Possible Coaching Candidates

M

MugCostanza

Well-known member
Lazy Sunday today so was looking at some realistic coaching candidates in order of how much I'd like them. Will probably be missing a few names but would think anybody outside of this list would be a pretty big surprise or would be pretty off the board.

1. Rick Pitino
The Good - He's still one of the best coaches in the country and would be the best coach to ever lead this program. Cleared by the NCAA now and it's nearly impossible for me to envision a scenario where he wouldn't succeed here if he stays healthy. A total grand slam.
The Bad - He will be 71 on opening night next year.
My Grade - 10/10
Would he come? He's been dropping hints about wanting this job the past couple years. That said, have to be mindful of other schools with deeper pockets taking a run at him now that he's been cleared by the NCAA.

2. Chris Mack
The Good - Had a great run at Xavier where he made 8 of 9 NCAA Tournaments including during the transition from the A10 to the Big East which isn't easy. Currently unemployed so no buyout needed.
The Bad - Had a pretty quick and bad flameout at Louisville, though wonder how much the Dino Guadio situation contributed to that. No real ties to the NYC area.
My Grade - 8/10
Would he come? Probably if no better offers out there.

3. Mike Boynton
The Good - NYC guy that has done an admirable job leading Oklahoma State through a turbulent time with NCAA infractions in the toughest conference in the country. Have been top 40 in KP the past 3 seasons.
The Bad - His only NCAA appearance came from adding Cade Cunningham's brother to the coaching staff and generally their record has always lagged behind their metrics
My Grade - 6.5/10
Would he come? Probably not unless Oklahoma State kind of nudges him out the door.

4. Mike Brey
The Good - Has had quite a 20+ year run at Notre Dame in the Big East and ACC
The Bad - Barring a miracle this year he's going to be looking at 1 tournament appearance in his past 6 seasons
My Grade - 6/10
Would he come? - There were rumors he was interested in this job last time it was open before the search became a national embarrassment. ND is probably ready to make a change and Brey could look to get out before getting officially fired.

5. Matt Langel
The Good - Probably the best of the "up and coming" coaches. Inherited a moribund Colgate program and turned them into the absolute class of the Patriot League. Could end up being our version of Steve Pikiell.
The Bad - Has no experience in power conferences even as an Assistant. Far more of an offensive coach than defensive and I personally prefer defensive minded guys that are moving up a level or two.
My Grade - 6/10
Would he come? - Yes

6. Kimani Young
The Good - Queens native and excellent recruiter with lots of ties to this area/ Has already spent time in this program and is the second in command at a top 5 school. Could end up being for us what Jerome Tang has been for Kansas State.
The Bad - No head coaching experience.
My Grade - 6/10
Would he come? - Yes

7. Ryan Odom
The Good - Immediately turned UMBC from one of the worst programs in D1 to respectable and was the first 16 seed to ever beat a 1 seed in the tournament.
Currently in year 2 at Utah State and they are a factor in the Mountain West as usual.
The Bad - Hasn't demonstrated a super high ceiling a Utah State yet and has no NYC ties.
My Grade - 5/10
Would he come? - Would be looking at a substantial raise so probably.

8. Drew Valentine
The Good - Clearly highly respected enough to be given the Loyola Chicago job at the age of 30 after spending years as an Assistant there. Had a strong first season there getting 25 wins and a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament
The Bad - Year 2 has been terrible as they are currently 6-9 (0-3) and 191st in KP. Has not yet proven he can build and maintain a program as the head guy. Not quite sure why so many people are high on him
My Grade - 4.5/10
Would he come? - Yes

9. James Jones
The Good - Has had a decent 20+ year run at Yale.
The Bad - Has never been a Head Coach or Assistant at a major conference program. Not easy to win consistently in the Ivy but he's only made 3 tournaments in his 20+ years there.
My Grade - 3/10
Would he come? - Apparently he interviewed for the job the last time around and word is he really wanted it, so yes.

10. Mark Jackson
The Good - Has NBA head coaching experience and will at the very least provide some national interest by returning to his alma mater.
The Bad - We've already been down this road with Mullin and it didn't go well. NBA guys with little to no college experience struggle bigtime. He would be a disaster IMO. Would be much more likely to have a Ewing like Georgetown run than taking this program to the next level.
My Grade - 0/10
Would he come? - No clue. Hope we never find out.
 
Uninspiring except for #1. Honestly, if we're not gonna go after Pitino or break the bank for a top flight coach. Id just as soon stick with CMA until some hotshot mid-major coach appears, hopefully in a year or two.
 
Nice write up.

Agree w/ Monte though.. If we don't have shot at Pitino, might as well ride it out w/ Anderson as uninspiring as that is. At that point, go get the local ties, lower $ coach like Jared Grasso
 
RedStormNC said:
Nice write up.

Agree w/ Monte though.. If we don't have shot at Pitino, might as well ride it out w/ Anderson as uninspiring as that is. At that point, go get the local ties, lower $ coach like Jared Grasso
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Forgot about Grasso for some reason but he would slot in in that Odom/Valentine range
 
Odom wanted no part of us during the previous search. Not sure what his reasoning was, but he took far less money to go to Utah State.
 
MugCostanza said:
Lazy Sunday today so was looking at some realistic coaching candidates in order of how much I'd like them. Will probably be missing a few names but would think anybody outside of this list would be a pretty big surprise or would be pretty off the board.

1. Rick Pitino
The Good - He's still one of the best coaches in the country and would be the best coach to ever lead this program. Cleared by the NCAA now and it's nearly impossible for me to envision a scenario where he wouldn't succeed here if he stays healthy. A total grand slam.
The Bad - He will be 71 on opening night next year.
My Grade - 10/10
Would he come? He's been dropping hints about wanting this job the past couple years. That said, have to be mindful of other schools with deeper pockets taking a run at him now that he's been cleared by the NCAA.

2. Chris Mack
The Good - Had a great run at Xavier where he made 8 of 9 NCAA Tournaments including during the transition from the A10 to the Big East which isn't easy. Currently unemployed so no buyout needed.
The Bad - Had a pretty quick and bad flameout at Louisville, though wonder how much the Dino Guadio situation contributed to that. No real ties to the NYC area.
My Grade - 8/10
Would he come? Probably if no better offers out there.

3. Mike Boynton
The Good - NYC guy that has done an admirable job leading Oklahoma State through a turbulent time with NCAA infractions in the toughest conference in the country. Have been top 40 in KP the past 3 seasons.
The Bad - His only NCAA appearance came from adding Cade Cunningham's brother to the coaching staff and generally their record has always lagged behind their metrics
My Grade - 6.5/10
Would he come? Probably not unless Oklahoma State kind of nudges him out the door.

4. Mike Brey
The Good - Has had quite a 20+ year run at Notre Dame in the Big East and ACC
The Bad - Barring a miracle this year he's going to be looking at 1 tournament appearance in his past 6 seasons
My Grade - 6/10
Would he come? - There were rumors he was interested in this job last time it was open before the search became a national embarrassment. ND is probably ready to make a change and Brey could look to get out before getting officially fired.

5. Matt Langel
The Good - Probably the best of the "up and coming" coaches. Inherited a moribund Colgate program and turned them into the absolute class of the Patriot League. Could end up being our version of Steve Pikiell.
The Bad - Has no experience in power conferences even as an Assistant. Far more of an offensive coach than defensive and I personally prefer defensive minded guys that are moving up a level or two.
My Grade - 6/10
Would he come? - Yes

6. Kimani Young
The Good - Queens native and excellent recruiter with lots of ties to this area/ Has already spent time in this program and is the second in command at a top 5 school. Could end up being for us what Jerome Tang has been for Kansas State.
The Bad - No head coaching experience.
My Grade - 6/10
Would he come? - Yes

7. Ryan Odom
The Good - Immediately turned UMBC from one of the worst programs in D1 to respectable and was the first 16 seed to ever beat a 1 seed in the tournament.
Currently in year 2 at Utah State and they are a factor in the Mountain West as usual.
The Bad - Hasn't demonstrated a super high ceiling a Utah State yet and has no NYC ties.
My Grade - 5/10
Would he come? - Would be looking at a substantial raise so probably.

8. Drew Valentine
The Good - Clearly highly respected enough to be given the Loyola Chicago job at the age of 30 after spending years as an Assistant there. Had a strong first season there getting 25 wins and a 10 seed in the NCAA Tournament
The Bad - Year 2 has been terrible as they are currently 6-9 (0-3) and 191st in KP. Has not yet proven he can build and maintain a program as the head guy. Not quite sure why so many people are high on him
My Grade - 4.5/10
Would he come? - Yes

9. James Jones
The Good - Has had a decent 20+ year run at Yale.
The Bad - Has never been a Head Coach or Assistant at a major conference program. Not easy to win consistently in the Ivy but he's only made 3 tournaments in his 20+ years there.
My Grade - 3/10
Would he come? - Apparently he interviewed for the job the last time around and word is he really wanted it, so yes.

10. Mark Jackson
The Good - Has NBA head coaching experience and will at the very least provide some national interest by returning to his alma mater.
The Bad - We've already been down this road with Mullin and it didn't go well. NBA guys with little to no college experience struggle bigtime. He would be a disaster IMO. Would be much more likely to have a Ewing like Georgetown run than taking this program to the next level.
My Grade - 0/10
Would he come? - No clue. Hope we never find out.
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Here, you missed some really good candidates:

1) Chris Beard: highly successful coach, can clearly turn a program around, a defensive guru and recently became available (anger management classes first and we are good to go)
2) Norm Roberts: New York ties, Track record as a successful recruiter, Big East head coaching experience, years of big success as a top assistant, oh wait..................
3) Jeff Van Gundy: Great with x's and o's, success as a coach in the big apple, media savvy, great hair
4) Mike Krzyzewski: highly successful coach from a power conference, championship resume, amazing track record of success building a program, became available this year, has a really strong relationship with Mike Cragg.
5) Mike Jarvis: Proved that he could get a program like ours to the tournament, prior success as a head coach in the big east, strong personality, knows the local terrain (although is a bit dismissive of it), will not be deterred in his pursuit of success by following the rules.
6) Norman Dale: Tough, great with x's and o's, has a championship resume, kids love him and will really play for him, gets his teams into great physical condition and teaches them the value of sharing the ball.
7) Lou Carnesecca: Beloved and respected, proven big east winner, loves to recruit NYC, has his name on our home court already, knows where to get the best Italian food in Queens.
 
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The other possible candidates after #1 Pitino all have flaws but are all viable young coaches.
In order of preference they are:
2. Chris Beard
3. Royal Ivey
4. Jared Grasso
5. Matt Langel

Note: Royal Ivey is a New York native who played at Cardozo for legendary high school coach Ron Naclario.
He has great NBA connections and may be ready to start coaching the college game.
 
Rocket said:
The other possible candidates after #1 Pitino all have flaws but are all viable young coaches.
In order of preference they are:
2. Chris Beard
3. Royal Ivey
4. Jared Grasso
5. Matt Langel

Note: Royal Ivey is a New York native who played at Cardozo for legendary high school coach Ron Naclario.
He has great NBA connections and may be ready to start coaching the college game.
Click to expand...
IMO the Big East is not the conference to start coaching the college game
 
MugCostanza said:
IMO the Big East is not the conference to start coaching the college game
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We are chance takers in that regard........Chris Mullin wasn't even an assistant NBA coach - Royal Ivey is and has survived coaching changes in the NBA. Loves New York and would hire the right assistants for recruiting and development.
 
Rocket said:
We are chance takers in that regard........Chris Mullin wasn't even an assistant NBA coach - Royal Ivey is and has survived coaching changes in the NBA. Loves New York and would hire the right assistants for recruiting and development.
Click to expand...
Our chance taking has not worked out before with Norm and Chris. Think we need to take another route this time around.
 
L J S A said:
Read the news lately?
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He would fit perfectly in New York City.
Alvin Bragg would not have even charged him based on his girlfriend's statements.
Heck, Manhattan is the rough sex capital of America.
On pure coaching abilities he is the best candidate after Petino.
He has a young Lou Carnesecca fire in him. Ironically he started his career working for Tom Penders while a young man at Texas. The same Tom Penders Louie tried to physically assault during a game.
 
Me, I'd only want Rick or Jay, they are the only ones that could succeed at SJU, to me anyone one else would be another failure and we'd be doing it all over in 4 years. If we can't get the HR, then I agree with monte, stay with MA.
 
The problem here is, as many posters have mentioned, if you don’t bring in Pitino and he goes to Georgetown and wins big, at the minimum Cragg and possibly Shanley might not be around any more. So they better consider this carefully when the change is made.
 
SJUWillRockNYC said:
Me, I'd only want Rick or Jay, they are the only ones that could succeed at SJU, to me anyone one else would be another failure and we'd be doing it all over in 4 years. If we can't get the HR, then I agree with monte, stay with MA.
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Jay is absolutely nothing more than a pure pipe dream.

I disagree with sticking with CMA if we whiff on the big guns. Coaches in college basketball are like QBs in the NFL. You have to cut bait when they stink and keep trying until you find the right one. Keeping CMA around until there's a new hot young up and coming coach or whatever could be fruitless if 1) one doesn't surface for years or 2) one does surface but goes somewhere else.
 
Anyone else concerned that David Cain destroyed the vaunted Kentucky press in the 1992 ECAC Holiday Festival and Pitino didn't adjust?
 
Pitino clear top choice. I would consider Mack, Grasso, Robert Jones, and Langel. Becker from Vermont should also get serious consideration. He’s 54 from Connecticut and wins a lot.
 
I am less certain than most other fans on this site that there will be a coaching change at StJohn’s at the end of this season.

I am not saying that there should not be a change if current trends continue, but it will all depend upon what remaining part of CMA’s contract is guaranteed.

No one on this site knows for sure what CMA’s .

If Anderson's contract has another $7M plus guaranteed then that I do not see him being terminated for the simple reason that such a sum would likely be too heavy of a lift for St. John’s.

News reports said that a high buyout is why Pitt did not terminate it coach Jeff Capel after his 4th consecutive losing season last year. Fortunately for Pitt his 5th season has started much better.
 
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