By now, most have heard the rumor (reality?) that Ron Jirsa will take a small college job and not return to the Gophers for the 2012-2013 season. I have seen it suggested in several places (I believe Ryan James was one, so credit to Ryan) that Tubby would likely fill Jirsa’s spot on the staff with someone he’s coached with before. I decided to go back through Tubby’s assistants at Kentucky and see if I could figure out some possible options.
David Hobbs- No longer coaching, he’ll be 63 soon has not coached College ball since 2007
Scott Rigot – Hasn’t been a high major assistant since Tubby left KU, resigned as a Duquesne assistant in 2010
Reggie Hanson- Director of Basketball Operations at South Florida, unsure if he’s had a bench coaching position since Tubby left Kentucky
Mike Sutton- Recently retired, had been the head coach of Tennessee Tech, received national attention for coaching through illness.
George Felton- I think he’s still an NBA scout with the Spurs; he’ll be 60 this year and has not coached since leaving Kentucky to take a scouting job with the Pacers
Shawn Finney- Currently the Associate Head Coach at UCF, Finney had previously been the head coach at Marshall (and prior to that the head coach at Tulane). Finney coached under Tubby at all three of his prior stops (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky).
If Ron Jirsa does leave, I would guess the odds on favorite to take his place would be Shawn Finney. I’d personally like to see Tubby go outside of his comfort zone and hire someone who he has not worked with who might tend to challenge him a bit (or better yet, who Tubby gives some free reign to as far as installing the offense).
David Hobbs- No longer coaching, he’ll be 63 soon has not coached College ball since 2007
Scott Rigot – Hasn’t been a high major assistant since Tubby left KU, resigned as a Duquesne assistant in 2010
Reggie Hanson- Director of Basketball Operations at South Florida, unsure if he’s had a bench coaching position since Tubby left Kentucky
Mike Sutton- Recently retired, had been the head coach of Tennessee Tech, received national attention for coaching through illness.
George Felton- I think he’s still an NBA scout with the Spurs; he’ll be 60 this year and has not coached since leaving Kentucky to take a scouting job with the Pacers
Shawn Finney- Currently the Associate Head Coach at UCF, Finney had previously been the head coach at Marshall (and prior to that the head coach at Tulane). Finney coached under Tubby at all three of his prior stops (Tulsa, Georgia, Kentucky).
If Ron Jirsa does leave, I would guess the odds on favorite to take his place would be Shawn Finney. I’d personally like to see Tubby go outside of his comfort zone and hire someone who he has not worked with who might tend to challenge him a bit (or better yet, who Tubby gives some free reign to as far as installing the offense).
