There are all kinds of college basketball coaching jobs, and each comes with its own set of intrinsic challenges. At UCLA, coaches have to operate in the shadow of John Wooden’s greatness. At Kentucky, it’s the nation’s most rabid fan base full of unrealistic expectations.

For Chris Collins at Northwestern, there’s only one way to go -- and that’s up.

The Northwestern Wildcats have never played in the NCAA tournament. They typically don’t sign top-100 recruits and haven’t put local kids on lockdown. Those elements are not up for debate, but they are among the priorities on the new coach’s to-do list.

Every good coach comes with a plan, a blueprint for success. Collins, who is currently coaching in the NCAA tournament as an assistant with Duke, will have his hands full this spring.

And it all starts with recruiting.