Next Gopher Head Coach

[Some guy]

Scraping the bottom of the barrel pretty quickly. Was Tim Miles unavailable?

Yeah. I would rather take Tim Miles than Jacobsen. I’d rather hire Archie Miller than Jacobsen.



keep in mind according to KSTP sports mark trestman is the gopher football coach.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

man Ben Jacobson??? how many coaches told us no already to get to the point of interviewing him!?

No gaurantee he would come. Maybe his wife wouldn't want to leave Cedar Falls.

 

[Otis]

Who's the coach at Oral Roberts? His agent's phone must be busy!

 

[GopherPoke]

When a new hire is completed, will there be a notice of a press conference to make the announcement? Or just an announcement of the hire with press conference to follow? Curious on the common practice.

 

[EG#9]

A couple things on Jacobson. The first is that the report is that Jacobson interviewed "over the weekend". Nobody coaching in the tournament likely was available to interview over the weekend. It's entirely possible Coyle was doing due dillegence or wanted a test run before he had the opportunity to interview others. Remember he's never hired a basketball coach before.

Ben has wanted the Minnesota job for a long time, and I am happy he got a chance to interview, even though he wouldn't be my choice. A couple fun facts on Jacboson. He's still just 50 so he's 2 years younger than Moser. His MVC winning percentage is .603 compared to Moser's 500. He won the MVC just last year and might have got an at large bid to the tournament if it was held. In 15 years at UNI he has 4 tournament appearances (possibly a 5th last year). Porter Moser has 2 tournament appearances in 17 years as a head coach. Jacobson lost both of his lead guards (including AJ Green who we recruited) to injury this year which hampered a team that might have been good (remember when we had to run Blake at the point?). I am not saying he's better than Moser, but his body of work cetainly stands up to his. If the job was open last year, people might have been more interested in Jacobson than Moser (though still underwhelmed by his candidacy).

 

[alchemy2u]

Here is my two cents. Wes Miller looks like a good young coach, but he only recruits NC and would jump to UNC in a heartbeat. I could see UNC hiring him as an assistant with possible grooming for the HC.

Musselman is going to win his next game, so at least an elite eight run. That may remove the wanderlust or home court advantage we assume we have... If he was possible, it may be gone with this good run in the tournament.

Moser at first looked interesting, maybe a little of a reach, but now he looks like he may be going to Indiana (my guess).

Dutcher is a good coach. He has a very good defense, but his offense had no answers for a defense they knew they were going to play. He has some great records, but has not rebuilt a team from the ground up. I do not think he create the excitement to be able to recruit the type of athletes we need at Minnesota.

Gates I think is too similar to Pitino. A young coach with promise, great communicator, but not quite enough experience to take over a B1G program. He may end up being a great coach, but we are still are hurting from a reach that didn't work out.

Smith looks very solid. He is driven and has built programs and gets his players to buy in. He has a great sense of humor and does't tank himself too seriously. He runs a very good defensive and has a good offensive. I think Smith will be our next coach.

 

[bizzle22]

A couple things on Jacobson. The first is that the report is that Jacobson interviewed "over the weekend". Nobody coaching in the tournament likely was available to interview over the weekend. It's entirely possible Coyle was doing due dillegence or wanted a test run before he had the opportunity to interview others. Remember he's never hired a basketball coach before.

Ben has wanted the Minnesota job for a long time, and I am happy he got a chance to interview, even though he wouldn't be my choice. A couple fun facts on Jacboson. He's still just 50 so he's 2 years younger than Moser. His MVC winning percentage is .603 compared to Moser's 500. He won the MVC just last year and might have got an at large bid to the tournament if it was held. In 15 years at UNI he has 4 tournament appearances (possibly a 5th last year). Porter Moser has 2 tournament appearances in 17 years as a head coach. Jacobson lost both of his lead guards (including AJ Green who we recruited) to injury this year which hampered a team that might have been good (remember when we had to run Blake at the point?). I am not saying he's better than Moser, but his body of work cetainly stands up to his. If the job was open last year, people might have been more interested in Jacobson than Moser (though still underwhelmed by his candidacy).

Well put. I think it’s very possible that the “interview” was really more due diligence than an actual interview. Jacobson has been a D1 coach for 15 years, and has likely crossed paths with many of our potential candidates as well. Could have been more of a “tell me what you know about this guy” and “have you heard anything to make you believe so-and-so doesn’t play it straight on the recruiting trail” type of conversation.

Or it could have been a real interview, and Coyle really likes Jacobson for our job. As you mention, he has accomplished some things the last 15 years. He’s another guy who wouldn’t be any where near the top of my list, but wouldn’t be upset with him being hired either. Would likely mean that Smith, Gates, and some of the bigger names had told Coyle no.

 

[MplsGopher]

Because they had to pay nearly $7 million to buy out the current coach. In addition, we're in the middle of a pandemic, Utah athletic department is running at a revenue shortfall of $35 million, and the PAC 12 is hemorrhaging money with a very murky outlook on their own TV network.


Because he earned several pay raises over the course of his ten years at Utah. He started at $950k/year in 2011 and subsequently had 4 raises via extensions, including a massive boost after leading Utah to the Sweet 16 in 2015 (3 years removed from a 6-win season), and another raise after he won a game in the NCAA the next year. So, he didn't start at $3.6 million per year, he just ended there.

No way Craig Smith or any other coach starts at Utah north of $3 million this time around.

This is an excellent post, as I've come to expect from you. Thank you!

 

[2nd Degree Gopher]

Maybe Jacobsen was that “mystery” candidate.

I don't think he's the "mystery candidate" that Justin Gaard mentioned on the radio. He described that candidate as somebody Barriero would know and approve. I think Jacobsen is certainly no better than 1-1 on those criteria, quite possibly 0-2.

 

[MplsGopher]

But I think it's at least 50/50 he would take over at Colorado State.

Why? I have no idea, just curious if this is a feeling or based on some statements from him.

Coming with Niko gets him back home in Minn, probably the lead recruiter for in-state talent (I assume?), perhaps what he enjoys most, without the pressure of being the head man? I made that up, could easily be wrong. But just to throw something out there.

 

[MplsGopher]

Just spitballing here, but what if Smith could bring in Tim Miles as his top assistant instead of Thorson then? Those 2 are tight and Miles doesn’t appear to be getting a head gig anywhere.

Did you mean Niko? Or Smith? Both were assistants for Miles at Colo State.

 

[MplsGopher]

I think we are overvaluing the local connections right now.

The only value of local connections (beyond hypothetical recruiting of local talent via AAU coaches, etc.) to me is simply the idea of: "they actually want to be here, and if they do well stay here".

That's the thing to me. But I know all the counter-arguments and they're all valid.

 

[forever a gopher]

I don't think he's the "mystery candidate" that Justin Gaard mentioned on the radio. He described that candidate as somebody Barriero would know and approve. I think Jacobsen is certainly no better than 1-1 on those criteria, quite possibly 0-2.

For the sake of argument, if we're assuming Gaard actually knows whats going on, you have to take into account that Barriero is not big into college basketball. He's also not a "U" guy, and he is always ripping on MN sports fans for provincialism, so there's no way he would approve of a U grad or some lower level coach originally from MN, based on the name alone. It would need to be a bigger name that the more casual basketball fan would know. I think it has to be Shaka. That's the level of coach that he'd be talking about for Barriero to get excited about.

 

[Mikie S]

Did you mean Niko? Or Smith? Both were assistants for Miles at Colo State.

Yes, but only Smith followed Miles to Nebraska.

His last year as an assistant for the Huskers (2013-14) was Miles only trip to The Dance.

 

[MplsGopher]

Yes, but only Smith followed Miles to Nebraska.

His last year as an assistant for the Huskers (2013-14) was Miles only trip to The Dance.

Good point, thanks!

 

[MplsGopher]

Sure, would make sense for Smith to offer Miles an asst. job if he wants it. He may still prefer a head gig somewhere, even if down the trough a bit.

Plus what about Smith's current assistants? I believe GWG pointed out at least a couple of them are Minn or upper midwest (Dakota?) guys. But maybe one stays behind or who knows.

 

[Bad Gopher]

Sure, would make sense for Smith to offer Miles an asst. job if he wants it. He may still prefer a head gig somewhere, even if down the trough a bit.

Plus what about Smith's current assistants? I believe GWG pointed out at least a couple of them are Minn or upper midwest (Dakota?) guys. But maybe one stays behind or who knows.

Smith is the kind of guy who knows where to find excellent assistants (aka future head coaches, so you have to know where to find new ones).

 

[MplsGopher]

Maybe Jacobsen was that “mystery” candidate. My guess is the interview without name mentioned is Gates. So it’s Smith, Gates, and Jacobsen.

On the **HORIZON**. Get it ?!?!

 

[MplsGopher]

If you are going on Potential: Then it's between Gates

By what measure?!?!?!

Why can no one answer this.

Because ... you watched a YouTube video and liked what he had to say. That's why you think he has a huge potential to be a great Big Ten head coach?

 

[MplsGopher]

A Ben Jacobson hire would tell me that a lot of candidates said no.

Achieves two things:
- "warm up" interview for Coyle, to work out the kinks
- back up candidate in case first choices said no

 

[leib0039]

There are better resumes out there, but I have always liked Jacobsen. Seems to run a good solid program. Like was posted above, they were the preseason pick to win the MVC over Loyola, and then the preseason player of the year got hurt and they crumbled. I will say that is a criticism I have had of Pitino as he needs to have a backup plan but losing the conf player of the year is also tough. I also agree with the post above that said Coyle might have been using this as a test run. See how interviews go, type of person he wants, type of questions to ask, etc. It can't hurt to bring him in for an interview.

 

[MplsGopher]

A couple things on Jacobson. The first is that the report is that Jacobson interviewed "over the weekend". Nobody coaching in the tournament likely was available to interview over the weekend. It's entirely possible Coyle was doing due dillegence or wanted a test run before he had the opportunity to interview others.

Exactly

 

[tmvander]

Does it happen often where a former head coach becomes an assistant like some are saying Miles could? I'd take him as an assistant but what kind of salary is that compared to what he's used to? An assistant is not necessarily an easy job so is it worth the money to him? He may be waiting for the right head coaching job, TV gig, or just like things the way they are.

 

[Gopherdiehard71]

A Ben Jacobson hire would tell me that a lot of candidates said no.

Of course a lot candidates said no. Pitino was the first yes after 8 no’s. I love gopher hoops but the job is not that appealing.

 

[MplsGopher]

Does it happen often where a former head coach becomes an assistant like some are saying Miles could? I'd take him as an assistant but what kind of salary is that compared to what he's used to? An assistant is not necessarily an easy job so is it worth the money to him? He may be waiting for the right head coaching job, TV gig, or just like things the way they are.

He was born, raised, played, and coached his first 18 years in the Dakotas.

He didn't start making real money until Colo St and then Nebraska.

I really doubt he has a huge mansion with a crew of butlers. He probably already has enough saved that he can do whatever he wants for the rest of his life.

 

[Mikie S]

BTW, I'm removing Eric Musselman as my top wish-list pick.

He reminds people too much of his dad, which means the 1972 Brawl will be revisited again & again. I, for one, don't need that.

 

[MplsGopher]

I think Muss is too full of himself.

After watching him run on the court and then jumping on top of the table like "look what I did!" , didn't rub me the right way.

SEC is the right place for him. They like big ego's like that, and they will pay dearly in Fayetteville to have some kind of winner in something that matters.

 

[abrams]

If it's between Jacobson and Sam Mitchell I would take Mitchell over and over. Sorry. Make a splash.

 

[tmvander]

He was born, raised, played, and coached his first 18 years in the Dakotas.

He didn't start making real money until Colo St and then Nebraska.

I really doubt he has a huge mansion with a crew of butlers. He probably already has enough saved that he can do whatever he wants for the rest of his life.

Right...and that's kind of my point. Is he stressing for money so much that's he's willing to do this? I'm sure the conversation is worth having but I assume he could do better than an assistant here.

 

[MplsGopher]

Is he stressing for money so much that's he's willing to do this?

Oh I see, I misread your point. Thought you were saying he'd want a head job because it pays better.