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Wetzel: In the NIL era, great hoops coaches still finding a way


Published on 2025-03-19 07:45:19 - ESPN
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  • There's St. John's (No. 2 seed in the West), coached by 72-year-old Rick Pitino, winner of the Big East tournament and regular season (by three games). There's Tennessee (No. 2 seed in the Midwest), coached by 70-year-old Rick Barnes, after a 27-win season in the SEC.

The article from ESPN discusses how the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rights has significantly altered the landscape of college basketball, particularly affecting legendary coaches like Jim Boeheim, Mike Krzyzewski, and Roy Williams. These coaches, who have dominated the sport for decades, are now navigating a new era where players can profit from their personal brands, leading to a shift in power dynamics. The piece highlights how this change has forced coaches to adapt their recruiting strategies, manage team rosters differently, and deal with the complexities of player endorsements and transfers. It also touches on the broader implications for college sports, including the potential for increased player mobility, the impact on team cohesion, and the evolving role of coaches in this new financial and competitive environment.

Read the Full ESPN Article at:
[ https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/44307793/nil-era-great-hoops-coaches-finding-way ]