Gophers Coaching Candidate Profile: Flip Saunders - Former NBA Head Coach

Would you be happy with Flip as Gophers HC?

  • Yes

    Votes: 45 78.9%

  • No

    Votes: 12 21.1%
  • Total voters
    57
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Flip: Why It Works

Flip has long been a big favorite of Minnesota media, boosters and fans. He has a big name locally and will be a big boost to fundraising, ticket sales and could help land the big in-state recruits.

The Gophers lack of practice facility and aging Barn could turn some candidates off, but not Flip. He loves The Barn and will likely be a big boost to practice facility fundraising.

While he's been out of coaching this year, he's been all over the local high school basketball scene as well as all over ESPN as an analyst - not a bad combo.


Flip: Why It Doesn't Work

Flip hasn't recruited high school kids since the 1980s and recruiting is the life blood of a program. He will have to surround himself with well connected recruiters outside of Minnesota.

Flip is 58 and college basketball is a young man's coaching game. Will he have the energy to chase 16 year olds around gyms all summer long?

Norwood has a history of identifying up and coming assistants and Flip doesn't meet that model. Not to mention, there is a decent chance that 16 months ago, Teague didn't even know where Flip went to college and he may not understand the local affinity towards Saunders.

http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/240405?referrer_id=331171
 




Haha, Steimsma literally fell over Lewis and there was no call, I woulda got kicked out too.
 


I'd only be happy with this hire if he were able to get 2 of the big 3. Otherwise I'm not sure it would help us much long term.
 

Flip Saunders is kinda like Tony Dunge was when the Football Coaching search began. Neither is truly interested in College Coaching.
 

Flip is the best get for local recruiting. He as checked out the big 3 several times this season local coaches love him. All 3 2014 bigs like his NBA bloodlines and feel he can help them get to the next level. Flip loves the U ,choses to live in MN. and is a big$$$ donor to the U
 

People need to ask themselves what we do with Flip if he doesn't get the Big 3, and what happens after they leave.
 




Ha Ha Ha, with flip we would mortgaging the future of the program...comical
 

positively4thstreet said:
This. Mortgaging the future of the program on Flip possibly landing any of the big 3 is a terrible idea.
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How do you figure? Guys proven he's a great coach. He's won at the college level, he's won with 2 different CBA teams, he did as well with the Timberwolves as anyone ever has, and he did pretty darn good with Detroit as well, and was only let go because he didn't win an NBA title with the team.

His NBA pedigree will HELP with getting in good recruits. His Minnesota local celebrity status will help in keeping the top local talent. He'll get the local fan base excited about Gopher bb, he'll get the big money donars excited about Gopher bb, and he'll get that practice facility built as well. Flip is a guarantee of success.

If he only got one of the Big 3, honestly, would Tubby have gotten any of them? And who is to say that any of them would want to play for some new guy, even Shaka Smart?!

Flip is my #1 choice, he's my #2 choice, he's my #3 choice. I have no other choices. I'll support whoever the U hires, but not until they hire that other person. Until then, Flip is who I support.
 

@Charley_Walters: There's whispering that Flip Saunders could be offered Cleveland Cavs' coaching job in his home state.

Go Gophers!!
 




Flip is on ESPN with Sage Steele right now analyzing Heat/Bulls. Looks like on location in Chicago.
 

From the Barn said:
People need to ask themselves what we do with Flip if he doesn't get the Big 3, and what happens after they leave.
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Legit question, but Flip has to know that he needs to get quality experienced college coaching with him. When I think Flip, I have two visions. One of Fred Hoiberg which is a pleasant dream. The other of Clyde Drexler which is a nightmare. Alumni and well known in basketball circles does not guarantee success in coaching.
 

I would love flip as coach.. he knows the game.. we would not have to worry about him leaving anytime soon for better things. I think he would have a great staff with lots of ties to minnesota and the fans would have someone they can trust. We have great basketball in minnesota and i think we wouldn't have to worry so much about losing local kids to wis, iowa st, nebraska and so on.
 

Holy Man said:
Legit question, but Flip has to know that he needs to get quality experienced college coaching with him. When I think Flip, I have two visions. One of Fred Hoiberg which is a pleasant dream. The other of Clyde Drexler which is a nightmare. Alumni and well known in basketball circles does not guarantee success in coaching.
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But Clyde Drexler never had ANY success in coaching, did he?! Flip has had an incredible amount of success coaching bb. Just not at the Div 1 cbb level is all.
 

I don't get the Flip love. I wonder if it is a generational thing. On a Twins forum I read there was a poll question asking who should have the title "Mr. Twin". With the exception of 1 person people's answers came down to who they grew up watching. Grew up in the '60's/'70's it was Killebrew. Grew up in the '80's/'90's it was Puckett.

I look at Flip and see a coach who was slightly above average in the NBA. He could never get Minnesota over the hump despite Garnett. He could never replicate Larry Brown's success in Detroit and Washington was a disaster. He hasn't coached college basketball in 30 years and that is a BIG deal. No just from an X's and O's perspective or a recruiting perspective. In college basketball you have to be part coach and part father figure. The job encompasses so much more than at the pro level. I think that people who think the name "Flip Saunders" will help out in recruiting are incorrect. Recruits today weren't born when he was playing. He left Minnesota when these recruits were 8-10 years old.

You add that all up and I see a mediocre coach in the Big10. Isn't that why we just fired Tubby? He was mediocre?
 

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