2008 College Basketball Coaching Changes

[CollegeSportsInfo]

2008 College Basketball Coaching Changes (http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog/2008/04/2008-college-basketball-coaching.html)

In order to keep the coaching changes threads consolidated, here are the updates on recent coaching changes. As in previous years, you'll find confirmed and rumored candidates as well as recently filled positions.

Some Updates:
Idaho: Utah St. assistant Don Verlin to be named coach
Kent St: Geno Ford promoted to head coach



.

[danefan]

Laranaga got a 3-year extension at GM today so he's out of Providence running:
http://www.beloblog.com/ProJo_Blogs/sportsblog/

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Been hearing more about former BC/Ohio St. coach Jim O'Brien as well

[TexasTerror]

Thanks for posting this...

Actually remembered your site and how you always listed the candidates, so I've been keeping tabs especially as it relates to Rice and WKU. Wish you also covered women's hoops...guess we're not as lucky!

[CollegeSportsInfo]

what is this womens hoops you speak of, T-squared?

[813Jag]

You can add Grambling to this list, I haven't heard any candidates yet.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Bill Bayno is expected to accept the head coaching job at LMU.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

and Bill Grier has been offered the Oregon St. job. It seems that if he delays his decision, that it means he's in play at Cal...the more attractive job.

[TexasTerror]

Tony Harvey, formerly of Missouri to Texas Southern...

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/myfox/pages/Sports/Detail?contentId=6204083&version=3&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=6.1.1

[brownbear]

Former Stanford and Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery taking over at Cal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3329152

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Didn't happen as quickly as I thought it would, but Montgomery to Cal is certainly the most impacting change of the season thus far. It could only be topped with a coup like Self to Oklahoma St.

With Montgomery back in the Pac-10, it's an impressive list of coaches: Montgomery (Cal), Howland (UCLA), Olsen (Arizona), Bennett (Wazzu), Floyd (USC), Johnson (Stanford). Throw in Romar at Washington, Sendek at ASU and you have a great group of coaches. Ernie Kent at Oregon has had some troubles of late with rumors that Oregon wanted to make a change. But if you force Kent out, you really need to bring in a homerun Mark Few. Montgomery would have been GREAT for Oregon had they let Kent go, but for now the Pac-10 has 9 very good coaches. It will be interesting to see what happens at Oregon St.

[Tod]

Former Stanford and Golden State Warriors coach Mike Montgomery taking over at Cal.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3329152

Ahem...also former University of Montana coach Mike Montgomery...eight seasons. xeyebrowx ;) :D

[HighRyder08]

Appalachian State needs to make a change ASAP...not many people on campus are happy that he is our coach

[AZGrizFan]

Didn't happen as quickly as I thought it would, but Montgomery to Cal is certainly the most impacting change of the season thus far. It could only be topped with a coup like Self to Oklahoma St.

With Montgomery back in the Pac-10, it's an impressive list of coaches: Montgomery (Cal), Howland (UCLA), Olsen (Arizona), Bennett (Wazzu), Floyd (USC), Johnson (Stanford). Throw in Romar at Washington, Sendek at ASU and you have a great group of coaches. Ernie Kent at Oregon has had some troubles of late with rumors that Oregon wanted to make a change. But if you force Kent out, you really need to bring in a homerun Mark Few. Montgomery would have been GREAT for Oregon had they let Kent go, but for now the Pac-10 has 9 very good coaches. It will be interesting to see what happens at Oregon St.

But then he'd have had to move!

Dude has worked @ Stanford, Golden State, and now Cal. Never had to change addresses. THAT is truly a feat! xbowx xbowx

[CollegeSportsInfo]

But then he'd have had to move!

Dude has worked @ Stanford, Golden State, and now Cal. Never had to change addresses. THAT is truly a feat! xbowx xbowx

Oh, I agree. He turned down so many jobs so that he wouldn't have to move. But Oregon has a new arena and the Phil knight money that could have been as high as a $2 million per year contract. Cal is in great shape with Monty.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

A few more updates (http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog/2008/04/2008-college-basketball-coaching.html) such as WKU selecting McDonald as their coach. A number of new candidates for various jobs have been added as well.

[wkuhillhound]

Oregon State hires Craig Robinson, Barack Obama's brother-in-law, as their new head coach.

[TexasTerror]

Rice hires Cal's Ben Braun...the new slogan at Rice, "Brains and Braun"...

[brownbear]

Oregon State hires Craig Robinson, Barack Obama's brother-in-law, as their new head coach.

Crap, I'm hoping these are just rumors. Nothing official has been announced.

[TexasTerror]

Crap, I'm hoping these are just rumors. Nothing official has been announced.

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7996136/Sources:-Oregon-St.-hires-Obama's-brother-in-law

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10764230

May not be official, but he gone! xnodx

[brownbear]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7996136/Sources:-Oregon-St.-hires-Obama's-brother-in-law

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10764230

May not be official, but he gone! xnodx

Too bad. Hopefully we'll get someone else who's good.

[TexasTerror]

Buzz Williams is apparently the favorite to take over at Marquette. That program is going to fall pretty quickly...

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Ben Braun is back coaching after 11 days of unemployment. He's the pick at Rice.

[Thunderstruck84]

I heard a rumor that Oklahoma State is set to offer Bill Self a contract with a $3.5M annual salary within a day or two after the national title game.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Well, 84, the booster of all boosters has said he will personally pay for any coach the school wants/can get. I think Self needs to turn it down though. Williams leaving from Kansas to UNC can be considered an upgrade. Self leaving Kansas, where things have been very good for OkSt would be a tough call. Granted, he has history there, but it's a step back from Kansas. I think Gillespie is a better fit for OkSt since things at Kentucky have been tough.

That said, it Self were to leave, you gotta figure Turgeon would be a logical top candidate.

[brownbear]

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/7996136/Sources:-Oregon-St.-hires-Obama's-brother-in-law

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/10764230

May not be official, but he gone! xnodx

It's going to happen at 7 pm ET tonight at Oregon State, where Robinson was today.

http://www.osubeavers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4700&ATCLID=1434975

[Thunderstruck84]

Well, 84, the booster of all boosters has said he will personally pay for any coach the school wants/can get. I think Self needs to turn it down though. Williams leaving from Kansas to UNC can be considered an upgrade. Self leaving Kansas, where things have been very good for OkSt would be a tough call. Granted, he has history there, but it's a step back from Kansas. I think Gillespie is a better fit for OkSt since things at Kentucky have been tough.

That said, it Self were to leave, you gotta figure Turgeon would be a logical top candidate.
I agree, it's a step down but he'd go from around $1.5M per to $3.5M, an 133% pay increase could convince anyone that they're stepping up. And I think Self enjoys reclamation more than sustentation of a program. I'd like to think that he won't leave KU but I think the administration there needs to think about giving him a significant pay bump if they want to ensure that he sticks around.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Rumored everywhere...now a reality: Marquette promotes Buzz Williams

[TexasTerror]

Rumored everywhere...now a reality: Marquette promotes Buzz Williams

That program has just announced their collapse...xnonono2x

[CollegeSportsInfo]

That program has just announced their collapse...xnonono2xWe had a similar situation at UMass. An assistant whom had recruited current players under Calipari. Calipari leaves and the players hope for the assistant to be promted. He was and UMass basketball suffered big time. When it was time to make a change, UMass went with an established/re-tread coach in Lappas and that failed as well.

Sadly at UMass, there was a time when there were multiple assistants such as Bayno, who could have been a good fit. In fact, (3) Calipari assistants had left UMass for head coaching jobs. So Flint was the last remaining assistant who worked his way UP the Umass ladder by having other assistants leaving.

I hope that Marquette situation is more like Xavier or Butler where coaches leave but the programs maintain.

[TexasTerror]

We had a similar situation at UMass. An assistant whom had recruited current players under Calipari. Calipari leaves and the players hope for the assistant to be promted. He was and UMass basketball suffered big time. When it was time to make a change, UMass went with an established/re-tread coach in Lappas and that failed as well.

Sadly at UMass, there was a time when there were multiple assistants such as Bayno, who could have been a good fit. In fact, (3) Calipari assistants had left UMass for head coaching jobs. So Flint was the last remaining assistant who worked his way UP the Umass ladder by having other assistants leaving.

I hope that Marquette situation is more like Xavier or Butler where coaches leave but the programs maintain.

That's not the point...

Buzz Williams lack more class than any coach in America. He showed his backside to New Orleans...

As I said on KatFans.com, you guys know me. I'm not one to say negative things about anyone, especially a coach, but Buzz does not sit well with me. Not sure why any parent would let their child play basketball for this coach.

Hopefully the salary that Marquette is paying can help Buzz with lawsuit here in Louisiana, which is a complete slap in the face to those who have come to the city of New Orleans post-Katrina or those who are rebuilding their lives.

What a clown!

I will always root heartily against Marquette as long as Buzz is there. They have the worst coach in America and I hope they fall flat on their face...

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Towe left New Orleans for NC State to take an assistant role. Williams did the same for Marquette. Its hard to blame either coach for such moves when you look at those programs. And Marquette is only a few years removed from the final four. I just don't think its the best thing to lump in Katrina guilt just because a coach takes an assistant role with a more prestigous program. I'm sure he didnt show devil horns and laugh at NO when he left.

[TexasTerror]

Towe left New Orleans for NC State to take an assistant role. Williams did the same for Marquette. Its hard to blame either coach for such moves when you look at those programs. And Marquette is only a few years removed from the final four. I just don't think its the best thing to lump in Katrina guilt just because a coach takes an assistant role with a more prestigous program. I'm sure he didnt show devil horns and laugh at NO when he left.

Two different situations...

Towe had been at UNO for a few years and it was his alma mater calling. He honored his buyout.

Buzz had been at UNO for one year and did not honor his buyout. In fact he is saying the university lied regarding the status of the institution (and the city) and is now taking the school to court...throw in the fact he is lying out there in the media about UNO, the city of New Orleans and the cards he was dealt, that does not help (3/4ths of what he is saying is stretching the truth or just a flat out lie)...

Big difference...Buzz Williams took a crap on New Orleans and we are as a collective giving a finger right back at him...

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Travis Ford is staying at UMass...or at least not going to LSU. Hopefully Providence isn't lurking.

http://www.dailyhampshiregazette.com/umsports/blog/index.cfm/2008/4/8/Ford-NOT-going-to-LSU

[813Jag]

Tony Bennett from Washington State and Oliver Purnell of Clemson both withdrew their names from the LSU job.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

More updates:

Stanford coach Trent Johnson is leaving for LSU. If only Montgomery had waited a week, he'd have his old job back.

[813Jag]

More updates:

Stanford coach Trent Johnson is leaving for LSU. If only Montgomery had waited a week, he'd have his old job back.
Welcome to the pressure cooker Coach Johnson. xlolx

[brownbear]

More updates:

Stanford coach Trent Johnson is leaving for LSU. If only Montgomery had waited a week, he'd have his old job back.

If Montgomery wanted the job, and it was offered to him, I'm sure he could get back before he actually starts coaching anywhere.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Travis Ford is in Providence today as is touring the campus as part of his interview. an offer could come later today.

- quinn

[CollegeSportsInfo]

And...Travis Ford has just been offered the Providence job in the past hour.

[GeauxLions94]

More updates:

Stanford coach Trent Johnson is leaving for LSU. If only Montgomery had waited a week, he'd have his old job back.

This came from totally left field as all the talk was about Travis Ford (UMass), Anthony Grant (VCU) and for a while, Tim Floyd (USC). Course with LSU, most recent hirings (Saban in football, Maineri in baseball) have been surprises.

813Jag, don't know much about it being a pressure cooker (not like at Kentucky, Indiana, UNC or Kansas). Especially if football continues to perform like they have the past few years.

On a side note, former Southeastern Louisiana letterwinner (he was on our 2005 NCAA team) Neill Berry is joining former WKU coach Darrin Horn on the staff as South Carolina.

[813Jag]

This came from totally left field as all the talk was about Travis Ford (UMass), Anthony Grant (VCU) and for a while, Tim Floyd (USC). Course with LSU, most recent hirings (Saban in football, Maineri in baseball) have been surprises.

813Jag, don't know much about it being a pressure cooker (not like at Kentucky, Indiana, UNC or Kansas). Especially if football continues to perform like they have the past few years.

On a side note, former Southeastern Louisiana letterwinner (he was on our 2005 NCAA team) Neill Berry is joining former WKU coach Darrin Horn on the staff as South Carolina.
True the LSU job isn't any of those teams, but you know the heat'll be on to produce.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Lots happened today:

* Umass coach Travis Ford turned down the $800k Providence offer
* Toledo hired Notre dame assistant Gene Cross
* Western Illinois hired Jim Molinari

[CollegeSportsInfo]

As for Today...
* Centenary hired Duquesne assistant Greg Gary
* Sacramento St. hired San Joaquin Delta College coach Brian Katz
* Maryland-Eastern Shore hired UMBC assistant Frankie Allen

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Day continues... (http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog/2008/04/2008-college-basketball-coaching.html)

Detroit filled their opening with former Indiana assistant McCallum

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Another job is filled in San francisco while another opens at FAU.

[TexasTerror]

Rex Walters to USF from FAU...who is going to get mentioned at FAU?

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Most likely candidate will be Mike Balado, currently an assistant. I don't know how attractive a job it will be to others once they place a call to Doherty and Walters for advice.

Others will likely come from coaches who have had moderate success coaching in conferences like the Big South, SoCon and Atlantic Sun. No names thus far from that category, especially since Belmont coach Rick Byrd got a contract extension.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

TT, your boy Perry Clark is a name I'm hearing thrown around as well.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

I know it's late to be added to the thread, but just to keep the updates here:

Drake coach Keno Davis is the new coach at Providence.

Not bad after being rejected by their first 2 choices.

[Cobblestone]

I know it's late to be added to the thread, but just to keep the updates here:

Drake coach Keno Davis is the new coach at Providence.

Not bad after being rejected by their first 2 choices.

Man, you're quick...




PROJO.COM


Drake's Davis is PC's new coach
Providence College has just confirmed that it will hire Drake University coach Keno Davis has its next basketball coach.

The question of who would replace Tim Welsh had hovered over the program for a month now. The Friars thought they had a new coach twice before in this laborious process and were ultimately turned down, first by George Mason’s Jim Larranaga and then by UMass’ Travis Ford.

Davis will be introduced at a news conference at 5 p.m. today at PC's Alumni Hall. Fans and friends of the program are encouraged to attend the new coach's introduction.

Davis, 36, won the Associated Press' National Coach of the Year award at the Final Four last week after leading Drake to a 28-5 record in his first season as head coach.

Davis arrived in Providence on Monday and discussed particulars of the job into the night with athletic director Bob Driscoll. A contract was apparently agreed upon this morning.

Davis is the son of Dr. Tom Davis who was the head coach at Boston College from 1977-82. Davis was born in 1972 and raised as a BC fan before his dad left to take a job at Stanford and then moved on to Iowa and then Drake from 2003-07 where he was joined by his son, Keno.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Davis going to Providence is a huge mistake IMO. Providence is not a very good job especially if you'tr the national coach of the year. Davis has ties to the midwest and would have done well to stick around Drake a couple more years and go after a Big 10/Big 12 job. I know Drake loses a lot but they would have been able to bring in some good recruits and there was obviously some returning talent.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Davis going to Providence is a huge mistake IMO. Providence is not a very good job especially if you'tr the national coach of the year. Davis has ties to the midwest and would have done well to stick around Drake a couple more years and go after a Big 10/Big 12 job. I know Drake loses a lot but they would have been able to bring in some good recruits and there was obviously some returning talent.

I agree. Is it an upgrade over Drake? Yes. But not everyone can parlay the Providence job into an ACC job at UVA.

I thought that Stanford would consider Davis. But they must be on track with someone else right now to not even speak with the coach of the year.

Davis is good for Providence after getting shot down by coach L and coach ford. But you have to think that another good year at Drake would have meant a Big Ten job.

[gmoney55]

True, but the Big East is a far superior conference to the Big Ten. Course that may make me agree with you more, it's much easier to win at a middle of the road Big Ten than it will at Providence in a loaded Big East.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Chucky martin is leaving Memphis to take over the Marist job.

http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog

[GeauxLions94]

Looks like Travis Ford might be leaving Amherst afterall. ESPN.com reports he's going to be heading to Stillwater

Travis Ford to Okie State? (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3349529)

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Travis ford has been added to the list as the new coach at Oklahoma St.

Tony Barbee (UTEP coach), Derek Kellogg (Memphis assistant) and Tom Moore (Quinnipiac coach) top the candidate list.

[Slammer50111]

Davis going to Providence is a huge mistake IMO. Providence is not a very good job especially if you'tr the national coach of the year. Davis has ties to the midwest and would have done well to stick around Drake a couple more years and go after a Big 10/Big 12 job. I know Drake loses a lot but they would have been able to bring in some good recruits and there was obviously some returning talent.

Davis grew up in the Big East his father was the coach for Boston College. He is a huge Red Sox fan. He has just as many ties to the East as he does to the Midwest. Also Drake could not or would not pay anything close to what Providence was going to pay. It is sad to see him leave Drake but that is what you get when a school doesn't have or won't spend the money to keep a coach.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Updates (http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog):
Jacksonville St. hired MVSU coach Green
Drake hired Arizona St. assistant Phelps

[CollegeSportsInfo]

UMass is set to offer it's head coaching job to former Umass player and current Memphis assistant Derrek Kellogg.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

...and Kellogg is expected to accept.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

...And he has. Press conference Wed. at 6pm. Welcome back DK!

[TexasTerror]

What are you hearing on Mississippi Valley State?

[813Jag]

What are you hearing on Mississippi Valley State?
Don't know what Valley will do, they don't have the $$$ to really make an impact. They lost Ivory to UAPB, that could hurt, he could have been promoted.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Don't know what Valley will do, they don't have the $$$ to really make an impact. They lost Ivory to UAPB, that could hurt, he could have been promoted.
Agreed. Not much movement thus far and not many options.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

Stanford Hired Johnny Dawkins as head coach (http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog)