Realistic Coaching Candidates

[redfred]

About getting a coach "on the cheap". I agree that money is going to have to make up for other disparities here (eg lack of success, no big school name recognition in basketball etc) but I've been party to too many situations where money was going to solve everything. It almost never worked. We can spend any amount and get a top quality coach.....who only comes for the money, and it will be a recipe for continued disaster imo.

We are going to have to pony up to get a good coach and we're really going to have to pony up to keep one once he has success here.......but we really need someone who fits our needs. We need one with the confidence ( read ego) who believes he's special enough to get the job done......... one who wants to be here.......one who will work tirelessly to bring in the "special" players........one who will take ownership of THIS job.

If it is perceived that this could be a career ending job.....then yes, we will need to make an offer that makes the risk worth while. But thinking money will fix everything is a mistake imo. Put the money in the facilities, in the "plant" that stays here, and helps to entice players to come here....... and then get a coach that thinks he can do the job and then reward him mightily when he does. Make him earn it. It's old fashioned but it's the way that I would go.

Oh yeah, one other thing since everyone is being rather hard on TO here. He did something that I'm sure future coaches noticed. He didn't kick him to the curb too early and he rewarded him with a transitional monies when it didn't work out. This will be noticed by prospective coaches.

[Capn Krunch]

I'd be happy with Stallings. I would be less than impressed with Altman. But what do I know. Well, one thing I know is that most of the head coaching positions at even the best b-ball schools will be filled with people who are currently assistants. If we can't hit the home run, I would rather take a flyer on a current assistant, maybe a little before his time,  who has all of the earmarks of success and is a top-notch recruiter. Someone who won't be denied being successful. The only thing that will disappoint me is hiring a guy who tries to make his living off of the players OSU and Wisconsin don't want and we are in recruiting battles with the  Wisconsin - Green Bays of the world.

[Bummerbry]

No mention of Stallings or Altman even in the "top group of 8" but Barfy did say there was double digit list to work off so we should assume those two coaches are on there somewhere (and I am very happy they are using Folger!).

Altman, although not that exciting name, would provide a better product than Doc did and probably get NU to the dance at an acceptable rate for TO and most Husker fans.Barfy mentions the big buyout, I am sure TO wants no part of it as he says but I am also sure some of the others have buyouts too, just not that big. Remember, Altman has a an excellent rep in the D1 coaching world and BCS conference schools have been chasing him for years. Lets not let where he used to coach affect your views of him. But he may not want to be the "last choice" for the NU job anyways, nor probably should he. But NU has already made a run at Howland and I am guessing will be trying to feel out Shaka Smart as soon as today. The more we speak with others and not him the less likely it will be him in my opinion.

As much as I would like to have a Groce or Smart or even Stallings (not too excited about the other 8 on Barfy's list, I would be happy with an Altman because I know NU would be better and be better respected. Still have my fingers crossed for one of my top 2 (Groce or Smart) and am hoping for Groce.

[AlbqHusker]

Dave Bliss

[UNK_LOPERS]

My love for Nebraska basketball trumps all.  It transcends everything, even teams I happen to dislike.  If Dana Altman was the best man for the job, believe you me, it wouldn't even matter that he coached for Creighton, Notre Dame, or even Texas.

He's not the best man for the job though.  However, I do see a few canidates on this "list" that would make me beg for Altman.  In all reality, Altman, Fish, and perhaps Strickland could be a pretty salty crew.  That's nothing to scoff at and would be better than the status quo.  

It's just not the best option.  

[UNK_LOPERS]

Dave Bliss

 

[Bummerbry]

My love for Nebraska basketball trumps all.  It transcends everything, even teams I happen to dislike.  If Dana Altman was the best man for the job, believe you me, it wouldn't even matter that he coached for Creighton, Notre Dame, or even Texas.

He's not the best man for the job though.  However, I do see a few canidates on this "list" that would make me beg for Altman.  In all reality, Altman, Fish, and perhaps Strickland could be a pretty salty crew.  That's nothing to scoff at and would be better than the status quo.  

It's just not the best option.  

Don't disagree with the mention of not being in love with some of these names: Gregg Marshall of Wichita State, Tad Boyle of Colorado, Tim Miles of Colorado State, Tommy Amaker of Harvard and Rob Jeter of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Altman is far more proven than any of those names. If they cannot get Groce or Smart or even Stallings if what someone said about him is true, I would prefer your "salty crew" over that list.

[UNK_LOPERS]

Yeah, I'm not entirely sure Marshall would come here.  Even if he did I don't think it would be a good fit.  Not having Big 10 recruiting ties is a huge negative in my book.  Tim Miles and Rob Jeter are laughable, I have a lot more faith in T.O. than that.  Tad Boyle is a good coach.....I mean really good.  That man has got a very bright future.  He also doesn't have any Big 10 recruiting ties.  I'm not sure I'd hire him for this job, but if your top choices run out then it could be an option.  Amaker had his shot in the Big 10 already and blew it.  Yeah, he started there under some unique circumstances, but it's still Michigan and he still had 7 years.  He's a no for me. 

Now that Howland has been contacted and is out, my top 3 would be....

1. John Groce
2. Jamie Dixon
3.  Shaka Smart

[SUHnami]

Yeah, I'm not entirely sure Marshall would come here.  Even if he did I don't think it would be a good fit.  Not having Big 10 recruiting ties is a huge negative in my book.  Tim Miles and Rob Jeter are laughable, I have a lot more faith in T.O. than that.  Tad Boyle is a good coach.....I mean really good.  That man has got a very bright future.  He also doesn't have any Big 10 recruiting ties.  I'm not sure I'd hire him for this job, but if your top choices run out then it could be an option.  Amaker had his shot in the Big 10 already and blew it.  Yeah, he started there under some unique circumstances, but it's still Michigan and he still had 7 years.  He's a no for me. 

Now that Howland has been contacted and is out, my top 3 would be....

1. John Groce
2. Jamie Dixon
3.  Shaka Smart

Heck if Ohio wins they'll be in the Sweet 16.   

[Bummerbry]

They won. Now we wait longer on Groce and his $ tag just went up!

[SUHnami]

They won. Now we wait longer on Groce and his $ tag just went up!

Een w/o Marshall I don't think UNC will lose to Ohio.  So hopefully if Groce is on NU's radar we'll be able to talk to him sooner.

[howie long]

Groce, Smart, Stallings or Dixon I hope are who it comes down to.

[joshuahuskers]

Is Dixon a realistic possibility?  Would be a home run hire.  Proven coach in what is regarded as the best hoops conference in the nation.  Would he leave Pitt?

[AlbqHusker]

Fran Fraschilla getting attention in Lincoln according to insiders.

[chrisrd22]

Fran Fraschilla or however you spell it is an old dog looking for one last payday.  Dixon by far is the top choice.  Stallings would be a great get. 

NU is a plum job for many reasons, some of the names popping up reinforce that.  Hopefully these aren't all just leverage plays, unless TO leaves a blank in the envelope for the right guy...