[quote="Class of 72" post=338794][quote="Beast of the East" post=338746][quote="P Simmons" post=338740][quote="Beast of the East" post=338710][quote="P Simmons" post=338694]Serious question: if Cluess is such a great catch, what's he still doing at Iona at the age of 60? Mean no disrespect to him personally, but you'd think he would have made the leap to a high-major team by this point in his career.
If we're going to take someone in the twilight of their career, then Pitino is my choice. If we want someone who's going to be here for 20 years, then obviously a Hurley type is needed.[/quote]
If you know anything about Cluess, it is quite likely he will never leave this area, for family reasons. In one of my favorite all time Cluess comments, he said "I don't care where I coach, St. Mary's, Suffolk CC, Post, Iona, town intramurals, it's all the same to me. I love coaching basketball."[/quote]
No, I did not know that Cluess will never leave this area for a coaching position. Has he ever been offered a HC job for a high-major team?[/quote]
Being there are so few in this area, i'm going to guess no. I think even Providence would be too far for him, but it's also possible that he would have considered a move. I'm just saying what I know he has said.
It would be a novel approach. Hire a guy who has won every single place he has been with absurdly good results, that won't cost a ton, that won't be lazy, whose kids would go through the wall for him, who is a tough disciplinarian, and can evaluate both talent and coach X's and O's. If my math is right, he is 5 years younger than Pitino, wold cost a ton less and could be here in 10 years.[/quote]
It would be a sad indictment if Cluess was a major contender for the job. He was never even in the conversation over the past 9 years from Lavin to Mullin. So Iona had the right hire all these years? I don't think so. If nickel and dime hires are our alternatives we are going to be forever Fordham, companion to DePaul and going backwards instead of forward.
Cluess won at very low mid major levels and his teams play average defense. I expect a national search this time with real candidates who are not past their prime but are experienced enough to build a program.[/quote]
Personally, I was for either Dan Hurley or Tim Cluess on the hire that became Mullin. So yes, he was the right choice back then.
Guy has won everywhere he's been. And, if we're going to be as bad next year as most of us think, at least we'll be exciting to watch, if Cluess comes aboard.