The Coaching Carousel

[uostudent]

Last offseason, Pat Kilkenny and Co. spent an inordinate amount of time trying to make a "big" hire for the basketball program. Kilkenny was rebuffed by the likes of Tom Izzo, Mark Turgeon, Jamie Dixon, Mark Few, Brad Stevens, and Mike Anderson. In retrospect, Anderson would have been an atrocious hire as he likely would have left for the position that he coveted most - the Arkansas job, once held by his mentor Nolan Richardson. Thus far, Dana Altman has looked like a terrific hire.

It’s interesting to look at what has gone at other programs this offseason, many of which were perceived to be more prestigious openings than Oregon.

Oklahoma- hired Lon Kruger from UNLV. Kruger is a fantastic x’s and o’s coach, but seems to have lost his desire to recruit. I’m not sure that Kilkenny ever contacted Kruger, as he was looking for someone a bit younger who would be more invested in the future success of the program.

Arkansas- hired Mike Anderson from Missouri. Obviously an excellent hire. Arkansas was Anderson’s dream job.

Tennessee- despite being on probation, Bruce Pearl made the Tennessee basketball opening one of the top 25 jobs in the country. They have great facilities, excellent fan support, and a nice recruiting base. Tennessee hired Cuonzo Martin, a young coach who did an impressive job of turning around a Missouri St. program in just three seasons. Despite his relative success in a short period of time, I think Tennessee could have done better than to gamble on a somewhat “unproven” head coach. By no means a horrible hire and could turn out to be a real coup for the Vols, but there is some risk involved here.

Missouri- so after losing Mike Anderson to Arkansas, who does Missouri end up with….proven mediocrity in Miami’s Frank Haith. Haith amassed an unimpressive record of 129–101 (43–69 in conference play) in 7 seasons at “Da U”. I realize that Miami is a football school and they do play in the ACC, but many believed that Haith would have been fired had he not had such a hefty buyout. If Oklahoma can have success in basketball, then so can Miami.

Utah- Utes fans believed that BYU’s Dave Rose would jump at the opportunity to coach in the Pac 12. Utah hired Larry Krystkowiak whose NBA experience makes him an intriguing choice. The fact that he’s coached two of years of college ball at Montana makes him a little less exciting. Utah is expected to be one of the worst teams in the Pac 12 next year. Utah’s top player from last season, Will Clyburn, is considering transferring, despite only having one year of eligibility left.

NC State- speaking of the most delusional fan base in coach basketball…who did they end up with? Ben Howland, Sean Miller, Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart? According to NC State fans, any of these guys would be extremely lucky to have the opportunity to be given the reigns at such a prestigious programs. Wait….they hired Mark Gottfried who was campaigning hard for the Oregon job last year? Good coach, but not who NC State fans were hoping for.

[UOducksTK1]

Last offseason, Pat Kilkenny and Co. spent an inordinate amount of time trying to make a "big" hire for the basketball program. Kilkenny was rebuffed by the likes of Tom Izzo, Mark Turgeon, Jamie Dixon, Mark Few, Brad Stevens, and Mike Anderson. In retrospect, Anderson would have been an atrocious hire as he likely would have left for the position that he coveted most - the Arkansas job, once held by his mentor Nolan Richardson. Thus far, Dana Altman has looked like a terrific hire.

It’s interesting to look at what has gone at other programs this offseason, many of which were perceived to be more prestigious openings than Oregon.

Oklahoma- hired Lon Kruger from UNLV. Kruger is a fantastic x’s and o’s coach, but seems to have lost his desire to recruit. I’m not sure that Kilkenny ever contacted Kruger, as he was looking for someone a bit younger who would be more invested in the future success of the program.

Arkansas- hired Mike Anderson from Missouri. Obviously an excellent hire. Arkansas was Anderson’s dream job.

Tennessee- despite being on probation, Bruce Pearl made the Tennessee basketball opening one of the top 25 jobs in the country. They have great facilities, excellent fan support, and a nice recruiting base. Tennessee hired Cuonzo Martin, a young coach who did an impressive job of turning around a Missouri St. program in just three seasons. Despite his relative success in a short period of time, I think Tennessee could have done better than to gamble on a somewhat “unproven” head coach. By no means a horrible hire and could turn out to be a real coup for the Vols, but there is some risk involved here.

Missouri- so after losing Mike Anderson to Arkansas, who does Missouri end up with….proven mediocrity in Miami’s Frank Haith. Haith amassed an unimpressive record of 129–101 (43–69 in conference play) in 7 seasons at “Da U”. I realize that Miami is a football school and they do play in the ACC, but many believed that Haith would have been fired had he not had such a hefty buyout. If Oklahoma can have success in basketball, then so can Miami.

Utah- Utes fans believed that BYU’s Dave Rose would jump at the opportunity to coach in the Pac 12. Utah hired Larry Krystkowiak whose NBA experience makes him an intriguing choice. The fact that he’s coached two of years of college ball at Montana makes him a little less exciting. Utah is expected to be one of the worst teams in the Pac 12 next year. Utah’s top player from last season, Will Clyburn, is considering transferring, despite only having one year of eligibility left.

NC State- speaking of the most delusional fan base in coach basketball…who did they end up with? Ben Howland, Sean Miller, Brad Stevens, Shaka Smart? According to NC State fans, any of these guys would be extremely lucky to have the opportunity to be given the reigns at such a prestigious programs. Wait….they hired Mark Gottfried who was campaigning hard for the Oregon job last year? Good coach, but not who NC State fans were hoping for.

Mike Anderson should be a good fit for Arkansas, he's like a better version of Ernie Kent. Both love offense and love to run. But defense and lack of consistency always hurts them.

[duckfan22]

After the way this team of overachievers played i think they got the guy they should have gone after right away. They spent to much time going after coaches that wouldnt come here or would leave right away. Altman is the perfect fit. Has the right offense and defense that duck fans can get behind. The man has a passion that you just don't see in every coach and works as hard as his players do. I think we got the right coach in the end.

[woundedknees]

I think it would have been interesting to see how much difference there would have been in the turnover on this team, had Altman been offered the job as soon as he finished the season, last year.

Not only would the opportunity to get to know the departed players, and thus eliminate some of the angst, but also to have been here as a physical presence during the active recruiting period.

One thing about it, there isn't much doubt about whether the current players want to be here.

[duckfan22]

I would play for Altman in a heart beat. Of course wants a over 50 white Guy that can't jump and would need to grow several inches.?

[woundedknees]

Good fundamental coaches, who are great motivators, have excellent rapport with their players, and also happen to be able to recruit are in short supply, kinda like a 6 pound brown trout in an Oregon spring creek.



I think we caught one!

[duck92]

If we had a coach in a reasonable amount of time last year, we have less transfers and Dunigan doesn't run afoul of the NCAA. The search was a joke and took way too long. The month or more of no supervision will affect our program for the next few years.

[woundedknees]

No supervision?

Dunlap and company were here, and still getting paid, at the time.

Maybe that is part of the reason none of those guys are still working for the Ducks.

[duck92]

One of my friends worked at St Johns and knows Dunlap well. If I remember correctly, it was Kenny Payne who stayed around. Dunlap wants to be a head coach and has no pizzazz, thats why he keeps getting passed over.

[UOducksTK1]

Mike Dunlap, the former Division II national champion who helped Steve Lavin restore the glory to St. John’s basketball, is among four finalists named Tuesday for the vacant head coaching position at UNLV.

Dunlap was selected along with BYU assistant Dave Rice, former New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus and former Oregon coach Ernie Kent by athletic director Jim Livengood.
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basket ... z1IltDQbOB


Wow 2 former duck coaches are finalists for the UNLV job

[greenyellow]

Mike Dunlap, the former Division II national champion who helped Steve Lavin restore the glory to St. John’s basketball, is among four finalists named Tuesday for the vacant head coaching position at UNLV.

Dunlap was selected along with BYU assistant Dave Rice, former New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus and former Oregon coach Ernie Kent by athletic director Jim Livengood.
Read more: http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basket ... z1IltDQbOB


Wow 2 former duck coaches are finalists for the UNLV job

I doubt Dunlap gets it as I think they'll probably go with Rice or Theus, both UNLV alums.