Brownell Snubbed from Midseason Watch List
By: Staff Report February 21, 2025

Coming off an Elite Eight appearance last season, Clemson men’s basketball head coach Brad Brownell has led the Tigers to a 21-5 record this season, including a 13-2 mark in ACC play, as well as a top-20 ranking in the latest AP Poll.

However, despite all that, Brownell somehow did not get this midseason recognition.

Brownell was snubbed from the Naismith College Coach of the Year Watch List, announced on Friday.

Here’s the 15 coaches who did make the watch list:

  • Greg Gard, Wisconsin
  • Dennis Gates, Missouri
  • Todd Golden, Florida
  • Penny Hardaway, Memphis
  • Tom Izzo, Michigan State
  • Pat Kelsey, Louisville
  • Dusty May, Michigan
  • Grant McCasland, Texas Tech
  • Ben McCollum, Drake
  • Matt Painter, Purdue
  • Bruce Pearl, Auburn
  • Rick Pitino, St. John’s
  • Richard Pitino, New Mexico
  • Kelvin Sampson, Houston
  • Jon Scheyer, Duke

Now in his 15th season in charge of the Tigers, Brownell is the all-time winningest coach in Clemson history and has compiled a 285–194 record at Clemson to date.

Brownell has taken the Tigers to the 2024 Elite Eight, 2021 NCAA Tournament, 2018 Sweet 16, 2011 NCAA Tournament and multiple NIT appearances.

Last season, Clemson reached the Elite Eight for just the second time in history and the first time in 44 years. The Brownell-led Tigers beat New Mexico, Baylor and Arizona en route to a 24-win campaign.