Potential Coaching Candidates

[TheLivingLegend]

Given the actions of the former players trashing guys for transferring, I'm not that fond of former players right now. It's a bad look and probably disqualifies them consideration if Cunningham is trying to convince transfers to come back. The former players should have waited until they actually knew the facts (which we still don't).

Erik Martin wasn't a part of it, but his association with former players is probably enough to keep our guys in the portal away. NVE isn't coming here, Chad has said multiple times, adamantly, that Pinto has no interest in NVE or Pitino. Not going to happen.

The only person media wise who has done a great job so far is Justin Williams with his reporting. Covered both sides, stayed unbiased.

Not sure I care to have the transfers back.

 

[skyblade]

Yea, Archie Miller would be a meh hire, but better than John Brannen I feel but its still less than Cronin. The John Jakus, kimani young, Darris Nichols, Dennis Gates that just have me like who are they? As a recruit why come to these guys?. I gotta say I'm leaning at least more of a combination of Erik Martin and NVE. Just as much basketball knowledge as those guys previously mentioned and I'm pretty sure just as ppl savvy/player savvy. Also the aspect of not bolting when possible and actually caring and having pride about the program. I believe john Brannen wasn't even a Bearcats fan.. The more conservative, typical choice is otherwise.. besides really going for it like say a Patino and or making a run at someone else with more weight in the game/pedigree. It's hard to believe the finances aren't good enough to make something like that happen

How many people said the same thing about Fickell before he was hired? I have not seen any clear cut great choice out there. It comes down to retread (Archie Miller, Bryce Drew), versus up-and-comer. With a few established mid-major coaches who haven't been spectacular (Colgate, Belmont, Wright State) thrown into the mix.

Some of these guys are great coaches waiting for their chance to shine, Cunningham's job is to find one that is and not another dud.

 

[skyblade]

Not sure I care to have the transfers back.

Don't think Cunningham cares what you think. Based on Justin Williams and Chad's reports, Cunningham has stayed in close contact with the guys transferring and has been encouraging them to be patient. All signs point to him wanting (at least some of) them back. So I doubt former player is high on his potential HC list.

The former players, much like Brannen, shot themselves in the foot if they want a job here.

 

[justinhub2003]

I honestly don’t care if they come back or not but I believe that decision should 100% be up to the new coach

I mean if it’s Archie, and he can land a bunch of high level transfers, I don’t want John’s low level recruits taking up the space

This is a game of winning. That’s what I want to do

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Don't think Cunningham cares what you think. Based on Justin Williams and Chad's reports, Cunningham has stayed in close contact with the guys transferring and has been encouraging them to be patient. All signs point to him wanting (at least some of) them back. So I doubt former player is high on his potential HC list.

The former players, much like Brannen, shot themselves in the foot if they want a job here.

Yes.. cunningham pushing away the guys who built this place sounds like a brilliant gameplan.

 

[skyblade]

Yes.. cunningham pushing away the guys who built this place sounds like a brilliant gameplan.

It worked for Cronin.

If the players want to be involved, they need to get some lessons on media relations. They shouldn't be talking trash about guys leaving the program.

Erik Martin wasn't involved, but unfortunately, the actions of a few reflect upon the whole group.

 

[Jon Rycek]

It worked for Cronin.

If the players want to be involved, they need to get some lessons on media relations. They shouldn't be talking trash about guys leaving the program.

Erik Martin wasn't involved, but unfortunately, the actions of a few reflect upon the whole group.

That’s not how it works

 

[UCats329]

Looks like Mike Woodson is no longer available. Damn.

 

[JoeRunner89]

How many people said the same thing about Fickell before he was hired? I have not seen any clear cut great choice out there. It comes down to retread (Archie Miller, Bryce Drew), versus up-and-comer. With a few established mid-major coaches who haven't been spectacular (Colgate, Belmont, Wright State) thrown into the mix.

Some of these guys are great coaches waiting for their chance to shine, Cunningham's job is to find one that is and not another dud.

Well, Luke the man Fickell was an assistant coach at the highest level with the Ohio State Buckeyes for a while. He was as seasoned and primed as they come. These guys we are currently pondering on in regards to basketball not so much. Archie failed in the big ten at a prime school. I would guess he would figure he is stepping down. We need a guy who thinks of this job as something to be appreciative about. A viable former player in regards to this program in this situation would be appropriate and if they fail everyone can just easily say they were placed in a tough situation. That's the best alternative quick fix. As far as former players speaking down as I recall corie Blount and Terry Nelson stepped up in defense of Brannen publicly two guys on that 92 final 4 team with both NVE and Erik Martin

 

[TheLivingLegend]

All the old timers are sticking up for Brannen in a weird twist.... And we have a AD who cares more about guys who want to leave than the guys who built the place.

 

[waterhead]

Which would you rather have if you can't have both? A good coach or a good recruiter? If he is good at one and average at the other. Sampson seems to be good at both and Penny is good at one and not as good at the other.

Houston and Memphis have shown we can get good players to the conference so it is possible to do. I think Brannen was decent at both but obviously he is/was missing a big part of what drives and holds a team together.

I think we can have some good years with 3 and 4 star kids if we can keep them on the team for a while. If we drop a 5 star in there that would be great but sometimes those kids are gone soon after so they don't add a lot of long term value.

 

[sedziobs]

You can have both, and it doesn't have to be one person. Michigan's pairing of Howard and Martelli is a template that can be reproduced.

 

[waterhead]

You can have both, and it doesn't have to be one person. Michigan's pairing of Howard and Martelli is a template that can be reproduced.

I agree there. As head coach are you thinking land an up and comer from a smaller school? A former player? A capable assistant to a good coach in a better conference? Or a big name who has had success and has also been let go?

I wouldn't mind seeing a former player help with recruiting

 

[sedziobs]

I agree there. As head coach are you thinking land an up and comer from a smaller school? A former player? A capable assistant to a good coach in a better conference? Or a big name who has had success and has also been let go?

I wouldn't mind seeing a former player help with recruiting

I like either of these options:

1) The Michigan route with a big name head coach to attract recruits and a long established veteran strategy assistant. In this case the head coach needs to be new to college ball or he's not going to tolerate much control from the assistant. And the assistant needs to be a veteran to be taken seriously.

2) A young innovative head coach (Alexander or Grasso) and a big name assistant to attract recruits (maybe former players like James White or DerMarr)

The problem with retreads is they're unlikely to give up any amount of control. If it's not one of those two options (which would be difficult to find a good pairing), I'd rather have a coach who has had sustained mid-major success.

 

[cincrulz11]

We are going to have a super tight budget right? I'm not sure if we are gonna have money for good assistants. It's looking like its going to take very penny we have to force brannen out.

 

[sedziobs]

We are going to have a super tight budget right? I'm not sure if we are gonna have money for good assistants. It's looking like its going to take very penny we have to force brannen out.

Yeah, my #1 option above probably isn't feasible for us. I think we can afford #2 though. Give me Grasso (he can bring Phil Martelli Jr too) and James White. That's an unproven and therefore cheap combo that could put some fun teams on the court.

 

[waterhead]

Just thinking about Archie here again. Obviously you want a coach trending in the right direction but the Big 10 was loaded this year with two #1 seeds, two #2 seeds and a 4 seed for 5 protected. and then another 4 tourney teams.

IU beat Iowa twice. Lost to FSU, Wisc, and Ill in overtime. And they beat MD.

I guess consistency is an issue but he can coach a team against quality.he improved almost every year at UD and he was in line for a tourney birth last year at IU.

I am not hating this too much.

 

[TheLivingLegend]

Just thinking about Archie here again. Obviously you want a coach trending in the right direction but the Big 10 was loaded this year with two #1 seeds, two #2 seeds and a 4 seed for 5 protected. and then another 4 tourney teams.

IU beat Iowa twice. Lost to FSU, Wisc, and Ill in overtime. And they beat MD.

I guess consistency is an issue but he can coach a team against quality.he improved almost every year at UD and he was in line for a tourney birth last year at IU.

I am not hating this too much.

Just got paid 10 million to go away... May take a lower salary to get back in the game close by.

I think it's a realistic outcome.

 

[waterhead]

Just got paid 10 million to go away... May take a lower salary to get back in the game close by.

I think it's a realistic outcome.

IU was ranked #36 last year on Torvik. This year #56.

UC last year #48 and this year #116

Again...I am not hating the Miller talk. If he is in the AAC those numbers go up by win volume and we are dancing both years in all likelihood. He's not terrible in either offense or defense although he seems a little better at D. I would like to see him improve that offensive ranking. Gotta be able to score

 

[sedziobs]

Archie has had poor shooting teams in all four years at Indiana, and they've been near the very bottom of all college basketball in 3pt rate and pace. That's a concern for me in the modern game. And in general his stats are all over the map across his career. He's not consistently good in any area. He seems to be a good recruiter, but I'm not convinced he could bring the same level of guys he was getting at Indiana to UC.

I wouldn't hate an Archie hire. I wouldn't be very excited either.