Hidden Moves That Could Transform College Basketball This Season
College basketball is buzzing with headline coaching changes, but some of the most quietly impactful shifts are happening under the radar. These lesser-known but strategic coaching switches might just reshape the 2025–26 season in ways you haven't anticipated. Let's dive into four intriguing coaching changes that deserve your attention as the new season kicks off.
Central Michigan Chippewas
The Chippewas welcome Andy Bronkema, a 41-year-old coach with a gritty work ethic and a winning history, to Mount Pleasant. Bronkema's journey is unique—starting out as a football coach at Grand Rapids Community College before pivoting to basketball, where he found great success at Ferris State. Over 11 seasons, he chalked up an impressive 278 victories, made seven NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, and clinched a national title in 2017–18. Consistency is his hallmark, as evidenced by his teams surpassing 22 wins for four consecutive years, including an outstanding 25–9 record last season. On the other hand, Tony Barbee departs after four seasons without a single NCAA tournament appearance. Barbee, a former UMass player, has only taken one team to the Big Dance in a 12-year head coaching career, back in 2010 with UTEP. Is Bronkema the fresh spark Central Michigan needs?
VCU Rams
Phil Martelli Jr., son of the iconic St. Joseph’s University coach, steps into the head coach role at VCU, bringing a legacy and a promising track record from his time at Bryant University. Martelli Jr., 44, compiled 43 wins in two seasons, highlighted by an America East championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. He takes over from Ryan Odom, who departed for the Virginia Cavaliers job following the retirement of notable coach Tony Bennett. Odom himself comes from a basketball family, being the son of former Wake Forest coach Dave Odom. VCU’s squad is talented and poised in the Atlantic 10—will Martelli Jr. build on that foundation or forge a new path?
Wofford Terriers
In a homecoming story, Kevin Giltner, only 34 years old, returns to lead Wofford—a program where he shone as a player from 2008 to 2012. After graduating, Giltner began his coaching career as an assistant at Wofford, took experience at Virginia Tech, and is now the full-time head coach, replacing Dwight Perry. Perry’s record was solid at 48–43 over three seasons, including a recent NCAA Tournament berth, but his sudden firing in September took many by surprise. Drew Gibson temporarily stepped in as interim coach before Wofford officially tapped Giltner. With youth and familiarity on his side, can Giltner inject new energy and stability into the program?
Saint Joseph’s Hawks
Saint Joseph’s welcomes back veteran coach Steve Donahue, age 63, known for his extensive résumé including head coaching roles at Cornell, Boston College, and Penn. Donahue’s career includes 331 wins, two NCAA tournament victories, and an Ivy League championship with Cornell. Before this promotion, he served as associate head coach under Billy Lange, who left to join the New York Knicks’ front office. Donahue becomes the 16th head coach in Hawks history and brings a wealth of experience and a deep connection to the Philly basketball scene. His appointment aims to bring both stability and renewed focus to Saint Joseph’s program.
But here’s where it gets controversial—do these under-the-radar coaching moves have enough firepower to challenge the bigger-name hires and shake up power dynamics, or will they simply fly under the radar all season? Which coach do you think will surprise everyone, and which might struggle under the pressure? Jump into the conversation and share your thoughts below!
