Abstract: NCAA's outstanding basketball coaches' development process and coaching experiences provide China with reference in its development of elite coaches. The paper researches the coaches of the Sweet Sixteen from 2011-2012 season for their educational experience, playing experience, coaching experience and coaching concepts. The conclusion shows that education background and competitive level as players are not prerequisite for American college basketball coaches' career development in the future. The core and key of superior coaching ability comes from their rich assistants' experience, training under famous coaches, attending coaching clinic, self-study and focusing on their own leadership cultivation.

Key words: American university, basketball coach, growth experience