Lafayette's O'Hanlon to Penn?

[carney2]

Just spit-ballin' here (no "inside information;" no rumor), but with Temple asking permission to talk to Penn's Fran Dunphy about its basketball coaching vacancy, would a Dunphy hire at Temple clear the way for O'Hanlon to move back to his home town as coach of the Quackers? This will replace my monsters under the bed nightmare for the next few weeks. What think you?

[colgate13]

Yes. Time for a new coach in Easton. On the bright side though, scholarships make it a little easier to hire someone worthy, and Bucknell's NCAA wins might make a promising young assistant think about taking a shot.

[Pard4Life]

But doesn't O'Hanlon's 2014 contract extension count for something here? He could probably get more money at Penn, but the Lafayette deal is likely very lucrative and he won't have to move his family. Plus, he just got scholarships - something he needs - which Penn does not offer. Ivies have their own clout and don't "need" to give scholarships.. but still, a free ride is a free ride. Why go back to a situation that you just had remedied? I know Penn is a very very visible position, but it Lafayette can become quite visible too.

However, the issue is that being visible at Penn is immeadiate, whereas at Lafayette, it might take 2-3 years with the scholarship players.

[colgate13]

Not to be a downer here (and I am out of my element somewhat talking hoops vs. football), but why is there an almost certainty expressed that O'Hanlon will make Lafayette into a winner in the PL - and probably sooner rather than later?

Looking at his bio, it looks like he's coached all over, was an assistant at Penn when they were pretty good, and he won the PL in the 'post Adonal Foyle' PL years of 97-98 and 98-99. Other than that, what gives?

Scholarships hardly equal success. They just level the playing field. Problem is Lafayette was the last one (sans Ivies) to get on a level playing field. The rebuilding/building process is huge. In the PL alone, Lafayette has to convince a player to go there instead of now big boy Bucknell as well as former king of the hill Holy Cross. Throw in Lehigh and Colgate as well trying to do something, and it's hardly a no brainer.

IMO O'Hanlon will go to Penn because it's a higher profile job, pays more, doesn't have the 'rebuilding' issues that LC will have, and lastly, he's a Philly guy and this is a Philly school. He wins at Penn and he's following Dunphy to much larger $$$$. He wins at Lafayette and he's... I don't know the answer to that question just yet; I don't think anyone does.

[carney2]

Not to be a downer here (and I am out of my element somewhat talking hoops vs. football), but why is there an almost certainty expressed that O'Hanlon will make Lafayette into a winner in the PL - and probably sooner rather than later?


IMO O'Hanlon will go to Penn because it's a higher profile job, pays more, doesn't have the 'rebuilding' issues that LC will have, and lastly, he's a Philly guy and this is a Philly school. He wins at Penn and he's following Dunphy to much larger $$$$. He wins at Lafayette and he's... I don't know the answer to that question just yet; I don't think anyone does.


In my opinion - shaded with a good deal of "homer" - O'Hanlon is the best coach in the league. He is a good recruiter (with a level playing field) and has a great reputation that preceeds him into the recruit's living room. In my opinion (there it is again) he would turn it around - and fairly quickly.

You may just be right on your second point which is why I brought it up in the first place. He would be going home and to a higher visibility program. It may just be as simple as that. I hope not.

[Marcus Garvey]

In my opinion - shaded with a good deal of "homer" - O'Hanlon is the best coach in the league. He is a good recruiter (with a level playing field) and has a great reputation that preceeds him into the recruit's living room. In my opinion (there it is again) he would turn it around - and fairly quickly.



I'm going to agree with carney on this. Before scholarships returned to Holy Cross, Lafayette and Navy were the best teams in the PL. O'Hanlon managed to recruit and coach the Leopards to 2 straight NCAA tournaments while working under a hostile enviroment (i.e., Atkinson's reign of terror as A.D.).

If he stays in Easton, I expect Lafayette to improve significantly. However, the Penn job is pretty high profile. If offerred it, he'd be a fool not to consider it.

[ngineer]

I make it 60-40 he stays. I think he has young kids yet and he loves the Lehigh Valley. Uprooting to Philly would be tough. Yes, the program is higher profile, but don't know if the move is worth it. Depends on what runs his motor. IF he truly wants to work his way into the 'big time', then themove seems right. But then, why sign a contract extension like he did last year??

[colgate13]

Uprooting to Philly would be tough.

Uprooting? It's like an hour away! xlolx


why sign a contract extension like he did last year??

Job security? :confused: Why wouldn't you sign a contract extension if you are offered when you are coaching the only non-Ivy team without scholarships and the deck is stacked against you?

Coaches and contracts are basically one sided deals... Unless you're Don Brown.

[carney2]

I remind y'all again that this is a figment of my imagination. The first shoe has to drop before any of this is up for grabs. Dunphy has to be hired by Temple. Don't have any idea what the chances of that happening may be.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

If Penn came a knockin' for O'Hanlon, and I'm Fran, I'd be a fool not to consider the situation.

You'd get a great buyout from Penn, first of all.

Second, you go from a situation where you've got a huge challenge - and at least a 4-year rebuilding effort - to get Lafayette just in the ballpark of the Holy Cross' and Bucknell's, whereas Penn every year competes for the Ivy Championship and already has the nucleus of a good team. It's a huge step up.

Finally, it may not seem like much outside of Philadelphia, but Penn's status as a "Big 5" school gives the Penn job prestige that all PL schools, save Bucknell and maybe Holy Cross, could only dream of having. Every year you play Drexel, Temple, LaSalle and St Joe's.

I have no idea if Penn is interested in O'Hanlon, but I'd think if ANY PL coach was getting courted by Penn, including Flannery, Willard, or Taylor, they'd be fools to turn it down without looking into it.

[LetsGoNova]

Finally, it may not seem like much outside of Philadelphia, but Penn's status as a "Big 5" school gives the Penn job prestige that all PL schools, save Bucknell and maybe Holy Cross, could only dream of having. Every year you play Drexel, Temple, LaSalle and St Joe's.



I'm going to assume that was a typo. :bang:

[LetsGoNova]

But to the point of the thread, the Penn job is much higher profile job than Lafayette. You play your home games in the fabled Palestra, play Big East, A-10, ACC teams annually, have a better than even money shot at winning the Ivy and getting into the NCAA's. Plus, much greater exposure in the Philadelphia media market. If O'Hanlon aspires to bigger jobs, he'd be a fool not to jump to Penn if the offer comes.

[Marcus Garvey]

Uprooting? It's like an hour away! xlolx


I don't know how old O'Hanlan's kids are, but if they're under 18, that makes any move to Philly a big deal. He lives pretty much within walking distance of the college now. If he moves to Penn, get used to commutting. Plus, setting the kids up for school and all that jive....

It's only an hour away from Easton, but a million miles away in terms of "lifestyle." Think of it as leaving Utica College to take the NYU job. ;)

[Lehigh Football Nation]

I'm going to assume that was a typo. :bang:

GAH!!!! What was :eek: I thinking????

Obviously the 5th member is Penn State.

:lmao:

[Ken_Z]

my handicapping of the PL coaches likelihood of ending up with the Penn job (assuming it does become available):

O'Hanlon: 25% most likely to get an offer and a coin flip on accepting
Taylor: 15% likely to get consideration, but not top choice; 99.9% likely to accept
Flannery: 3% not a top choice and not likely to pursue
Willard: 1% ditto Flannery, but even moreso

[Pard4Life]

my handicapping of the PL coaches likelihood of ending up with the Penn job (assuming it does become available):

O'Hanlon: 25% most likely to get an offer and a coin flip on accepting
Taylor: 15% likely to get consideration, but not top choice; 99.9% likely to accept
Flannery: 3% not a top choice and not likely to pursue
Willard: 1% ditto Flannery, but even moreso

Doesn't Willard get like 250k for coaching HC? That has to be PL tops, maybe even up there with Dunphy's salary now?

[ngineer]

Doesn't Willard get like 250k for coaching HC? That has to be PL tops, maybe even up there with Dunphy's salary now?

What?!! I can't believe HC is paying their b-ball coach that much. That's insane. That's more than twice what I expect they pay Gilmore, HC of football.

[colgate13]

In 2002-2003, The Chronicle of Higher Ed said that Willard made $225K in salary and $256K in total compensation. He is the 4th highest paid employee.

link (http://chronicle.com/premium/stats/990/2005/private/private_result.php?keyword=holy+cross&Search_Type=institution&Search_Who=All&year=2004)


Given a simple calculation of 3% pay increases each year, he's making at least $245K in total salary now.

Yes, they are paying him a lot more than Gilmore. HC cares about hoops. I guess it also helps the compensation pool when you don't have to pay a president as a Jesuit school.

[ngineer]

In 2002-2003, The Chronicle of Higher Ed said that Willard made $225K in salary and $256K in total compensation. He is the 4th highest paid employee.

link (http://chronicle.com/premium/stats/990/2005/private/private_result.php?keyword=holy+cross&Search_Type=institution&Search_Who=All&year=2004)


Given a simple calculation of 3% pay increases each year, he's making at least $245K in total salary now.

Yes, they are paying him a lot more than Gilmore. HC cares about hoops. I guess it also helps the compensation pool when you don't have to pay a president as a Jesuit school.

I still think that's insane. I'm sure that goes over real well with the faculty. My opinion of Holy Cross and their 'Jesuit values' just dropped a notch.

[colgate13]

My opinion of Holy Cross and their 'Jesuit values' just dropped a notch.

Compared to 'Catholic' school (http://chronicle.com/premium/stats/990/2005/private/private_result.php?keyword=university+of+notre+dam e&Search_Type=institution&Search_Who=All&year=2003) values?

[Marcus Garvey]

I still think that's insane. I'm sure that goes over real well with the faculty. My opinion of Holy Cross and their 'Jesuit values' just dropped a notch.

Absolutely.... I mean, what other Jesuit school puts so much emphasis on basketball? Georgetown? Boston College? Marquette? I think not!!!!
;)

[65 Pard]

If Fran stays and gets LC back to the NCAA tourney in 3-4 years, that will give him all he needs to step up to the big time.....Lafayette has sent Van BredaKopf, Dr Tom Davis and Roy Chipman to the big time...Some day it may be Fran's turn...

[ngineer]

Absolutely.... I mean, what other Jesuit school puts so much emphasis on basketball? Georgetown? Boston College? Marquette? I think not!!!!
;)

You're right. I wasn't thinking of the other Jesuit schools at the time--because I don't put Holy Cross on that plateau basketball-wise. However, now that you mention the others, it does raise a good question there as well. However, Holy Cross being in the Patriot League, which supposedly emphasizes academics more than other conferences, makes one question the school's priorities when establishing faculty compensation.
Side note--interestng that not ALL Jesuit schools have consistently been 'ranked' in the upper eschelon, i.e. St. Louis, Univ. of Detriot who have made erratic appearances in post season play over the past several decades.

[colgate13]

I don't put Holy Cross on that plateau basketball-wise.
How dare you not include god's gift to PL basketball on that plateau! :confused::rotateh:

[ngineer]

How dare you not include god's gift to PL basketball on that plateau! :confused::rotateh:

'Legends in their own minds.'....;)

[Marcus Garvey]

How dare you not include god's gift to PL basketball on that plateau! :confused::rotateh:

Hey, they could've joined the Big East on the ground floor, but blew it. Tough *****! xlolx xlolx

[colgate13]

Hey, they could've joined the Big East on the ground floor, but blew it. Tough *****! xlolx xlolx

God how I wish some of those Crossports fans were on AGS! HC is taking a beating! :p

They also could have been the dominant I-AA team in the Northeast till this day. Bad choices.

[carney2]

The first shoe? Today's Philadelphia Inquirer" says that Dunphy is the odds on favorite and the "safe choice" for the Temple job.

[carney2]

According to multiple sources familiar with Temple's search for a men's basketball coach, the school is ready to hire Penn's Fran Dunphy as its coach, with just one significant hurdle left - the signature of Temple president David Adamany. Sources said last night that if Adamany approves the deal, there will be a news conference later this week. Adamany could not be reached for comment.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

[Marcus Garvey]

I still think Bruiser Flint at Drexel is a smarter choice. He's a former A-10 coach at UMass, where frankly, he did allright in the wake of Calipari's mess. He was 2nd choice at St. Joe's about 10 years ago when they hired Phil Martelli.

Frankly, I think the recruiting differences between Temple and Penn are awfully big, and Fran has been recruiting at Penn for 17 years. When he was a coach at LaSalle, it was in the MAAC, which is lower stature than the A-10. I'm just skeptical that he'd be a better choice than Flint.

[carney2]

If Fran Dunphy becomes the successor to John Chaney at Temple, Penn will be looking for a replacement for its all-time winningest basketball coach. Four men who have had a hand in Dunphy's success at Penn - Fran O'Hanlon (Lafayette), Steve Donahue (Cornell), Gil Jackson (Howard), and Dave Duke (current Penn assistant) - could receive consideration if he leaves.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

[ngineer]

If Fran Dunphy becomes the successor to John Chaney at Temple, Penn will be looking for a replacement for its all-time winningest basketball coach. Four men who have had a hand in Dunphy's success at Penn - Fran O'Hanlon (Lafayette), Steve Donahue (Cornell), Gil Jackson (Howard), and Dave Duke (current Penn assistant) - could receive consideration if he leaves.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

Don't disagree on the possibilities, but there are also rumors that Lehigh's Taylor has either been interviewed or contacted as to interest. That scenario could possibly have Duke coming back to Lehigh for a second tour...Lots of speculation going on...:rotateh:

[carney2]

Don't disagree on the possibilities, but there are also rumors that Lehigh's Taylor has either been interviewed or contacted as to interest. That scenario could possibly have Duke coming back to Lehigh for a second tour...Lots of speculation going on...:rotateh:

Sorry about that Mr. Eer (as in N. Gin Eer). I copied the summary from another source before I actually saw the Philadelphia Inquirer story. In another paragraph, the article mentioned Taylor under "others who may receive consideration" (my terminology, not theirs, but you get the idea). The article pointed out that this is all preliminary speculation because Steve Bilsky, the Penn AD, says that he will not do anything until all of the Dunphy rumors become fact or are proven baseless (via Temple hiring someone other than Dunphy).

Anyway, in this corner, I am thinking (hoping) that O'Hanlon's age (in his 50's) may work against him. On the other hand, from the Lehigh perspective, I would be concerned that Taylor's age is just about right for a young coach with a resume' looking to move "up."

[carney2]

Temple will announce today that Penn coach Fran Dunphy is moving to North Broad Street to become the Owls' next basketball coach, replacing John Chaney, according to multiple sources.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

Temple has scheduled a news conference for 3:00 PM today Monday, 4/10).

[carney2]

In today's Allentown newspaper O'Hanlon gives every indication that he will stay at Lafayette:

http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/all-franapr11,0,814076.story?coll=all-sportscollege-hed

Key points from the article:

"I don't foresee myself going anywhere,..."

but

He gave every indication that he would listen to them if they came calling "...because of my respect for Penn."

"It's been widely rumored that O'Hanlon, 57, is Penn's top choice..."

As for the new basketball scholarships at Lafayette, "I want to see what we can do with this,..."

The article states that O'Hanlon believes that the Patriot League is now a step ahead of the Ivy League. "It's almost like a different league..."

[ngineer]

In today's Allentown newspaper O'Hanlon gives every indication that he will stay at Lafayette:

http://www.mcall.com/sports/college/all-franapr11,0,814076.story?coll=all-sportscollege-hed

Key points from the article:

"I don't foresee myself going anywhere,..."

but

He gave every indication that he would listen to them if they came calling "...because of my respect for Penn."

"It's been widely rumored that O'Hanlon, 57, is Penn's top choice..."

As for the new basketball scholarships at Lafayette, "I want to see what we can do with this,..."

The article states that O'Hanlon believes that the Patriot League is now a step ahead of the Ivy League. "It's almost like a different league..."

I would agree--saw the article, too. He does leave the door open, a crack, so I'm sure if Penn put enough on the table, he'd reconsider; but after this I'd be shocked if he left Lafayette.
I also saw reported out of the Providence "Courant" that Brown's HC, named Miller, is a leading candidate for the Penn position.