The 2021 Coaching Carousel

[NHRamFan]

The only way that really makes sense is if Texas told him he should look elsewhere, right? Marquette is a big step down

But, but, but....it's the Big East. All BE supporters will tell you that it's the ONLY place to be for college hoops. (please apply sarcasm font)

[ace]

The only way that really makes sense is if Texas told him he should look elsewhere, right? Marquette is a big step down

Sometimes things just reach their natural end (like Pitt and Jamie Dixon, for example). He was fine at Texas- some lows, some highs, kind of meh. Boosters at programs like Texas are always going to be awful, but some of them showed a very ugly side recently. I wouldn’t want any part of that. Marquette is all about basketball and they back it up with resources, more than I think I even realized. I like Shaka a lot and love the Big East (always have, always will, don’t care that you all don’t). I have no interest in Texas and kind of dislike VCU. Therefore, I like the move.

[reef]

Shaka grew up in Madison Wisconsin so that may have played a factor too

[RhowdyRam02]

Am I misremembering or was he rumored for the Marquette job before? When they went from Buzz Williams to Steve Wojciechowski?

[rjsuperfly66]

Am I misremembering or was he rumored for the Marquette job before? When they went from Buzz Williams to Steve Wojciechowski?

Correct...

"Marquette reportedly tabbed Shaka Smart as its No. 1 candidate to replace Buzz Williams, but the VCU coach will not be taking over the Golden Eagles, according to Gary Parrish of CBS Sports. Marquette made a run at Smart but has now "completely moved on to other targets," according to Parrish.

Marquette is far from the first school to make a run at hiring Smart, but with his Wisconsin ties, some speculated the Golden Eagles' job might be attractive enough to finally get Smart to jump. There were even rumors and false reports that Smart had accepted the position. Those reports were eventually determined to be inaccurate and now it appears Marquette is moving on and Smart is staying at VCU, at least for now."

https://www.sbnation.com/college-basket ... haka-smart

[Rhody15]

The only way that really makes sense is if Texas told him he should look elsewhere, right? Marquette is a big step down

Sometimes things just reach their natural end (like Pitt and Jamie Dixon, for example). He was fine at Texas- some lows, some highs, kind of meh. Boosters at programs like Texas are always going to be awful, but some of them showed a very ugly side recently. I wouldn’t want any part of that. Marquette is all about basketball and they back it up with resources, more than I think I even realized. I like Shaka a lot and love the Big East (always have, always will, don’t care that you all don’t). I have no interest in Texas and kind of dislike VCU. Therefore, I like the move.

To me, they’ve been the most disappointing P5 team in the country since Shaka took over.

No way I would describe Shaka as being “fine” at Texas.

6 years, below .500 in conference games, ZERO tournament wins.

[Rhode_Island_Red]

Being basketball coach at Texas is an impossible job. The yahoo boosters don’t understand why Smart didn’t win the Orange Bowl every year.

/s/

[Rhody15]

Being basketball coach at Texas is an impossible job. The yahoo boosters don’t understand why Smart didn’t win the Orange Bowl every year.

/s/

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

[PeterRamTime]

Being basketball coach at Texas is an impossible job. The yahoo boosters don’t understand why Smart didn’t win the Orange Bowl every year.

/s/

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

[NYGFan_Section208]

The talk is Kruger is retiring at Oklahoma. I believe that is what Zags is talking about in his tweet.

I think you are right about Kruger.
Wouldn't be surprised if Turgeon does leave, has been rumored for awhile, there always seemed to be some friction with him at Maryland.

I don't know Mark Turgeon...but he just strikes me as a guy who operates in a high friction zone...

[bigappleram]

But Shaka at Marquette is a much better fit. He can get closer to recruiting the types of kids he won with at VCU but upleveled a bit. And building the type of identity that is more natural for him IMO. He’s not the coach for a roster of one and done guys. He will win with really good 3 and 4 star recruits. Fwiw I view Dan similarly.

[NYGFan_Section208]

Being basketball coach at Texas is an impossible job. The yahoo boosters don’t understand why Smart didn’t win the Orange Bowl every year.

/s/

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

I'll wager a six pack against that.

[Rhody22]

As a Marquette post grad graduate, I am super excited!

[PeterRamTime]

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

I'll wager a six pack against that.

Deal.

All he has to do is win one tournament game!

[theblueram]

Being basketball coach at Texas is an impossible job. The yahoo boosters don’t understand why Smart didn’t win the Orange Bowl every year.

/s/

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

?????Rick Barnes had two Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and a Final Four. He made 16 NCAAT at Texas.

[PeterRamTime]

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

?????Rick Barnes had two Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and a Final Four. He made 16 NCAAT at Texas.

Yeah and in his last seven years there he lost in the second round 3 times, first round 3 times and went to the CBI once.....where he also lost in the first round.

Barnes is 24-24 in the NCAA tournament as a coach with 12 first round exits to his name.

[theblueram]

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

?????Rick Barnes had two Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and a Final Four. He made 16 NCAAT at Texas.

Yeah and in his last seven years there he lost in the second round 3 times, first round 3 times and went to the CBI once.....where he also lost in the first round.

Barnes is 24-24 in the NCAA tournament as a coach with 12 first round exits to his name.

Well, that's a bit different than he couldn't get them out of the first round, no? I count 6 first round exists out of 16 NCAAT appearances.

[PeterRamTime]

?????Rick Barnes had two Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and a Final Four. He made 16 NCAAT at Texas.

Yeah and in his last seven years there he lost in the second round 3 times, first round 3 times and went to the CBI once.....where he also lost in the first round.

Barnes is 24-24 in the NCAA tournament as a coach with 12 first round exits to his name.

Well, that's a bit different than he couldn't get them out of the first round, no? I count 6 first round exists out of 16 NCAAT appearances.

Yeah but they literally fired him because they weren't progressing at all. I wasn't being totally factual but in passing that is what texas fans say and Tennessee fans are feeling that right now after a first round exit this year.

To go back to Shaka, after that final 4 he's just 2-7 in the tournament.

[reef]

I think time has run it’s course for Shaka at Texas , he had his best team there this year and then they spoiled themselves to Abilene

I like the hire for Marquette a step up from Wojo

[Rhody15]

It’s pretty inexcusable to be under .500 in conference with 0 tournament wins in 6 years at Texas with those resources and an unlimited athletics budget.

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

I'll wager a six pack against that.

You realize “better” means he has to only win one tournament game, right?

[NYGFan_Section208]

Didn't make a lot of sense why he wasn't more successful there.

I mean they fired Rick Barnes because he couldn't get them out of thr first round and it turns Shaka sure can't either.

That Abilene Christian loss was brutal. They really had no business losing to that team.

He will probably do better at Marquette.

I'll wager a six pack against that.

You realize “better” means he has to only win one tournament game, right?

No...I disagree, but that's probably a longer debate than I want to have. What you're saying is that every coach that has won 'a' (1) tourney game is automatically 'better' than every coach that hasn't...and I just don't think that's true. (If you thought about it, you probably wouldn't either)

[Rhody15]

I'll wager a six pack against that.

You realize “better” means he has to only win one tournament game, right?

No...I disagree, but that's probably a longer debate than I want to have. What you're saying is that every coach that has won 'a' (1) tourney game is automatically 'better' than every coach that hasn't...and I just don't think that's true. (If you thought about it, you probably wouldn't either)

Yes, I’ll agree I jumped the gun with that statement.

So then what will be “better?”

I’ll say if (he will) he has a better conference winning percentage (under .500 at Texas) along with more NCAA wins at Marquette, that’ll be considered better than Texas.

[NYGFan_Section208]

You realize “better” means he has to only win one tournament game, right?

No...I disagree, but that's probably a longer debate than I want to have. What you're saying is that every coach that has won 'a' (1) tourney game is automatically 'better' than every coach that hasn't...and I just don't think that's true. (If you thought about it, you probably wouldn't either)

Yes, I’ll agree I jumped the gun with that statement.

So then what will be “better?”

I’ll say if (he will) he has a better conference winning percentage (under .500 at Texas) along with more NCAA wins at Marquette, that’ll be considered better than Texas.

Agree. I just don't (intuitively, w/o research) have the same amount of optimism for Marquette as Texas...

[PeterRamTime]

I feel like Shaka will do better with less for some reason.

Seemed like he abandoned Havoc and the style of play that made VCU so good.

Just went to Texas and tried to be something he's not.

I think at Marquette he'll ratched up that pressure and get back to his roots a little bit.

[Rhode_Island_Red]

?????Rick Barnes had two Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights and a Final Four. He made 16 NCAAT at Texas.

Don't see any Cotton Bowls in there.


/s/

[reef]

Mike Woodson got the IU job former Hoosier great with head coaching experience in the NBA with the Hawks and Knicks

[ramster]

Mike Woodson got the IU job former Hoosier great with head coaching experience in the NBA with the Hawks and Knicks

Good choice.

[reef]

I like it too Ramster

[PCFriars]

Was Oats ever on the URI staff? I thought he was, but looks like I was wrong on that. Is there any connection to RI outside of just being an assistant for Bobby Hurley at Buffalo?

[ace]

Was Oats ever on the URI staff? I thought he was, but looks like I was wrong on that. Is there any connection to RI outside of just being an assistant for Bobby Hurley at Buffalo?

He was EC Matthews high school coach, so he knew both Hurleys. Dan suggested he reach out to Bobby when he took the Buffalo job because he was looking to get into the college game.

[PCFriars]

Was Oats ever on the URI staff? I thought he was, but looks like I was wrong on that. Is there any connection to RI outside of just being an assistant for Bobby Hurley at Buffalo?

He was EC Matthews high school coach, so he knew both Hurleys. Dan suggested he reach out to Bobby when he took the Buffalo job because he was looking to get into the college game.

Got it. That’s a cool story. Thanks for the reply.

[JimSidd]

Mike Woodson got the IU job former Hoosier great with head coaching experience in the NBA with the Hawks and Knicks

Good choice.

I know he’s an alum and was an excellent player for them, but that was over 40 years ago. At 63 years old with an NBA coaching background, I say this won’t work.

[Rhode_Island_Red]

Mike Woodson got the IU job former Hoosier great with head coaching experience in the NBA with the Hawks and Knicks

Good choice.

I know he’s an alum and was an excellent player for them, but that was over 40 years ago. At 63 years old with an NBA coaching background, I say this won’t work.

Juwan Howard seems to be doing OK with his NBA coaching background. If anything, today's transfer-riddled college game seems better suited for NBA coaches, who have to figure out how to win and keep their players happy at the same time.

[URI_05]

Good choice.

I know he’s an alum and was an excellent player for them, but that was over 40 years ago. At 63 years old with an NBA coaching background, I say this won’t work.

Juwan Howard seems to be doing OK with his NBA coaching background. If anything, today's transfer-riddled college game seems better suited for NBA coaches, who have to figure out how to win and keep their players happy at the same time.

Maybe it'll work out? Mussleman was also a bad NBA coach who seems to be doing pretty well.

[RAMFAN]

[Rhode_Island_Red]

Poor bastard. Wonder what he'll do after Fordham ruins his coaching career.

[section(105)]

.......the bar for Fordham is pretty low, no?......climb just up from the cellar floor to peak out the windows and he’ll be genius.......maybe an NYC high ranked kid will go there......stop me, we have seen this movie trailer before.......he will no doubt see “three envelopes” in his desk draw......

[ramster]

Neptune was at Villanova when they got Eric Paschall to transfer from Fordham to Villanova. Ironic that he now goes to Fordham as HC.

Paschall is averaging 17 mpg, 3 rpg and 10 ppg for Golden State this season.

[RhowdyRam02]

Does it really matter for the rest of the A10 if we have a successful NY team? I don't see where Fordham being successful (assuming they ever can be in this conference) would really move the needle much for them in NY, let alone help the entire A10 in NY

[ramster]

Does it really matter for the rest of the A10 if we have a successful NY team? I don't see where Fordham being successful (assuming they ever can be in this conference) would really move the needle much for them in NY, let alone help the entire A10 in NY

No, I think the performance of Fordham, or lack thereof, is overrated when it comes to URI.

It is an excuse to NOT look at the true root cause(s) of why URI lost two games to Duquesne, lost two games to UMASS, came in 10th in the A10.

We should focus on our own team and get up with Dayton, VCU and St Louis as we were under Hurley and Harrick.

[ramster]

Good choice.

I know he’s an alum and was an excellent player for them, but that was over 40 years ago. At 63 years old with an NBA coaching background, I say this won’t work.

Juwan Howard seems to be doing OK with his NBA coaching background. If anything, today's transfer-riddled college game seems better suited for NBA coaches, who have to figure out how to win and keep their players happy at the same time.

Woodson is from Indianapolis, he played for Bobby Knight at IU, played a long career in the NBA and was a long time Assistant and Head Coach in the NBA. The idea of an Indianapolis native coming back home and being the Head Coach of the School he player for under the legend Bobby Knight is a great story.

IU will not need to worry about Woodson leaving for greener pastures - he will settle right in at IU.

Good choice. It it doesn't work out they reassess but I think Woodson has established solid connections in the basketball world that can help him succeed.

[SGreenwell]

Woodson is a 63-year-old dude who will be a college head coach for the first time. He's got little in common with Howard, who's been a guy identified in NBA circles for years as a good communicator and coaching candidate, with strong ties to Michigan and to kids because he's in one of ESPN's most popular documentaries about college basketball. Woodson's NBA record is 315-365. About the only reason to hire him is his connection to Indiana, so I'm not really optimistic about his chances there.

[ramster]

Interesting shot taken at Jeff Goodman for not crediting the first source..............

[SGreenwell]

Interesting shot taken at Jeff Goodman for not crediting the first source..............

I mean, Goodman already apologized:

[ramster]

Interesting shot taken at Jeff Goodman for not crediting the first source..............

I mean, Goodman already apologized:

yep,

after he got called out

[reef]

I just looked up Kyle Neptune on wiki but he doesn’t have a page , hopefully he is better than the LaSalle coach who also came from Nova

As for IU most of the press is positive with the Woodson hire , they feel after missing the last 3 hires with Sampson Crean and Archie M that going inside the family will work

[PlayMikeMotenMore]

Does it really matter for the rest of the A10 if we have a successful NY team? I don't see where Fordham being successful (assuming they ever can be in this conference) would really move the needle much for them in NY, let alone help the entire A10 in NY

Agree.

1) Fordham has never been good in the A-10 so how can somebody say having a good Fordham program helps the A-10? There is absolutely zero track record to make that statement from. (Has anybody ever stated having Columbia good at anything is best for the Ivy League??)

2) The rest of the A-10 has never given a hoot about Fordham before and I don't think that's going to change even when they're good.

[PlayMikeMotenMore]

Woodson is a 63-year-old dude who will be a college head coach for the first time. He's got little in common with Howard, who's been a guy identified in NBA circles for years as a good communicator and coaching candidate, with strong ties to Michigan and to kids because he's in one of ESPN's most popular documentaries about college basketball. Woodson's NBA record is 315-365. About the only reason to hire him is his connection to Indiana, so I'm not really optimistic about his chances there.

Strange hire. A 63-year old career NBA lifer is now going to have to go to high school gyms and AAU tourneys to watch a bunch of 16-17 year old's?

[Gonebarongone]

I think time has run it’s course for Shaka at Texas , he had his best team there this year and then they spoiled themselves to Abilene

I like the hire for Marquette a step up from Wojo

I am not going to cry for any coach at Texas, considering what they are getting paid and what the resources are. But, I do think it is a sneaky tough gig in this era of college basketball. You are big enough to dip your toes in the water of one and dones or top 50 type recruits but not big enough like Duke or UK where you are rolling multiple high end guys every year. You get one year of Jarrett Allen or Mo Bamba and it's almost like a constant half measure of trying to do a mini rebuild every year. I'd much rather coach a team like Marquette where I can still get top 150 guys, add some transfers, coach them up, and constantly have an older, experienced, talented team after a while. And then hope one of them pops for a special run.

[Bos8]

Jason Shay out at ETSU. He was in his first year after taking over from Steve Forbes when he left to head to Wake Forest.