Like everyone else, I have my own opinions regarding the on-going debate about coach Herb Sendek's future at N.C. State. Frankly, at this point, I see plenty of valid points on both sides.

But rather than getting into the gory details of what my approach would be were I running (perish the thought) the N.C. State athletic department, let me pose another strange but relevant question:

Is Sendek more like Gary Williams of Maryland or more like Carl Tacy of Wake Forest?

Both coaches had underwhelming records after 10 years at their respective schools. But Williams (who had plenty of fans calling for his head at the 10-year mark) then led the Terps to a pair of Final Fours, an ACC title and a national championship, whereas Tacy (who endured similar criticism) continued meekly on his career-long path of mediocrity.

Below are the records, through only their first 10 years, for all ACC basketball coaches who held their positions for at least 10 seasons since the creation of the league in 1953. They are listed in order of their winning percentage in regular-season conference games.

Vic Bubas, Duke, 1960-69: 106-32 record (.768) in ACC regular-season games, 213-67 overall (.761), 22-6 ACC Tournament (.786), 11-4 NCAA Tournament (.733), 4 ACC titles, 4 first-place finishes, 4 NCAA bids, 4 Sweet 16s, 3 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Dean Smith, North Carolina, 1962-71: 97-43 record (.693) in ACC regular-season games, 191-77 overall (.713), 14-7 ACC Tournament (.667), 7-5 NCAA Tournament (.583), 3 ACC titles, 4 first-place finishes, 3 NCAA bids, 3 Sweet 16s, 3 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Everett Case, N.C. State, 1954-63: 85-49 record (.634) in ACC regular-season games, 183-77 overall (.704), 15-6 ACC Tournament (.714), 2-2 NCAA Tournament (.500), 4 ACC titles, 3 first-place finishes, 2 NCAA bids, 2 Sweet 16s, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Norm Sloan, N.C. State, 1967-76: 78-52 record (.600) in ACC regular-season games, 190-86 overall (.688), 12-7 ACC Tournament (.632), 4-1 NCAA Tournament (.800), 3 ACC titles, 2 first-place finishes, 2 NCAA bids, 1 Sweet 16, 1 Final Four, 1 NCAA title.

Terry Holland, Virginia, 1975-84: 73-57 record (.562) in ACC regular-season games, 214-95 overall (.693), 10-9 ACC Tournament (.526), 11-5 NCAA Tournament (.688), 1 ACC title, 3 first-place finishes, 5 NCAA bids, 3 Sweet 16s, 2 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Dave Odom,, Wake Forest, 1990-99: 86-70 record (.551) in ACC regular-season games, 199-97 overall (.672), 8-8 ACC Tournament (.500), 10-7 NCAA Tournament (.588), 2 ACC titles, 1 first-place finish, 7 NCAA bids, 3 Sweet 16s, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Mike Krzyzewski, Duke, 1981-90: 76-64 record (.543) in ACC regular-season games, 231-101 overall (.696), 12-8 ACC Tournament (.600), 21-7 NCAA Tournament (.750), 2 ACC titles, 1 first-place finish, 7 NCAA bids, 5 Sweet 16s, 4 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Lefty Driesell, Maryland, 1970-79: 67-57 record (.540) in ACC regular-season games, 189-85 overall (.690), 9-10 ACC Tournament (.474), 3-2 NCAA Tournament (.600), 0 ACC titles, 1 first-place finish, 2 NCAA bids, 1 Sweet 16, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Bud Millikan, Maryland, 1954-63: 71-64 record (.526) in ACC regular-season games, 147-104 overall (.586), 6-9 ACC Tournament (.400), 2-1 NCAA Tournament (.667), 1 ACC title, 0 first-place finishes, 1 NCAA bid, 1 Sweet 16, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Jim Valvano, N.C. State, 1981-90: 71-69 record (.507) in ACC regular-season games, 209-114 overall (.647), 9-8 ACC Tournament (.529), 14-6 NCAA Tournament (.700), 2 ACC titles, 2 first-place finishes, 7 NCAA bids, 4 Sweet 16s, 1 Final Four, 1 NCAA title.

Bobby Cremins, Georgia Tech, 1982-91: 70-70 record (.500) in ACC regular-season games, 198-112 overall (.639), 9-8 ACC Tournament (.529), 11-7 NCAA Tournament (.611), 2 ACC titles, 1 first-place finish, 7 NCAA bids, 3 Sweet 16s, 1 Final Four, 0 NCAA titles.

Gary Williams, Maryland, 1990-99: 78-78 record (.500) in ACC regular-season games, 192-118 overall (.619), 7-9 ACC Tournament (.438), 8-6 NCAA Tournament (.571), 0 ACC titles, 1 first-place finish, 6 NCAA bids, 4 Sweet 16s, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Herb Sendek, N.C. State, 1997-2006: 72-88 record (.450) in ACC regular-season games, 191-132 overall (.591), 13-10 ACC Tournament (.565), 5-5 NCAA Tournament (.500), 0 ACC titles, 0 first-place finishes, 5 NCAA bids, 1 Sweet 16, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Carl Tacy, Wake Forest, 1973-82: 52-74 record (.413) in ACC regular-season games, 164-114 overall (.590), 5-10 ACC Tournament (.333), 3-3 NCAA Tournament (.500), 0 ACC titles, 0 first-place finishes, 3 NCAA bids, 1 Sweet 16, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Cliff Ellis, Clemson, 1985-94: 56-90 record (.384) in ACC regular-season games, 177-128 overall (.580), 3-10 ACC Tournament (.231), 3-3 NCAA Tournament (.500), 0 ACC titles, 1 first-place finish, 3 NCAA bids, 2 Sweet 16s, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

Bill Gibson, Virginia, 1964-73: 46-90 record (.338) in ACC regular-season games, 109-142 overall (.434), 4-10 ACC Tournament (.286), 0-0 NCAA Tournament (.000), 0 ACC titles, 0 first-place finishes, 0 NCAA bids, 0 Sweet 16s, 0 Final Fours, 0 NCAA titles.

NOTES: (1) The ACC recognizes the winner of the ACC Tournament as the official conference champion. (2) ACC first-place finishes include ties. (3) From 1954-74, under NCAA rules, only one team per conference received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament. From 1975-79, only two teams per conference could receive NCAA bids. From 1980-present, there have been no restrictions on the number of bids per conference. (4) Each coach obviously inherited a unique set of circumstances upon his arrival.