So, with all of the coach craziness that is ensuing, just thought it'd be interesting to watch the frenzy. Who's going, who's staying (and yes, folks, Brady's staying... he's not the topic of this thread :lol: ). Pearl's happy at Tennessee (for now)... http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2814415 Utah lands a MSU assistant and ex-NBA coaching assistant... $575k for 5 years. Yet another guy who has Izzo ties. Amazing the herd mentality in hoops coaching eh--go after a Pitino, Izzo, Calhoun, or Coach K disciple? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2813089 Pitino shuns the 'Cats... but could his disciple say yes? :wink: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2812931 Is this the dream team of college coaching candidates (it's UK's potential wish list--along with Billy D)? • Marquette's Tom Crean • Michigan State's Tom Izzo • Gonzaga's Mark Few • Notre Dame's Mike Brey • Texas' Rick Barnes • Texas A&M's Billy Gillispie • Villanova's Jay Wright And, although this is not coaching news... Arkansas Guard is shopping... Brady's not the only one with players who leave...:shock: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2815237 :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. ONE FINAL FOUR AIN'T BAD.
It may be that Arkansas made it's first whiff. Looks like Billy G may have leveraged himself a much sweeter deal at A&M... Here's the latest. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/03/28/arkansas.gillespie.ap/index.html
Gillispie stays at A&M, and just became perhaps the highest paid Big 12 coach... :shock: (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2817721) So, what does Bill Self and Rick Barnes do? Are their names going to quickly start churning in the name dropping game? What Arkansas fans are going to realize is that it's not always that easy to attract that big name. And, what LSU fans have to realize is that great up and comer may not always be that great. Stan Heath went to the Elite 8, when he was at Kent State. After their great intentions, with programs like Kentucky and others looking, Arkansas could go after big name after big name, only to settle on another mid major up and comer, which is what Heath was. Ah, as the world turns... Another Calhoun assistant lands a head coaching gig... more turnover in the Calhoun world. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2817339 Speaking of up and comers, would you gamble with Reggie Theus at a high major? He's a steal at $355k per year plus a $80k bonus. I might. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2817307 Lastly, we aspire to have the consistent final four coach? Well, this year, you look at the final four, and you see what it takes to get there. These are probably guys that can get it done, and are the next wave of great coaches. Recruiting is a constant factor, then being able to develop a system and get the right players to buy into it for the long haul, and then ability to get them to play at the right times. Billy D, Ben Howland, JT III, and Thad Matta. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/ncaatourney07/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=2814495 You know what's interesting? Brady has held his own against these guys. Has beat Donovan and Matta. Not played JT III as far as I know, and 0-1 versus Howland.
Hate to say I told you so, but this just comes out from the college hoops coaching carousel... Arkansas settles for Creighton coach, Dana Altman. Who's that you ask? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2822209 Creighton had an ok year this year considering some of their expectations, and Altman just had his best assistant go on to be the head coach at Indiana State. Is that a reach... for Hogs' fans? Hmmm... I'd argue this coaching move was a push, and may hurt actually Hogs' recruiting. To tell you the truth, I might have preferred Scott Sutton from Oral Roberts--Creighton may be the one getting the upgrade. :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A FAN.
Ok, the Hogs' dilemma went from bad to worse.... As has already been pointed out in another thread. Altman has a change of heart... and goes back to Creighton? Not to echo roygu's post, but the next time someone throws out the we'd do better with that young, mid-major coach or young gun from XXX, keep in mind, they don't always do the job (Heath) and they also may not take your job! :shock: In any case, I'm starting to feel a little sorry for Arkansas (just a little). They have Bud Walton Arena, 14k fans showing up night after night (this is shrinking of course), and this is perhaps where their AD listened a little too much to the fans. Latest news... John Bherlein of WVA goes to Michigan, and now WVU is thinking of going after alum, Bob Huggins, who has improved things quickly at Kansas State. Two good coaches for different reasons. Bherlein a good cerebral coach who has clearly gotten results with a consistent system and decent players. Huggins who is battle tested as well, has had some "issues" in the past, but is a heck of a recruiter and alum. Big conference guys, with experience. Both will probably do well (not necessarily get those teams to the final four, but build their programs). :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. BE A FAN.
The **** is hitting the fan with reguards to the bball team. There is a bunch of rumors surfacing now as to why Altman had a change of heart. Acadmemics, rampant drug use, etc. Such as: "Patrick Beverley is close to his Arkansas teammates, and at first discounted talk of drug use among the Razorbacks as a rumor. In addition, Arkansas Chancellor John White disclosed Wednesday that a third Razorback had been placed on academic suspension." http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/scorecard/04/05/truth.rumors.college/index.html
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/basketball/ncaa/04/05/bc.bkc.florida.donovan.ap/index.html donovan stays, unofficially.
I'm somewhat surprised Donovan stayed. Florida will always be a football school, and those national championships would be a lot more meaningful in Kentucky. But, unlike Urban Meyers, Donovan did it for the right reasons. Too bad, because I think he would have been a good coach anywhere, unlike Meyers.
I'm not quite sure what you mean by this. The NCs would mean more at UK b/c they want them more? I guess I'd say that building and obtaining a NC at a school where it's NOT expected is more gratifying. Building a basketball dynasty at a football school is also equally as gratifying (although, to the fans, perhaps less appreciated). Needless to say, next year we get to see what Donovan can do without four NBA draft picks. He's been a recruiting machine, and Nick Calathes et al, will leave Billy D in pretty good shape, but now we'll see whether he's the coach when he had David Lee, Matt Walsh etc., or the coach when he had the right players. I'm a little more respectful of Billy the kid though. He shows commitment and class (unlike our favorite target, Saban). I'm just a tad envious of Florida's ability to land some of these coaches, in the last decade. Here's the wrap up on Kentucky... it seems as though now, they make a run at some more folks that keep popping up... Gillispie, Crean, Izzo and Few. Ask yourself, would LSU ever pay what it took to get one of these guys (or have the facilities and fan base to induce them)? http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2826756 Gillipsie, although a "B" candidate, would probably take the job... http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2827764 Another move, shows the class and mobility of college coaches today. Bob Huggins leaves K-State after just one year to return to West Virginia. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2827212 More news to come from world of coaching... :geauxtige :bball: :champs: LSU IS A BASKETBALL SCHOOL. NOW THE AD NEEDS TO PROVE IT.
