Simon Elfrink
Contributing Writer
selfrink@murraystate.edu
BustingBrackets named three Murray State basketball coaches on the top 10 list of Ohio Valley Conference Coaches of the 21st century.
20 years into the 2000s, BustingBrackets decided two Murray State coaches, Mick Cronin and Steve Prohm, were top five material. The two retired coaches placed fourth and fifth on the list, respectively, with current Racer Head Coach Matt McMahon as the No. 2 spot on the list.
After five seasons with the Racers, McMahon has led his team to three straight OVC regular season championships and two OVC Tournament championships, earning the Racers two trips to the NCAA Tournament.
McMahon has had the honor of coaching some of Murray State’s most prolific basketball players. Aside from the 2019 season OVC Player of the Year and current NBA guard Ja Morant, McMahon mentored 2018’s player of the year, Jonathan Stark, as well. With players like these leading the way, McMahon and the Racers have put together a win-loss ratio of 77-20 in the span of five seasons. The Racers also had three 20-plus win seasons in McMahon’s time so far.
Joining McMahon on the BustingBracket’s list at the number four spot is Mick Cronin, who in his short reign from 2003-06 with the Racers put together a record of 29-24, winning the OVC Tournament and making the Big Dance two times as well. While Cronin’s time at Murray State was short, he went on to coach at the University of Cincinnati before winding up at UCLA for the 2019-20 season, signing a six-year contract with the Bruins. While at Cincinnati, Cronin helped rebuild the Bearcats from an 11-19 season in 2006 to 30, 30, and 28 wins in 2017, ‘18 and ‘19.
BustingBracket’s No.5 pick went to Steve Prohm for his legendary 2011-12 season as head coach with the Racers. The Racers went 31-2 in what could be argued as the best season in Murray State history, with a franchise-high winning percentage of .939, which still stands today. The Racers went on to have success in 2014, winning the College Insider Tournament and going on a 25-game winning streak in the 2014-15 season.