Tuesday, April 2, 2013

NCAA Coaching Vacancies

UCLA has filled their coaching vacancy with Steve Alford.  USC has picked up Andy Enfield to be their next leader.  Tubby Smith was fired by Minnesota, in a puzzling move, and was quickly picked up by Texas Tech.  All three moves, in my opinion, are good, but not great, hires.  Enfield was essentially hired by USC after one good season and 2 huge wins.  He plays an uptempo style, which given the athletes USC has, and recruits, could lend well to success.  He has lots of potential to bring USC back to relevance as a tournament team, though I am not sure USC will soon become a title contender.  Texas Tech's hire of Tubby Smith is similar, in that the target seems to be the NCAA tournament.  Smith is a solid coach, but too high of expectations here will only lead to failure.  Minnesota had a great season, though did not perform well in February when it mattered most.  They won a tournament game, which is more than Texas Tech can say for a few seasons.  I like the hire.  Steve Alford to UCLA is a good hire, as he is a prominent name among the coaching circuit.  If Kyle Anderson comes back, I like Alford's ability to improve his potential and run the offense through him.  As a coach he is great, but can he recruit southern California, and Los Angeles?  Northwestern added Chris Collins- a fantastic hire- but is Northwestern able to get to the tournament under anybody?  Chances are good under Collins.  I'll predict 2016.

Remaining Vacancies: Minnesota, Old Dominion, Rutgers (should be after the Mike Rice incident), New Mexico, Florida Gulf Coast

Remaining top candidates: 
Greg Marshall (Wichita State)- Chances he'll leave?  Close to none.
Bruce Pearl
Ernie Kent
Randy Bennett (St. Mary's)- Chances he'll leave?  40% for right job.
Ben Howland
Craig Neal (N. Mex. assistant)

Untouchable Candidates:
Shaka Smart (VCU)
Brad Stevens (Butler)
Mark Few (Gonzaga)
Jay Wright (Villanova)
Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)

Here is who I think each school should go for:
Minnesota:  Howland
Old Dominion:  Promising Assistant somewhere
New Mexico:  Neal
FGCU:  Promising Assistant
Rutgers (Rice hasn't been let go yet, but it is egregious if he isn't): Bruce Pearl

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