What started as 68 teams battling it out on the biggest stage of college basketball has come down to the Final Four, and only one will be named champion.
The CoachUp bracket is also down to it’s final four coaches. While hundreds of CoachUp coaches have played in the tournament themselves, let’s learn a bit more about four of our coaches whose alma maters are still in this year’s tournament.
University of South Carolina (7): Alex English
Coach Alex’s list of accomplishments is loooooong. To highlight just a few, this CoachUp coach was an 8x NBA All Star, elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997, NBA scoring champion (1983), Denver Nuggets all-time leading scorer, and has his number retired by the Denver Nuggets and the University of South Carolina.
Gonzaga University (1): Jordan Mast
Coach Jordan made not one, but two trips to the NCAA Tournament, including making it to the Sweet 16 in 2006. This CoachUp coach is also an entrepreneur, starting his own AAU program in 2010 where he works with players ranging from 1st graders to Division I athletes. Fun fact about Coach Jordan: in high school, he won the 2005 Oregon state basketball championship, beating Kevin Love’s team.
University of Oregon (3): Frantz Dorsainvil
Coach Frantz played professional basketball in China, Mexico, Venezuela and Canada. During his time as a power forward for Oregon, the Ducks made it to the NCAA Tournament. Coach Frantz, a former high school standout, now gives back to the game by coaching at the high school level, transforming a girl’s JV program from a team with a poor record to a team with a 14-1 record and first team all-conference players.
University of North Carolina (1): Dante Calabria
Coach Dante was on the 1993 NCAA National Championship team under legendary Coach Dean Smith. After college, Coach Dante went on to a successful 16-year professional career in Europe at the Euroleague level including experience as a Italian National Team player. Going from player to coach, this CoachUp coach has trained athletes from age 8 to the top NBA draft pick, Ben Simmons.
Whether you’re aspiring to get to the national tournament yourself someday or you’re just looking to make the team, improve your skills or gain confidence – CoachUp can help you achieve your goals. All of these CoachUp coaches and thousands more are available for one-on-one and small group training sessions in basketball and 30 other sports. Check ‘em out.
