A Valentine’s Day Tradition: The sexiest coaches of mid-major basketball

Steve Forbes wanted on the list. Steve Forbes got on the list.

By Steph Crandall@Drummerette Feb 14, 2018, 7:54am PST

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament-First Round-Florida vs East Tennessee State

It’s that time of year again, folks! No, not Valentine’s Day! It’s time to crown the Sexiest Mid-Major Basketball Coach of 2018!

This year I asked for your help to nominate who you thought was worthy of the almighty title of the Sexiest Coach. We got almost 200 votes in the few hours the polls were open, and after rounding up 10 of the top voted coaches, I put together the list for 2018.

Without further ado, I present the Top 10 Sexiest Mid Major Basketball Coaches of 2018!

10. Steve Forbes (East Tennessee State)

NCAA Basketball Tournament - East Tennessee State v Florida

With over 50 percent of the fan vote, it was clear that Forbes had to be included. And he even wanted it.

There are lists, but this is THE LIST!!! I’m not holding my breath but I do have my fingers crossed......whoops, I just looked in the mirror, maybe next year??!! https://t.co/2pU57hVeaG
— Steve Forbes (@ForbesETSUhoops) February 12, 2018

Last year, he led the Buccaneers to their 10th-ever trip to the NCAA tournament with a 27-8 record. Those 27 wins matched the second-highest total in school history. This year, he has the Bucs rolling again despite some heavy roster turnover. Though their recent loss to UNCG broke the longest winning streak in the nation, it looks like they have big plans for the postseason.

9. James Whitford (Ball State)

NCAA BASKETBALL: JAN 03 Ball State at Kent State

In his fifth season at Ball State, his Cardinals are sitting in second place in the MAC West. They are 7-5 in conference play and 16-9 overall. With his coaching, the Cardinals were able to amass over 20 wins in the last two years — something that hasn’t happened since the 90s!

8. John Becker (Vermont)

NCAA BASKETBALL: DEC 21 Vermont at Butler

Becker made waves in the America East last season. His Catamounts went on a 21-game win streak that only ended with a 10-point loss to 4 seed Purdue in the NCAA Tournament. This year, the Catamounts have won 14 in a row and are still undefeated in conference play.

7. Matt Lottich (Valparaiso)

Last year’s winner has graced the list again. Last season, he led the Crusaders to their fifth Horizon League regular season championship and recorded 24 wins, which led to an NIT bid. It’s been a rough season for Valpo this year, but a winning record and another postseason berth is still in play.

6. Wes Miller (UNCG)

NCAA Basketball: Wake Forest at NC-Greensboro

Tied for the youngest guy on this list, Miller is in his seventh season at UNC Greensboro and has led the Spartans to an impressive 20-6 record so far this season. He also led the Spartans to a historic season last year, when they went on a nine-game winning streak for the first time ever and went 25-10 overall.

5. Mark Few (Gonzaga)

Few is in his 18th season as head coach for the Bulldogs and has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in Division I. His Zags have won or shared 16 regular season league titles in his 18 seasons, and last year, he took them to their first-ever Final Four. Impressive.

4. Travis Ford (St. Louis)

NCAA Basketball: 2K Classic-Virginia Tech vs Saint Louis

Ford has been the head coach of the Billikens since 2016. They currently have a winning record of 7-6 conference and 14-12 overall. Sitting sixth in the A-10 standings, they have their eyes on staying above .500 and maybe a few conference tournament wins.

3. Porter Moser (Loyola University - Chicago)

NCAA Basketball: Loyola-Chicago at Wichita State

Rising one slot since his appearance in the 2017 Sexiest Coaches list, Porter Moser has his team at the top of the MVC standings. In his seventh season, his Ramblers are currently 11-3 in conference play and 21-5 overall. They’re going to be the team to beat and are on pace to be a 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, according to Joe Lunardi.

2. Ray Harper (Jacksonville State)

NCAA Basketball: Old Dominion at Western Kentucky

In his first year, Harper managed to take a team that was previously 8-23 and turn them into the sixth-most improved team in the nation. He led them to their first ever Ohio Valley Conference title, first appearance in the NCAA Tournament and just the second 20-win season in the program’s Division I history. This year, his Gamecocks sit fourth in the OVC standings.

1. Andy Toole (Robert Morris)

NCAA Basketball: Robert Morris at Ohio State

We have a winner! Toole is one of the younger guys on this list, but he has eight years under his belt as head coach of the Colonials. He’s led RMU to an overall record of 134-106 (.558), including a mark of 82-42 (.661) against Northeast Conference opponents. The Colonials currently sit fourth in the NEC standings with an 8-6 conference record, 14-13 overall.

Previous Winners:

2017: Matt Lottich

2016: Derek Kellogg

2015: Will Brown

2014: Tony Jasick