Your Pick for the next Head Coach (2018)

[theblueram]

Steve Prohm or Gregg Marshall.

I would go for either of these two.

[ElmCityRhody]

Archie Miller or Bust

[RhodyKyle]

Steve Prohm or Gregg Marshall.

I would go for either of these two.

Marshall is a good coach but my worry is the recruiting now. Once it came out that he treats his players like shit, he lost a bunch of committed recruits and then couldn't maintain any high-level recruiting. Competing against coaches, who are telling parents that if their kids play for Marshall he could be abusive towards them, will become a challenge. If he could prove the recruiting wouldn't suffer, I'd take a shot on him.

[section(105)]

…..maybe the topic title needs to be changed……I know there is no announcement from URI(yet)…….

[Section104]

I think there are four types of candidates:

1. Up and coming coach like was got with Hurley from Wagner (Holloway, Mason)
2. A fired head coach from P5 (Miller, Mack, Drew)
3. A known commodity that's been at a mid-major for a while, but has had success (Becker)
4. A P5 head coach that is on the hot seat and wants a fresh start while he can (think Shaka to Marquette from Texas) - I guess Bobby Hurley would fit this category

Group 1 is probably the riskiest
Group 2 would be quickest and sexiest
Group 3 is probably low-risk, but reminds me a lot of Jim Baron hire - it can work, but is BLAH
Group 4 is probably most unlikely - Bobby isn't walking through that door and I can't think of any Northeast/Mid-Atlantic coaches that fit this description (NC State Head Coach?)

[Section104]

I guess I forgot P5 assistant coach, but I doubt Thorr would go that route after the Cox debacle.

[RhowdyRam02]

Group 4 is probably most unlikely - Bobby isn't walking through that door and I can't think of any Northeast/Mid-Atlantic coaches that fit this description (NC State Head Coach?)

Kevin Keatts could be interesting. Took a bad UNC Wilmington program and made them dominant in the CAA in his time there (41-13 in conference, two NCAA tournaments in 3 years). Takes over an NC State program that had declined at the end of Mark Gottfried's tenure and goes to the tournament in the first year. Then makes the NIT quarterfinal in two consecutive post-seasons (obviously no post season in 2020) but now having a down year. Career 41-44 in the ACC as of today

[Rhody15]

Just thinking to myself if Thorr can somehow try and justify keeping Cox past this year.

There's just no way right?

He's not coaching here next year without an extension, so he's either getting fired or another year added onto his deal.

[Section104]

Other Category would be coaches with Baggage...worked out well with Bruce Pearl

Each has their own unique issue(s) of varying degrees

Pat Chambers
Greg Marshall
Sean Miller
Mike Rice

[PCFriars]

Shaheen Holloway is going to be a star. Love that guy.

[Rhody15]

Other Category would be coaches with Baggage...worked out well with Bruce Pearl

Each has their own unique issue(s) of varying degrees

Pat Chambers
Greg Marshall
Sean Miller
Mike Rice

Chambers and Marshall I could see.

Rice didn’t really have any success, plus the baggage. Hard pass.

We’re too small time for Sean Miller. Not a chance with him.

[Rhodymob05]

Just thinking to myself if Thorr can somehow try and justify keeping Cox past this year.

There's just no way right?

He's not coaching here next year without an extension, so he's either getting fired or another year added onto his deal.

I've played it through my head as well, just seeing or hearing of an update that Cox will be back and seeing how done the fan base would be. It would be extremally ugly.

[Section104]

Just thinking to myself if Thorr can somehow try and justify keeping Cox past this year.

There's just no way right?

He's not coaching here next year without an extension, so he's either getting fired or another year added onto his deal.

I've played it through my head as well, just seeing or hearing of an update that Cox will be back and seeing how done the fan base would be. It would be extremally ugly.

If Cox is here next year then we might as well all look for a new program to support, because Rhode Island basketball would be dead and Thorr (and new University President) would not be the right team to give us a program that sniffs the NCAA tournament

[Jersey77]

Other Category would be coaches with Baggage...worked out well with Bruce Pearl

Each has their own unique issue(s) of varying degrees

Pat Chambers
Greg Marshall
Sean Miller
Mike Rice

Chambers and Marshall I could see.

Rice didn’t really have any success, plus the baggage. Hard pass.

We’re too small time for Sean Miller. Not a chance with him.

Big no to Rice and Chambers.

[thatRamBand]

What's Mike Lonergan up to these days? Have to wonder if he is ready to step back into coaching - ugly business at GW but largely seems like he was the fall guy there for the AD's issues. It's been a while since he's coached anywhere as far as I can tell though. Took Vermont to the NIT and NCAAs, and took GW to an NCAA berth, and 2 NIT's.

[bigappleram]

Boals is a better candidate than Becker. Higher ceiling. Prob harder to snag tho too.

Still think Bryce Drew is a really compelling candidate. Success at 2 different mid majors and a blemish at a P5 that is VERY hard to win at. Even with that he went to NCAA his first year at Vandy. Recruited really well there. Has a name brand like Hurley which will get us into better tournaments, better OOC opponents, more media coverage.

In this day and age anyone that had any player related issues (bullying, physical altercations, etc) is a big NO. That stuff isn't ever getting swept under the rug and will be used against you forever. Marshall, Rice, Lonergan.

I like Holloway but he would be a risk / reward play.

[Rhode_Island_Red]

I don't care about winning the press conference. Who will give us the best chance at winning everything that comes afterward?

[Section104]

Boals is a better candidate than Becker. Higher ceiling. Prob harder to snag tho too.

Still think Bryce Drew is a really compelling candidate. Success at 2 different mid majors and a blemish at a P5 that is VERY hard to win at. Even with that he went to NCAA his first year at Vandy. Recruited really well there. Has a name brand like Hurley which will get us into better tournaments, better OOC opponents, more media coverage.

In this day and age anyone that had any player related issues (bullying, physical altercations, etc) is a big NO. That stuff isn't ever getting swept under the rug and will be used against you forever. Marshall, Rice, Lonergan.

I like Holloway but he would be a risk / reward play.

You've talked me into Drew as my top candidate. Another positive with Drew is I don't think he'd be quick to jump from Rhode Island if he was successful - he's seen that grass isn't always greener at P5 as expectations are sometimes unrealistic.

There was a time that he was one of the top names in all of college basketball for the next big opportunity. The only thing changed from then to now is Vanderbilt cutting the cord too early and failing miserably with their decision to hire Jerry Stackhouse.

[SmartyBarrett]

Saw someone mention Bob Richey last night. Current head coach of Furman. 104-41 there, 15-7 (7-2) this year. Could be a reach into a pretty low major (SoCon) but he does seem to fit the "up-and-coming" mold...

[rambone 78]

BAR nails it in his last post!

[Rhody15]

Boals is a better candidate than Becker. Higher ceiling. Prob harder to snag tho too.

Still think Bryce Drew is a really compelling candidate. Success at 2 different mid majors and a blemish at a P5 that is VERY hard to win at. Even with that he went to NCAA his first year at Vandy. Recruited really well there. Has a name brand like Hurley which will get us into better tournaments, better OOC opponents, more media coverage.

In this day and age anyone that had any player related issues (bullying, physical altercations, etc) is a big NO. That stuff isn't ever getting swept under the rug and will be used against you forever. Marshall, Rice, Lonergan.

I like Holloway but he would be a risk / reward play.

You've talked me into Drew as my top candidate. Another positive with Drew is I don't think he'd be quick to jump from Rhode Island if he was successful - he's seen that grass isn't always greener at P5 as expectations are sometimes unrealistic.

There was a time that he was one of the top names in all of college basketball for the next big opportunity. The only thing changed from then to now is Vanderbilt cutting the cord too early and failing miserably with their decision to hire Jerry Stackhouse.

No chance Bryce Drew is coming here.

He can win at Grand Canyon, and they have one of the best home court advantages in the nation. (Search on YouTube and you'll see why.)

Also, last I checked, Grand Canyon is a for profit school, so improvements may not be as hard to come by.

Wasn't able to find his salary, however.

[bigappleram]

Boals is a better candidate than Becker. Higher ceiling. Prob harder to snag tho too.

Still think Bryce Drew is a really compelling candidate. Success at 2 different mid majors and a blemish at a P5 that is VERY hard to win at. Even with that he went to NCAA his first year at Vandy. Recruited really well there. Has a name brand like Hurley which will get us into better tournaments, better OOC opponents, more media coverage.

In this day and age anyone that had any player related issues (bullying, physical altercations, etc) is a big NO. That stuff isn't ever getting swept under the rug and will be used against you forever. Marshall, Rice, Lonergan.

I like Holloway but he would be a risk / reward play.

You've talked me into Drew as my top candidate. Another positive with Drew is I don't think he'd be quick to jump from Rhode Island if he was successful - he's seen that grass isn't always greener at P5 as expectations are sometimes unrealistic.

There was a time that he was one of the top names in all of college basketball for the next big opportunity. The only thing changed from then to now is Vanderbilt cutting the cord too early and failing miserably with their decision to hire Jerry Stackhouse.

No chance Bryce Drew is coming here.

He can win at Grand Canyon, and they have one of the best home court advantages in the nation. (Search on YouTube and you'll see why.)

Also, last I checked, Grand Canyon is a for profit school, so improvements may not be as hard to come by.

Wasn't able to find his salary, however.

If we can’t make a compelling offer for the coach of Grand Canyon we got bigger problems. And I don’t believe that to be true. Very familiar with GCU and their arena/fan support.

[Rhody15]

You've talked me into Drew as my top candidate. Another positive with Drew is I don't think he'd be quick to jump from Rhode Island if he was successful - he's seen that grass isn't always greener at P5 as expectations are sometimes unrealistic.

There was a time that he was one of the top names in all of college basketball for the next big opportunity. The only thing changed from then to now is Vanderbilt cutting the cord too early and failing miserably with their decision to hire Jerry Stackhouse.

No chance Bryce Drew is coming here.

He can win at Grand Canyon, and they have one of the best home court advantages in the nation. (Search on YouTube and you'll see why.)

Also, last I checked, Grand Canyon is a for profit school, so improvements may not be as hard to come by.

Wasn't able to find his salary, however.

If we can’t make a compelling offer for the coach of Grand Canyon we got bigger problems. And I don’t believe that to be true. Very familiar with GCU and their arena/fan support.

Are you familiar with this? Seems like pretty great fan support to me.

[bigappleram]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

[Rhody15]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

All true, I was just stating some positives around that program.

[Rhodymob05]

I hadn't heard of GCU until 2 or 3 years ago. Pretty shocked they had attendance like that. They lost that game by double digits, but cool video.

[bigappleram]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

All true, I was just stating some positives around that program.

No doubt, their student section is almost legendary at this point...and Arizona is a fun place to call home so he could be plenty happy there and be making 1MM bucks and really like to play top notch golf. If all those things are true then he won't be interested. But if he wants to play in and win NCAA tourney games and get back to a league and program with greater pedigree and relevance we are a step up. And if he makes 500-750K and we can offer north of $1MM I would have to think he listens. But I really have no clue what he makes.

[RhodyKyle]

I hadn't heard of GCU until 2 or 3 years ago. Pretty shocked they had attendance like that. They lost that game by double digits, but cool video.

Because they only joined D1 in 2020, I believe.

[bigappleram]

I hadn't heard of GCU until 2 or 3 years ago. Pretty shocked they had attendance like that. They lost that game by double digits, but cool video.

Because they only joined D1 in 2020, I believe.

2013. Thunder Dan Majerle was their first D1 coach. They were a D2 and NAIA powerhouse before that.

[RhodyKyle]

I hadn't heard of GCU until 2 or 3 years ago. Pretty shocked they had attendance like that. They lost that game by double digits, but cool video.

Because they only joined D1 in 2020, I believe.

2013. Thunder Dan Majerle was their first D1 coach. They were a D2 and NAIA powerhouse before that.

Thanks, BAR!

[Billyboy78]

IIRC, Majerle had a messy breakup with GCU.

[rjsuperfly66]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

Well, if a coach like this is good enough to warrant moving up in level, what gives URI the leg up over comparable programs? I’ve seen a lot of names mentioned here that have no significant geographic connection. Not that it’s an end-all, but why is a southeast or Midwest guy choosing URI if there is a better geographic fit with comparable pay? I believe Bryce Drew may have been among candidates for the Arizona job last year, so he’s not far away from another major gig.

[bigappleram]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

Well, if a coach like this is good enough to warrant moving up in level, what gives URI the leg up over comparable programs? I’ve seen a lot of names mentioned here that have no significant geographic connection. Not that it’s an end-all, but why is a southeast or Midwest guy choosing URI if there is a better geographic fit with comparable pay? I believe Bryce Drew may have been among candidates for the Arizona job last year, so he’s not far away from another major gig.

Agreed it certainly depends on where his head is at and what other options are out there. And a lot of it comes down to pay. IF a P5 offer for him isn't imminent...and if you can offer him a significant raise then URI isn't a comparable program nor is the A10 a comparable conference to the WAC. Geographic ties are nice to haves but not must have IMO. Build a staff for the local recruiting pipeline.

[Rhody72]

Bryce can show us how to make half-court shots to win an NCAAT game!

[Backroads]

Get me a coach who can land Isaiah Miranda

[rambone 78]

Every time I visit this thread, I see the first post......77% of us wanted Cox, including myself.

If we only knew.....not that it would have mattered.

[section(105)]

Every time I visit this thread, I see the first post......77% of us wanted Cox, including myself.

If we only knew.....not that it would have mattered.

……sure, I thought we would get Hurley lite………what we got was way less fulfilling and awful taste……

[LoveThoseRams]

Why don't we start another poll with viable candidates?

[section(105)]

Why don't we start another poll with viable candidates?

…go for it…….

[rjsuperfly66]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

Well, if a coach like this is good enough to warrant moving up in level, what gives URI the leg up over comparable programs? I’ve seen a lot of names mentioned here that have no significant geographic connection. Not that it’s an end-all, but why is a southeast or Midwest guy choosing URI if there is a better geographic fit with comparable pay? I believe Bryce Drew may have been among candidates for the Arizona job last year, so he’s not far away from another major gig.

Agreed it certainly depends on where his head is at and what other options are out there. And a lot of it comes down to pay. IF a P5 offer for him isn't imminent...and if you can offer him a significant raise then URI isn't a comparable program nor is the A10 a comparable conference to the WAC. Geographic ties are nice to haves but not must have IMO. Build a staff for the local recruiting pipeline.

Sure, I guess my point was that if his agent is suggesting he’s available as schools reach out, he’s probably going to have interest from a lot of different places, and at that point I do think geography matters more. If someone like Archie Miller is looking to get back into coaching, URI isn’t gonna be his only option. So what creates that desirability?

When Dan came to URI, he was a good hire but certainly not a slam dunk. I think that type of hire is more likely, the guy with potential whose not fully proven.

[bigappleram]

Of course, it’s all a matter of interest and availability. I just think Drew is something you feasibly could target. For whatever reason I see Miller as a bigger reach even tho their career resumes are all that different.

IMO tho Dan was an up and comer he was pretty close to a slam dunk for a few reasons. Like Tammi Reiss it was immediately apparent on his will alone he was likely going to win. Just a matter of how long it would take. Once he signed EC and Hassan it was set in motion.

[rambone 78]

We have to hire someone who has had proven success, even if it's at a lower level.

Someone who knows his X's and O's....I'm sick and tired of having coaches that are lost in how to attack a zone defense.

The thing is, Thorr is not a coach.....he's got to get this right.

[Jersey77]

We have to hire someone who has had proven success, even if it's at a lower level.

Someone who knows his X's and O's....I'm sick and tired of having coaches that are lost in how to attack a zone defense.

The thing is, Thorr is not a coach.....he's got to get this right.

Attacking the zone shouldn't be that difficult, as long as you have shooters, and the players know how to pass.

[rambone 78]

We have to hire someone who has had proven success, even if it's at a lower level.

Someone who knows his X's and O's....I'm sick and tired of having coaches that are lost in how to attack a zone defense.

The thing is, Thorr is not a coach.....he's got to get this right.

Attacking the zone shouldn't be that difficult, as long as you have shooters, and the players know how to pass.

Yeah you're right. Problem is, players who can do those things here are rare indeed.

[Iggy1979]

Yes I’ve seen it. But it’s still a new D1 program in a league with Tarleton and Cal Baptist. But if a gimmicky for profit religious school. Rhody is a better program in a better league and if we could hypothetically pay him much better than it seems like it could be compelling. Again could be I have no idea what his aspirations are and how happy he is at GCU.

All true, I was just stating some positives around that program.

No doubt, their student section is almost legendary at this point...and Arizona is a fun place to call home so he could be plenty happy there and be making 1MM bucks and really like to play top notch golf. If all those things are true then he won't be interested. But if he wants to play in and win NCAA tourney games and get back to a league and program with greater pedigree and relevance we are a step up. And if he makes 500-750K and we can offer north of $1MM I would have to think he listens. But I really have no clue what he makes.

we could throw in a membership to Laurel Lane

[CamsRams]

Prediction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaheen_Holloway

[SGreenwell]

Why don't we start another poll with viable candidates?

Cox hasn't officially been let go, and we have no idea who is a realistic candidate or not, plus there are a month of games left. Plus, you know, URI could decide to retain Cox. So, no poll until then. I think this thread will suffice until there has actually been movement on a front.

[ramster]

Seems that people are still able to vote in the Poll even though it is 4 years old? The votes for Pitino are definitely increasing. It was 17 just yesterday and I think maybe only 11 or 14 a week or so ago? Strange.

I had already voted 4 years ago so I cannot vote again but it does show who I wanted 4 years ago because it shows in bold.

I’d felt at the time that 2 back to back NCAA Tournaments plus winning our first game both years warranted a solid, experienced Head Coaching search.

In addition we had proven our ability to recruit Nationally Ranked Top 100 HS Players and Transfers in Matthews, Terrell, Robinson and Iverson plus a heck of a warrior and leader of men in Hassan Martin. Followed up by Jeff Dowtin and Cyril Langevine who played big roles on their St John’s College HS and St Patrick’s HS teams that both got ranked Top 10 Nationally in USA Today. Then Fatts Russell joined in who played high level HS ball.

I’d still take Pitino today in a NY minute just as I would have then.

[Iggy1979]

My early pick is Luke Murray. Let's go young and bold.

[section(105)]

…….no thanks, no OJT here, not this time…….