I don't know why anyone is even talking about Tim Miles. Here's a thought: maybe the best coach for this team's future is someone nobody is thinking about.
Let's look at two Big Ten coaches who probably wouldn't have gotten much love in today's online chatter world.
Bo Ryan turned 54 in his first year at Wisconsin. He spent most of his prior head coaching time at a DIII school where he had great success. Immediately prior to going to Wisconsin, he had two underwhelming years at Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Here's a lesser example. Fran McCaffrey is no Bo Ryan but he's done a credible job at Iowa. He was 51 in his first year at Iowa. His prior coaching jobs were at not-so-illustrious places like Lehigh, UNC Greenboro, and Siena. He was quite successful at Siena and had some success at the other places. He's not the greatest recruiter but he gets more out of the players he recruits than a certain coach we all know.
The next coach doesn't have to be someone we know, doesn't have to be someone people want, and doesn't have to be a "sexy" choice. He just has to be a competent coach who has a eye for talent, an ability to get some of that talent, and an understanding of how to use that talent effectively.
I just hope Coyle fires Pitino at the end of this season and guesses right. Chances are that whoever he picks will be better.
Let's look at two Big Ten coaches who probably wouldn't have gotten much love in today's online chatter world.
Bo Ryan turned 54 in his first year at Wisconsin. He spent most of his prior head coaching time at a DIII school where he had great success. Immediately prior to going to Wisconsin, he had two underwhelming years at Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Here's a lesser example. Fran McCaffrey is no Bo Ryan but he's done a credible job at Iowa. He was 51 in his first year at Iowa. His prior coaching jobs were at not-so-illustrious places like Lehigh, UNC Greenboro, and Siena. He was quite successful at Siena and had some success at the other places. He's not the greatest recruiter but he gets more out of the players he recruits than a certain coach we all know.
The next coach doesn't have to be someone we know, doesn't have to be someone people want, and doesn't have to be a "sexy" choice. He just has to be a competent coach who has a eye for talent, an ability to get some of that talent, and an understanding of how to use that talent effectively.
I just hope Coyle fires Pitino at the end of this season and guesses right. Chances are that whoever he picks will be better.