Bill Armstrong’s first season as a college head coach could hardly have gone better. Taking over at McNeese State University, Armstrong led the Cowboys to a 28–6 record, a Southland Conference Tournament Championship, and the program’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Despite being in his first year leading a Division I program, Armstrong seamlessly transitioned into the role, building on McNeese’s winning culture while putting his own stamp on one of the nation’s top mid-major teams.

What made McNeese especially unique was its relentless defensive identity. Armstrong’s philosophy centered around applying pressure for the full 40 minutes, with the Cowboys utilizing a full-court press that consistently disrupted opponents and forced mistakes. The results were staggering, as McNeese finished among the national leaders in multiple ...