League: NCAAM Sport: College Sports Country: United States Category: Coaching

Candid Coaches survey ranks best coaching hires for 2026 cycle

CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 24, 2026, 2:28 PM

Last updated Aug 24, 2026

Candid Coaches survey ranks best coaching hires for 2026 cycle

Summary

The 2026 college basketball coaching carousel has produced notable hires, including Randy Bennett at Arizona State and Jerrod Calhoun at Cincinnati. A survey conducted by CBS Sports gathered input from around 100 men's Division I coaches, who expressed varied opinions on the top high-major coaching hire. Bennett received 32% of the votes, closely followed by Calhoun with 30%. Coaches praised Bennett for his sustained success and ability to build programs, while Calhoun was recognized for his innovative coaching style and potential to quickly revitalize Cincinnati. The annual survey highlights the significance of each coaching decision in shaping program success.

Source Links

CBS Sports

Key Details

•Randy Bennett received 32% of votes for best hire.
•Jerrod Calhoun followed closely with 30% support.
•Michael Malone and Bryan Hodgson received lesser support.
•Coaches emphasized program-building and innovative strategies.
•Survey reflects the ongoing trends in college basketball hiring.

Latest Updates

2:28 PMCBS Sports — Candid Coaches: Who was the best coaching hire of the 2026 cycle?

What they're saying

"
The 2026 college basketball coaching carousel saw UNC, Michigan, LSU and a number of high-major jobs open up. Which hire is considered the best?
— CBS Sportsby Gary Parrish

Related Teams & Leagues

NCAAM College Sports