Katz: U$C and Minnesota both showing strong interest in FGCU's Andy Enfield

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MadtownGopher

MadtownGopher

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Let's get him!

Andy Katz ‏@ESPNAndyKatz 25s
USC and Minnesota both showing strong interest in FGCU's Andy Enfield, according to a source with direct knowledge.
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I can dig it. His level of experience is not ideal, but he has shown himself to be highly skilled in multiple fields (somewhat of a Renaissance man) and took a group of lightly recruited athletes to the Sweet 16. Aside from the more substantive issues, I wouldn't mind seeing his wife in the stands at home games.
 


MadtownGopher said:
Let's get him!
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No! This would be Dan Monson 1.5. Not quite 2, because he actually has some high major coaching experience, but this may be the highest risk name tossed out there yet. I think we are better off with a high quality assistant with recruiting experience and connections in the midwest than taking the flavor of the day from the bottom half of the country.
 



It's not as if he started coaching last year - he was an NBA assistant (shooting coach) with Milwaukee and Boston, and an assistant with Florida State before taking the FGCU job.

That said, it's a big risk/reward hire. His team did lose to 12-18 Lipscomb, and 11-19 Maine this year, but also (of course) upset Miami and Georgetown.

I wouldn't love the hire, but I'd be ok with it.
 

NO!!!! not interested! Might as well hire Bill Carmody.

you think your upset now with the turn overs.......
 

He spent 4 or 5 years working under Pitino so he has a good pedigree. He's also a smart guy being a self-made millionaire. I think there is a lot of upside with him.
 

Gopher07 said:
It's not as if he started coaching last year - he was an NBA assistant (shooting coach) with Milwaukee and Boston, and an assistant with Florida State before taking the FGCU job.

That said, it's a big risk/reward hire. His team did lose to 12-18 Lipscomb, and 11-19 Maine this year, but also (of course) upset Miami and Georgetown.

I wouldn't love the hire, but I'd be ok with it.
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I told my buddy after tubby was fired that we (The U) would find a way to screw up the hire. It's kind of what we do in Minnesota. It feels like we are en route to making a mistake
 





I think it would be a good hire. The guy is an overachiever in everything and his brand of basketball would definitely be exciting to watch.
 





lakesgopher said:
Are u comparing enfields resume to buzz or Shaka??? Lmao...hahahaha ok...lol
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I think he's disparaging the U for going dumpster diving with an Enfield hire. Wish we had a better offering to make us more attractive to the top guys but apparently we don't.
 

Holy Man said:
No! This would be Dan Monson 1.5. Not quite 2, because he actually has some high major coaching experience, but this may be the highest risk name tossed out there yet. I think we are better off with a high quality assistant with recruiting experience and connections in the midwest than taking the flavor of the day from the bottom half of the country.
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He is not #1 on my list right now, but I would be okay with him. Why are folks so turned off? He has head coaching experience. Good assistant coach experience. NBA experience. I think thats not a bad thing? He also has been successful.
 

lakesgopher said:
Are u comparing enfields resume to buzz or Shaka??? Lmao...hahahaha ok...lol
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He makes a point. Enfield is a bigger name today than Buzz or Shaka were before their last hire. Big risk, but the comparison is probably fair.
 

lakesgopher said:
Are u comparing enfields resume to buzz or Shaka??? Lmao...hahahaha ok...lol
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Enfield's resumé is comparable to Williams' when he was promoted to succeed Crean at Marquette. Enfield's resumé is vastly superior to that of Smart's when he was hired at VCU. This is Minnesota - we're not getting a perfect candidate to come here. We have to decide what flaws (lack of head coaching experience, lack of major college experience, lack of high-level winning, relatively advanced age) we're willing to live with. I'd much rather take a chance on an up-and-comer (with collegiate head coaching experience) rather than an assistant or someone old. I'm not saying Enfield is anything approaching the ideal candidate we all had in our mind's eye when Tubby was fired - but very few of us are being realistic with where Minnesota stands and the type of candidate we're going to get. How many current Big Ten coaches had a Sweet 16 (as a head coach) on the resumé when hired? Not many.
 

Holy Man said:
No! This would be Dan Monson 1.5. Not quite 2, because he actually has some high major coaching experience, but this may be the highest risk name tossed out there yet. I think we are better off with a high quality assistant with recruiting experience and connections in the midwest than taking the flavor of the day from the bottom half of the country.
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I disagree this would be Monson all over again since a strong argument could be made that Monson didn't really build Gonzaga into the giant killer it was--he just maintained it for a short while. Here, it appears Enfield has actually created the FGCU program and excellence and from watching the games, the success did not appear to be the result of a single superstar mid-major player. It seems like the system works against high-major teams. I still think it is a bit of a risk, but what coaching hire isn't?
 

Plus, imagine Tyus in Enfield's system.... Not saying he'd be a lock to commit if Enfield came here, but of all the coaches rumored to fill our job, I think Enfield's system would be the most intriguing to a top PG recruit.
 

Tater said:
Plus, imagine Tyus in Enfield's system.... Not saying he'd be a lock to commit if Enfield came here, but of all the coaches rumored to fill our job, I think Enfield's system would be the most intriguing to a top PG recruit.
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I don't think we'd get Tyus, but yeah it would be a great system for him. Especially with athletes like Vaughn, Buggs, Coleman etc.
 

I'm fine with Enfield. He seems to be a really smart guy with some business sense.

That's a good thing.

If his agent is leaking the info that two schools are interested, it's likely because he is interested in one of the jobs.
 

MadtownGopher said:
He spent 4 or 5 years working under Pitino so he has a good pedigree. He's also a smart guy being a self-made millionaire. I think there is a lot of upside with him.
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I agree...His background is fine...He is worth the risk..
 

dpodoll68 said:
Enfield's resumé is comparable to Williams' when he was promoted to succeed Crean at Marquette. Enfield's resumé is vastly superior to that of Smart's when he was hired at VCU. This is Minnesota - we're not getting a perfect candidate to come here. We have to decide what flaws (lack of head coaching experience, lack of major college experience, lack of high-level winning, relatively advanced age) we're willing to live with. I'd much rather take a chance on an up-and-comer (with collegiate head coaching experience) rather than an assistant or someone old. I'm not saying Enfield is anything approaching the ideal candidate we all had in our mind's eye when Tubby was fired - but very few of us are being realistic with where Minnesota stands and the type of candidate we're going to get. How many current Big Ten coaches had a Sweet 16 (as a head coach) on the resumé when hired? Not many.
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Did buzz and Shaka follow a 2.5 million dollar buyout at a university with bad facilities. We need a Good replacement but the guy has to be someone that excites people. We aren't winning the big ten anytime soon. A guy like enfield can coach, I just think public perception as well as booster support is huge right now and enfield won't bring any of that IMO.

Also, tyus, Vaughn, Travis aren't coming to the U so Im not even considering that angle.
 

Lets go after the Lipscomb coach - they beat FGCU twice this season.
 

I want him mostly because it would be exciting to watch, something we haven't had in a while.
 

dpodoll68 said:
Enfield's resumé is comparable to Williams' when he was promoted to succeed Crean at Marquette. Enfield's resumé is vastly superior to that of Smart's when he was hired at VCU. This is Minnesota - we're not getting a perfect candidate to come here. We have to decide what flaws (lack of head coaching experience, lack of major college experience, lack of high-level winning, relatively advanced age) we're willing to live with. I'd much rather take a chance on an up-and-comer (with collegiate head coaching experience) rather than an assistant or someone old. I'm not saying Enfield is anything approaching the ideal candidate we all had in our mind's eye when Tubby was fired - but very few of us are being realistic with where Minnesota stands and the type of candidate we're going to get. How many current Big Ten coaches had a Sweet 16 (as a head coach) on the resumé when hired? Not many.
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This is exactly it. Take a look at the lists of top ten coaches that some have published. At one point every single name on those lists were high risk high reward candidates - yes, even Buzz.

There's definitely high potential - a high ceiling - with this guy. If you trust Teague and Co. to do a good job evaluating candidates, you trust him to hire someone like this. Considering he hired Shaka Smart, I'm not sure I would trust anyone anywhere more.

What Enfield's Tournament wins do is make this a semi splashy hire and a chance to interest the Big Three by virtue of that.
 

Also, tyus, Vaughn, Travis aren't coming to the U so Im not even considering that angle.[/QUOTE]

I understand people trying to come to conclusions about 17 year old kids' decisions, but this kind of certitude seems over the top, and maybe a bit cynical. I think anyone who thinks these guys have made firm decisions is off. The new guy will be behind, but if there is a reasonably well known reputation, especially for style of play, I think that gives the Gophers a chance in the end. I don't think the decisions of the Big 3 should drive a long term coaching decision, but I think, from a historical perspective (best class ever), it is worth considering.

My experience with that age group is NOT (edit) with D-1 athletes, but they are an indecisive bunch and change their minds frequently.
 

dpodoll68 said:
Enfield's resumé is comparable to Williams' when he was promoted to succeed Crean at Marquette. Enfield's resumé is vastly superior to that of Smart's when he was hired at VCU. This is Minnesota - we're not getting a perfect candidate to come here. We have to decide what flaws (lack of head coaching experience, lack of major college experience, lack of high-level winning, relatively advanced age) we're willing to live with. I'd much rather take a chance on an up-and-comer (with collegiate head coaching experience) rather than an assistant or someone old. I'm not saying Enfield is anything approaching the ideal candidate we all had in our mind's eye when Tubby was fired - but very few of us are being realistic with where Minnesota stands and the type of candidate we're going to get. How many current Big Ten coaches had a Sweet 16 (as a head coach) on the resumé when hired? Not many.
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Well said DP. completely agree.

I would like this hire. And as far as exciting the fan base, FGCU was just the most exciting team in the tournament. They had swagger if you will. Played with great confidence, had a ton of fun, and were a great style of basketball.

Saw him on PTI as well and he was pretty good to listen to.

I'd definitely like this hire.
 

lakesgopher said:
Did buzz and Shaka follow a 2.5 million dollar buyout at a university with bad facilities. We need a Good replacement but the guy has to be someone that excites people. We aren't winning the big ten anytime soon. A guy like enfield can coach, I just think public perception as well as booster support is huge right now and enfield won't bring any of that IMO.
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I guess that's where we differ. If I'm Norwood Teague, I don't give two sh1ts what anyone (especially rubes like you and me) think of the hire. Getting excitement and buzz is under the "nice to have" category, but if we win, all of that stuff will take care of itself. A coach who they think gives us the best shot to win is and should be far and away the #1 priority. I'm not upset about the $2.5 MM because they need to "excite" me with the follow-up hire - I'm upset about the $2.5 MM because I highly doubt they'll be able to hire an upgrade and someone who will win more than Tubby did. I hope they prove me wrong, and I think Enfield is as good of a candidate to be that upgrade as anyone we can realistically get.
 

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