of college basketball fans the world over. While there are many fantastic coaches, we have focused our energy on those college basketball coaches with the longest and most successful history in the game.

#1 – Mike Krzyzewski

Few names, if any, inspire as much fear in the opposition and as much pride in the home team as Mike Krzyzewski. His resume speaks volumes. Over the course of his illustrious career, he and his charges have racked up 1154 wins, 347 losses, and a win percentage of 0.769. Since he is still active in CBB coaching, you can expect these numbers to change by the time you circle back to this article in the future. Krzyzewski has been active in CBB coaching for 44 years, first with Army (1975-1980), and later with Duke (1980 to the present day). What a guy!

#2 – Jim Boeheim

Jim Boeheim is a legend, whether the NCAA recognizes 101 of his wins or not. His official tally of college basketball wins is 960, with 396 losses. That puts his winning percentage at 0.708. If we add in his 101 wins, his percent jumps to 0.728. Its stunning that he has been a coach for 43 years with Syracuse – from 1976 to the present day.

#3 – Jim Calhoun

Good old Jim has been active for 42 years, with 910 wins, 394 losses, and a winning percentage of 0.698. He began his career in CBB coaching in 1972 with Northeastern.  Then, he joined Connecticut from 1986 - 2012. Now, he's coaching St Joseph CT. While at University of Connecticut, he won 3X national titles, and multiple Big East Tournament Championships. He stands in a select league club of coaches to win more than 2X NCAA Championships.

 #4 – Bob Knight

Bob Knight was a legendary coach. In his 42 years in CBB, he racked up an impressive 902 wins, 371 losses, and a winning percentage of 0.709. He began with Army (1965 -1971), and then moved on to Indiana (1971 - 2000). His final stint as a coach was with Texas Tech (2001-2008). Bob Knight was known as a tough character, controversial at times. Most everybody agrees that he deserves his top 5 berth among the best college basketball coaches of all time. Under his leadership, his teams made the cut for 5X Final Fours and 3X National Title Championships.

#5 – Roy Williams

Roy Williams spent 32 years coaching college basketball. During this time, he won 881 games, lost 249, and racked up an impressive 0.780 win ratio. Williams coached Kansas between 1988 and 2003, then moved on to North Carolina from 2003 to the present day. His star is still shining, and his NCAA Tournament Titles and Final Fours are testament to his coaching genius. His record with the North Carolina Tar Heels has been phenomenal, and he is a deserving recipient of the Basketball of Fame, and College Basketball Hall of Fame too.

#6 - Dean Smith

‘The Dean’ was one of the most accomplished college basketball coaches of all time. During his tenure at North Carolina between 1961 - 1997, he led the team to 879 victories and 254 losses. His winning percentage was 0.776, over 36 years. He also boasts 2 X NCAA tournament titles and 11 X Final Fours. After he died in 2015, his legacy ensured that $200 was doled out to each of his lettermen, so they could enjoy a great evening's entertainment.

 #7 – Adolph Rupp

Rupp was a sensation with CBB basketball over the years. He had a record 876 career wins, 190 losses, and a percent win rate of 0.822. He led Kentucky from 1933 to 1972. During his illustrious career, he racked up 4X NCAA tournament titles and 6X Final Fours. Under his leadership, the Kentucky Wildcats became one of the most celebrated teams in the country. He also coached 44 NBA draft picks and was the recipient of 5X National Coach of the Year Awards.

#8 – Lefty Driesell

Cheers to a CBB legend who never led his teams to a National Title or even a Final Four berth. Yet, despite this, he claims the mantle as one of the top 10 winningest coaches in the history of college basketball. He coached Davidson from 1960 - 1969, then went on to coach Maryland from 1969 - 1986. He was head coach at James Madison from 1988 - 1997, and later at Georgia State from 1997 - 2003.

#9 – Lute Olson

Lute Olson spent 34 years coaching college basketball. He won 780 games, lost 280, and claimed an impressive winning percentage of 0.736. He was with 3 teams during his celebrated career, including Long Beach State from 1973-1974, Iowa from 1974-1983, and finally Arizona from 1983-2007. During his career, he won 1X NCAA tournament title and made it to 5X Final Fours. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2002, and into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

#10 – Edgar Diddle

Here’s a blast from the past! Edgar Diddle coached Western Kentucky from 1922-1964. During his 42 years in the game, he won 759 games, lost 302, and had an overall winning percentage of 0.715.

You may be wondering about John Wooden? He was active for 29 years in CBB, had 664 wins, 162 losses, and an overall win rate of 0.804. For those who don't know, Wooden racked up 10X National Championships over 12 years. He also won 7X championships in the years 1967 - 1973. He is the most successful coach in championship terms, and also a 6X NCAA Coach of the Year. Our #1 may be Mike Krzyzewski, but Wooden may actually be the best ever!

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*Photo Provided Courtesy of Gerry Broome and AP