Next Gopher Head Coach

[WriterGoph]

	GAMES	WON	LOST	WIN%	SOS
COACH X	126​	96​	30​	0.762​	3.13​
COACH Y	204​	152​	52​	0.745​	4.71​
COACH Z	58​	30​	20​	0.517​	-3.71​
COACH T	231​	153​	78​	0.622​	-0.48​
COACH Q	255​	129​	126​	0.506​	-1.66​

PICK A COACH.

I GO WITH Y 1ST
X 2ND BASED ON % AND STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE (YES, THERE ARE NEGATIVE SOS

Except nobody hires college coaches based on W-L record. There are so many other factors as far as what kind of shape the program is in that they take over and who they have worked and learned under. If W-L was all that mattered, then everyone would be hiring the best HCs from low majors.

 

[SanDiegoGopherFan]

Except nobody hires college coaches based on W-L record. There are so many other factors as far as what kind of shape the program is in that they take over and who they have worked and learned under. If W-L was all that mattered, then everyone would be hiring the best HCs from low majors.

That's true, nobody hires based on W-L record.


THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP WITH RP

 

[golf]

I think his experience at the college level is the problem. One year as an assistant. Recruiting and dealing with young guys and their families, balancing grades, university policies, etc. may not be for everyone.

Don't disagree that he has some great tools but he's pretty high risk in my opinion. I brought his name up as well but then thought about it and wouldn't be as thrilled with him anymore.

College game may certainly not be for him for the reasons you mentioned. I guess the names being mentioned dont blow me away so am surprised mitchell isnt getting more support.

 

[WriterGoph]

That's true, nobody hires based on W-L record.


THAT'S HOW WE ENDED UP WITH RP

Buddy, I will personally guarantee you we are not getting Musselman or Dutcher. Other than local radio guys in their 60s who are no more tied into the current AD than you or I are, nobody has been saying anything about either of these guys actually being interested. Trust me, there are people on this board who are more dialed in than Reusse or Barreiro. These fools both lost any special access privileges they had a decade ago. Why would the AD want to feed leaks or info to columnists or radio guys who constantly try and breed negativity about their university and programs? Just take a second to think on that one...

Do yourself and your mental health a favor and let go of the pipe (dreams) and focus on this list:

Gates
Smith
Medved
Moser
Grant

 

[golf]

Wasn't the rap on Sam when he was the Wolves HC that the team was very young at that time and Sam was quite old school in his ways and wasn't a great fit to connect and work with guys of that generation? If my memory is correct, seems like that would even be more of an issue at the college level

Yeah, could be. I guess i wish he could at least get an interview. He would have the attention of potential recruits from day one i would think.

 

[golf]

Buddy, I will personally guarantee you we are not getting Musselman or Dutcher. Other than local radio guys in their 60s who are no more tied into the current AD than you or I are, nobody has been saying anything about either of these guys actually being interested. Trust me, there are people on this board who are more dialed in than Reusse or Barreiro. These fools both lost any special access privileges they had a decade ago. Why would the AD want to feed leaks or info to columnists or radio guys who constantly try and breed negativity about their university and programs? Just take a second to think on that one...

Do yourself and your mental health a favor and let go of the pipe (dreams) and focus on this list:

Gates
Smith
Medved
Moser
Grant

If this is the list, i choose gates or moser.

 

[Gopherfan84]

Buddy, I will personally guarantee you we are not getting Musselman or Dutcher. Other than local radio guys in their 60s who are no more tied into the current AD than you or I are, nobody has been saying anything about either of these guys actually being interested. Trust me, there are people on this board who are more dialed in than Reusse or Barreiro. These fools both lost any special access privileges they had a decade ago. Why would the AD want to feed leaks or info to columnists or radio guys who constantly try and breed negativity about their university and programs? Just take a second to think on that one...

Do yourself and your mental health a favor and let go of the pipe (dreams) and focus on this list:

Gates
Smith
Medved
Moser
Grant

That's not a list to be disappointed with. I'm more ecstatic over the top 3 on the list. Seems like Mosher is destined for Depaul. I like Grant more than others. I think you can learn from failure. It's mind boggling how many here whine about RP doing his OJT here, then won't take a look at a Grant who did his OJT elsewhere.

 

[bga1]

Buddy, I will personally guarantee you we are not getting Musselman or Dutcher. Other than local radio guys in their 60s who are no more tied into the current AD than you or I are, nobody has been saying anything about either of these guys actually being interested. Trust me, there are people on this board who are more dialed in than Reusse or Barreiro. These fools both lost any special access privileges they had a decade ago. Why would the AD want to feed leaks or info to columnists or radio guys who constantly try and breed negativity about their university and programs? Just take a second to think on that one...

Do yourself and your mental health a favor and let go of the pipe (dreams) and focus on this list:

Gates
Smith
Medved
Moser
Grant

Well there isn't anything stronger than a personal guarantee on an internet site...

 

[PMWinSTP]

Buddy, I will personally guarantee you we are not getting Musselman or Dutcher. Other than local radio guys in their 60s who are no more tied into the current AD than you or I are, nobody has been saying anything about either of these guys actually being interested. Trust me, there are people on this board who are more dialed in than Reusse or Barreiro. These fools both lost any special access privileges they had a decade ago. Why would the AD want to feed leaks or info to columnists or radio guys who constantly try and breed negativity about their university and programs? Just take a second to think on that one...

Do yourself and your mental health a favor and let go of the pipe (dreams) and focus on this list:

Gates
Smith
Medved
Moser
Grant

So you think Dutcher put the low buyout in his contract just for kicks?

 

[WriterGoph]

So when Gates came up as a candidate and I realized he had been at Florida State for so long, I knew that an old friend/colleague (he was just out of college back then) of mine from the Georgia sports writing world was a GA on the staff when Gates was there. My friend got into coaching and had been the HC at a couple small JUCO programs in Georgia and then eventually got the opportunity at FSU.

It's been years since I have been in touch with him, but I tracked down his new number today (since the Gates stuff is gaining steam and Pitino is officially out) and reached out to ask about his opinion and experience with Gates:

"I told a coach friend when Cleveland State hired him that Gates is the next big thing in coaching. So he sent one of his players from his JUCO there. Same coach texted me last week and said, "well, you were right." LOL. His former player starts and also got DPOY in the Horizon League. Gates is very legit but I'm not sure Minnesota is a long-term thing. I think he comes back to FSU when Hamilton is done."

Take it FWIW. Just one informed man's opinion I am sharing. Obviously if Gates had success here, the whole national perception of the program could change and FSU might not look so great.

I've asked a couple more questions of my friend, so I will share the answers once he gets back to me.

 

[howeda7]

. Gates is very legit bit I'm not sure Minnesota is a long-term thing. I think he comes back to FSU when Hamilton is done."

This is my biggest issue with hiring him. If Gates wins here, this is likely to happen given Hamilton's age.

 

[GopherBlood777]

Wasn't the rap on Sam when he was the Wolves HC that the team was very young at that time and Sam was quite old school in his ways and wasn't a great fit to connect and work with guys of that generation? If my memory is correct, seems like that would even be more of an issue at the college level

NBA players are babies and you can look at John Beilein as an example. They complained that he focused too much on fundamentals. You can be much more old school in college in my opinion, especially in the B1G that focuses on defense and toughness.

 

[Some guy]

Buddy, I will personally guarantee you we are not getting Musselman or Dutcher. Other than local radio guys in their 60s who are no more tied into the current AD than you or I are, nobody has been saying anything about either of these guys actually being interested. Trust me, there are people on this board who are more dialed in than Reusse or Barreiro. These fools both lost any special access privileges they had a decade ago. Why would the AD want to feed leaks or info to columnists or radio guys who constantly try and breed negativity about their university and programs? Just take a second to think on that one...

Do yourself and your mental health a favor and let go of the pipe (dreams) and focus on this list:

Gates
Smith
Medved
Moser
Grant

Grant would be an awful hire. I don’t want to replace a guy who was mediocre at a p6 with another guy who’s as mediocre at a p6

would rather hire someone I’ve never heard of than grant

 

[JoshuaT81]

I'm not the person simplifying it down to the color of his skin. Let's be honest for a second here. We would not be talking about Gates as anything more than one of many on a list were it not for that differentiating factor. He has not done that much yet. Certainly Smith has done more, as has Medved, as has Moser, Ben Jacobsen and a host of others. If he's hired, I'm fine and I will be all in on it, just like I was with Monson, Tubby and Pitino. I really like what I am hearing about Gates as a potentially good and maybe great coach. He's not proven.

I agree with your other comparisons but I don't think medved has done more of anything than gates except for having more seasons as a HC. Gates has two coach of the years to medved's 1. Also gates has led a team to ncaa tournament medved not so much. Also quite an accomplishment to win coach of the year when you have a losing record, what is up with that.

 

[tmvander]

This is my biggest issue with hiring him. If Gates wins here, this is likely to happen given Hamilton's age.

The whole coaches are going to leave for greener pastures bit does not need to be a concern at MN until it happens. I'm 35 and think its happened once in my life when i was a little kid.

 

[howeda7]

The whole coaches are going to leave for greener pastures bit does not need to be a concern at MN until it happens. I'm 35 and think its happened once in my life when i was a little kid.

Normally I agree, but his ties to FSU are strong and Hamiltion's exit is probably going to happen within 2-3 years. There was a bit the same fear with Pitino, but Rick was 61 when Richard was hired, not 71.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

This is my biggest issue with hiring him. If Gates wins here, this is likely to happen given Hamilton's age.

Normally I agree, but his ties to FSU are strong and Hamiltion's exit is probably going to happen within 2-3 years.

Leonard Hamilton, for all his experience and success, makes about what we paid Richard Pitino. FSU might hold a special place in Gates' heart, so that's a real concern, but if he has success here we'll be in a position to pay him a lot more money than he'll make there.

 

[howeda7]

Leonard Hamilton, for all his experience and success, makes about what we paid Richard Pitino. FSU might hold a special place in Gates' heart, so that's a real concern, but if he has success here we'll be in a position to pay him a lot more money than he'll make there.

They always come up with the $ for football. I reckon they can do it for basketball too.

 

[tmvander]

Normally I agree, but his ties to FSU are strong and Hamiltion's exit is probably going to happen within 2-3 years. There was a bit the same fear with Pitino, but Rick was 61 when Richard was hired, not 71.

IF Gates is our hire and IF he is an outstanding coach who pulls us out of the fire I won't care one bit if he bails. If people are leaving for better opportunities its normally going to be because we're successful. If we're a dumpster fire for 3 years and he runs to FSU...well, we get a jump on our next hire early and avoid a firing/buyout mess.

 

[WriterGoph]

So I asked my buddy "How instrumental was Gates in recruiting at FSU?"

"He was huge in recruiting. Found Mfiondu Kabengele, who was a 6'2 skinny ass kid. Ends up being 6'9 ACC Sixth Man of the Year and a 1st round pick. He closed the deal on (lottery pick) Jonathan Isaacs as well. He can recruit his ass off. Connections everywhere. Chicago guy. Godparent of his kids is Quentin Richardson (former longtime NBA player). Worked for Crean at Marquette."

 

[howeda7]

IF Gates is our hire and IF he is an outstanding coach who pulls us out of the fire I won't care one bit if he bails. If people are leaving for better opportunities its normally going to be because we're successful. If we're a dumpster fire for 3 years and he runs to FSU...well, we get a jump on our next hire early and avoid a firing/buyout mess.

If it's 6-8 years down the line and he's built us up, great. But what if it's in 1-2 years before he's even gotten started? Then it's just a waste and we start over.

 

[USAF]

Normally I agree, but his ties to FSU are strong and Hamiltion's exit is probably going to happen within 2-3 years. There was a bit the same fear with Pitino, but Rick was 61 when Richard was hired, not 71.

This shouldn't be a factor.

First of all, we should be so lucky as to have other programs trying to poach our coaches.

Second, if FSU specifically is an issue, write a contract that addresses it. $10m buyout, plus fresh squeezed OJ for life.

 

[howeda7]

This shouldn't be a factor.

First of all, we should be so lucky as to have other programs trying to poach our coaches.

Second, if FSU specifically is an issue, write a contract that addresses it. $10m buyout, plus fresh squeezed OJ for life.

I guess we could do a reverse Dutcher. $5 million buyout. $15 million for FSU.

 

[WriterGoph]

If it's 6-8 years down the line and he's built us up, great. But what if it's in 1-2 years before he's even gotten started? Then it's just a waste and we start over.

I think if you think Gates has the right mix of energy, knowledge and recruiting prowess (which we know Coyle values), you have to try and capture lightning in a bottle. You take the chance he does well and you can keep him and roll the dice that he may decide to go somewhere else. I don't think Coyle seems like the guy who would want to play it safe and hire a guy who he thinks might be content here longer. That is more of a Maturi-style hire.

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

They always come up with the $ for football. I reckon they can do it for basketball too.

Maybe, but it's a football school. Would be a tough sell to replace a legendary coach with his protege and pay the protege significantly more money than the legend. But he could certainly leave if money wasn't the prime motivator.

 

[WriterGoph]

Well there isn't anything stronger than a personal guarantee on an internet site...

All I'm saying is I will gladly come on here and eat crow if Musselman is our next coach.

As far as Dutcher, I think there might be interest, but I think Coyle has some legit concerns about his age and the fact that Dutcher hasn't had to recruit Minnesota or even the Midwest really for a long time.

 

[Holy Man]

Yep. Navigating petty rivalries is no fun. But if new coach succeeds he can live above that crap.

That's not a list to be disappointed with. I'm more ecstatic over the top 3 on the list. Seems like Mosher is destined for Depaul. I like Grant more than others. I think you can learn from failure. It's mind boggling how many here whine about RP doing his OJT here, then won't take a look at a Grant who did his OJT elsewhere.

Fair analysis.

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

I have always been impressed with his demeanor as a player and coach so part of it is that i suppose. COY with the raptors and has experience at the college level. Maybe part of it is seeing how ex player juwan howard has come in and mitchell seems in that mold to me. Both are likable, humble, and i think Sam would be appealing to recruits and parents. Seems to me recruits would be much more excited about mitchell than gates.

He was a poor NBA coach who failed to adapt to the times. Would be an absolute disaster here.

 

[Holy Man]

All I'm saying is I will gladly come on here and eat crow if Musselman is our next coach.

As far as Dutcher, I think there might be interest, but I think Coyle has some legit concerns about his age and the fact that Dutcher hasn't had to recruit Minnesota or even the Midwest really for a long time.

Bingo! I think most significant con in Brian is lack of Midwest connections.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I'm pretty sure Guyfawkes has inside info that were getting Shaka Smart from Texas. I swear I heard that somewhere...