If you haven't yet heard, Tubby Smith has taken the Minnesota head coaching job (can't say that I blame him with the pressure). You're A.D. Mitch Barnhart, who's your choice for the next coach at the University of Kentucky?
notables: Tom Crean (Marquette), Travis Ford (UMass), Billy Donovan (Florida, who didn't renew his contract with the Gators, but still far-fetched)......
2007-03-22 08:42:03 · 6 answers · asked by sweetie_tdp 4 in Sports ➔ Basketball
I've heard Tom Crean too (I live in Louisville as well), but I'm not crazy about him. Some other names that were dropped were Calipari from Memphis and Gillespie from Texas A&M
2007-03-22 10:42:42 · update #1
Let's be honest. Donovan will not leave his new basketball powerhouse in Florida. They're peaking right now, and he's not going to leap off the top of the mountain when the decline hasn't even begun yet.
I don't know if UK will go for one of those bright mid-major coaching stars or not. I do think it's more likely that they'll go for a bigger name, and I think Crean is a good possibility. I heard on ESPN a few weeks back some speculation that if Tubby did leave or was fired that UK might go for Larry Brown.
2007-03-22 12:58:53 · answer #1 · answered by psyduck702 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Might as well take Tom Crean off the short list because:
1) He's under contract with Marquette for the next decade.
2) Even if Crean wanted to take the UK job there's no way MU would let him out of his contract.
3) Crean is already one of the highest paid coaches in the NCAA.
And why would a coach want to walk away from a team that is arguably going to be a pre-season top 10 next year?
2007-03-22 21:33:00 · answer #2 · answered by mindthetwine 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Hi Sweetie,
If i was Mitch Barnhart, i'd take Billy Donovan (if he was available). i've also heard that Mark Few from Gonzanga and Tom Izzo (from Michigan State).
Donovan (not realistic) so i'd say it's between Travis Ford or Mark Few. Travis Ford has a slight edge for me- just because of how well he's doing at UMASS and also because of the Alumni ties.
Nickster
2007-03-22 15:46:38 · answer #3 · answered by Nickster 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is what the local Louisville TV station reported: According to WISN in Milwaukee, the station called Marquette Coach Tom Crean, who sources have said is at the top of UK's "short list" as a possible replacement for Smith and Crean's wife said they have no plans to move and that she wasn't aware of a position opening at UK.
2007-03-22 16:52:48 · answer #4 · answered by Bowllynn 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Their best bet is to try and get Billy Donovan, but I'm not so sure he will leave the swamp land.
2007-03-22 19:35:53 · answer #5 · answered by Lettie D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i'd try to see if larry brown would want to coach college again.
2007-03-22 15:46:59 · answer #6 · answered by dizzle 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋