Andy Katz: I still think Flip Saunders would be the perfect fit for Minnesota

[BleedGopher]

per Katz:

3-point shot: Good coaches hard to land

1. UCLA, USC and Minnesota are finding out what Oregon and others have discovered in how difficult it is to extract coaches from good situations. On the surface the jobs are perceived as better jobs than what some of these coaches currently have, but leaving a comfortable situation, an athletic director or president that they get along with, and facilities can be difficult to match. Oregon was fortunate when it landed Creighton's Dana Altman, but he was down the list. How many schools get their first choice? Even Wichita State's Gregg Marshall has a great situation for him. He makes more than $1 million and is now at the top job in the Missouri Valley Conference. Marshall could make his style work at any of the three openings. All three schools should make a major play for him. But he doesn't have to move now that he made the Elite Eight. Butler's Brad Stevens, Gonzaga's Mark Few and VCU's Shaka Smart have listened, but don't need to move and haven't so far. This is a humbling experience for these ADs when they go out expecting to find a coach and struggle.

2. We'll see what happens over the weekend, but I still think Flip Saunders would be the perfect fit for Minnesota. He's working for ESPN as an NBA analyst and loves the Gophers. He could do for Minnesota what Fred Hoiberg has done for Iowa State. A former UCLA staffer is convinced that the Bruins could end up with Washington's Lorenzo Romar. The point being made was that the Bruins need a coach who can work Los Angeles as well as the country club crew. He also would play an up-tempo style. Romar won the Pac-12 in 2012, but didn't make the NCAAs. He didn't make it again this year. Romar could be a fall-back candidate, but he wouldn't be a bad settling choice for the Bruins at this point. UCLA, USC and Minnesota had to make plays for names, but in the end they all got played.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask.../82271/3-point-shot-good-coaches-hard-to-land

Go Gophers!!

 

[jaymil]

A lot of people agree. I'd be fine with the hire but would be a little skeptical. Hoiberg is 40, not 60.

 

[Bad Gopher]

I agree with everything except that anyone got played. It's all part of the game, part of the process.

Not to restart the Flip debate, but Katz puts it in common sense terms. When I read the PiPress article earlier this week about when Flip and Izzo sat together at the HS game and Flip gave Izzo a ride back to the airport, I thought, damn, he's already in the fraternity, already a figure who people know and respect, and that's nationally, regionally and locally. He's got the foundation in place that someone else would have to expend considerable energy to build from the ground up. Then when I saw that tweet from Alvin Ellis it confirmed it: Flip is a name, a known commodity. Not that it's the only important consideration, but he gives us the best chance to get at least part of the Big Three.

 

[Iceland12]

per Katz:

3-point shot: Good coaches hard to land

1. UCLA, USC and Minnesota are finding out what Oregon and others have discovered in how difficult it is to extract coaches from good situations. On the surface the jobs are perceived as better jobs than what some of these coaches currently have, but leaving a comfortable situation, an athletic director or president that they get along with, and facilities can be difficult to match. Oregon was fortunate when it landed Creighton's Dana Altman, but he was down the list. How many schools get their first choice? Even Wichita State's Gregg Marshall has a great situation for him. He makes more than $1 million and is now at the top job in the Missouri Valley Conference. Marshall could make his style work at any of the three openings. All three schools should make a major play for him. But he doesn't have to move now that he made the Elite Eight. Butler's Brad Stevens, Gonzaga's Mark Few and VCU's Shaka Smart have listened, but don't need to move and haven't so far. This is a humbling experience for these ADs when they go out expecting to find a coach and struggle.

2. We'll see what happens over the weekend, but I still think Flip Saunders would be the perfect fit for Minnesota. He's working for ESPN as an NBA analyst and loves the Gophers. He could do for Minnesota what Fred Hoiberg has done for Iowa State. A former UCLA staffer is convinced that the Bruins could end up with Washington's Lorenzo Romar. The point being made was that the Bruins need a coach who can work Los Angeles as well as the country club crew. He also would play an up-tempo style. Romar won the Pac-12 in 2012, but didn't make the NCAAs. He didn't make it again this year. Romar could be a fall-back candidate, but he wouldn't be a bad settling choice for the Bruins at this point. UCLA, USC and Minnesota had to make plays for names, but in the end they all got played.

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebask.../82271/3-point-shot-good-coaches-hard-to-land


Go Gophers!!

Is "age" the only reason there haven't been many "Hoiberg/Saunders" comparisons? He seems to be an alumni with NBA connections and no college (or pro?) coaching experience who's doing rather well down there.

 

[MadtownGopher]

A lot of people agree. I'd be fine with the hire but would be a little skeptical. Hoiberg is 40, not 60.

This is how I feel.

 

[Gopherbbdude]

The more I read about Flip and the more big name coaches we don't get, the more I like the Flip hire.
Buzz isn't coming...Gregg may be interested......but Flip fits best. Pretty sure NT said "Best Fit" for MN.

 

[MDGopherFan]

This is how I feel.

aaaahhhh...good old age discrimination. Unfortunate to see it still lingers. I would rather have Flip who brings an absolute ton of coaching experience and is a highly recognized name both locally and nationally, than an unknown who has 4 years under his belt and may have just found magic in a bottle for one year. I work with a lot of elder statesmen and I wouldn't trade them for any colleage newbie given the immense knowledge they bring to bear. Flip is 58, not 60, and I suspect could coach at a high level for 7-10 years if he wanted too. By that time perhaps he will have groomed a replacement or decide to retire, regardless, 7-10 years seem pretty normal for a coaching stint in college BB. We got, what, 10 years from Haskins, 7 from Monson, and 6 from Smith? I would say that 7 good years from Flip is within the norm, and well worth it. It is no longer the norm for coaches to stay in one place for 20-30 years....

 

[Gopher07]

aaaahhhh...good old age discrimination. Unfortunate to see it still lingers. I would rather have Flip who brings an absolute ton of coaching experience and is a highly recognized name both locally and nationally, than an unknown who has 4 years under his belt and may have just found magic in a bottle for one year. I work with a lot of elder statesmen and I wouldn't trade them for any colleage newbie given the immense knowledge they bring to bear. Flip is 58, not 60, and I suspect could coach at a high level for 7-10 years if he wanted too. By that time perhaps he will have groomed a replacement or decide to retire, regardless, 7-10 years seem pretty normal for a coaching stint in college BB. We got, what, 10 years from Haskins, 7 from Monson, and 6 from Smith? I would say that 7 good years from Flip is within the norm, and well worth it. It is no longer the norm for coaches to stay in one place for 20-30 years....

I would argue it's a somewhat legitimate concern when a huge portion of the position is kowtowing to 15 and 16 year olds. It's the one lingering question I have with Flip, how much would he want to play the recruiting game, how much energy would he have to really play it at a national level. Those concerns would be alleviated with a knockout staff, IMO.

 

[tinyarch]

A lot of people agree. I'd be fine with the hire but would be a little skeptical. Hoiberg is 40, not 60.

I don't get the issue with a person's age being important. If age were really a big deal then the Twolves blew it by getting Rick Adelman. Surely they would have been better off with hiring Michael Jordan to coach...

Flip has never "checked-out" as a coach. He'd be a great mentor to players on what it takes to get to the NBA and he'd be equal to Tom Izzo in regard to breaking down opponent's weaknesses and exploiting them.

 

[FanSinceTheFifties]

Saunders to me was the obvious choice from the beginning. If he wants the job, he should have been hired an hour after the Smith departure. Now if he's hired, it looks like the U thinks of him as their fall-back choice and recruits will be told that by competing schools. The handling of this situation sure looks clumsy at this point.

 

[jaymil]

I would argue it's a somewhat legitimate concern when a huge portion of the position is kowtowing to 15 and 16 year olds. It's the one lingering question I have with Flip, how much would he want to play the recruiting game, how much energy would he have to really play it at a national level. Those concerns would be alleviated with a knockout staff, IMO.

Exactly. The age doesn't concern me because I think he'll drop dead in a few years. I question whether 17 year olds can relate to him, and will Flip like the recruiting part of the job? He isn't as well known nationally as people in Minnesota think. I do agree that the right staff can help a lot. I'd feel better if he added a great recruiter to his staff who could be a possible successor.

 

[Bad Gopher]

Saunders to me was the obvious choice from the beginning. If he wants the job, he should have been hired an hour after the Smith departure. Now if he's hired, it looks like the U thinks of him as their fall-back choice and recruits will be told that by competing schools. The handling of this situation sure looks clumsy at this point.

Not to rehash, but it was posted elsewhere that Bo Ryan was about their seventh choice over there. Not a fatal problem obviously.

 

[WolfontheProwl]

I think Flip would be a great coach for the Gophers. His system and style of coaching would be perfect for college aged kids an would be effective in college basketball. My concern is recruiting at a major college level at a place like Minnesota where getting kids into school and keeping them here can be issues with some. I thought Tubby would be great and he did a good job but over time his recruiting fell off and the team was forced to play players that were not on the level they needed to be to continue pushing the Gophers forward. Can Flip bring in the right kids year in and year out to build the program?

I think we all must remember its not where the program is now that is important its where the program will be 3 and 4 years from now and it was the reason why Tubby had to go.

 

[From the Barn]

An offensive system built around two point jump shots can not succeed in college. Carry on...

 

[THE SCOUT!]

how about 2 point set shots

 

[MadtownGopher]

aaaahhhh...good old age discrimination. Unfortunate to see it still lingers. I would rather have Flip who brings an absolute ton of coaching experience and is a highly recognized name both locally and nationally, than an unknown who has 4 years under his belt and may have just found magic in a bottle for one year. I work with a lot of elder statesmen and I wouldn't trade them for any colleage newbie given the immense knowledge they bring to bear. Flip is 58, not 60, and I suspect could coach at a high level for 7-10 years if he wanted too. By that time perhaps he will have groomed a replacement or decide to retire, regardless, 7-10 years seem pretty normal for a coaching stint in college BB. We got, what, 10 years from Haskins, 7 from Monson, and 6 from Smith? I would say that 7 good years from Flip is within the norm, and well worth it. It is no longer the norm for coaches to stay in one place for 20-30 years....

It's not so much his age (though that is a concern), it's more that he hasn't coached college ball since before I was born. I'm not sure how well he'd recruit outside of the state and how his system would work with college kids.

And like I said, I could live with a Flip hire. It just wouldn't be the wet dream that it would be for many on this board.

 

[WolfontheProwl]

2 point jump shots in the NBA are often three point shots in college.

 

[Iceland12]

Age-wise Flip would be in good company.

Izzo - 58 years old
Krzyzewski - 66
Roy Williams - 62
Calipari - 54
Pittino - 60
Jim Boeheim - 68

 

[Maroon Shower]

Age-wise Flip would be in good company.

Izzo - 58 years old
Krzyzewski - 66
Roy Williams - 62
Calipari - 54
Pittino - 60
Jim Boeheim - 68

Yeah, but none of those guys have the energy to recruit.

 

[DLguy]

An offensive system built around two point jump shots can not succeed in college. Carry on...

Fred Hoiberg, Hollywood Robinson, Anthony Peeler, Wally World just to name a few did just fine shooting the trey ball in Flip's system.

I would argue an offensive system built around the 3 ball would not succeed in college.

 

[DLguy]

Regarding Flip's recruiting. It seems like Flip is at more high school basketball games than Tubby ever was. So right there, improvement.

 

[Iceland12]

2 point jump shots in the NBA are often three point shots in college.

Quite true.

The only guy who took that shot consistently for Flip was Brandon. Even Wally tried to drive as much if not more than he settled for that shot. The others only took those shots when they couldn't get it in to Garnett, or even Garrett if you remember the Marbury days.

(Ok, Troy Hudson fired it up also, just tried to put him out of my mind..)

 

[UofMdad]

I think Flip would be a great coach for the Gophers. His system and style of coaching would be perfect for college aged kids an would be effective in college basketball. My concern is recruiting at a major college level at a place like Minnesota where getting kids into school and keeping them here can be issues with some. I thought Tubby would be great and he did a good job but over time his recruiting fell off and the team was forced to play players that were not on the level they needed to be to continue pushing the Gophers forward. Can Flip bring in the right kids year in and year out to build the program?

I think we all must remember its not where the program is now that is important its where the program will be 3 and 4 years from now and it was the reason why Tubby had to go.

Superbly stated! Also, the next coach will have a private jet for recruiting and have to believe Flip will surround himself with top notch assistants who will actually be able to defeat any 1-3-1 or 2-3 zone. Doesn't get much better than that.

 

[MadtownGopher]

Part of me wants Flip hired just so I can watch all of the Flipnatics freak out when he doesn't get any of the Big 3 to commit.

 

[Juicer]

Does anyone know if Flip is really interested in this job? Why can't we just accept that this is an NBA guy who loves the U and wants to help out?

The prospect of having to manage 18 year olds and recruit 15/16/17 year olds might not be all that appealing for a guy that has lived the NBA, and now gets to go on TV and sound like a brilliant basketball mind all the time. Assuming that he wants to jump into the college game seems like a stretch IMO.

 

[westcoastgopher11]

Hahaha seeing the reaction of the Bruin fanbase if they bring in Romar would be too much.

They'd probably storm Pauley and burn it to the ground.

 

[MadtownGopher]

Does anyone know if Flip is really interested in this job? Why can't we just accept that this is an NBA guy who loves the U and wants to help out?

The prospect of having to manage 18 year olds and recruit 15/16/17 year olds might not be all that appealing for a guy that has lived the NBA, and now gets to go on TV and sound like a brilliant basketball mind all the time. Assuming that he wants to jump into the college game seems like a stretch IMO.

I think he's probably interested just because Andy Katz, someone he knows pretty well from his time at ESPN, has touted him for the job twice already this week. If he wasn't interested in the job he'd probably know and not waste his time making statements like he has.

 

[Maroon Shower]

Part of me wants Flip hired just so I can watch all of the Flipnatics freak out when he doesn't get any of the Big 3 to commit.

While that MAY be true, one has to believe he has a better chance with all of them then the Gregg Marshalls and Chris Macks of the coaching world.

 

[DLguy]

Does anyone know if Flip is really interested in this job? Why can't we just accept that this is an NBA guy who loves the U and wants to help out?

The prospect of having to manage 18 year olds and recruit 15/16/17 year olds might not be all that appealing for a guy that has lived the NBA, and now gets to go on TV and sound like a brilliant basketball mind all the time. Assuming that he wants to jump into the college game seems like a stretch IMO.

Because his passion for the program and the school are as deep or deeper than any of us on this board. The guy goes to every bball and football game. Talks about the teams any chance he gets. And is also a donor to the program. Sounds like most of us. Would many of us turn down this job if we thought we could do it? Also, he has stated that he DOES want to coach again, if the situation is right.

 

[Iceland12]

Part of me wants Flip hired just so I can watch all of the Flipnatics freak out when he doesn't get any of the Big 3 to commit.

Now THERE is a true Minnesotan! "I hope my team SUCKs just so I can say 'see, I told you so!' "