Before they were famous: big-time college coaches' first gigs

With Andy Enfield of Florida Gulf Coast signing a deal with USC, we look at other famous coaches, both past and present, who used a small-time gig as a stepping stone to greener pastures.

Mike Krzyzewski, Army

First season, 1979-80 -- 11-14

Overall: Five seasons, 73-59, zero NCAA tournament appearances

The legendary Duke coach played for Bobby Knight at West Point, then joined his former coach on the bench at Indiana after fulfilling his military duties. The next year, he was back on the sidelines at Army, where he brought the team back to respectability after a drop-off in the four seasons following Knight's departure.

Next stop: Duke

Rick Pitino, Boston University

First season, 1978-79 -- 17-9

Overall: Five seasons, 91-51, one NCAA tournament appearance

Pitino was 26 when he took the Terriers to their first NCAA tournament in 20 years.

Next stop: Providence

Bob Knight, Army

First season, 1965-66 -- 18-8

Overall: Six seasons, 102-50, zero NCAA tournament appearances

Has there ever been a better fit between a coach and university than Bob Knight and Army? Though the on-court general wasn't a military man himself, he's always preached the ideals valued by the service academy. When he took over in 1965, the 25-year-old Knight was the youngest coach in school history.

Next stop: Indiana

Steve Alford, Missouri State

First season, 1995-96 -- 16-12

Overall: Four seasons, 78-48, one NCAA tournament appearance

The school was known as Southwest Missouri State when Alford took over in 1995. The Knight disciple took the Bears to the Sweet 16 in his fourth season and gained interest from Iowa. He later went to New Mexico before recently taking the job at UCLA.

Next stop: Iowa

Bill Self, Oral Roberts

First season, 1993-94 -- 6-21

Overall: Four seasons, 55-54, zero NCAA tournament appearances

The current Kansas coach was at the evangelical school for four years before he was hired by its crosstown rival, Tulsa.

Next stop: Tulsa

Gary Williams, American

First season, 1978-79 -- 14-13

Overall: Four seasons, 72-42, zero NCAA tournament appearances

Williams led American to an 11-0 conference record in his third season at the school. His staff included current Temple coach Fran Dunphy. After the fiery future Maryland coach left in 1982, American didn't make the postseason again until 2008.

Next stop: Boston College

Bob Huggins, Akron

First season, 1984-85 -- 12-14

Overall: Five seasons, 97-46, one NCAA tournament appearance

The Zips moved to Division I in 1980 and were in the tournament six years later, thanks to Huggins. Years earlier, Huggins coached his NAIA team to an undefeated regular season.

Next stop: Cincinnati

Tubby Smith, Tulsa

First season, 1991-92 -- 17-13

Overall: Four seasons, 79-43, two Sweet 16 appearances

Smith is one of three Tulsa coaches to win national titles at other stops. The others: Nolan Richardson and Bill Self.

Next stop: Georgia

Billy Donovan, Marshall

First season, 1994-95 -- 18-9

Overall: Two seasons, 35-30, zero NCAA tournament appearances

"The Kid" spent two nondescript seasons at the West Virginia school before taking a job at Florida. His first full recruiting class included Jason "White Chocolate" Williams.

Next stop: Florida

John Beilein, Canisius

First season, 1992-93, 10-18

Overall: Five seasons, 89-62, one NCAA tournament apperanance

A prime example of working your way to the top. Beilein started his head coaching career at Newfane High School, then made stops at Erie Community College, Nazareth (DIII) and Le Moyne (DIII) before landing at Canisius. He spent five years there, five more in Richmond, five more in West Virginia and made his first FInal Four in his sixth season at Michigan.

Next stop: Richmond

John Wooden, Indiana State

First season, 1946-47, 17-8

Overall: Two seasons, 44-15, no NCAA tournament appearances

The UCLA legend is credited with having a team that featured the first African-American to appear at a national college basketball tournament. Wooden made his stance in support of Indiana State's Clarence Walker.

Next stop: UCLA

Andy Enfield, Florida Gulf Coast

First season, 2011-12, 15-17

Overall: Two seasons, 41-28, one Sweet 16 appearances

Enfield has a decorated basketball pedigree that includes stints with Rick Pitino's staff with the Boston Celtics.

Next stop: USC