View source for Tommy Amaker

{{short description|American basketball player and coach (born 1965)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{featured article}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name               = Tommy Amaker
| image              = Tommy Amaker, Harvard Crimson men's basketball coach.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Amaker in 2024
| current_title      = [[Head coach]]
| current_team       = [[Harvard Crimson men's basketball|Harvard]]
| current_conference = [[Ivy League]]
| current_record     = {{winpct|311|201|record=y}}
| contract           = 
| birth_date         = {{Birth date and age|1965|6|6}}
| birth_place        = [[Falls Church, Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date         = 
| death_place        = 
| player_years1      = 1983–1987
| player_team1       = [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]]
| player_positions   = [[Point guard]]
| coach_years1       = 1988–1997
| coach_team1        = [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke]] (assistant)
| coach_years2       = 1997–2001
| coach_team2        = [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall]]
| coach_years3       = 2001–2007
| coach_team3        = [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]]
| coach_years4       = 2007–present
| coach_team4        = [[Harvard Crimson men's basketball|Harvard]]
| overall_record     = {{winpct|487|340|record=y}}
| bowl_record        = 
| tournament_record  = 4–5 ([[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I]])<br>11–8 ([[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]])<br>0–1 ([[CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament|CIT]])
| championships      = [[National Invitation Tournament|NIT]] ([[2004 National Invitation Tournament|2004]])<br>7 [[Ivy League]] Regular Season (2011–2015, 2018, 2019)
| awards             = ;Player
*[[NABC Defensive Player of the Year]] (1987)
*Third-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] – [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]] ([[1987 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1987]])
*Second-team [[List of All-Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball teams|All-ACC]] (1987)
*High School All-American (1983: [[1983 McDonald's All-American Boys Game|McD]], [[Parade All-American|Parade]])
;Coach
*[[Ivy League]] Coach of the Year (2010 [[Fox Sports (USA)|FOX]], 2011 ''[[College Insider]]'')
* 2012 [[United States Basketball Writers Association|USBWA]] District I Coach of the Year
| coaching_records   = 
| medaltemplates     = {{MedalSport | Men's [[basketball]]}}{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}{{MedalCompetition|[[William Jones Cup]]}}{{MedalSilver| [[1985 William Jones Cup|1985 Taipei]] | [[USA national basketball team|USA]]}} 
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA World Championship]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1986 FIBA World Championship|1986 Spain]] | [[USA national basketball team|USA]]}}
}}

'''Harold Tommy Amaker Jr.''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|m|ə|k|ər}}; born June 6, 1965) is an American [[college basketball]] coach and the [[head coach]] of the [[Harvard University]] men's [[Harvard Crimson men's basketball|basketball]] team. He has also coached for the [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|University of Michigan]] and [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall University]]. He played [[point guard]] and later served as an assistant coach at [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke University]] under [[Mike Krzyzewski]].  An [[All-American]] player, Amaker set numerous records and earned many honors and awards.  He took Seton Hall to the post season in each of his four seasons as their coach, helped Michigan win the [[National Invitation Tournament]] the year after a probationary ban from postseason play, and had the three highest single-season win totals in the history of Harvard basketball, the school's first six [[Ivy League]] championships and first NCAA tournament victory.

Amaker was a [[high school basketball]] star at [[Carter G. Woodson High School|W. T. Woodson High School]] from 1979 to 1983 under coach Paul (Red) Jenkins. Amaker led the Woodson Cavaliers to four straight Northern District titles, including victories over the national powerhouse [[DeMatha Catholic High School]]. A [[McDonald's All-American]], Amaker also earned the Wooden Defensive Player of the Year award in 1983, awarded to the nation's best high school defensive player. He averaged almost 18 points, and contributed 7.5 assists and 3.5 steals per game while at Woodson. In December 1992, the Connection named Amaker to the Connection Dream Team, as a point guard.[[McDonald's All-American]] and a [[Parade All-American]]. As a college basketball player, he set most of the [[assist (basketball)|assists]] records and many [[steal (basketball)|steals]] records for [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke basketball]].  He also set the  [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] single-season games played and games started records.  Among his numerous accolades, he was the first winner of the [[NABC Defensive Player of the Year]], and he was a third team All-American.

Amaker was an assistant coach for the Duke Blue Devils men's basketball under Krzyzewski for nine seasons.  His first four seasons were part of a five-year streak of Final Four appearances by Duke (including back-to-back national championships). As a head coach, Amaker took the [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall Pirates]] to postseason tournaments ([[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] – [[2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2000]] and National Invitation Tournament – [[1998 National Invitation Tournament|1998]], [[1999 National Invitation Tournament|1999]], and [[2001 National Invitation Tournament|2001]]) in each of his four seasons as their coach. Assistant coach, Jason Lampa, credits the success that Amaker experienced at Seton Hall to his calm demeanor and respect for players. He dealt with the turmoil and self-imposed sanctions of the [[University of Michigan basketball scandal]] in his first years with [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan]], where he eventually won the [[2004 National Invitation Tournament]] with the [[2003–04 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team]] and finished as the runner-up with Michigan in the [[2006 National Invitation Tournament]].

In his tenure as [[Harvard Crimson|Harvard]] men's basketball coach, he was the first coach to lead the Crimson to victory over a ranked opponent with the school.  He also coached the [[2009–10 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team]] into the postseason ([[2010 CollegeInsider.com Tournament]]) in his third year there, which included the highest single-season victory total (21) in school history. In the summer of 2010, the NCAA ruled that Amaker had committed a recruiting violation, resulting in NCAA-mandated recruiting restrictions, the university's first NCAA penalty of the men's basketball program. The [[2010–11 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2010–11 team]] became the first Harvard men's basketball team to clinch a share of the Ivy League championship and surpassed the prior season win total (23).  The [[2011–12 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2011–12 team]] became the first in school history to appear in the [[AP Poll|Associated Press]] (AP) and [[Coaches Poll]]s and, for the third year in a row, established a new school record for wins (26).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecrimson.com/blog/the-back-page/article/2012/3/29/harvard-coach-tommy-amaker-awards-basketball/|title = Amaker Earns Coaching Awards &#124; Sports &#124; the Harvard Crimson}}</ref> Amaker's 2011–12, [[2012–13 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2012–13]], [[2013–14 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2013–14]] and [[2014–15 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2014–15 teams]] repeated as Ivy League champions. The 2012–13 team gave Harvard its first NCAA tournament victory. The 2013–14 team posted a record 27 wins. Amaker became the winningest coach in school history in 2016.

==Early years==
Amaker was born in [[Falls Church, Virginia|Falls Church]], Virginia, in 1965.

Amaker resided in Falls Church, but he attended [[Carter G. Woodson High School|W.T. Woodson High School]] in [[Fairfax, Virginia|Fairfax]], Virginia, because his mother, Alma Amaker, was a high school English teacher in [[Fairfax County Public Schools|Fairfax County]]. Her job allowed her to choose among the county schools, her choice made because the school's basketball coach, Red Jenkins, who called Amaker "T-bird",<ref name="A06p" /> had been impressed with his performances at his youth summer league since Amaker was 10 years old.<ref name="TAWB83">{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111218015235/http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=262609&paper=63&cat=105|archive-date=December 18, 2011|url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=262609&paper=63&cat=105|title=#8, Tommy Amaker, Woodson Basketball, 1983: It was mind over body for the former Woodson basketball standout, as his career took him to the top of college basketball as a player and a coach|access-date=April 4, 2010|date=August 16, 2006|work=Fairfax Connection|author=Kurspahic, Mirza}}</ref> He began playing varsity for Woodson by December,<ref name="TAWB83" /> making him the first freshman to play varsity in the school's history.<ref name="9-10DMG">{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|pages=30 & 32}}</ref> His mother, whom Jenkins called "his first coach and his best coach," attended his practices and graded papers in the coach's office.<ref name="A06p" />

Duke University basketball head coach [[Mike Krzyzewski]], who had just completed his [[1980–81 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|first season]] as Duke coach, was in town to evaluate [[Johnny Dawkins]] in a 1981 Washington D.C. summer league game, but was convinced to stay for a second game to see Amaker play. Krzyzewski met Amaker's mother and said, "Mrs. Amaker, your son is going to look great in Duke blue."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-01-25-sp-5873-story.html|title=Duke's Amaker Has the Look of a Winner : As Blue Devils' Only Returning Starter, He Is Key to Team's Success|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=January 25, 1987|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Feinstein, John}}</ref>  At the time, Amaker had wanted to play for the [[Maryland Terrapins men's basketball|Maryland Terrapins]] because his sister Tami went to the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] and Amaker idolized [[Maryland Terrapins men's basketball|Maryland]] star guard [[John Lucas II|John Lucas]].<ref name="A06p" />  He was recruited eventually to Duke by assistant coach [[Chuck Swenson]], who would later become an assistant coach during Amaker's first five seasons at Michigan from 2001 to 2006.<ref name="A06p" />

Amaker played on the 1983 [[McDonald's All-American Team]] and was also named to the [[Parade All-American]] team.<ref name="9-10DMG" /> According to the ''Fairfax Connection'', the county changed the rules regarding where teachers could send their children due to Amaker's success at Woodson.<ref name="TAWB83" />

==College career==
Amaker was a star point guard at Duke after becoming a freshman [[starting lineup|starter]] for head coach Krzyzewski.  He led the team in assists three years and in steals four seasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=[[Duke University]]|pages=175–6}}</ref>  While at Duke his roommate for away games was [[Mike Brey]].<ref name="A06p" />

===Freshman and sophomore years===
Dawkins played point guard for the [[1982–83 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1982–83 Blue Devils]], but moved to [[shooting guard]] the following year to make way for Amaker.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/28/nobody-can-stop-him/|title='Nobody Can Stop Him': Even Gravity Can't Hold Johnny Dawkins Down|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 28, 1986|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref> When Amaker joined the [[1983–84 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1983–84 Blue Devils]], unranked Duke, led by Dawkins and Amaker, won its first seven games, the longest winning streak of fourth-year head coach Krzyzewski's career. Amaker had a [[field goal percentage|field goal accuracy]] of over 65&nbsp;percent in those games.<ref>{{cite news|title=Duke Not Eager To Join Rankings|work=[[Boston Globe]]|date=December 18, 1983}}</ref> He led Duke to the NCAA Tournament during his [[1984 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1984]] freshman and [[1985 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1985]] sophomore seasons, but neither team advanced to the Sweet Sixteen (regional semifinals).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasesports.com/ncaab/tourney.htm?yr=1984|title=1984 NCAA basketball tournament Bracket|access-date=April 4, 2010|website=databaseSports.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasesports.com/ncaab/tourney.htm?yr=1985|title=1985 NCAA basketball tournament Bracket|access-date=April 4, 2010|website=databaseSports.com}}</ref> In the quarterfinal round of the [[1984 ACC men's basketball tournament]] against the [[Mark Price]]-led [[1983–84 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team|Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets]],<ref>{{cite news|title=N. Carolina Wins Its Opener Despite Missing Starter|work=[[Philadelphia Inquirer]]|author=Longman, Jere|page=C.3|date=March 10, 1984|quote=Yesterday, guard Tommy Amaker hit a 15-foot baseline jumper with 9 seconds left in overtime to put Duke up 65–63; then, backcourt mate David Henderson sank two free throws after time expired.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=N.C. State Beaten By Maryland|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Alfano, Peter|page=31|date=March 10, 1984|quote=Tommy Amaker, who doesn't shoot much, made a 15-foot jumper with eight seconds left in overtime to give Duke the victory.}}</ref> Amaker hit the game-winning shot with the score tied and less than 10 seconds left in [[overtime (sports)|overtime]].  In some instances, Amaker's defense changed the game by limiting dribble penetration and forcing low shooting percentages regardless of whether he had notable offensive contributions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1985/02/17/did-irish-lose-more-than-a-game/|title=Did Irish Lose More Than A Game?|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=February 17, 1985|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Daley, Steve}}</ref>

===Junior year===
During Amaker's [[1985–86 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|junior year (1985–86)]], Duke won the inaugural [[NIT Season Tip-Off]] (then known as the preseason National Invitation Tournament) and Amaker had nine assists in the championship game against a [[Danny Manning]]-led [[1985–86 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team|Kansas]] team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1144&dat=19851202&id=FN4cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=CGMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4884,3917491|title=Duke Gets A Breather After Nit Triumph|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=December 2, 1985|work=[[Pittsburgh Press]]|page=C8}}</ref> In the March [[Carolina–Duke rivalry]] game against [[1985–86 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team|North Carolina]] Amaker stole the ball from  [[Jeff Lebo]] and made a [[layup]] that gave Duke a late first half three-point lead it never surrendered. The win clinched Duke's first regular season ACC Championship since 1966.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/03/duke-emerges-with-acc-title/|title=Duke Emerges With Acc Title: Henderson Starts Victory Over North Carolina|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 3, 1985|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref> According to [[ESPN]] college basketball [[color commentator]] [[Dick Vitale]], Amaker had a reputation for putting pressure on the ball.<ref name="TktFDPDgalit">{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/20/the-key-to-fridays-de-paul-duke-game/|title=The key to Friday's De Paul-Duke game, at least in the..|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 20, 1986|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author1=Myslenski, Skip |author2=Linda Kay. |name-list-style=amp}}</ref> That year, he helped the team win the [[1986 ACC men's basketball tournament]], including a championship game victory over the Price-led [[1985–86 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets men's basketball team|Georgia Tech]].<ref name="ODOAT">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1064595/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410171443/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1064595/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2013|title=One Devil Of A Team: No. 1-ranked Duke charged into the NCAAs after knocking off Georgia Tech for the ACC title|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 17, 1986|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Kilpatrick, Curry}}</ref>

Duke entered the [[1986 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1986 NCAA tournament]] ranked number one with a team that was built around the defensive efforts of its guards, Dawkins and Amaker.<ref name="ODOAT" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/23/navy-steams-by-obstacles/|title=Navy Steams By Obstacles|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 23, 1986|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref> In the [[final four]] with Duke clinging to a 69–67 lead in a rematch against Kansas, Amaker pulled down the final rebound and sank two clinching free throws in the final five seconds. The win sent Duke to the championship game, giving the team its 21st consecutive victory and an NCAA record 37 single-season victories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/30/duke-louisville-survive/|title=Duke, Louisville Survive: Freshman Beats Kansas To A Critical Rebound|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 30, 1986|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref>  ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'' journalist Robert Markus described Amaker and Dawkins as the best guard combination in the country,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/12/midnight-beckons-cinderellas/|title=Midnight Beckons Cinderellas: Surprise Teams Unlikely To Crash This Year's Ncaa Ball|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 12, 1986|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1986/03/18/strickland-puts-tough-in-de-paul/|title=Strickland Puts 'Tough' In De Paul|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 18, 1986|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref> although Vitale described Amaker as unknown.<ref name="TktFDPDgalit" />

[[File:1986 Duke v Kansas - Tommy Amaker dribble.jpg|thumb|right|Amaker with Duke in the 1986 NCAA tournament]]

The 1985–86 Blue Devils finished as national runner-up in the 1986 NCAA tournament to [[1985–86 Louisville Cardinals men's basketball team|Louisville]]. That year, Amaker recorded 81 steals, second to [[Jim Spanarkel]] at that point in Duke history.<ref name="910DBR">{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2012-13-MBB-MediaGuide/Records_113-154.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|title=2012–13 Duke Men's Basketball Media Guide|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=October 23, 2012|publisher=[[Duke University]]|author=Duke Sports Information Office|pages=115–119}}</ref>  He set the career steals record, which stood until [[Shane Battier]] broke it in 2001.<ref name="910DBR" />  Amaker also holds the Duke single-year NCAA tournament record with 18 steals in 1986, which had been a tournament record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/m_final4/2012/201203Tournament.pdf|title=The Tournament|access-date=June 11, 2013|publisher=[[National Collegiate Athletic Association]]|page=5}}</ref> That year, he had seven steals in two tournament games—against [[Old Dominion Monarchs basketball|Old Dominion]] in the second round on March 15 and  Louisville in the final on March 31. This seven-steal total stood as the single-game NCAA tournament record for seven years until the [[1993 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1993 NCAA tournament]] when Darrell Hawkins had eight for [[1992–93 Arkansas Razorbacks men's basketball team|Arkansas]] against [[1992–93 Holy Cross Crusaders men's basketball team|Holy Cross]] and [[Grant Hill]] had eight for [[1992–93 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|Duke]] against [[1992–93 California Golden Bears men's basketball team|California]].<ref name="Lstr">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/blog/index/_/name/marchmadness/id/4048252/lawson-steals-record|title=Lawson steals the record|access-date=April 7, 2013|date=April 6, 2009|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The seven steals was a championship game record that was tied by [[Mookie Blaylock]] in the [[1988 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1988 NCAA tournament]] for [[1987–88 Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball team|Oklahoma]] against [[1987–88 Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball team|Kansas]] and was surpassed by [[Ty Lawson]] in the [[2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|2009 NCAA tournament]] for [[2008–09 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team|North Carolina]] against [[2008–09 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|Michigan State]].<ref name="Lstr" /> Amaker was selected to the 1986 Division I basketball tournament all-NCAA Final Four team.<ref name="1NBTB" /> The 1986 Duke team graduated four of its five starters (Dawkins, [[Mark Alarie]], [[Jay Bilas]] and [[David Henderson (basketball)|David Henderson]]), leaving Amaker with an inexperienced supporting cast for his senior season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/17/sports/sports-world-specials-one-left-from-no-2.html|title=Sports World Specials; One Left From No. 2|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=November 17, 1986|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> That year, Amaker was a spokesman against drug and alcohol abuse as part of an NCAA-Fiesta Bowl drug education television program.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-04-10/sports/8601220002_1_meningitis-wayne-stofsky-tennis-team|title=Stofsky Hoping To Resume Baseball Career|access-date=March 23, 2013|date=April 10, 1986|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|archive-date=December 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208150338/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1986-04-10/sports/8601220002_1_meningitis-wayne-stofsky-tennis-team|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Senior year===
[[Muggsy Bogues]], Amaker's ACC rival, was his roommate during the July [[1986 FIBA World Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-08-02-sp-910-story.html|title=Making Believers Is What Tyrone Bogues Does Best|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=August 2, 1987|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Pomerantz, Gary}}</ref> He played in at least two games in the tournament, the first for a mere two minutes against [[Puerto Rico men's national basketball team|Puerto Rico]], but he played a prominent role in the USA's win over [[Italy national basketball team|Italy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/d70f0cdb4c375155c55be2b98991dabd|title=Unites [sic] States 86, Italy 64|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=July 10, 1986|work=[[Associated Press News]]}}</ref> Amaker won a gold medal while serving on the [[United States men's national basketball team|US national team]] in the FIBA World Championship, which served as the basketball tournament for the [[1986 Goodwill Games]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/history/mwc_1986.html|title=Tenth World Championship – 1986|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113075027/http://www.usabasketball.com/history/mwc_1986.html|publisher=[[USA Basketball]]|archive-date=November 13, 2007|access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/mgwg_1986.html|title=First Men's Goodwill Games|access-date=March 19, 2013|publisher=[[USA Basketball]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225130505/http://www.usabasketball.com/mens/mgwg_1986.html|archive-date=February 25, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=94}}</ref>

Senior Amaker served as team [[captain (sports)|captain]] for the [[1986–87 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1986–87 Blue Devils]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=183}}</ref> and he led Duke back to the [[1987 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1987 NCAA tournament]], where they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen before losing to eventual champion [[1986–87 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team|Indiana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasesports.com/ncaab/tourney.htm?yr=1987|title=1987 NCAA basketball tournament Bracket|access-date=April 4, 2010|website=databaseSports.com}}</ref> The key players on the team that year were Amaker and sophomore [[Danny Ferry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/03/09/college-basketball-242/|title=College Basketball|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 9, 1987|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> During his senior season, the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] instituted the [[three-point field goal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/NCAANewsArchive/1986/19861025.pdf|title=Three-pointer headlines the new men's basketball season|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=October 27, 1986|work=The NCAA News|page=4|volume=23|issue=38|author=Campbell, Richard M.}}</ref> Amaker led Duke in three point shooting that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=175}}</ref> He hit a three-point shot with 1:39 remaining in overtime against 17–0 (4–0 ACC) [[Horace Grant]]-led [[1986–87 Clemson Tigers men's basketball team|Clemson]] to give Duke the lead for good.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/25/sports/college-basketball-no-1-iowa-upset-by-ohio-state.html|title=College Basketball; No. 1 Iowa Upset By Ohio State|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=January 25, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> A few weeks later, with the score tied in regulation at 60 against [[1986–87 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team|Notre Dame]] and on a two-on-one [[fast break]] with 16 seconds left, Amaker took a [[Jump shot (basketball)|jump shot]]. Krzyzewski said Duke lost the game because it did not play as smart as its opponent and Markus described this example in his column.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/02/16/notre-dame-surprises-duke/|title=Notre Dame Surprises Duke|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=February 16, 1987|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Markus, Robert}}</ref> In Amaker's final home game, he made a jump shot with 1:15 remaining that put number seventeen Duke, which made all six of its free throws in the final 45 seconds, ahead for good in its rematch against number thirteen Clemson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/01/sports/college-basketball-purdue-wins-is-tied-for-big-ten-lead.html|title=College Basketball; Purdue Wins, Is Tied For Big Ten Lead|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 1, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19870301&id=r0IsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KM4EAAAAIBAJ&pg=3966,160328|title=Clemson Loses To Duke; Marshall Injured|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 1, 1987|work=[[Spartanburg Herald-Journal]]}}</ref>   In the 1987 tournament he led Duke in scoring in its final two games,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=124}}</ref> including 23 against the [[Rick Calloway]]/[[Keith Smart]]/[[Steve Alford]]-led Indiana, who was coached by [[Bobby Knight]], Krzyzewski's college coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1987/03/21/indiana-hustles-past-duke/|title=Indiana Hustles Past Duke|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 21, 1987|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Hersh, Phil}}</ref>

That year, the [[National Association of Basketball Coaches]] (NABC) awarded Amaker with the first [[Henry Iba Corinthian Award]] (also known as the NABC Defensive Player of the Year).<ref name="duke">{{cite web|url=http://www.dukeupdate.com/Alumni/tommy_amaker.htm|title=Tommy Amaker|access-date=April 1, 2010|work=Duke Update}}</ref>  Amaker was selected to the [[1987 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1987 NCAA Men's Basketball All-American]] third team by the NABC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/highschool/awards/4/24|title=Parade All-American Third Team|access-date=June 11, 2013|publisher=RealGM, L.L.C.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://basketball.realgm.com/ncaa/awards/13|title=NABC Player of the Year: NABC All-American Third Team|access-date=June 11, 2013|publisher=RealGM, L.L.C.}}</ref>  He was named to the 1987 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament All-Midwest Regional Team.<ref name="1NBTB">{{cite web|url=http://www.databasesports.com/ncaab/tourney.htm?yr=1986|title=1986 NCAA basketball tournament Bracket|access-date=April 4, 2010|website=databaseSports.com}}</ref>  He was a 1987 All-ACC 2nd-team honoree and earned the team co-[[Most valuable player|MVP]] award with Ferry that year.<ref name="910DBT">{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com//pdf4/650653.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|title=2009–10 Duke Basketball Tradition|publisher=[[Duke University]]|access-date=April 1, 2010}}</ref> Amaker earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[economics]] in 1987 from Duke.<ref name="TAHBio" />

===Accomplishments===
Amaker set many Duke career and single-season assists records. He held the record for single-season assists in the years between 1986 and 1990, which was broken by [[Bobby Hurley]]. Hurley also broke Amaker's records in career assists per game (5.1, 1987–93) and career assists (708, 1987–92). [[Steve Wojciechowski]] broke Amaker's records in single-season assists to turnover ratio (2.88, 1985–97) and career assists to turnover ratio (2.11, 1987–98).  Although his single-season assists records were surpassed by Hurley's freshman, sophomore and senior season totals, it still remains a record for a Duke junior.<ref name="910DBR" />  He also held Duke's career NCAA tournament assist average record with 57 in 12 games for a 4.7 average until Hurley surpassed it with 145 in 20 games for a 7.3 average.<ref name="910DBT" />  His school single-game assists record of 14 that he tied (Kevin Billerman, March 2, 1974, vs. [[1973–74 North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball team|North Carolina]]) vs. {{cbb link|1985|sex=men|team=Miami Hurricanes|school=University of Miami|title=Miami}} on February 19, 1986, was not broken until Hurley's senior 1993 season and is still a record for a junior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=157}}</ref>

Amaker holds several Duke and ACC records for games played.  Amaker, Alarie and Dawkins have all started 40 games for the 1985–86 Duke team and both Ferry and [[Billy King (basketball)|Billy King]] have played 40 games in a season.  Amaker's 138 consecutive games started surpassed Alarie and Dawkins' totals of 133.<ref name="910DBR" />  His 138 consecutive games played was a Duke record until [[Chris Duhon]] played 144 in a row ending in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=150}}</ref>  Consecutive games started is not shown in the 2009–10 Atlantic Coast Conference Media Guide records section.  However, no ACC player has ever played more than 40 games in a season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/0910accmbkguide.html|title=2009–10 ACC Men's Basketball Media Guide|access-date=March 31, 2010|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231144203/http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/0910accmbkguide.html|archive-date=December 31, 2010}}</ref>

==Pro career==
Following his [[college basketball]] career, Amaker was drafted by the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in the 3rd round of the [[1987 NBA draft]] with the 55th pick overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/web-docs/2009-10_Duke_MBB_Media_Guide.pdf?SPSID=22748&SPID=1845&DB_OEM_ID=4200|access-date=April 1, 2010|title=2009–10 Duke Media Guide|publisher=Duke University|page=90}}</ref> He was also drafted in the first round of the April 1987 [[United States Basketball League]]'s draft by the [[Staten Island Stallions]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NBA notes|date=April 9, 1987|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> He was regarded to be too small to play in the NBA at {{convert|6|ft|m}} and {{convert|155|lbs|kg}}.<ref name="TAWB83" /> He was cut from the SuperSonics team on October 21, 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/21/sports/sports-people-offer-for-lister.html|title=SPORTS PEOPLE; Offer for Lister|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=October 21, 1987|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Subsequently, he spent three days with the [[Wyoming Wildcatters]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association]] in [[Casper, Wyoming|Casper]], Wyoming.  He quickly decided he wanted to return to Duke to pursue a [[Master of Business Administration]] (MBA).<ref name="A06p" />

==Coaching career==

===Duke===
[[File:Mike Krzyzewski, Duke Magazine vol70no01 page 25.jpg|thumb|After playing four years for [[Duke Blue Devils men's basketball|Duke basketball]], Amaker returned to serve on the staff of his former coach, [[Mike Krzyzewski]] (pictured).]]
Amaker accepted a graduate assistant position on Krzyzewski's staff at Duke in 1988 while pursuing his MBA degree from the [[Fuqua School of Business]];<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/082301aaa.html|title=Amaker Selected for Induction into Duke Hall of Fame|work=MGoBlue.com|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|access-date=April 11, 2013|archive-date=September 1, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901153054/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/082301aaa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://goduke.cstv.com/genrel/092101aaa.html|title=Five to be Inducted to Duke Hall of Fame: Four Former Student-Athletes and One Former Coach on List|publisher=[[CSTV.com]]|access-date=April 1, 2001|archive-date=July 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708211929/http://goduke.cstv.com/genrel/092101aaa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> the team reached the [[Final Four]] of the [[1989 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1989 NCAA tournament]]. He was an assistant coach from 1989 through 1997, during which Duke won two [[NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship|NCAA Championships]] ([[1991 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1991]] and [[1992 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1992]]) and made two other Final Four appearances ([[1990 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1990]] and [[1994 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|1994]]).<ref name="duke" />  By 1992, Duke had been to five consecutive final fours.  While an assistant coach, he declined numerous [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] head coaching opportunities.<ref name="SHHAWBaBoKM" />  Duke also won four regular season [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] men's basketball championships ([[1990–91 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1991]], [[1991–92 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1992]], [[1993–94 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1994]] and [[1996–97 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|1997]]) and the [[1992 ACC men's basketball tournament]]. The 1994–95 season was turbulent. In October 1994, Krzyzewski underwent back surgery. He attempted to return to coaching two weeks later but eventually was re-admitted to [[Duke University Hospital]] for four days in January due to related complications. He eventually relinquished control of the team for the season to interim coach [[Pete Gaudet]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-01-23-sp-23310-story.html|title=Duke's Krzyzewski Won't Be Back This Season : College basketball: His recovery from back surgery will leave struggling team in hands of interim coach Gaudet|access-date=March 20, 2013|date=January 23, 1995|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1142628/index.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130410172735/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1142628/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 10, 2013|title=Duke Takes A Dive: The absence of Mike Krzyzewski has hastened the Blue Devils' fall |access-date=March 20, 2013|date=January 30, 1995|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Crothers, Tim}}</ref>

After [[Wimp Sanderson]] was forced out as coach of [[Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball|Alabama]] in 1992, Amaker was under consideration to replace him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1992-05-20/sports/26011543_1_seed-head-coach-today-singles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226193252/http://articles.philly.com/1992-05-20/sports/26011543_1_seed-head-coach-today-singles|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 26, 2014|title=Rockets Keeping Coach|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=May 20, 1992|publisher=[[Philly.com]]}}</ref> In 1993, he was the leading candidate to assume the head coaching job at [[Northwestern Wildcats men's basketball|Northwestern]] when [[Bill Foster (basketball, born 1930)|Bill Foster]] stepped aside to serve as interim [[athletic director]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/04/23/nu-job-lead-to-amaker/|title=Nu Job Lead To Amaker|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=April 23, 1993|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author1=Milbert, Neil |author2=Skip Myslenski |name-list-style=amp}}</ref> but at age 27, he declined the job when it was offered, noting that he had only been married one year and saying "It boiled down to us looking at a situation where we were extremely flattered, but a situation that wasn't right for us now."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/04/28/amaker-says-no-thanks-to-nu/|title=Amaker Says 'No Thanks' To Nu|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=April 28, 1993|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Myslenski, Skip}}</ref> That summer Amaker was one of two college basketball members of the 10-man selection committee for the United States Olympic Team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1338519.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329104116/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1338519.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2015|url-access=subscription |title=Basketball|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=August 18, 1987|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> In 1994, he was on the short list to replace [[Kevin O'Neill (basketball)|Kevin O'Neill]], who left [[Marquette Golden Eagles men's basketball|Marquette]] for a job at [[Tennessee Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-29-sp-39565-story.html|title=College Basketball / Daily Report : Across The Nation : O'Neill Hired as Tennessee Coach; Willard Expected to Go to Pittsburgh|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 29, 1994|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In 1995, [[USC Trojans men's basketball|USC]] was in negotiations to hire Amaker to replace interim coach [[Charlie Parker (basketball coach)|Charlie Parker]], who replaced [[George Raveling]] following a car accident. The reason his negotiations with USC failed was compensation since Amaker was both a Duke assistant coach and earned an additional $100,000 (US${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|100000|1995}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars){{inflation-fn|US}} through a summer youth day camp.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-03-08-sp-40114-story.html|title=Trojans' Search Centers on Duke Assistant Amaker : College basketball: Without a lucrative camp or TV show, USC might not be able to afford him|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 8, 1995|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Almond, Elliott}}</ref> That summer, Duke promoted Amaker from assistant basketball coach to associate head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/08/10/sports/transactions-207395.html|title=Transactions|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=August 10, 1995|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Krzyzewski returned to coaching in October 1995.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007292/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140401102319/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1007292/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 1, 2014|title=Back In Action: After a season of misery, Mike Krzyzewski returned to the Duke sideline for his first practice in almost a year|access-date=March 20, 2013|date=October 30, 1995|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Wolff, Alexander}}</ref> USC went on to hire Parker, who did not last a full season as head coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-08-sp-33660-story.html|title=USC Fires Parker, Denies Offering Post to Westphal: College basketball: Ousted coach threatens legal action as assistant Henry Bibby becomes interim coach|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=February 8, 1996|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=White, Lonnie}}</ref> In 1996, Amaker was rumored to be on the short list to replace interim coach [[Steve Lavin]] at [[UCLA Bruins men's basketball|UCLA]] in 1997.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-11-07-sp-62316-story.html|title=This Search Party May Take Some Time: College basketball: Romar might not be on Dalis' list, but Montgomery probably is|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=November 7, 1996|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Kawakami, Tim}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=UCLA coaching search already a rumor magnet|date=December 20, 1996|work=[[Denver Post]]|author=Henderson, John|page=C.10}}</ref> When the Northwestern job opened up again in 1997, he was not under consideration because [[athletic director]] Rick Taylor sought a candidate with [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] head coaching postseason experience.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/02/11/next-in-line-5/|title=Next In Line: 'Experience' Top Nu Criteria|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=February 11, 1997|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Greenstein, Teddy}}</ref>

===Seton Hall===
In 1997, Amaker took the head coaching position at Seton Hall,<ref name="SHHAWBaBoKM" /> who had missed the post season in the two prior years.<ref name="CNJ4ANE" />  At 31, Amaker became the youngest head basketball coach in [[Big East Conference]] history.<ref name="SHHAWBaBoKM">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/20/sports/seton-hall-hoping-amaker-will-bring-a-bit-of-krzyzewski-s-magic.html?|title=Seton Hall Hoping Amaker Will Bring a Bit of Krzyzewski's Magic|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=March 20, 1997|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=El-Bashir, Tarik}}</ref> Then, he took Seton Hall to the NCAA tournament once (2000) – when his team reached the "Sweet Sixteen" – and to the [[National Invitation Tournament]] three times (1998, 1999 and 2001).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nit.org/history/nit-postseason-results-1990s.html|title=Tournament Results (1990's)|access-date=April 2, 2010|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080724154933/http://www.nit.org/history/nit-postseason-results-1990s.html |archive-date = July 24, 2008}}</ref><ref name="TR00s">{{cite web|url=http://www.nit.org/history/nit-postseason-results-2000s.html|title=Tournament Results (2000's)|access-date=April 2, 2010|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080802002130/http://www.nit.org/history/nit-postseason-results-2000s.html |archive-date = August 2, 2008}}</ref>

The {{cbb link|1997|sex=men|team=Seton Hall Pirates|school=Seton Hall University|title=1997–98 Seton Hall team}} earned the sixth seed in the [[1998 Big East men's basketball tournament]], but were ousted in the first round by eleventh-seeded {{cbb link|1997|sex=men|team=Boston College Eagles|school=Boston College|title=Boston College}} in overtime in the first round.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/05/sports/college-basketball-seton-hall-falls-short-by-5-extra-minutes.html|title=College Basketball; Seton Hall Falls Short by 5 Extra Minutes|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 5, 1998|author=Smith, Timothy W.|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  They ended up in the [[1998 National Invitation Tournament]] where they lost in the first round to {{cbb link|1997|sex=men|team=Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets|school=Georgia Institute of Technology|title=Georgia Tech}} to fall to a final record of 15–15.<ref name="CNJ4ANE">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/12/sports/colleges-nit-jones-s-45-are-not-enough.html|title=Colleges: N.I.T.; Jones's 45 Are Not Enough|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 12, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  After returning Seton Hall to the post season, Amaker was considered for the Michigan job,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/19/sports/colleges-men-s-basketball-tournaments.html|title=Colleges: Men's Basketball Tournaments|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 19, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  but they decided to make interim coach [[Brian Ellerbe]] a full-time head coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/21/sports/college-basketball-ellerbe-keeps-michigan-job.html|title=College Basketball; Ellerbe Keeps Michigan Job|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 21, 1998|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

Seton Hall's {{cbb link|1998|sex=men|team=Seton Hall Pirates|school=Seton Hall University|title=1998–99 team}} earned the ninth seed in the [[1999 Big East men's basketball tournament]].  They defeated eighth-seeded [[1998–99 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's basketball team|Notre Dame]] in the first round, but lost by one point to top-seeded [[1998–99 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team|Connecticut]], who went on to win the [[1999 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|national championship]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/04/sports/college-basketball-seton-hall-s-modest-freshman-leads-way-to-a-modest-upset.html|title=College Basketball; Seton Hall's Modest Freshman Leads Way to a Modest Upset|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 4, 1999|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Drape, Joe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/05/sports/college-basketball-hit-or-miss-for-seton-hall-as-connecticut-escapes.html|title=College Basketball; Hit or Miss for Seton Hall As Connecticut Escapes|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 5, 1999|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Drape, Joe}}</ref>  They were invited to the [[1999 National Invitation Tournament]] where they lost in the first round to {{cbb link|1998|sex=men|team=Old Dominion Monarchs|school=Old Dominion University|title=Old Dominion}} and again finished 15–15.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/11/sports/college-basketball-nit-roundup-smaller-pirates-eliminated.html|title=College Basketball; N.I.T. Roundup; Smaller Pirates Eliminated|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 11, 1999|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>

According to ESPN, Amaker recruited the #2 recruiting class in the nation for the class of 2000 while at Seton Hall.<ref name="PT25">{{cite web|url=http://static.espn.go.com/ncb/preview01/setonhall.html|title=Preseason Top 25: No. 11 Seton Hall|access-date=April 1, 2010|date=November 2, 2000|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/11/12/sports/basketball-pirates-recruit-top-prospects.html|title=Basketball; Pirates Recruit Top Prospects|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=November 12, 1999|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> The class consisted of [[Eddie Griffin (basketball)|Eddie Griffin]] (ranked by some as the top high school player in the nation),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-griffin082207|title=The tortured soul of Eddie Griffin|access-date=May 20, 2013|date=August 22, 2007|work=[[Yahoo! Sports]]|author=Wojnarowski, Adrian}}</ref> [[Andre Barrett]], and Marcus Toney-El. The Pirates were ranked high on many experts' pre-season rankings.<ref name="PT25" /> The [[1999–2000 Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team|1999–2000 Seton Hall team]] earned the fifth seed in the [[2000 Big East men's basketball tournament]] and earned a victory against twelfth-seeded {{cbb link|1999|sex=men|team=Providence Friars|school=Providence College|title=Providence}} in the first round, but lost to fourth-seeded [[1999–2000 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team|Connecticut]].<ref name="BETFRAVGSHaRtB">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/09/sports/basketball-big-east-tournament-first-round-victory-gives-seton-hall-reason.html|title=Basketball: Big East tournament – First Round; A Victory Gives Seton Hall a Reason to Believe|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 9, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=LaPointe, Joe}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/10/sports/sports-of-the-times-spin-doctors-work-room-at-big-east.html|title=Sports of The Times; Spin Doctors Work Room At Big East|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 10, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Vecsey, George}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/10/sports/big-east-tournament-quarterfinals-hoyas-push-orangemen-around-and-out.html|title=Big East tournament: Quarterfinals; Hoyas Push Orangemen Around and Out|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 10, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=LaPointe, Joe}}</ref>  The first round win gave the team 20 victories and no Big East team had achieved that number of victories without getting invited to the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament in the 21-year history of the conference.<ref name="BETFRAVGSHaRtB" /> They were invited to the [[2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] where they were seeded tenth in the East Region.  They knocked off seventh-seeded [[1999–2000 Oregon Ducks men's basketball team|Oregon]] and second-seeded [[1999–2000 Temple Owls men's basketball team|Temple]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/18/sports/sports-of-the-times-point-guard-festival-in-buffalo.html|title=Sports of the Times; Point Guard Festival In Buffalo|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 18, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Vecsey, George}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/20/sports/sports-of-the-times-shine-s-special-game-rewards-a-career-of-waiting.html|title=Sports of The Times; Shine's Special Game Rewards a Career of Waiting|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 20, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Vecsey, George}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/20/sports/ncaa-basketball-tournament-shine-steps-gingerly-into-holloway-s-shoes.html|title=N.C.A.A. Basketball Tournament; Shine Steps Gingerly Into Holloway's Shoes|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 20, 2000|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=LaPointe, Joe}}</ref> In the Sweet Sixteen round they were ousted by third-seeded {{cbb link|1999|sex=men|team=Oklahoma State Cowboys|school=Oklahoma State University–Stillwater|title=Oklahoma State}} and finished with a 22–10 record.

The {{cbb link|2000|sex=men|team=Seton Hall Pirates|school=Seton Hall University|title=2000–01 Pirates}} earned the Big East West Division's sixth seed in the [[2001 Big East men's basketball tournament]] and beat the East Division three seed [[2000–01 St. John's Red Storm men's basketball team|St. John's]] and west two seed [[2000–01 Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball team|Georgetown]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/08/sports/sports-of-the-times-a-learning-not-losing-season-ends.html|title=Sports of The Times; A Learning, Not Losing, Season Ends|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 8, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Rhoden, William C.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/09/sports/college-basketball-seton-hall-is-putting-problems-and-foes-behind-it.html|title=College Basketball; Seton Hall Is Putting Problems, and Foes, Behind It|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 9, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Hermoso, Rafael}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/09/sports/sports-of-the-times-hall-found-teamwork-belatedly.html|title=Sports of The Times; Hall Found Teamwork, Belatedly|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 9, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Vecsey, George}}</ref> They were defeated in the semifinals by east top seed [[2000–01 Boston College Eagles men's basketball team|Boston College]] and ended the year at 16–15.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/10/sports/sports-of-the-times-skinner-s-steady-way-has-rewards.html|title=Sports of The Times; Skinner's Steady Way Has Rewards|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 10, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Rhoden, William C.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/10/sports/college-basketball-eagles-force-a-final-surrender-by-seton-hall.html|title=College Basketball; Eagles Force a Final Surrender by Seton Hall|access-date=April 15, 2010|date=March 10, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Hermoso, Rafael}}</ref>  They were invited to the [[2001 National Invitation Tournament]] where they lost in the first round to [[2000–01 Alabama Crimson Tide men's basketball team|Alabama]]. The following season, Amaker resigned as the Seton Hall head coach and became head coach at Michigan, replacing Ellerbe, who had been fired.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amaker Hired To Coach Michigan|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=March 29, 2001|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-420980.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229215230/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-420980.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 29, 2016|publisher=Highbeam}}</ref> Amaker met with Michigan athletic director Bill Martin in a hotel lobby instead of renting a room because Martin wanted to save money. Word of the meeting got back to ESPN and the [[New Jersey]] press was not kind to Amaker, hinting that he was devious and selfish.<ref name="A06p" />

===Michigan===
Amaker inherited a [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team]] that was five years into the investigation of the [[University of Michigan basketball scandal]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.michigandaily.com/content/ed-martin-revealed-his-long-and-infamous-road-michigan-basketball-history|title=Ed Martin Revealed: His long and infamous road into Michigan basketball history|access-date=August 10, 2008|date=May 12, 2003|work=[[The Michigan Daily]]}}</ref>  The Wolverines opposed Amaker's former mentor Krzyzewski and the [[2001–02 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|2001–02 Duke Blue Devils]] in his seventh game as head coach, but his team lost.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/09/sports/college-basketball-men-s-roundup-north-carolina-st-deals-syracuse-its-first-loss.html|title=College Basketball: Men's Roundup; North Carolina St. Deals Syracuse Its First Loss|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=December 9, 2001|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  Although the [[2001–02 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|2001–02 Wolverines]] finished at 11–18, Amaker was able to lead the tenth-seeded team to a victory over seventh-seeded {{cbb link|2001|sex=men|team=Northwestern Wildcats|school=Northwestern University|title=Northwestern}} in the [[2002 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament]] before losing to two seed, [[2001–02 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team|Ohio State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/conversation?gameId=220660077|title=Michigan 72 (11–15, 5–10 Big Ten), Northwestern 51 (12–12, 6–9 Big Ten)|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 7, 2002|publisher=[[ESPN]]|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012011617/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/conversation?gameId=220660077|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/conversation?gameId=220670194|title=Michigan 68 (11–16, 5–10 Big Ten), (17) Ohio St 75 (21–6, 11–4 Big Ten)|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 8, 2002|publisher=[[ESPN]]|archive-date=October 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012011904/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/conversation?gameId=220670194|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Michigan finished the 2002–03 season with a 17–13 record, but sat out both that year's NCAA and NIT tournaments due to the self-imposed postseason ban.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C07E3DD1F3EF936A25750C0A9659C8B63|title=College Basketball: Men's Roundup; Ohio State Upsets Wisconsin; Michigan State Also Advances|access-date=August 8, 2008|date=March 15, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  The team had banned itself from post season play before the season started.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/11/08/sports/basketball-michigan-punishes-basketball-program.html|title=Basketball; Michigan Punishes Basketball Program|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=November 8, 2002|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Hakim, Danny}}</ref>  Nonetheless, over the course of the season the team had earned a three seed and a first round [[Bye (sports)|bye]] in the [[2003 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament]], but was upset in the second round by [[2002–03 Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team|Indiana]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=230730130|title=Indiana 63 (20–11, 8–8 Big Ten), Michigan 56 (17–13, 10–6 Big Ten)| access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 14, 2003|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  At the conclusion of the season, the NCAA added a second year of post season ineligibility to bring the severity of the punishment to a level it deemed more appropriate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/09/sports/colleges-ncaa-bars-michigan-from-next-postseason.html|title=Colleges; N.C.A.A. Bars Michigan From Next Postseason|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=May 9, 2003|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Hakim, Danny}}</ref>

Amaker's [[2003–04 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|2003–04 team]] earned a fifth seed and first round bye in the [[2004 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament]] where it defeated fourth-seeded [[2003–04 Iowa Hawkeyes men's basketball team|Iowa]] before losing to top-seeded [[2003–04 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball team|Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240722294|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717230228/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240722294|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Michigan 79, Iowa 70| access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 12, 2004|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240730356|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714155351/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240730356|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=Brown leads way for Illinois| access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 13, 2004|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The team experienced successive wins in the [[2004 National Invitation Tournament]] against {{cbb link|2003|sex=men|team=Missouri Tigers|school=University of Missouri|title=Missouri}}, {{cbb link|2003|sex=men|team=Oklahoma Sooners|school=University of Oklahoma|title=Oklahoma}}, [[2003–04 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors men's basketball team|Hawaii]] and {{cbb link|2003|sex=men|team=Oregon Ducks|school=University of Oregon|title=Oregon}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=240760130|title=Missouri 64 (16–14, 9–7 Big 12), Michigan 65 (19–11, 8–8 Big Ten)|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 16, 2004|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=240820130|title=Oklahoma 52 (20–11, 8–8 Big 12), Michigan 63 (20–11, 8–8 Big Ten)|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=March 22, 2004|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240840130|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713215021/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240840130|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 13, 2012|title=Michigan 88, Hawaii 73|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 24, 2004|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240900130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012052427/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=240900130|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2012|title=Wolverines coast to win over Ducks|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 30, 2004|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>  The team won the championship game against {{cbb link|2003|sex=men|team=Rutgers Scarlet Knights|school=Rutgers University|title=Rutgers}}, giving Amaker his highest single-season victory total up to that point in time with a 23–11 record.<ref name="TR00s" /> Amaker, who has tended to avoid the spotlight, was not on the court as his team celebrated the college basketball tradition of cutting of the nets in celebration of a championship at the 2004 NIT.<ref name="A06p" />

The [[2004–05 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|2004–05 team]] only achieved a nine seed in the [[2005 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament]] when it lost in the first round to eighth-seeded {{cbb link|2004|sex=men|team=Northwestern Wildcats|school=Northwestern University|title=Northwestern}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031005aaa.html|title=2005 Men's Basketball Tournament Schedule|access-date=May 26, 2013|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=BigTen.org|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208125353/http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/031005aaa.html|archive-date=December 8, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> It posted a 13–18 record (4–12 in conference) and finished ninth in the conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=250690077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012052501/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=250690077|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2012|title=Northwestern 77, Michigan 69|access-date=May 26, 2013|date=March 10, 2005|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/schedule-2004-05-archive.html|title=2004–05 Michigan Men's Basketball Schedule|access-date=May 26, 2013|publisher=[[CBS Interactive]]|work=MGoBlue.com|archive-date=May 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522011559/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-baskbl/archive/schedule-2004-05-archive.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Wolverines' [[2005–06 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|2005–06 team]] was a high percentage shooting, disciplined and balanced team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980CE4DD113FF933A05752C0A9609C8B63|title=College Basketball; Four Emerging Contenders|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=January 30, 2006|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Thamel, Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel}}</ref>  It was seeded seventh in the [[2006 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament]] but lost to the tenth seeded [[2005–06 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team|Minnesota Golden Gophers]].  The team had been ranked 37th in the [[Ratings Percentage Index]] prior to the game, making them a solid contender for a [[2006 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] invitation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260680130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012052643/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260680130|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2012|title=Minnesota deals Michigan NCAA blow|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 9, 2006|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>  The loss sent them to the [[2006 National Invitation Tournament]] where they were a number one seed, and they finished as the runner-up to [[2005–06 South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team|South Carolina]].<ref name="TR00s" /><ref name="GrpMtssNt">{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260890130|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721064910/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260890130|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 21, 2012|title=Gamecocks roll past Michigan to second straight NIT title|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 30, 2006|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> Along the way to its runner-up finish, the team defeated ninth-seeded {{cbb link|2005|sex=men|team=UTEP Miners|school=University of Texas at El Paso|title=UTEP}}, fifth-seeded {{cbb link|2005|sex=men|team=Notre Dame Fighting Irish|school=University of Notre Dame|title=Notre Dame}} (2OT), third-seeded {{cbb link|2005|sex=men|team=Miami Hurricanes|school=University of Miami|title=Miami}} and fifth-seeded [[2005–06 Old Dominion Monarchs men's basketball team|Old Dominion]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=260750130|title=Michigan 82, UTEP 67|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 16, 2006|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=260790130|title=Notre Dame 84 (16–14, 6–10 Big East), Michigan 87 (20–10, 8–8 Big Ten)|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 20, 2006|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260810130|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719171833/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260810130|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 19, 2012|title=Michigan advances, runs NIT home streak to 16–0|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 22, 2006|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260870130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012052933/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=260870130|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2012|title=Michigan routs ODU to reach second NIT final in three years|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 28, 2006|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> The team ended with a 22–11 (8–8) record.<ref name="GrpMtssNt" />

Michigan's [[2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|2006–07 team]] earned an eight seed in the [[2007 Big Ten Conference men's basketball tournament]], when it defeated the ninth-seeded [[2006–07 Minnesota Golden Gophers men's basketball team|Minnesota Golden Gophers]] before succumbing to top-seeded [[2006–07 Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team|Ohio State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270670130|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070320012139/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270670130|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 20, 2007|title=Michigan overcomes slow start, wins Big Ten opener|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 8, 2007|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270680194|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311204227/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270680194|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 11, 2007|title=Buckeyes ride Oden past Michigan, into Big Ten semis|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 9, 2007|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> After receiving a three seed, Michigan advanced to the second round of the [[2007 National Invitation Tournament]] by beating {{cbb link|2006|sex=men|team=Utah State Aggies|school=Utah State University|title=Utah State}} before falling to {{cbb link|2006|sex=men|team=Florida State Seminoles|school=Florida State University|title=Florida State}}.<ref name="TR00s" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270720130|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717143452/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270720130|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 17, 2012|title=Michigan 68, Utah St. 58|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 13, 2007|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref><ref name="FsctfhfoM">{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270740052|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714172106/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=270740052|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012|title=FSU's strong close to first half finishes off Michigan|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 15, 2007|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>  The team finished with a 22–13 record yet only 8–8 in conference play.<ref name="FsctfhfoM" />

Amaker was credited for helping to restore the ethical reputation of a Michigan program which had been tarnished by scandal.<ref name="ABBtH" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2002/11/07/michigan_selfban_ap/ |title=Taking responsibility: Michigan punishes itself for Fab Five, Ed Martin scandal|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=November 7, 2002|publisher=[[CNNSI.com]] |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080311100740/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/college/news/2002/11/07/michigan_selfban_ap/ |archive-date = March 11, 2008}}</ref> However, he was criticized in the press for being unable to take the Wolverines to the NCAA tournament in six seasons at the helm.<ref name="AFBM" /> Some fans and sportswriters argued that Amaker's Michigan teams tended to underachieve and fall apart in pressure situations, particularly in conference, on the road and at the end of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6381552 |title=Wolverines would be wise to replace Amaker|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=January 19, 2007|work=[[FOXSports.com]]|author=Cohen, Yoni |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070129164744/http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/6381552 |archive-date = January 29, 2007}}</ref>  On March 17, 2007, Amaker was fired by the University of Michigan.<ref name="AFBM">{{cite web|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E1DD1630F93BA25750C0A9619C8B63|title=Amaker Fired By Michigan |access-date=April 2, 2010|date=March 17, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>  Amaker was paid $900,000 to buy out the remaining years on his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=2869994|title=Firings leave some schools reeling financially|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=May 14, 2007|author=Katz, Andy|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>

===Harvard===
[[File:20110305 Tommy Amaker.jpg|thumb|right|upright=.8|Amaker in 2011]]
On April 11, 2007, Amaker was named head men's basketball coach at [[Harvard University]].  Harvard's recruiting process had included interviewing the underclassmen on the team who preferred Amaker to alternatives that included [[Mike Jarvis]] and [[Mike Gillian]].<ref name="HSoB">{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1165302/index.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100130003132/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1165302/index.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2010|title=Harvard School Of Basketball|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=February 1, 2010|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Torre, Pablo S.}}</ref> Upon his arrival, Harvard had endured five consecutive non-winning seasons, a streak that Amaker would not halt until his third year.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1195964/index.htm|title=Crimson In Clover: Hey, Harvard's got game! But, then, sports have long flourished in the Ivies|access-date=March 20, 2012|date=March 19, 2012|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Friedman, Dick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730123537/http://si.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1195964/index.htm|archive-date=July 30, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Amaker became the only African American among the head coaches of Harvard's 32 athletic teams.<ref name="ABBtH">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/14/sports/ncaabasketball/14harvard.html?|title=Amaker Brings Baggage to Harvard |access-date=April 2, 2010|date=April 14, 2007|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Picker, David}}</ref>  Amaker's Harvard team beat his former team, [[2007–08 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]], in his eighth game as coach at Harvard during the 2007–08 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273350108|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205061048/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=273350108|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 5, 2007|title=Amaker's Crimson top Wolverines in first matchup since firing|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=December 1, 2007|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> It was the school's first win ever against a [[BCS conference]] school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/NotesGame_31_NCAA_Second_Round.pdf|title=Harvard 2011–12 Men's Basketball Postseason Guide|access-date=March 19, 2012|publisher=[[Harvard University]]|website=GoCrimson.com|page=3|archive-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511201259/http://gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/NotesGame_31_NCAA_Second_Round.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''[[The New York Times]]'' published an accusatory article in March 2008, raising allegations of diminished academic standards among Amaker's first class of recruits and potentially improper recruiting practices.<ref name="IaNEaHNQoS">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/sports/ncaabasketball/02harvard.html?|title=In a New Era at Harvard, New Questions of Standards|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=March 2, 2008|work=[[The New York Times]]|author=Thamel, Pete}}</ref> Prodded by this negative publicity, the [[Ivy League]] office conducted a four-month investigation and "determined that no violations of NCAA or Ivy League rules occurred", clearing Amaker and his staff completely.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=523974|author=Crimson Staff|publisher=The Harvard Crimson|title=Sports Brief: Amaker, Men's Hoops Cleared of Wrongdoing|date=September 4, 2008|access-date=April 27, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://harvardmagazine.com/2008/09/harvard-basketball-program|publisher=[[Harvard Magazine]]|title=Harvard Basketball Program Exonerated|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=September 3, 2008}}</ref> Typically, the NCAA would accept the results of a formal investigation performed by a conference office but, in this case, the NCAA initially tabled and then eventually rejected the Ivy League's findings completely.  The NCAA commenced its own investigation which ultimately took two years to complete.<ref name="Hbasrv">{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pretzel/Harvard_basketball_admits_secondary_recruiting_violation.html|title=Harvard basketball admits secondary recruiting violation|access-date=August 24, 2012|date=July 2, 2010|publisher=[[Philadelphia Media Network]]|author=Tannenwald, Jonathan}}</ref>

Amaker's Harvard squad defeated then-[[2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings|ranked]] [[2008-09 Boston College Eagles men's basketball team|Boston College]] (#17 [[AP Poll]] – #24 [[Coaches' Poll]]) on January 7, 2009 for the first win over a ranked team in the program's history.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290070103|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906213853/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=290070103|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 6, 2012|title=Lin powers Harvard to rare upset over No. 24 BC|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=January 7, 2009|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> His 2008–09 recruiting class was the first time an Ivy League institution was ranked in the top 25 by ESPN.<ref name="TAHBio">{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/amaker_tommy|title=Tommy Amaker|access-date=March 31, 2010|publisher=Harvard University|archive-date=July 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722012247/http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/amaker_tommy|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="IaNEaHNQoS" />

[[File:Jeremy Lin.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Jeremy Lin]] led Amaker's [[2009–10 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2009–10 Harvard team]].]]
The following season, the [[2009–10 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2009–10 Harvard team]] played competitively against #14 ranked [[2009-10 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team|Connecticut]] getting 30 points and 9 rebounds from senior [[Jeremy Lin]] on December 6.  Although they held the lead only once, they were within 4 points in the final seconds of the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293410041|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012053330/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293410041|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 12, 2012|title=Dyson's 24 points, 14 boards help UConn fend off Harvard|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=December 6, 2009|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> They also won their December 9 rematch with [[2009–10 Boston College Eagles men's basketball team|Boston College]] by a 74–67 margin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293430103|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213190439/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=293430103|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 13, 2009|title=Harvard 74, Boston College 67|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=December 9, 2009|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>  After coaching Harvard to its highest single-season win total ever behind the play of Lin, Harvard was invited to participate in the [[2010 CollegeInsider.com Tournament]]. The team was defeated in the first round by [[2009–10 Appalachian State Mountaineers men's basketball team|Appalachian State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore?gameId=300762026|title=Harvard 71 (21–8, 10–4 Ivy), Appalachian St 93 (23–12, 13–5 Southern)|access-date=April 16, 2010|date=March 17, 2010|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref>  During the season, Amaker was a nominee for the first [[Ben Jobe Award]] as the top minority Division I college basketball coach,<ref name="ANFFJA" /> and was recognized by [[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]] as the 2010 Ivy League Coach of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/goodman-all-conference-teams-and-awards|title=All-Conference teams and awards|access-date=April 1, 2010|date=March 9, 2010|work=[[Fox Sports (USA)|Fox Sports]]|author=Goodman, Jeff|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412070414/http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/goodman-all-conference-teams-and-awards|archive-date=April 12, 2010}}</ref>  Amaker was mentioned for the 2010 head coach opening at [[St. John's Red Storm men's basketball|St. John's]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collegehoopsjournal.com/2010/03/22/coaching-candidates-st-john%E2%80%99s-seton-hall/|title=Coaching Candidates: St. John's, Seton Hall|access-date=April 1, 2010|date=March 22, 2010|work=College Hoops Journal|author=Norlander, Matt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721074657/http://www.collegehoopsjournal.com/2010/03/22/coaching-candidates-st-john%E2%80%99s-seton-hall/ |archive-date=July 21, 2011}}</ref>

In the summer of 2010, the NCAA informed Harvard that Amaker's behavior constituted impermissible recruiting behavior.<ref name="Hbasrv" /> Harvard and the NCAA negotiated a settlement in which the university would "declare" what the NCAA consented to classify as secondary violations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/pretzel/A_little_more_on_Harvards_NCAA_violation.html|title=A little more on Harvard's NCAA violation|access-date=August 24, 2012|date=July 7, 2010|publisher=[[Philadelphia Media Network]]|author=Tannenwald, Jonathan}}</ref> Under the terms of the agreement, Harvard accepted punitive recruiting restrictions for the 2010–11 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Even-Harvard-isn-t-immune-to-NCAA-violations?urn=ncaab,253227|title=Even Harvard isn't immune to NCAA violations|access-date=August 24, 2012|date=July 2, 2010|publisher=[[Rivals.com]]|author=Eisenberg, Jeff}}</ref> These were the first NCAA penalties ever assessed against the Harvard men's basketball program and the first instance of the Ivy League being overruled on a formal rules interpretation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/7/5/blakeney-league-recruiting-ivy/|title=Harvard Accepts Secondary Recruiting Violation|access-date=August 24, 2012|date=July 5, 2010|work=[[The Harvard Crimson]]|author=Kessler, Martin}}</ref>

Under Amaker's leadership, the [[2010–11 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2010–11 team]] tied with [[2010–11 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|Princeton]] for the [[2010–11 Ivy League men's basketball season]] championship, which was the school's first men's basketball Ivy League championship since the league was formed in the [[1956–57 NCAA University Division men's basketball season|1956–57 season]].<ref name="HtP7tsIt">{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310640108|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708060727/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310640108|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 8, 2012|title=Harvard tops Princeton 79–67 to share Ivy title|access-date=March 6, 2011|date=March 5, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  Harvard finished the season a perfect 14–0 at home,<ref name="HtP7tsIt" /> which surpassed the prior season's school record of 11 home wins.<ref name="ANFFJA">{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/releases/100310_Amaker_Jobe_Finalist|title=Amaker Named Finalist For Jobe Award|access-date=March 31, 2010|date=March 10, 2010|publisher=Harvard University|archive-date=July 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711103344/http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2009-10/releases/100310_Amaker_Jobe_Finalist|url-status=dead}}</ref> Harvard's 12 conference game wins established a school record.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/weeklyreleases/2010-11_MBB_Final_Release.pdf|title=2010–11 Highlights|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=4|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308170333/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/weeklyreleases/2010-11_MBB_Final_Release.pdf|archive-date=March 8, 2012}}</ref> The team's victory over [[2010–11 Colorado Buffaloes men's basketball team|Colorado]] was the Crimson's first against a [[Big 12 Conference]] opponent since that conference commenced play in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/11/29/mbball-colorado-recap-112910/|title=Harvard Men's Basketball Notches First Win Over Big 12 School: Crimson easily handles Colorado, 82–66, at Lavietes Pavilion|access-date=March 6, 2011|date=November 29, 2010|work=[[Harvard Crimson]]|author=Kessler, Martin}}</ref>  His fourth season also marked the fourth straight season that Harvard defeated at least one power conference opponent.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2010/11/29/mbball-colorado-notebook-112910/|title=Notebook: Crimson Tops BCS Foe For Fourth Straight Year|access-date=March 6, 2011|date=November 29, 2010|work=[[Harvard Crimson]]|author=Walsh, Timothy J.}}</ref> Although Harvard never appeared in the [[2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings]], for a few weeks during the season they received a vote in the [[AP Poll]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1/week/12|title=2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – AP Top 25 Week 12 (Jan. 24)|access-date=March 6, 2011|date=January 24, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1/week/13|title=2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – AP Top 25 Week 13 (Jan. 31)|access-date=March 6, 2011|date=January 31, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/poll/1/week/16|title=2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – AP Top 25 Week 16 (Feb. 21)|access-date=March 6, 2011|date=February 21, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  On March 7, Harvard received a vote in both the AP Poll and the [[Coaches' Poll]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2011/week/18/seasontype/2|title=2011 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – Week 18 (Mar. 7)|access-date=March 8, 2011|date=March 7, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Harvard faced Ivy League co-champion Princeton in a [[one-game playoff]] and lost by a 63–62 margin.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310710163|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121206030746/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310710163|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 6, 2012|title=Princeton KO's Harvard on last-second jumper to earn NCAA bid|access-date=March 12, 2011|date=March 12, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Princeton earned the [[2011 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] automatic bid, while Harvard earned an at-large bid to the [[2011 National Invitation Tournament]], marking the school's first appearance in the National Invitation Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/weeklyreleases/2010-11_MBB_Postseason_Release.pdf|title=2010–11 Ivy League Men's Basketball Weekly release: Postseason • March 14, 2011|access-date=November 7, 2011|date=March 14, 2011|publisher=[[Ivy League]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308110636/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/weeklyreleases/2010-11_MBB_Postseason_Release.pdf|archive-date=March 8, 2012}}</ref> On March 15, Harvard was defeated by {{cbb link|2010|sex=men|team=Oklahoma State Cowboys|school=Oklahoma State University|title=Oklahoma State}} by a 71–54 margin in the first round.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310740197|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715043615/http://scores.espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=310740197|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2012|title=Oklahoma State routs Harvard in NIT opener|access-date=March 16, 2011|date=March 15, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>  The final record of 23–7 established a school record for number of wins, surpassing the prior season's total of 21.<ref name="ANFFJA" />  Amaker was again a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award, was a finalist for the [[Hugh Durham Award]] and was selected by the NABC as the District 13 Coach of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/weeklyreleases/2010-11_MBB_Final_Release.pdf|title=2010–11 Highlights|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|page=3|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308170333/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/weeklyreleases/2010-11_MBB_Final_Release.pdf|archive-date=March 8, 2012}}</ref> He was named Ivy League coach of the year by [[Collegeinsider.com]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/releases/20100323_Amaker|title=Amaker Among Finalists for Ben Jobe, Hugh Durham National Coaching Awards|access-date=October 31, 2011|date=March 23, 2011|publisher=[[Harvard University]]|archive-date=January 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105104907/http://gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2010-11/releases/20100323_Amaker|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[2011–12 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2011–12 Harvard team]] defeated then-[[2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball rankings|ranked]] [[2011–12 Florida State Seminoles men's basketball team|Florida State]] (#22 AP Poll – #20 Coaches' Poll) on November 25, 2011 for the school's second win over a ranked team in the program's history,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=313290108|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120712162206/http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=313290108|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 12, 2012|title=Harvard upsets cold-shooting Florida State to reach tourney final|access-date=November 28, 2011|date=November 25, 2011|work=[[ESPN.com]]}}</ref> and the highest ranked opponent in the Coaches' Poll that Harvard had defeated up to that point. On December 5, 2011, Harvard made its first appearance in either the AP Poll (25) or Coaches' Poll (24).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/7319295/duke-blue-devils-north-carolina-tar-heels-stand-ground-top-losses|title=Duke, UNC don't cede much in Top 25|access-date=December 5, 2011|date=December 5, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> It left [[Brown Bears men's basketball|Brown]] as the only remaining Ivy League school to have never been ranked in the AP Poll and leaves only seven schools that have played Division I basketball since the AP Poll began that have never been ranked in it.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/41106/harvard-shakes-one-monkey-off-its-back|title=Harvard shakes one monkey off its back|author=Brennan, Eamonn|access-date=December 5, 2011|date=December 5, 2011|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Harvard was the first Ivy League team ranked in the Coaches' Poll since the [[2009–10 Cornell Big Red men's basketball team|2009–10 Cornell Big Red]] and the first Ivy League team ranked in the AP Poll since the [[1997–98 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1997–98 Princeton Tigers]], who finished 8th in the poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/Harvard_Mens_Basketball_Appears_In_National_Polls|title=Harvard Men's Basketball Appears In National Polls|access-date=December 5, 2011|date=December 5, 2011|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120130081037/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/Harvard_Mens_Basketball_Appears_in_National_Polls|archive-date=January 30, 2012}}</ref> By January 2, the team achieved rankings of 22 in the AP Poll and 21 in the Coaches' Poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2012/week/9/seasontype/2|title=2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – Week 9 (Jan. 2)|access-date=March 4, 2012|date=January 2, 2012|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The team was also ranked 21st in the Coaches' Poll on February 6.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/rankings/_/year/2012/week/14/seasontype/2|title=2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Rankings – Week 14 (Feb. 6)|access-date=March 4, 2012|date=February 6, 2012|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The team established a new record for single-season wins as well as single-season non-league wins and tied the record for conference game wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/GameNotes29.pdf|title=Harvard Basketball Game Notes (Harvard (24–4, 10–2) vs.Columbia (14–14, 3–9))|access-date=March 5, 2012|date=March 2, 2012|website=GoCrimson.com|archive-date=May 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511162151/http://gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/GameNotes29.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Amaker was selected by the [[United States Basketball Writers Association|U.S. Basketball Writers Association]] as the 2011–12 Men's District I (ME, VT, NH, RI, MA, CT) Coach of the Year.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.sportswriters.net/usbwa/news/2012/alldistrict120306.html| publisher=[[United States Basketball Writers Association|U.S. Basketball Writers Association]]| title=USBWA Names 2011–12 Men's All-District Teams| access-date=March 6, 2012|date=March 6, 2012}}</ref>  He won the NABC Coach of the Year for District 13 and was again a finalist for both the Ben Jobe Award and the Hugh Durham Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/blog/the-back-page/article/2012/3/29/harvard-coach-tommy-amaker-awards-basketball/|title=Amaker Discusses Coaching Awards, Future|access-date=April 2, 2012|date=March 29, 2012|work=[[Harvard Crimson]]|author=Sherman, Scott A.}}</ref> On March 6, 2012, Harvard earned its first bid to the [[NCAA men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]] since 1946.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/extras/colleges_blog/2012/03/harvard.html|title=Harvard gets NCAA Tournament berth|access-date=March 6, 2012|date=March 6, 2012|publisher=[[boston.com]]}}</ref>

On October 6, 2012, Amaker was inducted into his high school's inaugural hall of fame class.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20121011_Amaker|title=Amaker Inducted Into Inaugural W.T. Woodson High School Athletic Hall of Fame|access-date=February 16, 2013|date=October 11, 2012|website=GoCrimson.com|archive-date=May 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510122421/http://gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/20121011_Amaker|url-status=dead}}</ref> Amaker's [[2012–13 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2012–13 Harvard team]] entered the season affected by the [[2012 Harvard cheating scandal]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/Harvard-cheating-scandal-opens-Ivy-basketball-race-110712|title=Scandal opens Ivy basketball race|access-date=January 15, 2013|date=November 7, 2012|work=[[Fox Sports]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Instead of being the favorite as originally expected, the team was predicted to finish second to [[2012–13 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|Princeton]] by various media sources because Kyle Casey and Brandyn Curry withdrew due to the scandal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.goprincetontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=46548&SPID=4231&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=10600&ATCLID=205719295|title=Men's Basketball Picked First in Ivy Preseason Media Poll|access-date=January 12, 2013|date=October 25, 2012|publisher=GoPrincetonTigers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/blog/eye-on-college-basketball/20642019/college-basketball-previews-princeton-led-by-ian-hummer-is-new-ivy-league-favorite|title=College Basketball Previews: Princeton, led by Ian Hummer, is new Ivy League favorite|access-date=January 12, 2013|date=October 22, 2012|work=[[CBS Sports]]|author=Goodman, Jeff}}</ref> Casey and Curry had been first-team and second-team All-Ivy selections for the [[2011–12 Ivy League men's basketball season]], respectively.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/Mens_Basketball_All-Ivy_--_2011-12|title=Men's Basketball All-Ivy – 2011–12|access-date=March 12, 2012|date=March 7, 2012|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829033924/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2011-12/releases/Mens_Basketball_All-Ivy_--_2011-12|archive-date=August 29, 2012}}</ref> Both players withdrew in hopes of preserving their final year of athletic eligibility following the investigation.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/ncaa/09/10/harvard-casey/index.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119215204/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/basketball/ncaa/09/10/harvard-casey/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 19, 2013|title=Harvard to be without Casey, Curry in wake of cheating scandal|access-date=January 12, 2013|date=September 11, 2012|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|author=Winn, Luke}}</ref> During the season, the team defeated [[2012–13 Boston College Eagles men's basketball team|Boston College]] its fifth consecutive victory against [[Boston College Eagles men's basketball]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=323390103|title=Harvard 79, Boston College 63|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=December 4, 2012|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> making Amaker a perfect 6–0 against the Atlantic Coast Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/amaker_tommy|title=Tommy Amaker|access-date=June 11, 2013|website=GoCrimson.com|archive-date=July 22, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722012247/http://www.gocrimson.com/sports/mbkb/coaches/amaker_tommy|url-status=dead}}</ref> The 2012–13 Harvard team overcame the withdrawal of its senior co-captains to repeat as [[2012–13 Ivy League men's basketball season|2013 Ivy League champions]],<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/21877407|title=Loss of captains didn't stop Harvard's 3-peat|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=March 14, 2013|publisher=[[CBSSports.com]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> which earned Harvard a trip to the [[2013 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]]. On March 21, 14th-seeded Harvard earned the school's first [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA tournament]] victory by a 68–62 margin<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=330800167|title=14-seed Harvard pulls upset over 3-seed New Mexico|access-date=March 22, 2013|date=March 21, 2013|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> and its first victory over a top 10 opponent<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/3/21/harvard-mens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-halftime-new-mexico/|title=Harvard Men's Basketball Upsets New Mexico, 68–62, To Win First-Ever NCAA Tournament Game|access-date=March 22, 2013|date=March 21, 2013|work=[[Harvard Crimson]]|author=Sherman, Scott A.}}</ref> when it defeated 3rd-seeded  [[2012–13 New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team|New Mexico]] (#10 AP Poll – #10 Coaches' Poll). Two nights later, Harvard lost to [[2012–13 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team|Arizona]] 74–51.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=330820012|title=Arizona opens on 30–9 run, cruises past Harvard|access-date=April 22, 2013|date=March 23, 2013|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Following the season, Amaker was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nebasketballhalloffame.com/class-of-2013-induction-ceremony/honorees/ |title=Honorees |access-date=June 11, 2013 |publisher=New England Basketball Hall of Fame |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627102641/http://nebasketballhalloffame.com/class-of-2013-induction-ceremony/honorees/ |archive-date=June 27, 2013}}</ref> Amaker won the [[National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association]] (NSSA) Clarence "Big House" Gaines College Basketball Coach of the Year in Division I as the top minority coach,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nssafame.com/2013/04/03/amaker-stinson-win-gaines-2012-13-awards/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508135547/http://nssafame.com/2013/04/03/amaker-stinson-win-gaines-2012-13-awards/|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2013|title=Amaker, Stinson Win 2012–13 Gaines Awards|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=April 3, 2013|publisher=[[National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association]]}}</ref> the NABC Coach of the Year for District 13 and was again a finalist for the Ben Jobe Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/Harvards_Amaker_Receives_NABC-NSSA_Coach_of_the_Year_Honors|title=Harvard's Amaker Receives NABC, NSSA Coach of the Year Honors|access-date=June 11, 2013|date=April 3, 2013|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031105425/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2012-13/releases/Harvards_Amaker_Receives_NABC-NSSA_Coach_of_the_Year_Honors|archive-date=October 31, 2013}}</ref> In August, Amaker was inducted into his fourth Hall of Fame (Washington Metro Basketball Hall of Fame).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collegebasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/08/14/tommy-amaker-to-enter-washington-metropolitan-basketball-hall-of-fame/|title=Tommy Amaker to enter Washington Metropolitan Basketball Hall of Fame|access-date=October 28, 2013|date=August 14, 2013|publisher=[[NBC Sports]]|author=Johnson, Raphielle}}</ref>

The 2013–14 team won the [[2013 Great Alaska Shootout]] and  [[2013–14 Ivy League men's basketball season|2013–14 Ivy League conference regular season]] championship with a 13–1 record and posting a school record 27 wins against 5 defeats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400520184|title=Harvard's fast start leaves TCU in dust, 71–50|access-date=March 24, 2014|date=December 1, 2013|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/08/sports/ncaabasketball/ivy-title-and-ncaa-berth-for-harvard.html|title=Ivy Title and N.C.A.A. Berth for Harvard|access-date=March 24, 2014|date=March 7, 2014|work=[[New York Times]]}}</ref> The team entered the [[2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]] with a number twelve seed where it defeated a (#15 AP Poll – #14 Coaches' Poll) [[2013–14 Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball team|Cincinnati]] team that was seeded fifth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/Harvard_Keeps_Dancing-Upsets_Fifth-Seeded_Cincinnati_in_NCAA_Mens_Basketball_Second_Round|title=Harvard Keeps Dancing, Upsets Fifth-Seeded Cincinnati in NCAA Men's Basketball Second Round|access-date=March 24, 2014|date=March 20, 2014|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140324063559/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/Harvard_Keeps_Dancing-Upsets_Fifth-Seeded_Cincinnati_in_NCAA_Mens_Basketball_Second_Round|archive-date=March 24, 2014}}</ref> Harvard eventually lost to number (#11/13) four seed [[2013–14 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team|Michigan State]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=400548471|title=Michigan St. holds off Harvard to reach 12th Sweet 16 in last 17 years|access-date=March 24, 2013|date=March 23, 2013|publisher=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> The team was the first Ivy League school to win games in consecutive [[NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament]]s since the [[1983–84 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team|1983–84 Princeton Tigers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/98608/look-back-look-ahead-ivy-league|title=Look back, look ahead: Ivy League|access-date=April 25, 2014|date=April 23, 2014|publisher=[[ESPN]]|author=Katz, Andy}}</ref>
[[File:Harvard coach Tommy Amaker has a chat with the referee.jpg|thumb|right|Amaker has a chat with a referee]]
The [[2014–15 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2014–15 team]] was the first Ivy League team to make a fifth consecutive postseason appearance since the [[2001–02 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team]] completed a seven-year run for Princeton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/Mens_Basketball_Sends_Two_Teams_to_Postseason_with_Dartmouth_in_CIT|title=Men's Basketball Sends Two Teams to Postseason with Dartmouth in CIT|access-date=March 20, 2015|date=March 15, 2015|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403014406/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/Mens_Basketball_Sends_Two_Teams_to_Postseason_with_Dartmouth_in_CIT|archive-date=April 3, 2015}}</ref> They were the third Ivy team to make four consecutive  NCAA basketball tournament appearances, a feat last accomplished by the [[1991–92 Princeton Tigers men's basketball team]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/Harvard_Heads_to_Jacksonville_to_Face_North_Carolina_in_NCAA_Mens_Basketball_Second_Round|title=Harvard Heads to Jacksonville to Face North Carolina in NCAA Men's Basketball Second Round|access-date=March 20, 2015|date=March 15, 2015|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403014444/http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/releases/Harvard_Heads_to_Jacksonville_to_Face_North_Carolina_in_NCAA_Mens_Basketball_Second_Round|archive-date=April 3, 2015}}</ref>

On December 7, 2016, in a rivalry contest against [[2016–17 Boston College Eagles men's basketball team|Boston College]], Amaker earned his 179th win with the [[2016–17 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2016–17 team]], surpassing [[Frank Sullivan (basketball)|Frank Sullivan]] as Harvard's all-time winningest coach.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.si.com/college-basketball/2016/12/09/tommy-amaker-harvard-crimson-winningest-coach|title=Tommy Amaker becomes winningest coach in Harvard history|access-date=June 7, 2017|date=December 9, 2016|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2016/12/8/mens-basketball-boston-college/|title=Tommy Amaker Becomes Winningest Coach in Harvard Men's Basketball History With 74–66 Win Over BC|access-date=June 7, 2017|date=December 8, 2016|work=[[Harvard Crimson]]|author=Gleason, Stephen J.}}</ref> Amaker led the [[2017–18 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|2017–18 Harvard Crimson]] to a share of the [[2017–18 Ivy League men's basketball season]] regular season title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/news/2018/3/3/ivy-champs-harvard-and-penn-share-mens-basketball-ivy-league-title.aspx|title=IVY CHAMPS! HARVARD AND PENN SHARE MEN'S BASKETBALL IVY LEAGUE TITLE|access-date=March 5, 2018|date=March 3, 2018|website=IvyLeagueSports.com}}</ref> The team reached the championship game of the [[2018 Ivy League men's basketball tournament]], but lost to [[2017–18 Penn Quakers men's basketball team|Penn]] earning an automatic bid to the [[2018 National Invitation Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/news/2018/3/11/mens-basketball-penn-wins-ivy-league-tournament.aspx?path=mbball|title=PENN WINS IVY LEAGUE TOURNAMENT|access-date=March 12, 2018|date=March 11, 2018|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|publisher=[[Ivy League]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ivyleaguesports.com/news/2018/3/12/mens-basketball-no-16-penn-to-face-no-1-kansas-in-ncaa-first-round.aspx?path=mbball|title=NO. 16 PENN TO FACE NO. 1 KANSAS IN NCAA FIRST-ROUND|access-date=March 12, 2018|date=March 11, 2018|website=IvyLeagueSports.com|publisher=[[Ivy League]]}}</ref>

In addition to his coaching duties at Harvard, Amaker served as a Special Assistant to Harvard University President Larry Bacow and a Spring 2021 Fellow<ref>{{Cite web|last=Geoghegan|first=Meg|date=2021-02-06|title=Tommy Amaker named Spring 2021 Fellow at the Hauser Center for Public Leadership at Harvard|url=https://coachamaker.com/2021/02/06/tommy-amaker-named-spring-2021-fellow-at-the-hauser-center-for-public-leadership-at-harvard/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Coach Tommy Amaker|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Hauser Leaders Program|url=https://cpl.hks.harvard.edu/hauser-leaders-program|access-date=2021-03-02|website=cpl.hks.harvard.edu|language=en}}</ref> at the Hauser Center for Public Leadership at the [[Harvard Kennedy School]]. In February 2021, he was named as a Champion of Diversity by the NCAA.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Geoghegan|first=Meg|date=2021-02-04|title=Amaker Honored as Champion for Diversity and Inclusion|url=https://coachamaker.com/2021/02/04/amaker-honored-as-champion-for-diversity-and-inclusion/|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Coach Tommy Amaker|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=|date=2021-02-04|title=5 to be recognized as Champions of Diversity and Inclusion|url=http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/5-be-recognized-champions-diversity-and-inclusion|access-date=2021-03-02|website=NCAA.org – The Official Site of the NCAA|language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Amaker is married to Stephanie Pinder-Amaker,<ref name="duke" /> who is a licensed [[clinical psychologist]].<ref name="A06p" /> The couple met at Duke.<ref name="A06p" /> Amaker's grandmother is Annie Deskins.<ref name="A06p">{{cite news|title=Amaker 2006 profile: Who is Tommy Amaker?|date=April 5, 2006|work=[[Ann Arbor News]]|author=Fenno, Nathan}} reprinted at {{cite web|url=http://blog.mlive.com/annarbornews/2007/03/amaker_profile.html|access-date=April 2, 2010|date=March 17, 2007|title=Amaker 2006 profile: Who is Tommy Amaker?|author=McVety, Dave|publisher=Mlive.com}}</ref>  Amaker's mother, Alma, continued to make him the [[spaghetti sauce|sauce]] for his favorite meal of [[spaghetti]] and [[express mail]] it to him from her home in Falls Church, Virginia, during his career at least until his days at Michigan.<ref name="A06p" /> According to Duke teammate Bilas, Amaker was quite fashion-conscious and attempted to be a trendsetter.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-31-sp-2160-story.html|title=UCLA Left Him Blue So He Became a Devil|access-date=March 19, 2013|date=March 31, 1986|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|author=Downey, Mike}}</ref>

At Michigan, his daily routine included breakfast at a local hotel where he read ''[[USA Today]]''.<ref name="A06p" />  At Harvard, once a month, he convenes The Breakfast Club<ref>{{Cite web|last=Geoghegan|first=Meg|date=2021-03-02|title=Coach Amaker website|url=https://coachamaker.com/the-breakfast-club/|website=Coach Amaker}}</ref> at the [[Cambridge, Massachusetts]], restaurant Henrietta's Table with a group of noted African-American scholars and businessmen led by [[Harvard Law School]] professor [[Charles Ogletree]] to discuss sociopolitical issues.<ref name="HSoB" /> Amaker is known for his trademark [[mock turtleneck]] shirts, each of which has his initials monogrammed into the collar, and for wearing a [[sports coat]] at each [[news conference]].<ref name="A06p" />  Unlike most of his peers, Amaker avoids the press and will not do a radio or television show.<ref name="A06p" />

Amaker was enshrined in the Duke Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001.<ref name="TAHBio" /> He was a member of the board of directors for [[USA Basketball]].  During his time on the board he served as a member of the Men's Collegiate and Men's Senior National Committees, where he helped select members of the United States  [[United States men's national basketball team#1996 Olympics – Dream Team III|1996 Olympic gold medal team]].<ref name="TAHBio" />  Amaker owns two vintage [[Mercedes-Benz]] cars, which were featured in an article in The Star Magazine,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-30|title=Priceless|url=https://www.mbca.org/node/7409747|access-date=2021-03-02|website=MBCA|language=en|archive-date=January 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122121920/https://www.mbca.org/node/7409747|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is a [[Washington Commanders]] fan.<ref name="A06p" />

==Head coaching record==
{{CBB Yearly Record Start | type = | conference = | postseason = | poll = }}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall Pirates]]
 | conference = [[Big East Conference]]
 | startyear  = 1997
 | endyear    = 2001
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[1997–98 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1997–98]]
 | name         = Seton Hall
 | overall      = 15–15
 | conference   = 9–9
 | confstanding = 3rd <small>(BE 7)</small>
 | postseason   = [[1998 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[1998–99 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1998–99]]
 | name         = Seton Hall
 | overall      = 15–15
 | conference   = 8–10
 | confstanding = T–8th
 | postseason   = [[1999 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[1999–2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|1999–00]]
 | name         = [[1999–2000 Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball team|Seton Hall]]
 | overall      = 22–10
 | conference   = 10–6
 | confstanding = T–4th
 | postseason   = [[2000 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Sweet 16]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2000–01 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2000–01]]
 | name         = Seton Hall
 | overall      = 16–15
 | conference   = 5–11
 | confstanding = 6th <small>(West)</small>
 | postseason   = [[2001 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Seton Hall
 | overall    = {{winpct|68|55|record=y}}
 | confrecord = {{winpct|32|36|record=y}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Michigan Wolverines men's basketball|Michigan Wolverines]]
 | conference = [[Big Ten Conference]]
 | startyear  = 2001
 | endyear    = 2007
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2001–02 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2001–02]]
 | name         = [[2001–02 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]]
 | overall      = 11–18
 | conference   = 5–11
 | confstanding = T–8th
 | postseason   =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2002–03]]
 | name         = [[2002–03 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]]
 | overall      = 18–12
 | conference   = 10–6
 | confstanding = T–3rd
 | postseason   =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = postseason
 | season       = [[2003–04 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2003–04]]
 | name         = [[2003–04 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]]
 | overall      = 23–11
 | conference   = 8–8
 | confstanding = T–5th
 | postseason   = [[2004 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Champion]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2004–05 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2004–05]]
 | name         = [[2004–05 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]]
 | overall      = 13–18
 | conference   = 4–12
 | confstanding = 9th
 | postseason   =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2005–06 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2005–06]]
 | name         = [[2005–06 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]]
 | overall      = 22–11
 | conference   = 8–8
 | confstanding = T–6th
 | postseason   = [[2006 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Runner-Up]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2006–07 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2006–07]]
 | name         = [[2006–07 Michigan Wolverines men's basketball team|Michigan]]
 | overall      = 22–13
 | conference   = 8–8
 | confstanding = T–7th
 | postseason   = [[2007 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Second Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Michigan
 | overall    = {{winpct|109|83|record=y}}
 | confrecord = {{winpct|43|53|record=y}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subhead
 | name       = [[Harvard Crimson men's basketball|Harvard Crimson]]
 | conference = [[Ivy League]]
 | startyear  = 2007
 | endyear    = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2007–08 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2007–08]]
 | name         = Harvard
 | overall      = 8–22
 | conference   = 3–11
 | confstanding = T–6th
 | postseason   =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2008–09]]
 | name         = Harvard
 | overall      = 14–14
 | conference   = 6–8
 | confstanding = T–6th
 | postseason   =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2009–10 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2009–10]]
 | name         = [[2009–10 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 21–7
 | conference   = 10–4
 | confstanding = 3rd
 | postseason   = [[2010 CollegeInsider.com Tournament|CIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2010–11 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2010–11]]
 | name         = [[2010-11 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 23–7
 | conference   = 12–2
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | postseason   = [[2011 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2011–12 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2011–12]]
 | name         = [[2011–12 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 26–5
 | conference   = 12–2
 | confstanding = 1st
 | postseason   = [[2012 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Round of 64]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2012–13 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2012–13]]
 | name         = [[2012–13 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 20–10
 | conference   = 11–3
 | confstanding = 1st
 | postseason   = [[2013 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Round of 32]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2013–14 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2013–14]]
 | name         = [[2013–14 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 27–5
 | conference   = 13–1
 | confstanding = 1st
 | postseason   = [[2014 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Round of 32]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2014–15 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2014–15]]
 | name         = [[2014–15 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 22–8
 | conference   = 11–3
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | postseason   = [[2015 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament|NCAA Division I Round of 64]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2015–16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2015–16]]
 | name         = [[2015–16 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 14–16
 | conference   = 6–8
 | confstanding = 4th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2016–17 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2016–17]]
 | name         = [[2016–17 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 18–10
 | conference   = 10–4
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2017–18 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2017–18]]
 | name         = [[2017–18 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 18–14
 | conference   = 12–2
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | postseason   = [[2018 National Invitation Tournament|NIT First Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = conference
 | season       = [[2018–19 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2018–19]]
 | name         = [[2018–19 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 19–12
 | conference   = 10–4
 | confstanding = T–1st
 | postseason   = [[2019 National Invitation Tournament|NIT Second Round]]
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2019–20 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2019–20]]
 | name         = [[2019–20 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 20–7
 | conference   = 10–4
 | confstanding = 2nd
 | postseason   =
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship =
 | season       = [[2020–21 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2020–21]]
 | name         = Harvard{{efn|group=record|Harvard did not play in the 2020–21 school year due to [[COVID-19 pandemic in the United States|COVID-19]] concerns.}}
 | overall      = 
 | conference   = 
 | confstanding = 
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2021–22 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2021–22]]
 | name         = [[2021–22 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 13–13
 | conference   = 5–9
 | confstanding = T–6th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2022–23 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2022–23]]
 | name         = [[2022–23 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 14–14
 | conference   = 5–9
 | confstanding = 7th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2023–24 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2023–24]]
 | name         = [[2023–24 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 14–13
 | conference   = 5–9
 | confstanding = 5th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2024–25 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2024–25]]
 | name         = [[2024–25 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 12–15
 | conference   = 7–7
 | confstanding = 5th
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Entry
 | championship = 
 | season       = [[2025–26 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2025–26]]
 | name         = [[2025–26 Harvard Crimson men's basketball team|Harvard]]
 | overall      = 7–7
 | conference   = 0–0
 | confstanding = 
 | postseason   = 
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record Subtotal
 | name       = Harvard
 | overall    = {{winpct|311|201|record=y}}
 | confrecord = {{winpct|148|90|record=y}}
}}
{{CBB Yearly Record End
 | overall = {{winpct|487|340|record=y}}
}}

{{notelist|group=record}}

==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
* {{Official website|http://tommyamaker.com/}}

{{Ivy League men's basketball coach navbox}}
{{Navboxes
| list1 =
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{{United States squad 1986 Goodwill Games}}
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{{NABC Defensive Player of the Year}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Amaker, Tommy}}
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