Southern Methodist University’s (SMU) decision to fire basketball head coach Rob Lanier last year set off a chain reaction that significantly impacted the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Lanier’s departure opened the door for other high-profile coaching changes:
– John Calipari left Kentucky to become the head coach at Arkansas, leading the Razorbacks to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2019.
– Mark Pope took over at Kentucky, guiding the Wildcats to a deep tournament run.
– Kevin Young was hired by Brigham Young University (BYU), helping the Cougars reach the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2011.
These coaching shifts were facilitated by improved transfer rules, allowing new coaches to quickly rebuild their teams. Ironically, SMU and USC, the schools that initiated these changes, had less successful seasons, with neither advancing far in the postseason.
