College basketball: Coaches who thrived in new places this season

LORMAN, Mississippi -- These coaches may not receive votes for national Coach of the Year. Most operated at a level slightly below the college basketball radar. And they all entered different circumstances. Some took over established programs and were expected to maintain that level of success. Others were tasked with pulling a program from the cellar and building a winner in time. Regardless, each coach did a tremendous job in his first year at a new school.

Montez Robinson, Alcorn State

From the season opener on November 19th until Dec. 21st. the Braves played 10 games. Nine were on the road or at a neutral site. The Braves had a 1-9 record when they went home for Christmas. They’ve gone 14-4 since and are second in the SWAC standings. Robinson is the program’s fourth coach since Davey Whitney led Alcorn to a 21-10 record and an NCAA appearance in 2001-02. The Braves (15-13) haven’t finished with a winning overall record since, but could accomplish the feat by tripping up regular season champion Texas Southern in Lorman, Mississippi on Saturday.

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