It’s March Mafia. We wanted to kick off our first blog post with a bang. So we’ve created a list of Mafia looking college basketball coaches that made it to the big dance in 2009*. Our formula was rather simple and straight-forward. Read on below to see the ranking criteria we used and our top 10 list of mafia look-alike bball coaches.

How we ranked ‘em:

• 1. Mafia like appearance
• 2. Italian sounding last names will be given extra consideration
• 3. Celebrity status / Popularity
• 4. Coach must have competed in March Madness 2009 Tournament*
• *We made one exceptions in regards to item #4

#10 Bruce Pearl

Pearl has a knack for peddling playing time. He has a slight mafia look to him. He’s animated on the sideline. Bruce Pearl had just enough to crack our list.

# 9 Jamie Dixon

The first of many Big East conference mafia look-alike coaches. Jamie Dixon is known for a fiery sideline act. He has the slicked hair going for him. Dixon has proven he can coach, but his inability to find consistent success in post season play leaves doubt about his clutch ability.

#8 Bob Huggins

Huggins is the guy who is always on the outside looking in… yearning to be accepted by the Mafia elite. He doesn’t have the looks, doesn’t have the name, and he doesn’t have a polished wardrobe. But Huggins is appreciated for doing the dirty work. The kind of work others aren’t willing to do, and that is what gets Mr. Huggins on the list.

#7 Mike Krzyzewski

Mike Krzyzewski has a Russian Mafia feel to him. It must be the last name or something. The long-time Duke Blue devil coach is known for structured, fundamental basketball. His teams are sound in all facets of the game. Krzyzewski usually wears black business-like suits. He would resemble upper management mafia status.

#6 Mike Brey*

Leave it to Notre Dame to hire someone who looks like a cross breed between a Roman Catholic Priest and a Sicilian hit man. His last name doesn’t do anything for him, and Notre Dame’s 2009 free-fall definitely hurts his credibility factor.

#5 Jay Wright

A class-act wardrobe with a hint of Richard Nixon. The only mobster characteristic Jay Wright is lacking is the last name. Wright’s recent post-season successes at Villanova have made him well-known in the college ranks. It has been rumored that Jay Wright never wears a suit more than once.

#4 Dino Gaudio

Our fourth place selection probably has the most “mafia-esque” first and last name of all division one basketball coaches. The Wake Forest coach is a proven winner and recruiter. He lacks the celebrity status to break into the top three though, but he definitely has the the rough, back-ally look down going for him.

#3 Tom Izzo

Izzo has Michigan State in their 5th Final Four in the last 10 years. The quiet and humble blue-collar assassin has a flair for the dramatic. Izzo seems to get his troops to perform in the clutch. Izzo’s has a bruising, no-nonsense style. He represents loyalty and trust. He possesses the physical traits of a high-level, cool headed boss.

#2 John Calipari

The picture alone almost won him the crown, but coming in at a very close second is Kentucky’s John Calipari. Literally just hours off a cool $35M contract, Mr. Calipari now has the makings of a true high-roller. Calipari can deal with the best of them when it comes to recruiting, and his executive background with the New Jersey Nets gives him the business savvy edge over his mafia competition. Calipari also has the wardrobe and last name going for him.

#1 Rick Pitino

Hands down, Rick Pitino is the clear cut mafia look-alike winner. The Italian America native of New York has all the physical characteristics of a Mafia Champion. He has the last name, the luxury suits, the Jersey accent, and the history and respect of a “made-man”. The icing on the cake was Pitino’s love for horse racing.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 31st, 2009 at 12:41 pm and is filed under Basketball. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.