From infamous outbursts to scandals that rocked the NCAA, some coaches have made more enemies than fans. Discover the top five most despised coaches in college basketball, including legends whose on-court successes were overshadowed by their off-court antics. Their controversial careers have made them household names for all the wrong reasons.

Meet the 5 Most Hated Coaches in College Basketball

John Chaney might not be the first name that pops up when you think of the most hated coaches, but his notorious reputation certainly earns him a spot on this list.  Chaney, former head coach of Temple University, made headlines not just for his coaching acumen but for an infamous incident where he threatened to kill another coach on camera. Sure, he was only given a one-game suspension for the remark, but his reputation for aggression didn’t end there. Chaney’s brutal practices, held at 6 a.m., were notorious for pushing players to the limit.  While some might say it was for their academic benefit, it only added fuel to his unapproachable persona and made him a polarizing figure in college basketball.

5. John Chaney

Coach K might be one of the most successful and well-respected figures in NCAA basketball history, but success often breeds its fair share of animosity.   While his record speaks for itself, what really stirs up hate is his seemingly incessant whining to referees and the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed by some of his star players, including Christian Laettner and Grayson Allen. Duke’s reputation for being a powerhouse is undeniable, but the way Coach K has molded his players — aggressive, sometimes arrogant, and often controversial — has made him a lightning rod for criticism.   His defensive, overbearing nature, particularly after tough losses, doesn’t win him any fans either.

4. Mike Krzyzewski

Rick Pitino’s time at the University of Louisville was marked by both triumph and scandal. Though his coaching led to some championship success, his tenure was marred by multiple controversies, the most damaging being his connection to a bribery scandal involving the FBI.   Even though Pitino denies any involvement, the damage was done, and his reputation in the NCAA was forever tarnished. Add in the escort scandal, where it was alleged that Pitino's recruits were given financial incentives to visit escorts, and it's easy to see why he’s loathed by so many fans. His legacy is now a complicated mix of victories and accusations.

28. Rick Pitino – Boston, Providence, Kentucky, and Louisville

3. Rick Pitino

Few coaches in NCAA history have generated as much disdain as Bobby Knight. His fiery temper, physical confrontations, and cruel treatment of players earned him a reputation that made many loathe him. Perhaps his most infamous moment came in 1985 when Knight threw a chair across the court during a game against Purdue.   But it wasn’t just his outbursts on the court that made him despised — former players have spoken out about his abusive behavior, including incidents where he allegedly grabbed players by the groin and punched them. Knight’s abrasive nature led to his firing in 2000, but the stories of his toxic coaching still linger, cementing his place as one of the most hated coaches in the sport.

2. Bobby Knight

John Calipari is arguably the most hated coach in NCAA basketball, and it’s not just because of his incredible success. His career has been mired in controversy, from vacated tournament wins to allegations of shady dealings. Calipari’s time at UMass saw his team’s 1996 Final Four appearance vacated due to a scandal involving player Marcus Camby accepting money from an agent.   Then, at Memphis, another scandal involving Derrick Rose and falsified SAT scores led to the vacating of an entire season. Even at Kentucky, there was controversy surrounding player Eric Bledsoe’s questionable high school grades.   While Calipari’s direct involvement has never been proven, his association with these scandals, along with the seemingly constant stream of controversy, has made him public enemy number one for many fans. His success can’t shield him from the cloud of suspicion that follows him wherever he goes.