Next Gopher Head Coach

[2nd Degree Gopher]

I don't agree with this at all. One is playing mid major ball, the other in a mediocre conference in a mediocre state.

There are all sorts of great coaches who are happy where they are. As Ozzy mentions, Mark Few has had myriad opportunities to leave for better places and better conferences. Not everybody is gettable, even if you ignore pesky little factors like individual preferences and real world economics.

When guys get blown away with money offers for good programs, they will seriously look at it. Flat out. Especially guys that are competitive.

Some people are motivated primarily by money, it's true. The list of candidates that has been circulated includes many for whom the U could comfortably offer a hefty raise (Smith, Gates, Medved, etc.) There are others for whom we could likely exceed their current salary by significant amount (e.g. Dutcher), but who may have other reasons to stay put. There are also candidates (Musselman, Boynton) who would likely be able to match anything we could pay at their current employer.

I won't evaluate this hire based on how much we are paying or how large a raise we gave the guy who gets the job. I also won't rip the hire if we didn't get "our guy" because Coyle couldn't/wouldn't pay $5M a year.

This is the same thing as the media apologizing for the Twins not getting free agents they want, saying it is because they wanted to live a certain place when our offer was 20% less than the other guy.

I don't know that this has ever happened, but please let me know some examples where the media blamed geography when the actual difference was money.

The only thing keeping us from getting exactly who we want will be what we pay and who we are. And fans have every right to question the athletic department here if that does indeed happen.

Good point. This is true of most job offers of this type. I am sure that we could get any coach in the country if we just offered to pay enough. The problem is that, in the real world, Coyle has financial constraints on what he can pay. He can't offer Few $7M per year (or $10M or $12M or whatever it would take) to get him here. You certainly have the right to cry and whine about that, but unless you have offered to fund the contract offers you want them to make, it's difficult to take it seriously. Helpful hint, if hearing "excuses" about financial constraints limiting actions is upsetting to you, maybe Minnesota sports shouldn't be your thing.

If we have to sink down to another guy way down the list, this will also give the impression that the AD doesn't know what he is doing or can't assess his own university. Don't fire a guy if you are who you are bringing in is a huge crapshoot.

The point is that you don't have the list and you don't have to consider all of the factors that an AD does. No hire guarantees success. If they hire Smith, you can complain that they could have had Musselman if they would have just paid $X, but you don't know whether that is true, whether Coyle ever wanted him or whether he has the money to pay that.

 

[restovich]

I certainly could support either Smith or Gates. My preference is Smith. He has won a lot.

 

[everybody knows my name]

A few thoughts on candidates:

Brian Dutcher - I'll tell you right up front this is my first pick. Dutcher is a gifted coach with a Minnesota pedigree. He's got huge respect from players and peers, he's gotten great results at San Diego State, and the reduced buyout is as obvious a signal as he could give that he badly wants the Minnesota job. I have to admit that I didn't vote for his sister, but I won't hold her politics against him.

Dennis Gates - He might turn out to be a great coach. Certainly a lot of people are on the Dennis Gates bandwagon, but as of now his sample size is just too small. His overall record is just 30-28 in two seasons. What does that mean? It means that he might be another Richard Pitino.

Anthony Grant - This guy has a good overall record (271-150) and so far in his career has put together a bunch of good seasons and one great one (last year). Grand has never had any connection to Minnesota that I know of - ever - and it's rumored that he might be too happy at Dayton to entertain offers, but he is near the top of my list.

Niko Medved - Niko is a mover. He has eight seasons under his belt as a head coach, and he's already on his third job. If the U hires him, that'll be four different jobs in nine seasons. I'd like some confidence that my coach will stick around if things go well. IF things go well, and that's not a given. Medved has made Furman and Colorado State pretty good, but neither of them has reached the point of being really good under his leadership. Of course that might be because he has yet to stay in one place more than four years.

Sam Mitchell - I loved Sam Mitchell as a Timberwolf. He was my favorite player (I was a teen when the Wolves entered the league) and he has the knowledge and ability to coach. I don't know whether he has the ability to recruit, though. He's never had to do it. Also, does NBA experience translate to coaching 18 year-olds? I don't know.

Porter Moser - On the positive side, this guy looks like a type-A alpha male, and he's gotten good - occasionally great - results at Loyola. Will it translate? Will opposing fans call him "Hoser" or "Poser?" Can he handle that kind of emotional abuse? What about his relationship with that nun? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this guy.

Eric Musselman - There's no question that he wanted the Gophers coaching job at one time. But he might be feeling settled in Pig Land. If we can get him (which I doubt) Muss looks like a home run. Unless...is he crazy like his dad? I liked his dad, I really did. But I wasn't an emotionally fragile teenaged recruit. I might insist on a visit with a psychiatrist before hiring anyone named Musselman.

Ryan Saunders - He isn't Flip. I had a dream scenario where Flip left the Wolves and took over the Gophers basketball program, and under his leadership the program embraced its legendary alumni and thrived on the court. But Ryan isn't Flip; he's kind of an empty vessel. He has the name, but what qualities do you ascribe to him? I think the answer to that question is different for everyone.

Craig Smith - I like Smith a lot. I like that he's a Midwestern small-town guy, that he's a Minnesotan (even if he did betray the state by going to school in North Dakota), that he has a youthful look and can lead the Minnesota team with pride and fire. Smith has gotten impressive results everywhere he's been, and he has been recognized by coaches and media as a rising star in the coaching ranks a number of times.

Verdict: I like Dutcher first, Smith second, and Musselman third. I would pursue them in that order.

 

[mplarson7]

I’m impressed by your optimism. I’m not sure I agree with Brian increasing ticket sales. His attraction by history is to us old people. People under 40 will have little to no affinity for Brian through history. Maybe through appreciation of his current success but I don’t think the casual fan even knows that. He’ll keep tickets from tanking but probably not increase until success on the floor.

I agree with this. I wasn't alive when his dad coached here...I have no nostalgic pull to have Dutcher here as our coach, and not nearly as excited as others at the prospect. I see someone who spent 30 years as an assistant before transitioning to head coach, and at that he was handed the reigns when Fisher retired. I'm not convinced he has a ton of ambition and drive to step over to the Gophers.

 

[PhiloVance]

A few thoughts on candidates:

Brian Dutcher - I'll tell you right up front this is my first pick. Dutcher is a gifted coach with a Minnesota pedigree. He's got huge respect from players and peers, he's gotten great results at San Diego State, and the reduced buyout is as obvious a signal as he could give that he badly wants the Minnesota job. I have to admit that I didn't vote for his sister, but I won't hold her politics against him.

Dennis Gates - He might turn out to be a great coach. Certainly a lot of people are on the Dennis Gates bandwagon, but as of now his sample size is just too small. His overall record is just 30-28 in two seasons. What does that mean? It means that he might be another Richard Pitino.

Anthony Grant - This guy has a good overall record (271-150) and so far in his career has put together a bunch of good seasons and one great one (last year). Grand has never had any connection to Minnesota that I know of - ever - and it's rumored that he might be too happy at Dayton to entertain offers, but he is near the top of my list.

Niko Medved - Niko is a mover. He has eight seasons under his belt as a head coach, and he's already on his third job. If the U hires him, that'll be four different jobs in nine seasons. I'd like some confidence that my coach will stick around if things go well. IF things go well, and that's not a given. Medved has made Furman and Colorado State pretty good, but neither of them has reached the point of being really good under his leadership. Of course that might be because he has yet to stay in one place more than four years.

Sam Mitchell - I loved Sam Mitchell as a Timberwolf. He was my favorite player (I was a teen when the Wolves entered the league) and he has the knowledge and ability to coach. I don't know whether he has the ability to recruit, though. He's never had to do it. Also, does NBA experience translate to coaching 18 year-olds? I don't know.

Porter Moser - On the positive side, this guy looks like a type-A alpha male, and he's gotten good - occasionally great - results at Loyola. Will it translate? Will opposing fans call him "Hoser" or "Poser?" Can he handle that kind of emotional abuse? What about his relationship with that nun? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this guy.

Eric Musselman - There's no question that he wanted the Gophers coaching job at one time. But he might be feeling settled in Pig Land. If we can get him (which I doubt) Muss looks like a home run. Unless...is he crazy like his dad? I liked his dad, I really did. But I wasn't an emotionally fragile teenaged recruit. I might insist on a visit with a psychiatrist before hiring anyone named Musselman.

Ryan Saunders - He isn't Flip. I had a dream scenario where Flip left the Wolves and took over the Gophers basketball program, and under his leadership the program embraced its legendary alumni and thrived on the court. But Ryan isn't Flip; he's kind of an empty vessel. He has the name, but what qualities do you ascribe to him? I think the answer to that question is different for everyone.

Craig Smith - I like Smith a lot. I like that he's a Midwestern small-town guy, that he's a Minnesotan (even if he did betray the state by going to school in North Dakota), that he has a youthful look and can lead the Minnesota team with pride and fire. Smith has gotten impressive results everywhere he's been, and he has been recognized by coaches and media as a rising star in the coaching ranks a number of times.

Verdict: I like Dutcher first, Smith second, and Musselman third. I would pursue them in that order.

Darian DeVries,​

Brian Dutcher,​

Niko Medved,​

Eric Musselman,​

Craig Smith​

According to Fan Sided

 

[gophereric30]

I’m impressed by your optimism. I’m not sure I agree with Brian increasing ticket sales. His attraction by history is to us old people. People under 40 will have little to no affinity for Brian through history. Maybe through appreciation of his current success but I don’t think the casual fan even knows that. He’ll keep tickets from tanking but probably not increase until success on the floor.

I'm hoping people are optimistic not because it's the son of a former coach, but for the reason he has top 25 teams every year. You might be right though maybe ticket sales wont go up until we start winning. Whoever it is I am going to be excited just for the fresh start we have.

 

[restovich]

DeVries just signed an 8-year extension at Drake Univ.

 

[mplarson7]

DeVries just signed an 8-year extension at Drake Univ.

Doesn't mean much. Nate Oats signed an extension at Buffalo a week before accepting the Alabama job.

 

[Gophs24]

A few thoughts on candidates:

Brian Dutcher - I'll tell you right up front this is my first pick. Dutcher is a gifted coach with a Minnesota pedigree. He's got huge respect from players and peers, he's gotten great results at San Diego State, and the reduced buyout is as obvious a signal as he could give that he badly wants the Minnesota job. I have to admit that I didn't vote for his sister, but I won't hold her politics against him.

Dennis Gates - He might turn out to be a great coach. Certainly a lot of people are on the Dennis Gates bandwagon, but as of now his sample size is just too small. His overall record is just 30-28 in two seasons. What does that mean? It means that he might be another Richard Pitino.

Anthony Grant - This guy has a good overall record (271-150) and so far in his career has put together a bunch of good seasons and one great one (last year). Grand has never had any connection to Minnesota that I know of - ever - and it's rumored that he might be too happy at Dayton to entertain offers, but he is near the top of my list.

Niko Medved - Niko is a mover. He has eight seasons under his belt as a head coach, and he's already on his third job. If the U hires him, that'll be four different jobs in nine seasons. I'd like some confidence that my coach will stick around if things go well. IF things go well, and that's not a given. Medved has made Furman and Colorado State pretty good, but neither of them has reached the point of being really good under his leadership. Of course that might be because he has yet to stay in one place more than four years.

Sam Mitchell - I loved Sam Mitchell as a Timberwolf. He was my favorite player (I was a teen when the Wolves entered the league) and he has the knowledge and ability to coach. I don't know whether he has the ability to recruit, though. He's never had to do it. Also, does NBA experience translate to coaching 18 year-olds? I don't know.

Porter Moser - On the positive side, this guy looks like a type-A alpha male, and he's gotten good - occasionally great - results at Loyola. Will it translate? Will opposing fans call him "Hoser" or "Poser?" Can he handle that kind of emotional abuse? What about his relationship with that nun? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this guy.

Eric Musselman - There's no question that he wanted the Gophers coaching job at one time. But he might be feeling settled in Pig Land. If we can get him (which I doubt) Muss looks like a home run. Unless...is he crazy like his dad? I liked his dad, I really did. But I wasn't an emotionally fragile teenaged recruit. I might insist on a visit with a psychiatrist before hiring anyone named Musselman.

Ryan Saunders - He isn't Flip. I had a dream scenario where Flip left the Wolves and took over the Gophers basketball program, and under his leadership the program embraced its legendary alumni and thrived on the court. But Ryan isn't Flip; he's kind of an empty vessel. He has the name, but what qualities do you ascribe to him? I think the answer to that question is different for everyone.

Craig Smith - I like Smith a lot. I like that he's a Midwestern small-town guy, that he's a Minnesotan (even if he did betray the state by going to school in North Dakota), that he has a youthful look and can lead the Minnesota team with pride and fire. Smith has gotten impressive results everywhere he's been, and he has been recognized by coaches and media as a rising star in the coaching ranks a number of times.

Verdict: I like Dutcher first, Smith second, and Musselman third. I would pursue them in that order.

nice breakdown........just will point out 1 thing with your Niko breakdown. If he were hired and things go well.....i would be hard pressed to find another team that he would be willing to move "up" too.....of all the things to be concerned with on Niko, him moving on is one of the least worries.....

your three choice at the end i would be excited about all of them. And i would also have Gates in that first tier as well.

 

[howeda7]

Geezo Beezo.

I loved Wacker for bein authentic, goofy and a fun offense.

If you can't be good, at least be interesting/entertaining. Wacker's teams managed that.

 

[howeda7]

I don't hate the Sam Mitchell idea. He's got plenty of experience and chops. Can he recruit?

95% of his experience is in the NBA. He's already 57 years old and came across as a bit "old man set in his ways" with the Wolves. Add in the complete unknown of how he would recruit and it's a hard pass from me. There's a 90% chance he would be no better than Pitino, IMO.

Sam Mitchell = Marc Trestman. A terrible idea the local media likes because they like the guy.

I consider Tim Miles to be ~#8 on the list and the worst case scenario fallback. And I'd take him every day of the week over Sam Mitchell.

 

[Gopherfan84]

DeVries just signed an 8-year extension at Drake Univ.

Hence why his agents leaked that he was interested...

 

[everybody knows my name]

nice breakdown........just will point out 1 thing with your Niko breakdown. If he were hired and things go well.....i would be hard pressed to find another team that he would be willing to move "up" too.....of all the things to be concerned with on Niko, him moving on is one of the least worries.....

your three choice at the end i would be excited about all of them. And i would also have Gates in that first tier as well.

As I wrote, I want to see more from Gates. It's too bad he isn't five years into his career instead of two. I just don't think he's shown enough yet. If I had name my four favorites, Grant would have been #4 and Gates would have been nowhere.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

Assuming that our next coach is coaching in the NCAA tournament, we probably won't get much concrete info until that team is eliminated.

That's what I'm "assuming", otherwise I think the deal would have been struck.

 

[Full Speed Ahead]

DeVries just signed an 8-year extension at Drake Univ.

Private university, so we won't get to see the details. Probably around $1M/year.

 

[Unregistered User]

Dennis Gates - His overall record is just 30-28 in two seasons. What does that mean? It means that he might be another Richard Pitino.

With team that went (counting backwards)
10-21
12-23
9-22
9-23
40-89 the previous 4 seasons

 

[USAF]

The time to hire Musselman was 2 years ago. But no, we wasted 2 more years on Pitino, when many of us saw clearly he wasn't going to get it done.

Now it's too late. Move on. Dennis Gates, or we'll be regretting missing out on him in a couple years, too.

 

[Gopherfan84]

The time to hire Musselman was 2 years ago. But no, we wasted 2 more years on Pitino, when many of us saw clearly he wasn't going to get it done.

Now it's too late. Move on. Dennis Gates, or we'll be regretting missing out on him in a couple years, too.

You don’t like Smith?

 

[beatles]

The time to hire Musselman was 2 years ago. But no, we wasted 2 more years on Pitino, when many of us saw clearly he wasn't going to get it done.

Now it's too late. Move on. Dennis Gates, or we'll be regretting missing out on him in a couple years, too.

I’m very intrigued by Gates but nervous to pull the trigger on him.

 

[USAF]

You don’t like Smith?

Smith would be 3rd for me.

I think Gates is a good coach on the rise, with great recruiting potential, satisfies real and important diversity issues, and will take the job. He'll be hired soon by somebody.

 

[USAF]

I’m very intrigued by Gates but nervous to pull the trigger on him.

What's the worst that can happen? Pitino level suck?

 

[Pete smith]

DeVries isn’t the answer. Not sure his Drake Bulldogs will get 20 by halftime.

 

[Gopher_In_NYC]

A few thoughts on candidates:

Brian Dutcher - I'll tell you right up front this is my first pick. Dutcher is a gifted coach with a Minnesota pedigree. He's got huge respect from players and peers, he's gotten great results at San Diego State, and the reduced buyout is as obvious a signal as he could give that he badly wants the Minnesota job. I have to admit that I didn't vote for his sister, but I won't hold her politics against him.

Dennis Gates - He might turn out to be a great coach. Certainly a lot of people are on the Dennis Gates bandwagon, but as of now his sample size is just too small. His overall record is just 30-28 in two seasons. What does that mean? It means that he might be another Richard Pitino.

Anthony Grant - This guy has a good overall record (271-150) and so far in his career has put together a bunch of good seasons and one great one (last year). Grand has never had any connection to Minnesota that I know of - ever - and it's rumored that he might be too happy at Dayton to entertain offers, but he is near the top of my list.

Niko Medved - Niko is a mover. He has eight seasons under his belt as a head coach, and he's already on his third job. If the U hires him, that'll be four different jobs in nine seasons. I'd like some confidence that my coach will stick around if things go well. IF things go well, and that's not a given. Medved has made Furman and Colorado State pretty good, but neither of them has reached the point of being really good under his leadership. Of course that might be because he has yet to stay in one place more than four years.

Sam Mitchell - I loved Sam Mitchell as a Timberwolf. He was my favorite player (I was a teen when the Wolves entered the league) and he has the knowledge and ability to coach. I don't know whether he has the ability to recruit, though. He's never had to do it. Also, does NBA experience translate to coaching 18 year-olds? I don't know.

Porter Moser - On the positive side, this guy looks like a type-A alpha male, and he's gotten good - occasionally great - results at Loyola. Will it translate? Will opposing fans call him "Hoser" or "Poser?" Can he handle that kind of emotional abuse? What about his relationship with that nun? I'm not sure I'm comfortable with this guy.

Eric Musselman - There's no question that he wanted the Gophers coaching job at one time. But he might be feeling settled in Pig Land. If we can get him (which I doubt) Muss looks like a home run. Unless...is he crazy like his dad? I liked his dad, I really did. But I wasn't an emotionally fragile teenaged recruit. I might insist on a visit with a psychiatrist before hiring anyone named Musselman.

Ryan Saunders - He isn't Flip. I had a dream scenario where Flip left the Wolves and took over the Gophers basketball program, and under his leadership the program embraced its legendary alumni and thrived on the court. But Ryan isn't Flip; he's kind of an empty vessel. He has the name, but what qualities do you ascribe to him? I think the answer to that question is different for everyone.

Craig Smith - I like Smith a lot. I like that he's a Midwestern small-town guy, that he's a Minnesotan (even if he did betray the state by going to school in North Dakota), that he has a youthful look and can lead the Minnesota team with pride and fire. Smith has gotten impressive results everywhere he's been, and he has been recognized by coaches and media as a rising star in the coaching ranks a number of times.

Verdict: I like Dutcher first, Smith second, and Musselman third. I would pursue them in that order.

Good post.

Also what are the state taxes, cost of living, commute, quality of education for the kiddies, the wife nod & number of Fortune 500 companies (love & miss you Sir Sidney!)?

Would Sid be vexed on who to back, egads, with a Dutcher and Musselman in the mix??

Lots of factors go into those types of life choices.

 

[goldengophers]

Good post.

Also what are the state taxes, cost of living, commute, quality of education for the kiddies, the wife nod & number of Fortune 500 companies (love & miss you Sir Sidney!)?

Would Sid be vexed on who to back, egads, with a Dutcher and Musselman in the mix??

Lots of factors go into those types of life choices.

Sid not getting to see Dutcher or Musselman hired is just not right.

 

[bmb5270]

DeVries isn’t the answer. Not sure his Drake Bulldogs will get 20 by halftime.

I assume your joking but if your serious and your forming your opinion on 15 minutes from one game I am glad your not the AD

 

[Bakary Konate’s Hands]

Only if we somehow get spreewell to be his assistant.

Nah, Sprewell will have to be the head coach or he might choke somebody!

 

[PhiloVance]

Coyle to announce that the coach of the winning NCAA tournament team is the Gophers new head coach.

 

[Bad Gopher]

Sid not getting to see Dutcher or Musselman hired is just not right.

This might play to our advantage. He might be interceding to get us our guy.

 

[balds]

Good post.

Also what are the state taxes, cost of living, commute, quality of education for the kiddies, the wife nod & number of Fortune 500 companies (love & miss you Sir Sidney!)?

Would Sid be vexed on who to back, egads, with a Dutcher and Musselman in the mix??

Lots of factors go into those types of life choices.

Ha! With Saunders and Mitchell on the periphery no less.

 

[50PoundHead]

DeVries isn’t the answer. Not sure his Drake Bulldogs will get 20 by halftime.

I totally agree . . . . . . HUH? YOU'RE TELLING ME WHAT?!?