The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is gearing up for what could be its most critical season in recent memory. According to college basketball analyst Jon Rothstein, the 2025/2026 campaign represents a make-or-break moment for the league, with significant changes in coaching that could either propel the ACC back into the national spotlight or leave it struggling to maintain relevance.
The ACC’s Coaching Carousel: A Double-Edged Sword
Rothstein’s analysis begins with a stark reminder of the coaching talent the ACC has lost over the past decade.
“Since 2017, the league has lost the following head coaches: Mike Krzyzewski, Roy Williams, Jim Boeheim, Rick Pitino, Tony Bennett, Mike Brey, Leonard Hamilton, Jim Larranaga, and Buzz Williams,” he notes.
Next season will be the ACC’s most pivotal season in recent memory. pic.twitter.com/4Azyq193SS
— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) May 12, 2025
These are not just names; they are institutions within the sport, Hall of Fame coaches who defined eras of ACC basketball. Their departures have left a void that the conference is still trying to fill.
However, Rothstein also sees a silver lining in the current coaching cycle. “The good news for the ACC, the coaching cycle, at least on paper, is heading in their favor,” he says. New blood is bringing fresh energy to key programs. Virginia, for instance, is expected to see significant improvement under Ryan Odom, who replaced Tony Bennett.
NC State, meanwhile, is banking on Will Wade to turn things around, while Miami is poised for a leap forward with additions like Trey Donaldson, True Washington, Ernest Dudey, and Malik Renewth via the transfer portal.
“On paper, Miami should be one of the most improved teams in the country next year,” Rothstein asserts.
Notre Dame, too, is a team to watch, with Micah Shrewsbury at the helm. These changes suggest a potential resurgence, but the road ahead is fraught with uncertainty.
The Weight of Recent Struggles
Despite the promise of new leadership, the ACC’s recent track record raises concerns. Rothstein points out that some of the conference’s biggest brands have been absent from the NCAA Tournament.
“Syracuse and Florida State, two of the biggest brands you know, four or five years ago associated with the ACC, have not been to the NCAA Tournament since 2021,” he reveals. This absence is particularly striking given their historical prominence.
Virginia, once a constant presence at the top of college basketball under Tony Bennett, has also struggled. “Virginia has not won an NCAA tournament game since the Cavaliers beat Texas Tech for the national championship in 2019,” Rothstein notes.
Notre Dame, another proud brand, has only made one NCAA Tournament appearance since 2017.
The 2025/2026 season, according to Rothstein, is “as pivotal a year as the ACC has had in quite some time.” The stakes are high, and the outcomes could define the conference’s future. On the positive side, teams like NC State, Miami, and Notre Dame are expected to be “vastly improved.”
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This optimism is tempered, however, by the reality that the ACC must overcome a decade of inconsistency and reestablish its place among the nation’s elite conferences.
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