Danny Manning New Tulsa Coach: 5 Other Ex-NCAA Basketball Greats On The Sidelines Today

Kansas Jayhawks assistant coach Danny Manning has agreed to become the next coach at the University of Tulsa, becoming the latest ex-college basketball superstar to take over an NCAA men's basketball team.

We are extremely excited to have Danny join The University of Tulsa as our new Head Basketball Coach. He epitomizes everything our university stands for. His impact on young people will extend far beyond the TU basketball program and reach well into our campus and community, said Tulsa Athletic Director Ross Parmley on the school's website. His 15 years in the NBA combined with the last nine years under one of the best coaches in the country, have helped mold him into a great teacher and coach of basketball. He most definitely brings the excitement, the style of basketball, and character that we were looking for in our head coach.

Manning had a spectacular 1988 collegiate season, leading the Jayhawks to the NCAA championship. That year, Manning was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA tournament and was awarded the Wooden, Naismith and Eastman awards as college's best player.

His success in college led the Los Angeles Clippers to select him No. 1 overall in the 1998 draft. Manning went on to have a solid NBA career with seven teams that included two All-Star appearances.

Manning has been an assistant coach at Kansas for six years before being hired Thursday by Tulsa.

He joins a multitude of ex-NCAA stars who now are coaching a college basketball team. Here are five others:

1. Steve Alford, University of New Mexico

Alford heads the University of New Mexico's men's basketball squad and had an outstanding career as a guard at Indiana University.

In his senior year at Indiana, Alford led the Hoosiers to the 1887 NCAA championship.

2. Johnny Dawkins, Stanford

Dawkins is head coach of the Stanford Cardinal and he knows a thing or two about leading after serving as a point guard for Duke in the 1980s.

While at Duke, Dawkins won the Naismith award and led the Blue Devils to the 1986 NCAA Championship game. Unfortunately for Dawkins and Duke, they lost to Louisville by three points.

3. Isaiah Thomas, Florida International

Thomas is head coach of the Florida International University Golden Panthers after an unsuccessful career as an NBA coach and executive - just as New York Knicks fans.

But Thomas's reputation as an elite basketball player is unmatched, having been voted on of the NBA's 50th greatest players.

His stellar NBA career was preceded by an outstanding stint at Indiana University,

While at the school, Thomas led the Hoosiers to the 1981 NCAA championship and was voted the Most Outstanding Player of the 1981 NCAA Tournament.

4. Billy Donovan, University of Florida

Donovan is a two-time NCAA Tournament champion as a coach at the University of Florida, achieving the pinnacle of men's college basketball in 2006 and 2007.

Donovan's playing career flourished in his last two seasons at Providence College under Rick Pitino.

Donovan led the Friars to the Final Four as a senior as was voted MVP of the 1987 NCAA Tournament's Southeast Region.

5. Corliss Williamson, University of Central Arkansas

University of Central Arkansas coach Corliss Williamson had an impressive college career at the University of Arkansas, where he helped the team win the 1994 NCAA Championship over Duke.

Williamson won a litany of awards while at Arkansas, including Most Outstanding Player of the 1994 NCAA Tournament, and twice being named SEC Player of the Year.

Williamson's skills in college led him to be selected 13th overall in the 1995 NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings.