well join the fvcking club. My team went on a seven game losing streak to end the season, and our shit-bird of a coach threw a fit at a press meeting and blamed them. So, if you're shopping for a basketball coach, here's my list of saviors....
...I know it's probably counterproductive to talk coaches so much while you still have a guy on staff, but this is fun. And I can get a lot more excited about the future of my team's Basketball, which is something I'd really prefer to get excited about than be disgusted with, by thinking about a new guy than having the current guy back another year.
AT LEAST GIVE 'EM A CALL...
1. Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's - Good shot at Nat'l Coach of the Year and a guy who would be great at filling seats. Coaches up-tempo ball that looks a bit like what Pitino did at Kentucky. Might jump on a seven-figure paycheck; otherwise it's hard to see him leaving his dream job for unfamiliar territory. Still a potential "WOW" hire; you've got to make him tell you no.
2. Mark Few, Gonzaga - A West Coast version of Martelli, but didn't build the program from the ground up like Martelli did. Seems like he's very committed to staying in the Pacific Northwest as well. But just the idea of having LSU play the kind of well-coached, superior fundamental type ball that few teams play is worth an exploratory call.
3. Tim Izzo, Michigan State - Call this guy to make some people happy that you at least tried, but there's almost no shot he'll take the job. He rules the state of Michigan for the top recruits and he's in the midst of a fabulous hotbed of talent which insures he's in the NCAA Tournament every year. If nothing else he can help guide you in hiring somebody else.
4. Thad Matta, Xavier - While the top three may or may not be even remotely realistic, this guy could be your next coach. He's 36, he's had at least 23 wins in every year as a head coach (one at Butler and three at Xavier) and he's next coached on a staff that had a losing season. And coaches at Xavier consistently leave for bigger jobs; Skip Prosser went to Wake Forest and Pete Gillen went to Providence. Somebody's going to grab this guy.
5. Tim Welsh, Providence - He won huge at Iona, now he's got the Friars competing at a high level in the Big East. A mid-forties guy who's known as a great recruiter and an up-and-comer. Finally broke through with a good season after a bit of a roller coaster at PC. Lineage of where he came from makes him a strong candidate if nothing else - Pitino, Barnes, Gillen...if he's as good as those guys you'll be more than happy with him.
IF AND WHEN THEY SAY NO...
1. Jeff Capel, VCU - Great pedigree, comes from a system that's dominant, a big name despite his youth and a likely rainmaker both in recruiting and with respect to bringing in the fans. Downside? Might be a Tommy Amaker or Quin Snyder, neither one of whom are doing a friggin' thing right now despite jobs at programs with tons of resources. Plus, he's in only his second year, though he put together an NIT year last year and he's clinched an NCAA berth this year. A bit of a gamble, but if you interview him you'll get a better idea of what he brings to the table.
2. Billy Gillispie, UTEP - Took over a disaster, suffered through a 6-24 first season and now is 24-6 and playing for the WAC title. Unbelievable turnaround, the biggest in all of college basketball this year. Came up with Bill Self at Tulsa and Illinois as his chief recruiter and supposedly is one of the hardest workers on the trail. Biggest negative is that he's only been the head coach at one place, unlike a Matta or Welsh.
3. Bobby Gonzales, Manhattan - headed to the NCAA for the second straight year with 23+ wins in his fourth season after taking over a disaster. Came up with Gillen at Xavier, Providence and Virginia as his chief recruiter and is supposedly the hottest young coach on the East Coast. Plays an up-tempo style which is fun to watch. A fast-talking guy who reminds you of a young Pitino.
4. Mick Cronin, Murray State - Scary hire, since he's only in his first year. But 28-5 is an eye-popping record for anybody. And the fact that he came up with Huggins and Pitino as a recruiting coordinator for both can't hurt. A terrific recruiter and another up-tempo coach. He's 32, though. Is that old enough?
5. Stew Morrill, Utah State - has had success everywhere he's been, and now basically owns the Big West Conference. Unbelievable winning percentage the last four years, and will make the NCAA even though they got upset by Cal State-Northridge last night in the conference tourney. Kind of an older guy, though, and has never really been anywhere other than the Rocky Mountain states.
...I know it's probably counterproductive to talk coaches so much while you still have a guy on staff, but this is fun. And I can get a lot more excited about the future of my team's Basketball, which is something I'd really prefer to get excited about than be disgusted with, by thinking about a new guy than having the current guy back another year.
AT LEAST GIVE 'EM A CALL...
1. Phil Martelli, St. Joseph's - Good shot at Nat'l Coach of the Year and a guy who would be great at filling seats. Coaches up-tempo ball that looks a bit like what Pitino did at Kentucky. Might jump on a seven-figure paycheck; otherwise it's hard to see him leaving his dream job for unfamiliar territory. Still a potential "WOW" hire; you've got to make him tell you no.
2. Mark Few, Gonzaga - A West Coast version of Martelli, but didn't build the program from the ground up like Martelli did. Seems like he's very committed to staying in the Pacific Northwest as well. But just the idea of having LSU play the kind of well-coached, superior fundamental type ball that few teams play is worth an exploratory call.
3. Tim Izzo, Michigan State - Call this guy to make some people happy that you at least tried, but there's almost no shot he'll take the job. He rules the state of Michigan for the top recruits and he's in the midst of a fabulous hotbed of talent which insures he's in the NCAA Tournament every year. If nothing else he can help guide you in hiring somebody else.
4. Thad Matta, Xavier - While the top three may or may not be even remotely realistic, this guy could be your next coach. He's 36, he's had at least 23 wins in every year as a head coach (one at Butler and three at Xavier) and he's next coached on a staff that had a losing season. And coaches at Xavier consistently leave for bigger jobs; Skip Prosser went to Wake Forest and Pete Gillen went to Providence. Somebody's going to grab this guy.
5. Tim Welsh, Providence - He won huge at Iona, now he's got the Friars competing at a high level in the Big East. A mid-forties guy who's known as a great recruiter and an up-and-comer. Finally broke through with a good season after a bit of a roller coaster at PC. Lineage of where he came from makes him a strong candidate if nothing else - Pitino, Barnes, Gillen...if he's as good as those guys you'll be more than happy with him.
IF AND WHEN THEY SAY NO...
1. Jeff Capel, VCU - Great pedigree, comes from a system that's dominant, a big name despite his youth and a likely rainmaker both in recruiting and with respect to bringing in the fans. Downside? Might be a Tommy Amaker or Quin Snyder, neither one of whom are doing a friggin' thing right now despite jobs at programs with tons of resources. Plus, he's in only his second year, though he put together an NIT year last year and he's clinched an NCAA berth this year. A bit of a gamble, but if you interview him you'll get a better idea of what he brings to the table.
2. Billy Gillispie, UTEP - Took over a disaster, suffered through a 6-24 first season and now is 24-6 and playing for the WAC title. Unbelievable turnaround, the biggest in all of college basketball this year. Came up with Bill Self at Tulsa and Illinois as his chief recruiter and supposedly is one of the hardest workers on the trail. Biggest negative is that he's only been the head coach at one place, unlike a Matta or Welsh.
3. Bobby Gonzales, Manhattan - headed to the NCAA for the second straight year with 23+ wins in his fourth season after taking over a disaster. Came up with Gillen at Xavier, Providence and Virginia as his chief recruiter and is supposedly the hottest young coach on the East Coast. Plays an up-tempo style which is fun to watch. A fast-talking guy who reminds you of a young Pitino.
4. Mick Cronin, Murray State - Scary hire, since he's only in his first year. But 28-5 is an eye-popping record for anybody. And the fact that he came up with Huggins and Pitino as a recruiting coordinator for both can't hurt. A terrific recruiter and another up-tempo coach. He's 32, though. Is that old enough?
5. Stew Morrill, Utah State - has had success everywhere he's been, and now basically owns the Big West Conference. Unbelievable winning percentage the last four years, and will make the NCAA even though they got upset by Cal State-Northridge last night in the conference tourney. Kind of an older guy, though, and has never really been anywhere other than the Rocky Mountain states.
