I was hoping LSU would hire Anthony Grant during the last coaching search. That is no longer a possibility so here are some names I hope Aleva will consider (in no particular order) Shaka Smart VCU Brad Stephens Butler Scott Drew Baylor Johnny Jones North Texas Steve Donahue Boston College Sean Miller Arizona Chris Mack Xavier These may all be unrealistic candidates but I think any would be a good hire.
Yeah, that's a good list. Obviously, Shaka would be tops. Don't think SDrew or SMiller would leave what they are working on/already achieved to rebuild LSU. Same w/Brad Stephens - just don't think LSU would be his destination if he were to consider leaving Butler. JJ is an interesting choice. Obviously, he knows what he is getting into, has recruiting connections already, and now has HC experience. Not the sexy choice, and not sure it rebuilds the fan base quickly, but over time, if he wins, the fans will return.
I wasn't try to imply LSU isn't "good enough" of a destination. I think someone like SS would be intrigued and come for the money. I was really eluding to BStevens. He is a midwest to northeast guy, has likely had numerous offers thrown at him, and I just don't think he would be that interested in LSU, but what do I know? It seems to me that he would be holding out like his predecessors did (Matta for OSU), for a different geographical destination that he considers a top choice school. SMiller's only been at Arizona for 2, maybe 3, years, so I doubt he would jump ship already, given that they are coming along pretty well and he does not likely have secondary problems like Trent has been dealing with (kind of like CGC, he can see the writing on the wall and will jump ship first before losing out).
Locate the very best recruiter in the country (assistant coach) & hire him! To win you need players & that was/is TJ's downfall. Buy Him! Whatever it takes thats legal.
If the AD wants a top program, then they're going to have to start treating it like a priority and start spending serious money. Q: Where was LSU ranked in the SEC last year in men's basketball expenditures? A: Dead last. (I put the numbers for that on another thread, but not sure if it survived the transition.) For an AD with the kind of money we have, that is inexcusable. Frankly, I'm getting tired of this defeatist attitude that we just can't compete with school X for coach Y. If we're serious about building a top program, then we need an AD with some vision who will aggressively promote the program and pursue the best personnel.
Found it: UK: $6.35M Arky: $6.00M UF: $4.87M UT: $4.50M Bama: $3.74M AU: $3.62M USCe: $3.29M UGA: $2.80M State: $2.61M Ole Miss: $2.33M LSU: $2.22M
Yeah, shaka would be my top choice and it seems like he would be the easiest to pull away from, the other coaches have pretty good to decent programs.
Both Johnny Jones and Butch Pierre recruited very well as assistants at LSU. Jones now has adequate head coaching experience. He's got to be a candidate.
