Black Coaches to Watch in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament Rod Strickland, a former NBA player and New York City basketball icon, is leading Long Island University to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. Strickland, who took over as head coach in 2022, emphasized his goal of elevating the program’s culture and competitiveness. “Raise the bar, change the environment and help the culture develop and grow,” he said. “I’m not in a rush. Our time is coming. This is just the beginning.” His efforts have paid off, as the LIU Sharks secured a 24-10 record, finishing first in the Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season. Strickland’s journey to coaching included roles as a director of basketball operations at Memphis and Kentucky, and an assistant at South Florida. Despite early struggles, he has now led LIU to back-to-back winning seasons and earned NEC Coach of the Year honors. Speedy Claxton, another former NBA player and Hofstra alum, is guiding his alma mater to its first NCAA tournament in 23 years. Claxton, who played for Hofstra in the 2000 NCAA tournament, took over as head coach in 2021 and has led the program to four seasons with at least 20 wins. “I know the incredible history of Hofstra’s men’s basketball program,” he said. “I have lived it. I have experienced it. I am ready to lead it.” Hofstra’s 24-10 record and third-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) have secured an automatic bid to the tournament. Claxton’s coaching career includes stints as an assistant at Hofstra and a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs as a player. Kenny Blakeney, the head coach at Howard University, is making his third NCAA tournament appearance with the school.#howard_university #hofstra #long_island_university #rod_strickland #kenny_blakeney
