ESPN's Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf have compiled their midseason rankings for the men's Coach of the Year award. Their list of 12 contenders showcases coaches who have overcome challenges and led their teams to success. The rankings consider roster changes, player development, and overall team performance, moving away from simple pre-season rankings. A key factor is how coaches are navigating the NIL and transfer portal era.

Leading the pack is Tommy Lloyd of Arizona, whose team is undefeated. Fred Hoiberg at Nebraska has engineered a remarkable turnaround, while Mark Byington at Vanderbilt is also in the mix. Other notable coaches include Dusty May of Michigan and Bill Self from Kansas, despite facing significant roster changes. These coaches are all demonstrating their ability to adapt and excel in the evolving landscape of college basketball.

Brad Underwood (Illinois), T.J. Otzelberger (Iowa State), and Tom Izzo (Michigan State) are also recognized for their coaching prowess. Travis Steele from Miami (Ohio) rounds out the list, leading one of the remaining undefeated teams. The competition is tight, and the final stretch of the season will be critical in deciding the top coach.