The coaching trees of many big time D1 head coaches continue to grow and for them, it’s a good thing.

Many of the top college basketball coaches in the country today have a lot to be proud of. Coach of the year awards, national titles, hundreds of wins and many former players becoming stars in the NBA. Despite all that success, coaches also find comfort in another kind of success: seeing their coaching tree continue to grow larger every year.

Considering it is a business rife with pressure and paranoia, where a head coach's contract can be extended or terminated thanks to his assistant's recruiting talents, altruism would seem about as likely to flourish as sincerity but that’s not the case.

"From a pride standpoint, it's more significant for me than the players I put into the pros," Louisville Coach Rick Pitino said. "When your assistants go on to become head coaches, it speaks volumes to what you're doing in your program."

Pitino’s tree is truly eye popping with 47 names to his credit. Billy Donovan is one of the most prominent names on the list. Donovan, who played for Pitino at Louisville and was an assistant at Kentucky from 1989-1994, took over the Florida job in 1996. Since then, he has seen four former assistants become head coaches including two on separate occasions become the head coach at Virginia Commonwealth.

When Anthony Grant bolted for Alabama this summer, Virginia Commonwealth AD Norwood Teague didn't waste time searching for a new coach. He went right back to Gainesville, where he once had found Grant, plucking Shaka Smart from Billy Donovan's Florida staff.

"It's a risk, I admit that," Teague told ESPN.com this summer. "There were a number of head coaches interested in this job, but we've had a model here and I really didn't want to break away from that."

Stability is essential to the recruiting element of D1 basketball and when assistant coaches constantly leave, it tends to affect the relationship with recruits. However, usually when an assistant leaves for a head-coaching job, the split is rarely anything less than amicable and there’s a reason for that says Arizona State coach and Pitino disciple Herb Sendek.  

"There are times that stability is important in your program. There's no question, it's more difficult to lose people at some times than others," Sendek said. "But if you're going to be selfish and hoarding and not help people create their own opportunities, you're less likely to get that talent to come work for you. You won't get the superstars, and you need the superstars."

This 412-word summary was distilled by Clips Assistant Editor Kevin Byrne from a 1,239 word ESPN.com article written by Dana O’Neil on 1-25-10. To access the full article in its entirety click here.

By no means is this list comprehensive -- that would probably require a book. Plenty of current coaches have just as prolific of a legacy as these six. This is simply meant as a snapshot look at different coaching trees in different parts of the country.

    * George Blaney (asst., Connecticut 2001-present) Associate head coach, Connecticut; former head coach, Rhode Island, Seton Hall, Holy Cross, Dartmouth

    * Howie Dickenman (asst., Connecticut 1982-96) Head coach, Central Connecticut State

          o Karl Hobbs (asst., Connecticut1993-01) Head coach George Washington

                + Steve Pikiell (asst., George Washington 2001-05) Head coach, Stony Brook

    * Dave Leitao (asst., Connecticut 1996-02, 1986-94; asst., Northeastern 1984-86; played at Northeastern); former head coach Virginia, DePaul, Northeastern

    * Glen Miller (asst., Connecticut 1986-93) former head coach Penn; former head coach Brown, Connecticut College

    * Tom Moore (asst., Connecticut 1994-07) Head coach, Quinnipiac

    * Steve Pikiell (asst., Connecticut 1991-92, played at Connecticut) Head coach, Stony Brook

    * Ted Woodward (asst., Connecticut 1986-89) Head coach, Maine

    * Jim Boylen (asst., Michigan State, 2005-07). Head coach, Utah

    * Tom Crean (asst., Michigan State, 1995-95) Head coach, Indiana; former head coach, Marquette

                + Tim Buckley (asst., Marquette, 1999-00, 2006-07). Asst. coach at Indiana; former head coach, Ball State (2000-06)

                + Darrin Horn (asst., Marquette, 1999-03) Head coach, South Carolina; former head coach, Western Kentucky

                + Tod Kowalczyk, (asst., Marquette, 2001-02) Head coach, Wisconsin-Green Bay

                + Buzz Williams (asst., Marquette, 2007-08). Head coach, Marquette

    * Brian Gregory (asst., Michigan State, 1999-2000) Head coach, Dayton

    * Stan Heath (asst., Michigan State 1996-01) Head coach, South Florida; former head coach, Kent State

    * Stan Joplin (asst., Michigan State, 1990-96) Former head coach, Toledo

    * Doug Wojcik (asst., Michigan State 2003-05) Head coach, Tulsa

    * Tommy Amaker (asst., Duke 1988-97, played at Duke) Head coach, Harvard; former head coach, Michigan, Seton Hall

          o Fred Hill (asst., Seton Hall,1998-01) Head coach Rutgers

    * Mike Brey, Notre Dame (asst., Duke 1987-95) Head coach, Notre Dame; former head coach, Delaware

          o Gene Cross (asst., Notre Dame, 2006-08) Head coach, Toledo

          o Sean Kearney (asst., Notre Dame, 2000-08; asst., Delaware, 1991-00) Head coach, Holy Cross

          o Anthony Solomon (asst., Notre Dame, 2000-03) Former head coach, St. Bonaventure

          o Robert Brickey (played at Duke) Former head coach, Shaw

          o Jeff Capel (played at Duke) Head coach, Oklahoma

          o Johnny Dawkins (asst., Duke, 1998-08, played at Duke) Head coach, Stanford

          o Mike Dement (asst., Duke, 1982-83) Head coach, UNC-Greensboro; former head coach, Cornell, SMU

          o David Henderson (asst., Duke, 1997-00) Former head coach, Delaware

          o Quin Snyder (asst., Duke 1993-99; played at Duke ) Former head coach, Missouri

Mike Montgomery, California; former head coach, Stanford, Montana

    * Barry Collier (asst., Stanford, 1986-1989) Former head coach Butler, Nebraska

          o Jay John (asst., Butler 1989-97) Former head coach, Oregon State

          o Thad Matta (asst., Butler, 1991-94) Head coach, Ohio State; former head coach Xavier, Butler

          o Todd Lickliter (asst., Butler 2000-01) Head coach, Iowa; former head coach, Butler

          o John Groce (asst., Ohio State, 2004-08, Butler, 2000-01) Head coach Ohio University

          o Brad Stevens (asst., Butler 2001-07) Head coach, Butler

    * Jeff Jackson (asst., Stanford 1994-97) Head coach, Furman

    * Trent Johnson (asst., Stanford, 1997-99) Head coach, LSU; former head coach, Stanford, Nevada

          o David Carter (asst., Nevada, 1999-09) Head coach, Nevada

          o Mark Fox (asst., Nevada, 2000-04) Head coach, Georgia; former head coach, Nevada

    * Ernie Kent (asst., Stanford, 1990-91) Head coach, Oregon

          o Jay John (asst., Oregon 1997-98) Former head coach, Oregon State

    * Stew Morrill (asst., Montana, 1979-86) Head coach, Utah State; former head coach Colorado State

          o Terry Dunn (asst., Colorado State 1994-96) Former head coach, Dartmouth

          o Randy Rahe (asst., Utah State, 1998-04, asst., Colorado State 1991-98). Head coach, Weber State

          o Don Verlin (asst., Utah State, 1998-08; asst., Colorado State 1994-98). Head coach, Idaho

    * Eric Reveno (asst., Stanford 1997) Head coach, Portland

    * Blaine Taylor (asst., Stanford, 1998-01; asst., Montana, 1986-91; played at Montana,) Head coach, Old Dominion; former head coach Montana

    * Wayne Tinkle (played at Montana) Head coach, Montana

    * Willis Wilson (asst., Stanford, 1992), assistant at Memphis; former head coach, Rice

Rick Pitino, Louisville; former head coach Boston University, Providence, Kentucky

    * Winston Bennett (asst., Boston Celtics, 1997-98, asst., Kentucky 1995-97, played at Kentucky) Head coach Mid-Continent University; former head coach, Kentucky State

    * Delray Brooks (asst., Kentucky 1992-97, played at Providcence) Former head coach, UT-Pan American

    * Bill Burke (asst., Louisville, 2002-06, asst., Boston University, 1978) Former head coach Loyola

    * Gordon Chiesa (asst. Providence 1985-87) Former head coach, Providence

    * Mick Cronin (asst., Louisville 2001-03) Head coach, Cincinnati; former head coach, Murray State

    * Scott Davenport (asst., Louisville 1996-05) Head coach, Bellarmine

    * Billy Donovan (asst., Kentucky, 1989-94; played at Providence) Head coach, Florida; former head coach Marshall

          o Anthony Grant (asst., Florida 1996-06, asst., Marshall 1994-96) Head coach, Alabama; former head coach, VCU

          o Donnie Jones (asst., Florida 1997-07, asst., Marshall 1994-96) Head coach, Marshall

          o John Pelphrey (asst., Florida, 1997-02, asst., Marshall 1005-96, played at Kentucky) Head coach, Arkansas; former head coach South Alabama

          o Shaka Smart (asst., Florida 2007-08) Head coach, VCU

    * Travis Ford (played at Kentucky) Head coach, Oklahoma State; former head coach UMas, Eastern Kentucky, Campbellsville

    * Stu Jackson (asst., New York Knicks 1987-89, asst., Providence, 1985-87) Former head coach Wisconsin, New York Knicks

    * Sean Kearney (asst., Providence 1986-87) Head coach, Holy Cross

    * John Kuester (asst., Boston University 1981-83) Former head coach George Washington, Boston University

    * Bernadette Mattox (asst., Kentucky 1990-94) Former head coach, Kentucky women's basketball team

    * Marvin Menzies (asst., Louisville 2005-07) Head coach, New Mexico State

    * Jim O'Brien (asst., Boston Celtics 1997-01, asst., Kentucky 1994-97) Head coach, Indiana Pacers; former head coach Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Dayton, played at Kentucky) Head coach, Arkansas; former head coach South Alabama

    * Herb Sendek (asst., Kentucky 1989-93, asst., Providence 1985-89) Head coach, Arizona State; former head coach NC State, Miami (Ohio)

          o Jim Christian (asst, Miami, 1994-96) Head coach, Texas Christian; former head coach, Kent State

          o Geno Ford (asst., Kent State 2002-05) Head coach, Kent State

          o Charlie Coles (asst., Miami 1994-96) Head coach, Miami Ohio, former head coach Central Michigan

          o John Groce (asst., NC State 1996-98) Head coach, Ohio University

          o Larry Hunter (asst., NC State, 2001-05) Head coach, Western Carolina; former head coach Ohio University, Wittenberg University

          o Geno Ford (asst., Ohio University, 1998-01)

          o Ron Hunter (asst., Miami 1993-94) Head coach IUPUI

          o Thad Matta (asst., Miami 1993-94,) Head coach, Ohio State; former head coach Xavier, Butler

          o Todd Lickliter (asst., Butler 2000-01) Head coach, Iowa; former head coach, Butler

          o Brad Stevens (asst., Butler 2001-07) Head coach, Butler

          o John Groce (asst., Ohio State, 2004-08, Butler, 2000-01) Head coach Ohio University

          o Sean Miller (asst., Butler 2001-04) Head coach, Arizona; former head coach Xavier

          o Sean Miller (asst., NC State 1996-00, asst., Miami 1993-95) Head coach, Arizona; former head coach Xavier

          o Chris Mack (asst., Xavier 2004-09) Head coach, Xavier

          o Mark Phelps (asst., Arizona State, 2006-08, asst., NC State 2000-06) Head coach, Drake

    * Tubby Smith (asst., Kentucky, 1989-91) Head coach, Minnesota; former head coach Kentucky, Georgia, Tulsa

          o Ron Jirsa (asst., Georgia 1995-97, asst., Tulsa, 1991-94) Former head coach, Georgia and Marshall

    * Reggie Theus (asst., Louisville 2003-05) Former head coach, Sacramento Kings, New Mexico State.

    * Jeff Van Gundy (asst., Providence 1987) Former head coach, New York Knicks

    * Kevin Willard (asst., Louisville 2001-07) Head coach, Iona

    * Ralph Wilard (asst., Louisville, 2009-present, asst., Kentucky 1989-90, asst., New York Knicks, 1987-90) Former head coach Holy Cross, Pittsburgh, Western Kentucky

          o Tom Crean (asst., Western Kentucky 1990-94) Head coach, Indiana; former head coach, Marquette

          o Tim Buckley (asst., Marquette, 1999-00, 2006-07). Asst. coach at Indiana; former head coach, Ball State (2000-06)

          o Darrin Horn (asst., Marquette, 1999-03) Head coach, South Carolina; former head coach, Western Kentucky

          o Tod Kowalczyk (asst., Marquette, 2001-02) Head coach, Wisconsin-Green Bay

          o Buzz Williams (asst., Marquette, 2007-08). Head coach, Marquette

          o Darrin Horn (asst., Western Kentucky, 1995-97) Head coach, South Carolina; former head coach, Western Kentucky

    * Sean Woods (played at Kentucky) Head coach, Mississippi Valley State

Gary Williams, Maryland; former head coach Ohio State, Boston College, American

    * Rick Barnes (asst., Ohio State, 1986-87) Head coach, TX; frmr head coach Clemson, Prov, GMU

          o Frank Haith (asst., 2001-04) Head coach, Miami

          o Dennis Felton (asst., Clemson 1994-98 & Prov (1992-94) Former head coach, Ga, W KY

          o Fran Fraschilla (asst., Prov 1990-91) Former head coach St. John, Manhattan, New Mexico

         o Ken McDonald (asst., Western Kentucky 1998-03) Head coach, Western Kentucky

          o Larry Shyatt (asst., Clemson 1994-97) Former head coach, Wyoming, Clemson

    * Dave Dickerson (asst., Maryland 1996-04) Head coach, Tulane

    * Fran Dunphy (asst., American 1981-85) Head coach, Temple University; former head coach Penn

          o Steve Donahue (asst., Penn 1990-00) Head coach, Cornell

          o Gil Jackson (asst., Penn 1989-2005) Head coach, Howard

          o Fran O'Hanlon (asst., Penn 1989-95) Head coach, Lafayette

    * Fran Fraschilla (asst., Ohio State) Former head coach St. John, Manhattan, New Mexico

    * Billy Hahn (asst., Maryland 1989-2001) Former head coach, LaSalle, Ohio University

    * Mike Lonergan (asst., Maryland 2004-05) Head coach, VT; former head coach, Catholic

    * Jimmy Patsos (asst., Maryland 1991-04) Head coach, Loyola