Excellent points. Individual hires can be justified by merit, of course, but the lack of diversity in the head coaching ranks at the U is certainly a topic of discussion both internally and externally.
If we can get the next Clem Haskins and Gates is that guy, then count me in. The timing has to be right, of course, and it was right when we hired Clem. He had WKU in the top 20 (and I think he even had a Minnesotan in his starting lineup). He had Big Ten ties, having been a longtime assistant for Keady. And there we were looking for a coach. Had the timing not been what it was, he'd have been scooped up by someone else before too long. Besides the obvious questions of how successful Gates would be here, how much longer will he last at that level before some big program takes a flyer on him?
This is from a BC next coach article. He has a connection to BC. His wife.
There's no comparison in the resumes. Belein has won the B1G multiple times. He's taken multiple teams to the Final Four. He would have instant sway with local recruits and probably do the best job of keeping current players in the fold. I have nothing against Medved. He's on my short list too. But it's potential versus proven. They might have the same ceiling, but Beilein has a much higher floor.
I have no idea if he wants to coach again. But I don't buy the idea that he would go to BC or Vanderbilt but have zero interest in MN.
18 years as an assistant at Creighton doesn't do much for me and Nikko already had Drake on a good path. Two temporary arguments in his favor are Robbins would be more likely to stay and his kid is a 4* recruit.
I assume Smith developed more local recruiting ties in 4 years at USD than Nikko did in 1 year at Drake though.
But would also think local coaches would respond well to a Roseville kid who went to the U, as well as Thorson in tote?
I think they're very close to a tie. Smith is likely taking Utah State to what would be their 3rd straight tourney. If Niko doesn't make it, that's a tie breaker for me.
Initially, yes. But ultimately it'll come down to whether he can prove he can coach, develop and win.
Jobs should be filled by the most qualified person.
Considering 2 of the past 4 coaches have been black, I’m not sure we can white guilt ourselves into hiring a person based solely on their race. Give me the best person (black/white/male/female) for the job.
He seems to have a way of reaching people.Does Hugh McCutcheon know anything about bball? His volleyball team appears to know how to handle life on the road
I have no idea either and would be surprised if he went to BC or Vandy or for that matter coached again. I do know his family is priority and where he lives matter. People act like we just back up the brinks truck, offer 5 or 6 million and he will say yes. Some of these guys that have won big at the college level have turned down larger salaries to stay put. Some have large annuities attached. Find a guy that has who built and won at difficult places in highly competitive conferences , who have actually coached at different levels, have served several roles . For now though as a fan I will cheer for the team we have, coached by the guy we have to run the table.
Love that you follow that conference. I am from out west and always appreciate the sharing of those schools. Plus I have known Dave T. a long time and have tremendous respect for him as a person and as a coach. Years ago he and Ray Finley and I talked hoops for hours and he had a deep obsession with great defense. So did Finley who I saw at clinics over the years and watched him implement backline at two programs after seeing it in its infancy. What those guys marveled at was how some coaches could get done with less. How to compete with teams that had better talent. Now Dave had better players more often than not but he got so much out of them by teaching them how to play. Finley ran practices better than many college coaches.
Well I mostly follow it, like last year, because I want Smith or Medved to be the Gophers head coach next season.
MW has been a blast to watch this year. So many teams that are well coached. I’ve been impressed with Wyoming this year too. It’s amazing how New Mexico is at the bottom. Alford gets circles ran around him, but has some good talent. Gonna be a fun last weekend for sure.
Matta had very serious health issues and tried to coach despite them.
I think you are onto something.
