UT's next basketball coach - discussion/debate

[alphahorn 1637]

It's time for  CDC to make a change.    Six years and 0 NCAA tournament wins is all CDC needs to know when it comes to deciding Shaka's future. There are a number of possible replacements.  Loyola Chicago's Porter Moser is a decent possibility. Doing a lot with less.  Just knocked off a #1 seed. Has made a final four.

My first call however would be to Eric Musselman. Love what he did at both Nevada and what he's doing at Arkansas

Thoughts?...

 

 

[pacman 7502]

Two words: Urban. Meyer.

[perfectchaos007 6780]

Musselman is a great choice

[CashMcCoy 3414]

I'm all aboard the Ivey train, assuming we can't get Musselman and Motta/Beilein aren't up for it.

[alphahorn 1637]

10 minutes ago, CashMcCoy said:

I'm all aboard the Ivey train, assuming we can't get Musselman and Motta/Beilein aren't up for it.

I flew from NY to Austin a few years ago with Royal - He's a great guy, I could definitely get behind that choice

[gsoda3 3362]

Wouldn't want ivy right now, would rather him have experience HCing somewhere first. Especially in the college game where recruiting is such a huge part.

[Machinator 32103]

Just now, gsoda3 said:

Wouldn't want ivy right now, would rather him have experience HCing somewhere first. Especially in the college game where recruiting is such a huge part.

Ivey would probably kill it in recruiting, and I bet he would hire good recruiting assistants with ties to the state.

What we don't know is how he matches up in terms of Xs and Os against the likes of Self, Drew, Huggins, Beard, etc.

[Chinacat 0]

I love Royal Ivey, but there is another assistant in NJ that will make a great long-term hire for someone--Jacque Vaughn. We could get both him and Royal for the money we're paying Shaka.  

[LTtxfan 49984]

Anyone with "The Athletic" subscription maybe add this Nov 2020 article to help with this discussion...

https://theathletic.com/2167333/2020/11/20/college-basketball-best-assistant-coaches/

25 college basketball assistant coaches ready to lead their own programs

[Machinator 32103]

Just now, LTtxfan said:

Anyone with "The Athletic" subscription maybe add this Nov 2020 article to help with this discussion...

https://theathletic.com/2167333/2020/11/20/college-basketball-best-assistant-coaches/

25 college basketball assistant coaches ready to lead their own programs

Spoiler

People work their entire lives to earn entrance to the club. Max occupancy is roughly 350 individuals. And, in any given year, the doormen pull back the ropes only a few times to grant access to one of the anxious and aspirational people in line.

That’s what it’s like to aim at a college basketball head coaching job.

So it’s helpful to be one of the people closest to the front of the line. Presenting The Athletic’s 25 Next Head Coaches for men’s hoops in 2020-21, in which we highlight those who are poised and ready to slide over to the big chair.

We focused on coaches who have not run their own program previously; it’s nothing against assistants who have been head coaches, and in fact that previous experience may make them attractive hires. But they’ve already been in the club. These are individuals on the cusp of that career-altering breakthrough. It’s a subjective exercise, yes, but not one without guidelines of precedent. Maybe it’s a top aide at a high-profile program that wins a bunch or will be in contention this year, setting the staff up for a leap. Maybe someone is next in line when a successful mid-major coach moves to a power league gig. Or maybe it’s just a coach who is well-respected, period, and has paid the dues and has the right connections.

In alphabetical order, these are the coaches primed to run a men’s program near you sooner than later

Adrian Autry, Syracuse associate head coach. If it weren’t for the sticking point of not knowing precisely what Jim Boeheim is going to do after he’s done coaching his son, you’d figure Autry to be intent on a coaching carousel ride to elsewhere and soon. He’s 48, he can recruit, he has been the Orange’s associate head coach since 2016-17 and he has publicly and repeatedly stated his aspirations to be a head coach. The combination suggests a guy right in that sweet spot for breaking out and running his own operation. The last guy to be coach-in-waiting at Syracuse, Mike Hopkins, left in part because he didn’t want to wait anymore. How much longer does Autry give it?

Grant Billmeier, Seton Hall assistant coach. While we completely respect people deciding to spend their lives in New Jersey, it makes Billmeier a bit of a singular prospect as a head coach. He has basically been in the Garden State since birth. His only two college stops have been Seton Hall, then Fairleigh Dickinson, then back to Seton Hall. But he has grown into the gig and is held in high enough esteem to be more than just a regional candidate. Moreover, there’s this: Kevin Willard is going into his 11th season at Seton Hall. He’s still only 45. Maybe he never leaves. But if he does? And soon? Could one of Seton Hall’s own replace him?

Rashon Burno, Arizona State associate head coach. This could be one of the more high-profile programs in the country this year, given the propulsive talents of Remy Martin and Joshua Christopher, and that ought to put Burno on the radar for jobs from coast to coast. He grew up on the East Coast, played at DePaul, coached at spots such as Towson State and Florida and has had his hands on all aspects of the Sun Devils’ operation for five years. Burno can sell his ability to build connections pretty much anywhere. The on-floor results with Arizona State could speak for themselves.

Kyle Cieplicki, Vermont associate head coach. Should John Becker want to take his shot at a major-conference gig, there’s a common-sense replacement sitting next to him on the bench. Cieplicki was the first three-year captain in the history of the program and 2020-21 will be his 10th season serving as a coach. Vermont’s extended stretch of success — 200-plus wins in the last nine years, four straight America East regular-season titles — suggests Cieplicki is poised to run his own show elsewhere, of course. But nowhere is he a better fit than in Burlington.

Adam Cohen, Stanford assistant coach. It’s notable when five-star prospects land anywhere, and it’s especially notable when five-star prospects land at Stanford, and it’s especially especially notable when that is set to happen in back-to-back classes. Even before Ziaire Williams arrived this season and Harrison Ingram made his pledge for 2021-22, Cohen was considered an up-and-comer on the head coach path. Now some marquee talent is matriculating through Palo Alto, with Cohen having a hand in recruiting said talent. If the wins follow, it’s only a matter of time before someone woos Cohen away.

Andre Gray, UNC-Greensboro associate head coach. As much as the Spartans’ faithful might not concede it, at some point someone is going to make an offer Wes Miller can’t refuse. And how do you best take care of the program then, assuming the streak of seasons with at least 23 wins is stretched to five this year and until Miller departs? Well, you might turn to the guy next to the head coach who helped build and maintain the culture that led to all that success. Gray is steeped in experience working in North Carolina too, so the transition would be all sorts of seamless.

DeAndre Haynes, Maryland assistant coach. It would be a relatively quick climb for Haynes, whose college coaching journey began in 2012. But he has that point guard sensibility, he emphasizes creating bonds beyond basketball with players and he has sat beside both John Beilein and Mark Turgeon — all of which suggests Haynes has the disposition to be a CEO-type leader of a program. And he has helped to maximize what the likes of Zavier Simpson and Anthony Cowan offer on the floor. If you can recruit and coach up guards, and you can get everyone to love you enough that they’ll do whatever you ask, that’s a pretty solid mix for a modern college hoops head coach.

Kevin Hovde, San Francisco associate head coach. In a short time, the ascension of the Dons and their analytics-in-overdrive approach could create some heavy traffic on the springboard. Staying in or near the top tier of the West Coast Conference will be a must. But Kyle Smith bounced to Washington State after three years and the Cougars experienced a five-win bump last season. Todd Golden was the in-house replacement and won 22 games in his first year; continue that and the offers will follow. Which puts Hovde, who was elevated to associate head coach in 2019 and runs the Dons’ offense, in the on-deck spot.

Stan Jones, Florida State associate head coach. So here’s the thing: Jones is already in the Hall of Fame for basketball assistants and is going on nearly two decades with the Seminoles. The program has won 104 games over the past four seasons and should be in contention again in 2020-21. Arguing that Jones is “ready” to be a college head coach is like arguing that water is wet. Under these circumstances, it’s impossible to omit him. What’s less self-evident is how much Jones is angling to take a shot at running his own program as he enters his 60s, or if he’s content to remain a more behind-scenes presence in Tallahassee.

Joel Justus, Kentucky assistant coach. There’s a reason talent keeps flowing into Lexington, and Justus has been a massive reason why after moving into a full-time assistant role four seasons hence. Consider some of the names he has been the lead guy on landing recently: Bam Adebayo, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Ashton Hagans, Immanuel Quickley, Brandon Boston Jr. and, most recently, Skyy Clark for 2022. It’s about as good a situation as you could imagine for an aspiring head coach; Kentucky is never going to be not good, and Justus is only 38. He’ll enjoy both the visibility afforded by his employer and the time to be patient in evaluating the opportunities that come his way.

Matt Kingsley, Yale associate head coach. So the Ivy League cancelling winter sports isn’t ideal. But here’s a fun fact: Yale has won at least 19 games in six of the last nine years, making two NCAA Tournament appearances since 2016 — and it was 11-3 in conference last year, so the Bulldogs had a good shot at making it three Big Dance invites. Another fun fact: James Jones has been the coach there since 1999. If Jones decides to take a shot at a bigger gig, the easy call is to replace him with the right-hand man for the past 15 years. If Jones is a New Haven lifer, well, Kingsley’s ubiquitous impact on Yale’s ascension seemingly should position him for a top job elsewhere.

Erik Martin, West Virginia assistant coach. Former Bob Huggins aides who serve as Division I head coaches are Mick Cronin, Andy Kennedy, Frank Martin and Brad Underwood. It is not an insignificant list of coaches with underwhelming results. Wouldn’t it make some sense, then, to look at a guy who has been at Huggins’ side for 14 years? He has been integral in developing the Mountaineers’ big men and probably is right at the career inflection point where running his own show makes sense, assuming West Virginia is as good as everyone thinks it will be this season.

Brian Michaelson, Gonzaga assistant coach. Someone has to replace Mark Few whenever the Zags coach decides it’s time to hit the beach and stay there. Currently that someone is scheduled to be Tommy Lloyd, the official coach-in-waiting. Since the job isn’t meant to be a timeshare, this suggests Michaelson will have to seek opportunities elsewhere to run his own show. He has been credited with leading recruiting efforts of some of Gonzaga’s most notable transfer additions in recent years, and he has played a large part in the ongoing development of NBA-player-to-be Joel Ayayi. Michaelson played at Gonzaga and hasn’t worked anywhere else in college basketball. That might have to change.

Luke Murray, Louisville assistant coach. The basketball acumen is well-respected among his peers, but let’s consider this: He’s the tip of the spear in Louisville’s recruiting efforts during a time when the program is dealing with an NCAA investigation. And between the Classes of 2019 and 2020, the Cardinals have signed seven four- and five-star prospects. If Murray can help Carlik Jones translate his production from the Big South to the ACC as a grad transfer, it’ll be yet another check-plus in the player development column. Basically, Murray will be a head coach soon, or everyone is wrong about him.

Kyle Neptune, Villanova assistant coach. When you’re part of one of the most enviable cultures in college basketball, the phone will ring. And there’s no sense in playing the Who Follows Jay Wright parlor game right now, because it won’t be a thing for a while. So Neptune is bound to be on the move in the near future. He’s the longest-tenured Wildcats assistant, going into Year 8, and any job that opens especially on the East Coast should have him on the list of contenders.

Kenny Payne, New York Knicks assistant coach. A more vexing situation than it was a few months ago. As Kentucky’s big man whisperer, it seemed only a matter of time and opportunity before Payne became a college head coach. Then he left Lexington to make a reported $1.5 million a year in the pros. Is time spent learning the Tao of Thibodeau one last line on the résumé, putting Payne over the top for a college opening? Or will he want to work at the next level for the foreseeable future? One would imagine new DePaul athletic director/former Kentucky staffer Dwayne Peevy would put a call in, if a regime change is in order there.

Kellen Sampson, Houston assistant coach. It’ll happen, and it’s as much a question of where as when. Does Sampson simply wait until his father, Kelvin, moves on or would he be better served to pick up big-chair experience before that, and potentially double back when the time comes? It’s worth noting that the younger Sampson has been doing this for a decade and has been at Stephen F. Austin and Appalachian State along the way, so it’s not like he slid into the mix at Houston without seeing any other parts of the college basketball world. We’ll see what paths present themselves, and which one Sampson chooses.

Darren Savino, UCLA associate head coach. Back in January 2019, following the first ejection of Mick Cronin’s coaching career, Savino assumed head coach responsibilities for the remainder of what would be a win over South Florida. After that, Cronin said this of his longtime aide, per the recounting of The Athletic’s Justin Williams: “He should have been a head coach a long time ago.” At any rate, it’s a year and a half later and Savino is in Westwood and entering his 11th season on Cronin’s staff. It’s probably as simple as the system working at UCLA. If the Bruins are contenders, there won’t be any concerns about the philosophy translating when Savino implements it elsewhere.

Jon Scheyer, Duke associate head coach. It might be immutable law that Scheyer appears on lists such as these, but how could you leave him off? He has been a Coach K apprentice since 2014. His role as a public face and voice for the program has grown in recent years, and that probably is not a coincidence. Scheyer most likely will be a bit selective about fit, but this is not a guy intending to wait and see what happens when his boss retires. If the opportunity is right — one can easily imagine Scheyer going back to his Midwest roots, for example — he’ll grab it sooner than later.

Michael Schwartz, Tennessee associate head coach. The 44-year-old should be right on the cusp, given the breadth of his experience — jobs from California to Texas to Florida and now Knoxville — and another percussive season from the Volunteers might put him over the top. He runs the defense and while there was a slight dip last season, Tennessee was stingy at a pretty high level during the 31-win campaign in 2018-19. If he’s not quite a household name as an assistant, Schwartz has made contributions that haven’t gone unnoticed within the SEC. Again, one more season with a lot of time spent in the top 25 might cinch Schwartz’s candidacy elsewhere.

Micah Shrewsberry, Purdue associate head coach. A bit of a dip last year for the Boilermakers after a tremendous four-year run, but we wouldn’t yet nudge Shrewsberry off this list for a couple of reasons. Matt Painter doesn’t appear poised to go anywhere anytime soon, and possibly ever, and he remains one of the country’s most underrated coaches. So Shrewsberry is still a key part of a program with a solid and respected backbone. And he didn’t do an apprenticeship with Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics to be a career college assistant. Any good year from Purdue could easily bring about opportunities elsewhere.

Dwayne Stephens, Michigan State associate head coach. It’d be folly not to include Stephens, who is entering his 16th season on the bench with Tom Izzo. The question, really, is what Stephens determines to be the right situation for him. He has turned down jobs before — he reportedly had conversations with Western Michigan last offseason — but presumably isn’t stubbornly refusing to leave East Lansing if the right offer came along. Is Stephens waiting out Izzo and hoping to win the arm-wrestling match with Dane Fife (who will be a head coach but previously has been a head coach and therefore doesn’t qualify for this list) for that spot? Or will he hit it off with the administrators at a school TBD and go on his own?

Jerome Tang, Baylor associate head coach. So this is arguably the most interesting name we’re discussing. Tang has been at Baylor since 2003. He has never coached at a college other than Baylor. And Baylor very well might make the Final Four or even win the national championship this season. You can’t create a greater stress test for a person’s comfort with and loyalty to a place than what Tang might encounter if the Bears perform like they’re expected to perform. If something enticing crosses your radar after a transcendent season, and you’ve spent nearly two decades in one spot, how do you not jump at it? And if Tang stays put in that scenario, will he ever jump?

David Velasquez, San Diego State assistant coach. This could be a test case for how strict the unofficial Mid-Major Assistant Advancement Plan is in college hoops. Generally, a coach such as Velasquez might have to do a stint on a power-conference staff before sliding into a head coach role, or simply just move over a chair when his boss leaves. But Brian Dutcher is still only 61 and is in his fourth season as Aztecs head coach after waiting almost 20 years for the chance. San Diego State, meanwhile, is lately not your typical mid-major program, with 178 wins in the seven seasons Velasquez has been a full-time assistant. He’s credited with helping craft a defense that finished 10th in adjusted efficiency last season, per KenPom.com. Is all that enough to create an off-ramp on the Advancement Plan?

Jason Williford, Virginia associate head coach. Surely it speaks to the generally enjoyable environment in Charlottesville that Williford somehow isn’t a head coach already. This will be his 12th year with Tony Bennett, living and breathing the culture and schemes that created an ACC and national powerhouse. If you’d like to try to replicate that blueprint, it seems wise to place a call to a guy who helps maintain it every day. Williford’s background definitely is East Coast-heavy — Boston University and American were his stops before he returned to coach at his alma mater — so his wheelhouse might be a little smaller. But something is bound to catch his eye.

 

[Huckleberry 34578]

Take Pikiell off the list. That was Tom Herman level turtling.

[David Dennison 19513]

I just want to get lucky in our choice. I thought Shaka was a great hire. Shows what I know.

[billfromlaketravis 11817]

I think we need an older guy that’s an outstanding coach. I think John Beilein’s floor would be similar to Kruger at OU. I could definitely live with that. 

[markstanco 12785]

I flew from NY to Austin a few years ago with Royal - He's a great guy, I could definitely get behind that choice

Shaka too is a great guy. But I didn't share a flight with royal. So I'm not the insider like you.

[BradInATX 9208]

7 minutes ago, markstanco said:

1 hour ago, alphahorn said:

I flew from NY to Austin a few years ago with Royal - He's a great guy, I could definitely get behind that choice

Shaka too is a great guy. 

 

Careful buddy, you're going to have to give a ten paragraph dissertation as to why you think he's a good guy.

[GreenspointTexas 9950]

This should be the easiest “search” in Texas mens bball history

 

You know the best realistic choice. I know the best realistic choice. The AD knows the best realistic choice. Even most of college basketball knows the best realistic choice.

 

Names, flights, hemming and hawing, clutching pearls, berating, waxing poetic.... all a waste of time. 
 

Make a few phone calls, get the measly $10 million dollars or whatever and make it fucking happen. Dont tell me we cant do it or shouldnt do it. Thats fucking asinine. 
 

We have the money. Money.fucking.whip.someone.for.once.in.our.lives.

[Brothahorn 10097]

I would rather have a young'ish head coach at a small/mid level school. A guy who has put together a solid resume than a career assistant.

 

Main thing to me is don't be lazy. Don't get stuck on we have to have the big name or that we will only accept guys from certain schools/conferences. Actually CDC or whoever, should already have a list(binder) of who he would want. He just needs to start making discreet contact.

[dcar00 14946]

2 hours ago, CashMcCoy said:

I'm all aboard the Ivey train, assuming we can't get Musselman and Motta/Beilein aren't up for it.

Uh he'd be great for sure but Dick Motta is dead Jim.

[Js1 87174]

21 minutes ago, dcar00 said:

Uh he'd be great for sure but Dick Motta is dead Jim.

Dead guy can’t be any worse 

[CashMcCoy 3414]

22 minutes ago, dcar00 said:

Uh he'd be great for sure but Dick Motta is dead Jim.

You got me. Haven't seen Thad's name anywhere for a while, Mandela effect moment there.

[dcar00 14946]

6 minutes ago, CashMcCoy said:

You got me. Haven't seen Thad's name anywhere for a while, Mandela effect moment there.

well fuck me, checking the wiki apparently Dick Motta isn't dead yet.  I was mistaking the death of Maverick Owner Don Carter who died in 2018.

so yeah put Motta and Matta on the list.

[conVINCEd 21477]

6 minutes ago, dcar00 said:

well fuck me, checking the wiki apparently Dick Motta isn't dead yet.  I was mistaking the death of Maverick Owner Don Carter who died in 2018.

so yeah put Motta and Matta on the list.

Don’t think Dick would handle woke student athletes very well.

[Bevo14 8468]

7 hours ago, Brothahorn said:

binder

[LTtxfan 49984]

 

[Horn80 6355]

The stench of failure in the basketball program is overwhelming.  Shaka should be fired today with intent to hire Beard.

Edited March 22, 2021 by Horn80

[CurlyDumps 4650]

Why would anyone be proud of these players? No need to pander and coddle them. They get enough of that from their head “coach.”
 

I liked TJ Ford’s passive aggressive tweet:

I more feel sorry for them. Must suck to realize you’ve been coached by a con man.

[Pancho 46259]

12 hours ago, gsoda3 said:

Wouldn't want ivy right now, would rather him have experience HCing somewhere first. Especially in the college game where recruiting is such a huge part.

College basketball isn’t like football.  There are HOF coaches in basketball who had no HC experience before they were hired at their universities.  

 

[BurntOrangeBlooded15 1692]

10 hours ago, GreenspointTexas said:

This should be the easiest “search” in Texas mens bball history

 

You know the best realistic choice. I know the best realistic choice. The AD knows the best realistic choice. Even most of college basketball knows the best realistic choice.

 

Names, flights, hemming and hawing, clutching pearls, berating, waxing poetic.... all a waste of time. 
 

Make a few phone calls, get the measly $10 million dollars or whatever and make it fucking happen. Dont tell me we cant do it or shouldnt do it. Thats fucking asinine. 
 

We have the money. Money.fucking.whip.someone.for.once.in.our.lives.

[Restinmybones 111]

12 hours ago, David Dennison said:

I just want to get lucky in our choice. I thought Shaka was a great hire. Shows what I know.

Seemed like a good idea, at the time.... 

[TexArcher 39037]

11 hours ago, dcar00 said:

Uh he'd be great for sure but Dick Motta is dead Jim.

Cross him off then.

[Machinator 32103]

6 minutes ago, Restinmybones said:

Seemed like a good idea, at the time.... 

Coaching hires are a crapshoot, if you don't get one of the half dozen or so known studs.

[Mo Horn 8937]

Here's my list. Names are in order of preference in each category. I'm sure many will disagree.

If we're going with the list of assistants above it should begin and end with Jon Scheyer from Duke... another long time assistant from an historically winning program. 

If we're going with a proven head coach regardless of history we should go Pittino... Sampson

If we're going to try and money whip a current coach, even though the odds of getting them are slim, we should go Few...Wright...Calipari...Self

If were going for a coach at a smaller school looking to upgrade, we shoild go Moser...Dutcher...Bennet

If we're going with no HC experience, but good Texas ties, we should go with Ivey. 

[VirginiaLonghorn 4902]

1 hour ago, BurntOrangeBlooded15 said:

The man ... just stock him with burner phones to keep the NCAA out of his knickers.

[Restinmybones 111]

6 minutes ago, Machinator said:

Coaching hires are a crapshoot, if you don't get one of the half dozen or so known studs.

I've always thought that's true for all sports. Those making the decision need to be thorough and talk with people who played for and coached with a candidate, watch film of his/her teams, understand candidates' personalities and coaching styles to determine whether they fit at a school, etc., but due diligence still doesn't ensure success. I thought Herman was a good hire. I thought Smart was a good choice. I think Sarkisian will do well at Texas but, after our experiences with Herman and Smart, I really don't know what to think. I'm just glad I'm not part of making those decisions at Texas. 

[Deej 77803]

Can't believe this didn't translate into more wins. 

 

[RaysBoomBoomRoom 5742]

Spoiler

HOOPS

The future of Shaka Smart at Texas remains in limbo after another Round of 64 exit over the weekend. As of this a.m. we have heard nothing concrete regarding his future at Texas. Should Texas make a move, IT has heard three names that are currently head coaches in college basketball that could be targeted: Chris Beard, Dana Altman, and Eric Musselman.

A former Texas assistant coach still coaching at the NCAA level said Texas should “without a doubt” look at Loyola University Chicago head coach Porter Moser. This coaching contact believes he would be a really good fit, along with being a terrific coach in general. This same source shared concern with Musselman’s ability to connect with people the way he would need to at Texas, but loves him as an offensive coach and head coach in general.

The big push from former Texas players will be for Royal Ivey. Ivey is considered an up and coming coach in NBA circles. He is also considered the leader of the Texas basketball program among the former players. Guys that will push for Ivey to be the next head coach at Texas should the position open will include T.J. Ford, Kevin Durant, Tristan Thompson and every other former Longhorn playing in the NBA. That’s how much Ivey is liked and respected among the former Texas players. Ivey would have every former Texas player back fully invested in the program, which can be a powerful force in recruiting. There has even been talk of all the former Texas players currently in the NBA or formerly in the NBA purchasing a house together in Austin to be around the program as much as possible if Ivey was the head coach one day. It’s not out of the question that the players would provide part of the financial piece if the job opens and Ivey is next.

While this group of players wants Ivey to be the coach, all they want from Texas is for him to receive an interview if the job comes open. They understand ultimately it will be Chris Del Conte who is held responsible for the decision. A former Texas assistant coach who coached Ivey and was a part of the program for over a decade says Ivey would be “great” with the players and has the “BBIQ” required to succeed.

Understanding the staff needed to be put together is the question that would have to be answered.  Ivey would need a mix of coaching experience and strong recruiting ties. We’ll keep you posted, but you have to admit, Coach Royal has a nice ring to it.

From IT 

[6th Street 6686]

Chris Beard has a $13M buyout 

[BurntOrangeBlooded15 1692]

8 minutes ago, Deej said:

Can't believe this didn't translate into more wins. 

 

Hell the thing about it is, if this kinda stuff is what he would’ve preached like he did at VCU, it might’ve.  He completely got away from what got him the Texas job in the first place.  

[Restinmybones 111]

13 minutes ago, RaysBoomBoomRoom said:

  Hide contents

 

HOOPS

The future of Shaka Smart at Texas remains in limbo after another Round of 64 exit over the weekend. As of this a.m. we have heard nothing concrete regarding his future at Texas. Should Texas make a move, IT has heard three names that are currently head coaches in college basketball that could be targeted: Chris Beard, Dana Altman, and Eric Musselman.

A former Texas assistant coach still coaching at the NCAA level said Texas should “without a doubt” look at Loyola University Chicago head coach Porter Moser. This coaching contact believes he would be a really good fit, along with being a terrific coach in general. This same source shared concern with Musselman’s ability to connect with people the way he would need to at Texas, but loves him as an offensive coach and head coach in general.

The big push from former Texas players will be for Royal Ivey. Ivey is considered an up and coming coach in NBA circles. He is also considered the leader of the Texas basketball program among the former players. Guys that will push for Ivey to be the next head coach at Texas should the position open will include T.J. Ford, Kevin Durant, Tristan Thompson and every other former Longhorn playing in the NBA. That’s how much Ivey is liked and respected among the former Texas players. Ivey would have every former Texas player back fully invested in the program, which can be a powerful force in recruiting. There has even been talk of all the former Texas players currently in the NBA or formerly in the NBA purchasing a house together in Austin to be around the program as much as possible if Ivey was the head coach one day. It’s not out of the question that the players would provide part of the financial piece if the job opens and Ivey is next.

While this group of players wants Ivey to be the coach, all they want from Texas is for him to receive an interview if the job comes open. They understand ultimately it will be Chris Del Conte who is held responsible for the decision. A former Texas assistant coach who coached Ivey and was a part of the program for over a decade says Ivey would be “great” with the players and has the “BBIQ” required to succeed.

Understanding the staff needed to be put together is the question that would have to be answered.  Ivey would need a mix of coaching experience and strong recruiting ties. We’ll keep you posted, but you have to admit, Coach Royal has a nice ring to it.

From IT 

Ivey is an intriguing possibility, despite his lack of head coaching experience. However, put solid, experienced assistants around him and he'd probably be fine. Given Texas' recent experiences with coaches, though, I'm not sure what to think. Ivey would at least continue to bring in good talent. 

Edited March 22, 2021 by Restinmybones

[Js1 87174]

I'm 10000% out on Sampson and Pitino.

Not only do they have NCAA issues (which the Texas brass/Compliance always is iffy on), they are 65 and 68.  I am not looking for some coach to use us as their retirement stop.  I don't care how "good" they are - hiring someone that old is going to inevitably end up as them leaving if it's too much work and just taking the money and retiring. 

[Burt Macklin 19230]

11 minutes ago, BurntOrangeBlooded15 said:

Hell the thing about it is, if this kinda stuff is what he would’ve preached like he did at VCU, it might’ve.  He completely got away from what got him the Texas job in the first place.  

Nope. Shaka’s just not a good coach. VCU is a basketball powerhouse that almost always has success. Anthony Grant (Shaka’s predecessor) did better than Shaka there and he flamed out when he went to Bama. Shaka also had a loaded assistant coaching staff there. 

VCU makes coaches look good, and it’s almost impossible to tell if they’re actually good away from VCU. For Shaka, it’s pretty fucking obvious in hindsight. 

[Burt Macklin 19230]

13 minutes ago, Restinmybones said:

Ivey is an intriguing possibility, despite his lack of head coaching experience. However, put solid, experienced assistants around him and he'd probably be fine. Given Texas' recent experiences with coaches, though, I'm not sure what to think. Ivey would at least continue to bring in good talent. 

You can say this for just about any coach, including Shaka. It’s not that simple though. Solid, experienced assistants become Head Coaches or have a reason they’re still at their current school. 

[The Dog 44853]

2 minutes ago, Js1 said:

I'm 10000% out on Sampson and Pitino.

Not only do they have NCAA issues (which the Texas brass/Compliance always is iffy on), they are 65 and 68.  I am not looking for some coach to use us as their retirement stop.  I don't care how "good" they are - hiring someone that old is going to inevitably end up as them leaving if it's too much work and just taking the money and retiring. 

Sampson's NCAA issues pale in comparison to Urban Meyer's and we were willing to hire him. He may not be the right choice regardless but he can coach.

[SizzleChest 8312]

23 minutes ago, 6th Street said:

Chris Beard has a $13M buyout 

Add in Shaka's buyout, and we're at $20M.  Then you have to add in his new contract, assistant contracts, etc. 

Anyone who think that's a slam dunk is kidding themselves.  Possible, but I give it about a 5% chance at this point.

[Beau Vine 55859]

30 minutes ago, RaysBoomBoomRoom said:

A former Texas assistant coach still coaching at the NCAA level said Texas should “without a doubt” look at Loyola University Chicago head coach Porter Moser. This coaching contact believes he would be a really good fit, along with being a terrific coach in general. This same source shared concern with Musselman’s ability to connect with people the way he would need to at Texas, but loves him as an offensive coach and head coach in general.

Moser was an assistant at A&M under Barone.  And what the fuck is this "Musselman’s ability to connect with people the way he would need to" shit?  Hire a dude who can win games.  It's not complicated.

[Braff Zacklin 13676]

2 hours ago, CurlyDumps said:

Why would anyone be proud of these players? No need to pander and coddle them. They get enough of that from their head “coach.”
 

I liked TJ Ford’s passive aggressive tweet:

I more feel sorry for them. Must suck to realize you’ve been coached by a con man.

Not the first time TJ has tweeted a subtle diss at Shaka's expense. It's a fine line as there's an unwritten rule among former players and coaches, but I think it hurts them to see so much talent being wasted without any direction or promise of improvement.

[Beau Vine 55859]

33 minutes ago, RaysBoomBoomRoom said:

The big push from former Texas players will be for Royal Ivey. Ivey is considered an up and coming coach in NBA circles. He is also considered the leader of the Texas basketball program among the former players. Guys that will push for Ivey to be the next head coach at Texas should the position open will include T.J. Ford, Kevin Durant, Tristan Thompson and every other former Longhorn playing in the NBA. That’s how much Ivey is liked and respected among the former Texas players. Ivey would have every former Texas player back fully invested in the program, which can be a powerful force in recruiting. There has even been talk of all the former Texas players currently in the NBA or formerly in the NBA purchasing a house together in Austin to be around the program as much as possible if Ivey was the head coach one day.

Can you imagine all the top-shelf thots just hanging around in the front yard?

[SizzleChest 8312]

3 minutes ago, Beau Vine said:

Moser was an assistant at A&M under Barone.  And what the fuck is this "Musselman’s ability to connect with people the way he would need to" shit?  Hire a dude who can win games.  It's not complicated.

He's Tom Herman-lite.  It's a fair criticism understanding that aloofness combined with bizarre indifference to program supporters can inhibit success.

[Red Five 41703]

5 minutes ago, Braff Zacklin said:

Not the first time TJ has tweeted a subtle diss at Shaka's expense. It's a fine line as there's an unwritten rule among former players and coaches, but I think it hurts them to see so much talent being wasted without any direction or promise of improvement.

I think it was Scipio talking about former players taking in Shaka's practices, and being just appalled at what they saw. 

[Restinmybones 111]

5 minutes ago, Burt Macklin said:

You can say this for just about any coach, including Shaka. It’s not that simple though. Solid, experienced assistants become Head Coaches or have a reason they’re still at their current school. 

Fair enough. However, since Ivey hasn't been a head coach, experienced assistants might be beneficial. I'm not sure the best staff in basketball could help Smart, right now.