How 2025 men’s tournament coaches have played in the NCAA tournament

The NCAA tournament gives players a chance to make a name for themselves on the biggest stage and allows fans to reminisce on former college hoopers that cemented themselves in the tournament’s history books in years prior.

For some coaches, it’s an opportunity for them to relive a moment in time from a past life.

Twenty-one coaches in March Madness have competed in the NCAA tournament as a player, with six coaching at their alma mater and two who have played in college together.

Here’s a look at what college coaches had some of the most decorated resumes in March Madness during their heydays. Below that is a full list of each coached that has played in the tournament.

Duke’s Jon Scheyer — Duke from 2006-2010

Young college basketball fans may only know Jon Scheyer “the coach,” the disciple of coach Mike Krzyzewski. 

But older March Madness heads were introduced to the 37-year-old in the late 2010s, who was a starting guard that helped lead the Blue Devils to its first title in nearly 10 years. 

Scheyer, a five-star recruit out of high school according to Scout, played for Duke from 2006 to 2010 and reached the NCAA tournament in all four seasons. Starting in three of his four years in Durham, Scheyer’s most memorable moment in the Big Dance was winning the 2010 national championship. 

The team captain dropped 15 points in the 61-59 win over Butler, scoring five of the Blue Devils’ final 10 points and finished with six rebounds and a team-high of five assists. Scheyer racked up 20 points in their Elite Eight game against Baylor and 23 in Duke’s Final Four matchup versus West Virginia.

Scheyer would become the second-ever coach to win a national championship as a player and coach for his alma mater. 

2025 TOURNAMENT: March Madness men’s schedule, bracket

Grand Canyon’s Bryce Drew — Valparaiso from 1994-1998

Revisiting Cinderella: Bryce Drew breaks down ‘The Shot’

Bryce Drew has one of the most notable moments in NCAA tournament history, hitting a shot that embodied the spirit of March Madness.

After first-round exits in both 1996 and 1997, Drew and No. 13 Valparaiso were on the verge of their straight-opening weekend loss in the 1998 tournament. The Beacons trailed No. 4 Ole Miss 69-67 with 4.1 seconds left following Drew’s missed three-pointer, and Rebels forward Ansu Sesay headed to the free throw line to put the game out of reach.

However, Sesay didn’t shut the door, missing both free throws and his teammate tipping the loose ball out of bounds. Valparaiso’s possession with 2.5 seconds left and 94 feet to work with.

That’s when the magic happened. Guard Jamie Sykes hurdled a three-fourths court pass to forward Bill Jenkins, who won the jump ball against two Ole Miss defenders. Before Jenkins feet could touch the ground, he turned his body 90 degrees to find Drew sprinting down the baseline. Without hesitation or a dribble, Drew pulled up for three and was on the money, giving the Beacons their first-ever tournament win.

Drew finished with 22 points in the first-round victory, and led Valparaiso past No. 12 Florida State in the second round with 22 points again. They lost in the Sweet 16 to No. 8 Rhode Island.

North Carolina’s Hubert Davis — North Carolina from 1988-1992

The Tar Heels have produced several stars that have thrived in the tournament, and Hubert Davis is one of them.

The North Carolina coach was a role player in his first two seasons that resulted in two Sweet 16 exits, including an 11-point performance in UNC’s 1990 tournament loss to Arkansas. 

His junior year was a coming out party, specifically in March Madness. Averaging 13.3 points per game, the starting guard dropped 19 points in an Elite Eight win over Temple and a game-high of 25 in the Tar Heels’ Final Four loss to Kansas, coincidentally coached by Roy Williams. 

Davis and North Carolina lost in the 1992 Sweet 16 to Ohio State in a season where he averaged 21.4 points per game. He scored in double figures in each of his last eight NCAA Tournament games. 

HISTORY: Every DI men’s basketball champion from 1939 to present day

Kentucky coach Mark Pope — Washington/Kentucky from 1991-1996

Entering the 2024-25 season, only seven head coaches won a DI national championship as a player, and just two are in this year’s tournament. Scheyer was already mentioned, the other was Kentucky coach Mark Pope.

Pope was a West Coast star early in his college career, playing at Washington and winning Pac-10 Freshman of the Year in 1992. However, the Huskies weren’t able to reach March Madness in his first two seasons.

Enter Kentucky.

The 6-10 forward transferred to Kentucky for his junior and senior years, reaching the Elite Eight during his first season in Lexington and cut down the nets his final year.

Pope was a team captain for the 1996 national championship team, averaging 7.6 points and 5.2 rebounds on 20.3 minutes per game. Although he didn’t have the strongest stat line in the title game against Syracuse, he made two clutch free throws in the semifinals against No. 1 UMass. 

New Kentucky Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Pope & Co. sealing the win over John Calipari’s #1 ranked UMass squad in the 1996 National Semifinal: pic.twitter.com/xFoJMthE0y

— WT – Lamont Enthusiast (@WildcatsTongue) April 13, 2024 

Coaches that played in the NCAA tournament

Here are the 21 coaches who took trips to the Big Dance. This doesn’t include the coaches whose teams were eliminated in the 2025 First Four round.

(Readers may have to scroll to read the entire table)