Duke’s Scheyer, Familiar Face Battling for ACC Coach of Year

Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer legitimately might be the most underrated coach in the entire country. He has recently gained some ground in terms of the ACC and National Coach of the Year races, but it has taken far too long.

Scheyer has done an absolutely outstanding job with this year's squad. Duke is currently riding a seven-game win streak while winning those contests by an average margin of 23.4 points, owns a 13-2 record in Quadrant 1, owns a 14-0 record at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and it hasn't lost a game outside of Quadrant 1 all season.

js' — Feb 24, 2026; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer calls a play against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half at Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images | Michael Caterina-Imagn Images

The Blue Devils are currently the No. 1 team in the Associated Press Top 25, the NCAA NET Rankings, and KenPom, while sitting as the top projected overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Feb 28, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer (right) directs forward Cameron Boozer (12) to the bench after being poked in the eye during the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Jon Scheyer Has Been the Best Head Coach in College Basketball This Season

Scheyer has now delivered back-to-back ACC regular season titles and is looking to win his third ACC Tournament Championship in four seasons. What is so impressive is how he has taken a brand new squad and brought it right back to a national title favorite after losing so much production from last year's group.

Duke lost its entire 2024-25 starting five, as all were selected in the NBA Draft that summer. With that team, Scheyer and the Blue Devils earned a 1-seed in the NCAA Tournament and made it all the way to the Final Four.

When a coach loses his entire starting lineup, especially from a team good enough to go to the Final Four, the anticipation is that the program will take a step back the following year. Not for Scheyer.

Duke is arguably a better team than it was a year ago and is now generally viewed as one of the best teams in the country once again.

Feb 10, 2026; Coral Gables, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas reacts on the sideline against the North Carolina Tar Heels during the second half at Watsco Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Scheyer’s Biggest Competition for ACC Coach of the Year Is a Familiar Face

Scheyer is on the fast track to win the ACC Coach of the Year award, but his biggest competition could be a coach who was actually on Scheyer's staff a season ago in Miami head coach Jai Lucas.

Lucas became an assistant coach with the Blue Devils in 2022 before being named associate head coach in 2023. He was one of the best recruiters in the country, helping Scheyer bring in that loaded No. 1 overall 2024 recruiting class, featuring guys like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach.

Jan 24, 2026; Syracuse, New York, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Jai Lucas reacts during the second half against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images | Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

In 2024-25, the Hurricanes went just 7-24. After bringing in Lucas, who overhauled the program through the transfer portal mixed in with some high school talent, Miami has an overall record of 23-6 and a 12-4 record in ACC play. Lucas's club is currently in third place in the ACC standings, meaning Scheyer and Lucas could match up in the ACC Tournament Semifinals.

Scheyer fully deserves the ACC Coach of the Year award, but he's got some full-circle competition.

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