John Beilein stands as a towering figure in the landscape of college basketball, renowned for his tactical brilliance, player development expertise, and unwavering commitment to sportsmanship. Over four decades on the sidelines, Beilein has not only amassed an impressive record but has also left an indelible mark on the game, shaping programs and mentoring countless young athletes. His journey is a testament to his innovative strategies and his profound understanding of basketball fundamentals.
Beilein’s career record speaks volumes: 829-468 across 41 years as a collegiate head coach. This places him among the elite in Division I coaching history, consistently achieving winning seasons – 35 in total – and securing 20-plus win seasons on 23 occasions. His teams have been a perennial presence in postseason play, with 20 appearances, including 13 trips to the NCAA Division I Tournament. Notably, Beilein is one of only 14 coaches to have led four different schools to the coveted NCAA Tournament – Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia, and Michigan, showcasing his remarkable ability to build winning programs across diverse environments.
John Beilein’s strategic mind and sideline demeanor are hallmarks of his coaching career.
His tenure at the University of Michigan, spanning 12 seasons, solidified his legacy. Beilein transformed the Wolverines into a national powerhouse, guiding them to two national championship game appearances (2013, 2018) and becoming the winningest coach in the program’s history. Under his guidance, Michigan made nine NCAA Tournament appearances, captured two Big Ten regular-season titles, and secured two Big Ten Tournament championships.
Michigan’s resurgence under Beilein began with a shared Big Ten regular-season title in 2012, their first since 1986. This was followed by an outright Big Ten crown in 2014, a dominant league performance where they finished three games ahead of the competition. Beyond regular season success, Beilein’s teams demonstrated remarkable resilience and tournament prowess.
The 2017 Big Ten Tournament victory was a testament to the team’s spirit and Beilein’s leadership. Facing adversity when their plane experienced an accident, the Wolverines overcame travel disruptions and entered the tournament as an eighth seed. Against all odds, they swept through four top-seeded teams – Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota, and Wisconsin – to clinch the title, becoming the lowest seed to ever win the Big Ten Tournament.
The following season saw even greater heights, as the Wolverines set a school record with 33 wins and repeated as Big Ten Tournament champions, this time at Madison Square Garden. Victories over Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan State, and Purdue secured their second consecutive conference title. This momentum propelled Michigan to their second Final Four appearance under Beilein, culminating in a national championship game appearance against Villanova.
In 2019, Beilein led Michigan to their third consecutive Sweet Sixteen appearance, placing them among an elite group of programs – Gonzaga and Kentucky – as the only schools to achieve this feat in those years. This consistent deep tournament runs underscore Beilein’s program building acumen and his teams’ tournament readiness.
Beilein’s emphasis on teamwork and player development fostered a winning culture at Michigan.
The 2012-13 season marked a watershed moment in Beilein’s career as he guided Michigan to their first Final Four in 20 years. The team tied a school record with 31 wins and reached the national championship game, eventually finishing as national runners-up. Their tournament run included a thrilling overtime victory against Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen and wins over Florida and Syracuse.
A hallmark of John Beilein’s coaching philosophy at Michigan was his emphasis on ball sharing and minimizing turnovers. His teams consistently ranked among the nation’s best in fewest turnovers, leading the nation in 2012-13 and 2016-17. Additionally, Michigan teams were disciplined defensively, frequently ranking among the top nationally in fewest fouls committed, leading the nation in 2013-14.
Beilein’s coaching excellence has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2013 Big Ten Coach of the Year award. He has coached 18 Wolverines to All-Big Ten honors, and mentored standout players like Trey Burke and Nik Stauskas, who both earned Big Ten Player of the Year awards and All-American honors. Burke also achieved consensus National Player of the Year recognition in 2013, joining Michigan legend Cazzie Russell in this prestigious group.
Furthermore, Beilein has been instrumental in developing NBA talent. Nine of his Michigan players have been selected in the NBA Draft, including Burke, Tim Hardaway Jr., Stauskas, and Moritz Wagner, demonstrating his ability to prepare players for professional basketball careers.
Before his successful tenure at Michigan, Beilein revitalized the West Virginia men’s basketball program over five seasons. He led the Mountaineers to a 104-60 record and four consecutive postseason appearances, including Sweet Sixteen runs in 2005 and 2006 and an Elite Eight appearance in 2005 – the program’s first in 42 years. In 2007, West Virginia won the NIT Championship under his guidance. He also coached Kevin Pittsnogle to All-American honors at West Virginia, the program’s first since 1972, and mentored Johannes Herber to Academic All-American of the Year recognition, highlighting his focus on both athletic and academic excellence.
Prior to West Virginia, Beilein spent five seasons at the University of Richmond, achieving a 100-53 record and the second-highest winning percentage in school history. He guided Richmond to the Colonial Athletic Association title and NIT success. His earlier coaching stops at Canisius and Le Moyne College also saw significant program turnarounds and postseason appearances, including a MAAC title and NIT semifinal run at Canisius, and a Division II Tournament berth with Le Moyne.
Beilein’s success extends beyond Michigan, with significant achievements at West Virginia and other programs.
John Beilein’s coaching journey began at the high school level and Erie Community College before moving to Nazareth College and Le Moyne. His early career laid the foundation for his later success at the Division I level. He holds degrees from Wheeling Jesuit University and Niagara University. Beilein has also contributed to USA Basketball as a court coach and assistant coach, further cementing his influence in the basketball community.
In recognition of his contributions, Beilein was inducted into the Wheeling Jesuit University Hall of Fame in 2015 and delivered the commencement speech at his alma mater in 2005, receiving an honorary degree. A native of Burt, New York, John Beilein is married to Kathleen, and they have four children and four grandchildren.
John Beilein’s career is a remarkable narrative of sustained excellence, innovation, and impact. His legacy extends beyond wins and losses, encompassing the countless players he has mentored and the programs he has transformed. His name is synonymous with integrity, tactical acumen, and a winning tradition in college basketball.
The John Beilein File
Born: Feb. 5, 1953
Hometown: Burt, N.Y.
High School: DeSales Catholic (Lockport, N.Y.)
College: Wheeling Jesuit, 1975 (B.A. History), Niagara, 1981 (M.S. Education)
Wife: Kathleen
Children: Seana (Hendricks), Patrick, Mark, Andrew
Grandchildren: Finley Rose, Johnny, Charlie and Tommy
Pronunciation: “Bee-Line”
Career Résumé
| Years | School | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975-78 | Newfane High School | JV & V Head Coach |
| 1978-82 | Erie Community College | Head Coach |
| 1982-83 | Nazareth College | Head Coach |
| 1983-92 | LeMoyne College | Head Coach |
| 1992-97 | Canisius College | Head Coach |
| 1997-2002 | University of Richmond | Head Coach |
| 2002-07 | West Virginia University | Head Coach |
| 2007-2019 | University of Michigan | Head Coach |
Coaching Career Breakdown
| Year | School | Record | Conf. | Finish | Tournament | Postseason |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-76 | Newfane HS (JV) | 12-6 | – | – | – | |
| 1976-77 | Newfane HS (JV) | 15-3 | – | – | – | |
| 1977-78 | Newfane HS (V) | 13-6 | – | – | – | |
| 1978-79 | Erie CC | 20-15 | – | – | – | |
| 1979-80 | Eric CC | 17-8 | – | – | – | |
| 1980-81 | Erie CC | 21-8 | – | – | – | |
| 1981-82 | Erie CC | 17-12 | – | – | – | |
| 1982-83 | Nazareth | 20-6 | – | – | – | |
| 1983-84 | Le Moyne | 20-8 | 5-0 | – | – | |
| 1984-85 | Le Moyne | 19-10 | 4-6 | – | – | |
| 1985-86 | Le Moyne | 14-15 | 5-7 | – | – | |
| 1986-87 | Le Moyne | 20-10 | 8-4 | – | – | |
| 1987-88 | Le Moyne | 24-6 | 10-2 | – | NCAA, Division II | |
| 1988-89 | Le Moyne | 15-12 | 6-6 | – | – | |
| 1989-90 | Le Moyne | 17-12 | 5-7 | – | – | |
| 1990-91 | Le Moyne | 19-10 | 6-4 | – | – | |
| 1991-92 | Le Moyne | 15-11 | – | – | – | |
| 1992-93 | Canisius | 10-18 | 5-9 | 6th | MAAC, Semifinal | |
| 1993-94 | Canisius | 22-7 | 12-2 | 1st | MAAC, Semifinal | NIT, First Round |
| 1994-95 | Canisius | 21-14 | 10-4 | 2nd | MAAC, Semifinal | NIT, Semifinal |
| 1995-96 | Canisius | 19-11 | 7-7 | 5th | MAAC Champions | NCAA, First Round |
| 1996-97 | Canisius | 17-12 | 10-4 | t-2nd | MAAC, Runner-up | |
| 1997-98 | Richmond | 23-8 | 12-4 | 3rd | CAA Champions | NCAA, Second Round |
| 1998-99 | Richmond | 15-12 | 10-6 | 3rd | CAA, Quarterfinal | |
| 1999-2000 | Richmond | 18-12 | 11-5 | 3rd | CAA, Runner-up | |
| 2000-01 | Richmond | 22-7 | 12-4 | 1st | DNP (CAA to A10) | NIT, Second Round |
| 2001-02 | Richmond | 22-14 | 11-5 | 2nd | A10, Runner-up | NIT, Quarterfinal |
| 2002-03 | West Virginia | 14-15 | 5-11 | 6th (W) | Big East, First R | |
| 2003-04 | West Virginia | 17-14 | 7-9 | t-8th | Big East, First R | NIT, Second Round |
| 2004-05 | West Virginia | 24-11 | 8-8 | t-7th | Big East, Runner-up | NCAA, Elite Eight |
| 2005-06 | West Virginia | 22-11 | 11-5 | 3rd | Big East, Quarter | NCAA, Sweet 16 |
| 2006-07 | West Virginia | 27-9 | 9-7 | t-7th | Big East, Quarter | NIT, Champions |
| 2007-08 | Michigan | 10-22 | 5-13 | 9th | B1G, Quarterfinal | |
| 2008-09 | Michigan | 21-14 | 9-9 | t-7th | B1G, Quarterfinal | NCAA, Second Round |
| 2009-10 | Michigan | 15-17 | 7-11 | t-7th | B1G, Quarterfinal | |
| 2010-11 | Michigan | 21-14 | 9-9 | t-4th | B1G, Semifinal | NCAA, Second Round |
| 2011-12 | Michigan | 24-10 | 13-5 | t-1st | B1G, Semifinal | NCAA, First Round |
| 2012-13 | Michigan | 31-8 | 12-6 | t-4th | B1G, Quarterfinal | NCAA, Nat’l R-up |
| 2013-14 | Michigan | 28-9 | 15-3 | 1st | B1G, Runner-up | NCAA, Elite Eight |
| 2014-15 | Michigan | 16-16 | 8-10 | 9th | B1G, Quarterfinal | |
| 2015-16 | Michigan | 23-13 | 10-8 | 8th | B1G, Semifinal | NCAA, First Round |
| 2016-17 | Michigan | 26-12 | 10-8 | t-6th | B1G Champions | NCAA, Sweet 16 |
| 2017-18 | Michigan | 33-8 | 13-5 | t-4th | B1G Champions | NCAA, Nat’l R-up |
| 2018-19 | Michigan | 30-7 | 15-5 | 3rd | B1G, Runner-up | NCAA, Sweet 16 |
| College Career | 829-468 | 315-218 | ||||
| Career Total | 869-483 |
Career Record
| Years | School | Overall | Conference | Seasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975-78 | Newfane H.S. | 40-15 | – | 3 |
| 1978-82 | Eric C.C. | 75-43 | – | 4 |
| 1982-83 | Nazareth | 20-6 | – | 1 |
| 1983-92 | Le Moyne | 163-94 | 49-36 | 9 |
| 1992-97 | Canisius | 89-62 | 44-26 | 5 |
| 1997-2002 | Richmond | 100-53 | 56-24 | 5 |
| 2002-07 | West Virginia | 104-60 | 40-40 | 5 |
| 2007-2019 | Michigan | 278-150 | 126-92 | 12 |
| College Career | 829-468 | 315-218 | 41 | |
| Career Totals | 869-483 | 44 |
Career Postseason
| NCAA Tournament | Years |
|---|---|
| Appearances (14) | 1988 (DII), ’96, ’98, 2005, ’06, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’16, ’17, ’18,’19 |
| DI Tournament (13) | 1996, ’98, 2005, ’06, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| DII Tournament (1) | 1988 |
| First Four (1) | 2016 |
| First Round (13) | 1996, ’98, 2005, ’06, ’09, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| Second Round (10) | 1998, 2005, ’06, ’09, ’11, ’13, ’14, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| Sweet 16 (7) | 2005, ’06, ’13, ’14, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| Elite Eight (4) | 2005, ’13, ’14, ’18 |
| Final Four (2) | 2013, ’18 |
| Title Game (2) | 2013, ’18 |
| NIT | Years |
|---|---|
| Appearances (6) | 1994, ’95, 2001, ’02, ’04, ’07 |
| First Round (6) | 1994, ’95, 2001, ’02, ’04, ’07 |
| Second Round (5) | 1995, 2001, ’02, ’04, ’07 |
| Quarterfinal (3) | 1995, 2002, ’07 |
| Semifinal (2) | 1995, 2007 |
| Title Game (1) | 2007 |
| Championships (1) | 2007 |
| Big Ten Tournament | Years |
|---|---|
| Appearances (12) | 2008, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| First Round (4) | 2008, ’09, ’10, ’13 |
| Second Round (4) | 2015, ’16, ’17, ’18 |
| Quarterfinal (12) | 2008, ’09, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’13, ’14, ’15, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| Semifinal (7) | 2011, ’12, ’14, ’16, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| Title Game (4) | 2014, ’17, ’18, ’19 |
| Championships (2) | 2017, ’18 |
