In the world of college sports, Twitter is a divisive subject. Many coaches go so far as to ban their players from using the social networking site for fear it will distract players or be used as a vehicle for trash talking.
Then there’s the ambivalent group, the coaches who don’t block players from using Twitter, but will probably go to their graves without ever sending a tweet themselves. But some forward-thinking coaches have embraced Twitter as a way to connect with die-hard fans and give them news and info that can’t be had anywhere else.
These 19 college basketball leaders are the ones who do that the best.
- John Calipari:This three-time National Coach of the Year will keep you up to date with news from current and former players from the reigning Division I men’s hoops championship team at University of Kentucky.
- Billy Donovan:More than 70,000 followers keep in touch with this successful head of the Florida Gators men’s program, who tweets team news like updates on the all-important recruiting situation.
- Chris Collins:Collins is a former high school and college b-ball star and an up-and-coming associate head coach at Duke under the legendary Coach K. Keep an eye on this kid by following his Twitter feed.
- Seth Greenberg:Although he was recently let go after nine years as the head coach of Virginia Tech’s men’s basketball team, this 2005 ACC Coach of the Year will land on his feet. In the meantime, he’s tweeting basketball wisdom from his years of experience.
- Scott Nagy:South Dakota State made a decent showing in March Madness this year, giving eventual Elite 8 team Baylor a run for their money. Coach Nagy runs a fun Twitter feed, but don’t be surprised if he corrects your spelling.
- Bill Self:Every basketball season, there are a few usual suspects for who will make the Final Four. Kansas is one of those, so Coach Self’s feed is a can’t-miss.
- Scott Drew:Coach Drew has completely transformed Baylor men’s basketball, taking them from a 1-15 team to a serious championship contender. He’s got a lot to be happy about, and his positive tweets show it.
- Jim Carr:Longtime Rutgers coach Jim Carr recently took a job as an assistant coach at University of Rhode Island. He brings his reputation for wit and politeness to his Twitter feed.
- Gary Blair:He must be doing something right. Under Coach Blair’s guidance, the Texas A&M women’s basketball team won it all in 2011. He’s your best source of women’s hoops news from Aggieland.
- Marvin Menzies:His success at New Mexico State has had other schools trying to lure him away. For the near future, Coach Menzies goal is for the Aggies to improve on their disappointing first-round tournament exit in 2012.
- Kevin McGuff:@CoachMcGuff says the University of Washington has “some of the most intense women’s basketball fans in the country.” He tries to keep them informed with this Twitter feed.
- Steve Wojciechowski:This associate head coach at Duke is a serial tweeter, offering recruiting updates, inspiring quotes, and chats with Blue Devil hoops fans and former players-turned-pros.
- Pat Summitt:The famous “head coach emeritus” has recently begun tweeting again, keeping followers informed of Volunteer news and information about her foundation that deals with early-onset dementia.
- Tom Crean:After seeing success as Marquette’s head coach, Crean inherited a struggling Indiana team in 2008 that he led to the Sweet Sixteen this year. Subscribing to his Twitter feed is a good way to keep tabs on this coach whose stock continues to rise.
- Cliff Warren:Jacksonville U head coach Cliff Warren provides a good variety of tweeted material, regular featuring uplifting quotes and stats from pastors, former coaches, and successful businesspeople, in addition to team and school updates.
- Chris Mack:Xavier is a solid postseason team led by Coach Mack and his excellent 50-17 record. But his Twitter feed proves he’s not afraid to mix it up with fans or to share his thoughts on life as a husband and dad to two little girls.
- Jay Wright:Villanova hasn’t made the NCAA tournament since 2008. They’re always a team to watch and if Coach Wright keeps up the frenetic pace of his tweets come basketball season, this will be a feed to follow.
- Bacari Alexander:Assistant coach Alexander “strives to be a leader” for Michigan’s men’s basketball. His feed is a composite of positive quotes from A Godly Life, Inspirational Quotes, African Proverbs, and other Twitter feeds.
- Kim Mulkey:Mulkey’s coaching no doubt had a lot to do with Baylor women’s 40-0 2011-2012 season, the first ever in NCAA history. However, the possibility of sanctions looms. Stay tuned into this feed for news.
Paul M. Banks is CEO of The Sports Bank.net, an official Google News site generating millions of unique visitors. He’s also a regular contributor to Chicago Now, Chicago Tribune.com, Fox Sports, MSN, Walter Football and Yardbarker
A Fulbright scholar and MBA, Banks has appeared on live radio all over the world; and he’s a member of the Football Writers Association of America, U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and Society of Professional Journalists. The President of the United States follows him on Twitter (@Paul_M_BanksTSB) You should too
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