​RENO, NV — JANUARY 27: Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew directs his team from the sideline during a college basketball matchup between the Grand Canyon Antelopes and the Nevada Wolf Pack on January 27, 2026, at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Greg Ashman/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
It still feels strange to say, but the Mountain West Conference is entering a completely new era in men’s college basketball. After a dramatic offseason reshaped the league, several of the conference’s most recognizable programs — including Utah State, San Diego State, Boise State and Colorado State — departed for the Pac-12. Their exits have created a major shift in the Mountain West basketball hierarchy heading into the 2026-27 season.
With many of the league’s traditional powers gone, the spotlight now turns to the coaches who will help define the future of the new-look Mountain West. Some are established names with long track records of success, while others are rising leaders who have already made strong first impressions. As the conference resets, coaching stability, player development, transfer portal success and postseason experience will matter more than ever.
One of the top names in the Mountain West coaching conversation is Grand Canyon head coach Bryce Drew. Drew has built an impressive résumé at the mid-major level, finding consistent success at both Valparaiso and Grand Canyon. While his stint at Vanderbilt did not go as planned, his work outside the SEC has been excellent. Grand Canyon did not reach a postseason tournament in its first full season in the Mountain West, but the Antelopes still finished 20-12, earned a first-round bye in the conference tournament and immediately looked like a program capable of competing near the top of the league.
Drew’s consistency is what stands out most. His teams have won at least 23 games in four of the last five seasons, and he has repeatedly proven he can build winning rosters. Between his time in the Horizon League and the WAC, Drew has captured six regular-season conference championships and six conference tournament titles, including two in the Horizon League and four in the WAC. As Grand Canyon continues to establish itself in the Mountain West, Drew’s experience and winning background give the Antelopes a strong foundation.
Nevada head coach Steve Alford also belongs near the top of any list of best Mountain West basketball coaches. His tenure with the Wolf Pack has had its ups and downs, but Alford remains one of the most accomplished coaches in conference history. He is only 39 conference victories and 44 total wins behind Leon Rice for second place on the Mountain West’s all-time wins list.
Alford’s résumé speaks for itself. He has won six Mountain West championships, including four regular-season titles and two conference tournament crowns. He is also a three-time Mountain West Coach of the Year. Just as importantly, Alford has shown an ability to adjust to the modern era of college basketball. The transfer portal has changed roster construction across the sport, and Nevada’s offseason work suggests that Alford and his staff are continuing to adapt. If the Wolf Pack can find consistency, they should remain a major factor in the league.
New Mexico head coach Eric Olen is another coach who deserves plenty of attention. Olen arrived in Albuquerque with a strong reputation after building UC San Diego into a highly successful program. During his time there, he produced six seasons with at least 24 wins and two campaigns with 30 or more victories. He also led UC San Diego to the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024-25.
Olen made an immediate impact at New Mexico despite having to rebuild much of the roster. In his first season with the Lobos, New Mexico won 26 games and advanced to the NIT Final Four. His offensive system is modern, creative and built around spacing, which makes it difficult for opponents to defend. Olen has also shown an ability to identify and develop overlooked talent, a skill that will be extremely valuable in the new Mountain West landscape.
Hawai’i head coach Eran Ganot is another name to watch as the Rainbow Warriors transition into this version of the Mountain West. Winning at Hawai’i has not always been easy, but Ganot has built one of the more respected tenures in program history. Since taking over in 2015, he has become the second-winningest coach in Hawai’i men’s basketball history and is one of only two coaches in school history to lead the program to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances.
Ganot has guided Hawai’i to four seasons with at least 20 wins, including a 28-win campaign in his first year in 2015-16. Last season, the Rainbow Warriors went 24-9 and won the Big West Tournament, further strengthening Ganot’s reputation as one of the better coaches in the West. With Hawai’i expected to compete as a top-four or top-five team in the revamped Mountain West, Ganot’s steady leadership could help the program become a serious contender.
The Mountain West may look very different in 2026-27, but the league still has quality coaches capable of keeping it competitive nationally. Bryce Drew, Steve Alford, Eric Olen and Eran Ganot each bring something different to the table, from championship experience to player development to modern offensive systems. As the conference begins this new chapter, these coaches could play a major role in shaping the future of Mountain West men’s basketball.