Taylor to Penn?

[ngineer]

Is this just idle speculation or are the various posters on the Lehigh voy forum hearing real possibilities? Would hate to see it, but wouldn't blame him. The premier Ivy school in basketball with one of the greatest arenas and part of the Big 5. Would certainly would be a step up. Ironically, Penn's current assistant is former Lehigh head coach Dave Duke....Stay tuned...

[ngineer]

Rumors keep flying about Taylor being on Penn's list if Dunphy goes to Temple--which is expected by Monday. Also rumored that Manhattan interested in Taylor as well...:(

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

I think either one would be a step up. Penn for obvious reasons. If Taylor would be able to maintain Dunphy's success he could punch his ticket to just about any major coaching position in the country. Dunphy has had numerous chances to leave but his heart has always been in Philly. Hopefully he gets the Temple job as i believe he'll do a great job and get us back in the tourney. A move to Penn by Taylor could possibly set him up for a job like 'Nova should Jay Wright decide to move else where, possibly the NBA. Manhatten on the surface doesn't look better but the Jaspers beat down Florida a couple years ago in the first round and have come close several other times. They've been known to pull early season wins over teams like St. John's, Seton Hall and Rutgers, something Lehigh hasn't been able to do. They've also sent Fran Frascilla to St. John's and now Gonzalez(sp?) to Seton Hall, proves if ya can't beat 'em sign em. Lehigh just isn't a basketball and anyone who come in keep basketball competitive in the league people will be satisfied. If Taylor wants to clime the coaching ladder both are great opportunities to get to the next level. Penn is a no brainer, if he can have the job he'd be foolish to turn it down. It'll be extremely hard for Lehigh to keep any real successful coach that isn't an alum.

[ngineer]

I think either one would be a step up. Penn for obvious reasons. If Taylor would be able to maintain Dunphy's success he could punch his ticket to just about any major coaching position in the country. Dunphy has had numerous chances to leave but his heart has always been in Philly. Hopefully he gets the Temple job as i believe he'll do a great job and get us back in the tourney. A move to Penn by Taylor could possibly set him up for a job like 'Nova should Jay Wright decide to move else where, possibly the NBA. Manhatten on the surface doesn't look better but the Jaspers beat down Florida a couple years ago in the first round and have come close several other times. They've been known to pull early season wins over teams like St. John's, Seton Hall and Rutgers, something Lehigh hasn't been able to do. They've also sent Fran Frascilla to St. John's and now Gonzalez(sp?) to Seton Hall, proves if ya can't beat 'em sign em. Lehigh just isn't a basketball and anyone who come in keep basketball competitive in the league people will be satisfied. If Taylor wants to clime the coaching ladder both are great opportunities to get to the next level. Penn is a no brainer, if he can have the job he'd be foolish to turn it down. It'll be extremely hard for Lehigh to keep any real successful coach that isn't an alum.

Rumor has it that David Duke was back in town over the weekend...:cool:

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Rumor has it that David Duke was back in town over the weekend...:cool:

Perhaps Duke was up here to recruit Taylor to Penn? I would be really really suprised if Duke would be in Bethlehem to show interest in the Lehigh job. He never had much success in his time here. He had very good teams from about 89-92 but never was able to do anything with them. Then the program went in the ground for a number of reasons. I think he was sent up by Penn to talk to Taylor.

[carney2]

Perhaps Duke was up here to recruit Taylor to Penn? I would be really really suprised if Duke would be in Bethlehem to show interest in the Lehigh job. He never had much success in his time here. He had very good teams from about 89-92 but never was able to do anything with them. Then the program went in the ground for a number of reasons. I think he was sent up by Penn to talk to Taylor.

A very strange scenario as you describe it. Duke, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, is in the mix of possible successors to Dunphy. To send him to Bethlehem to recruit Taylor is a real slap in the face - to both Duke and to Lehigh. You just gotta believe that Bilsky and the University of Pennsylvania have more class than that.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

For those who don't know, Dave Duke, former Lehigh coach had a massive "fall from grace" after taking over from the Fran McCaffery years (2 ECC titles and 2 NCAA tournament bids) and basically watching the Patriot League's "new" rules on not allowing scholarship athletes to allow Lehigh's b-ball program to fall off the map.

There are rumors on Duke returning to Lehigh - there is no way in h-e-hockey-sticks that that would happen. However, I'm troubled by Taylor looking to other schools for head coaching positions. I still don't think he's going anywhere, though, even Penn.

I think if he goes, it's to someplace like UNC-W (where he was an assistant), Notre Dame (where he played), somewhere like that. Penn would be a step up, but it's just too close to Lehigh IMO for him to jump there.

[ngineer]

For those who don't know, Dave Duke, former Lehigh coach had a massive "fall from grace" after taking over from the Fran McCaffery years (2 ECC titles and 2 NCAA tournament bids) and basically watching the Patriot League's "new" rules on not allowing scholarship athletes to allow Lehigh's b-ball program to fall off the map.There are rumors on Duke returning to Lehigh - there is no way in h-e-hockey-sticks that that would happen. However, I'm troubled by Taylor looking to other schools for head coaching positions. I still don't think he's going anywhere, though, even Penn.

I think if he goes, it's to someplace like UNC-W (where he was an assistant), Notre Dame (where he played), somewhere like that. Penn would be a step up, but it's just too close to Lehigh IMO for him to jump there.

Not sure what this alludes to...?
Maybe if Duke was in Bethlehem, it was to interview with Taylor to keep his job as asst. at Penn???
One minor correction--Taylor was assistant to Fran McCaffrey at UNC-Greensboro, now Wilmington. Ironic circle of connections there. He'd return to UNCG only if McCaffrey were on the way out....

[ngineer]

Last night's news confirmed the hiring of Dunphy at Temple. Official announcement and press conference today at 3 p.m. NOW, this officially opens Penn's HC position, so I would think we'll hear something this week about Dunphy's successor....

[colgate13]

Lafayette's looking for a new coach IMO.

[GannonFan]

Lafayette's looking for a new coach IMO.

Agreed - it's always been an accepted rumor that when the Temple job would open up that Dunphy would go there and that O'Hanlon would leave Lafayette and come to Penn. Now that the first part of that longtime rumor has come true, I wouldn't be shocked to see O'Hanlon come to Penn. O'Hanlon was an assistant at Penn, he's from Philly, he played in the Big 5 - in a city where you don't really see outsiders come in, it would be a shock to go with Taylor, who has no Philly ties whatsoever. If there was a betting site I might actually be willing to put money down on O'Hanlon taking over at Penn.

[colgate13]

Lafayette faithful are now banking on having scholarships as the reason that O'Hanlon will stay. I think it's too little too late.

Penn is an established program, in the Ivy league, with all that jazz. LC has some years of catching up to do and even then are at best third fiddle to BU and HC until they start knocking off some postseason wins.

If I'm O'Hanlon, Penn's a sweet looking job. Lafayette is a rebuilding project. No brainer to me. In some ways it reminds me of when Masella left CCSU to go to Fordham CCSU fans couldn't believe he'd leave when CCSU now has schollies, but bottom line is, Fordham is the 'bigger' program. Masella left. O'Hanlon probably will too.

[ngineer]

Lafayette faithful are now banking on having scholarships as the reason that O'Hanlon will stay. I think it's too little too late.

Penn is an established program, in the Ivy league, with all that jazz. LC has some years of catching up to do and even then are at best third fiddle to BU and HC until they start knocking off some postseason wins.

If I'm O'Hanlon, Penn's a sweet looking job. Lafayette is a rebuilding project. No brainer to me. In some ways it reminds me of when Masella left CCSU to go to Fordham CCSU fans couldn't believe he'd leave when CCSU now has schollies, but bottom line is, Fordham is the 'bigger' program. Masella left. O'Hanlon probably will too.

Hope you guys are right. I'd like to keep Taylor for at least another year. With some of the recruits coming in this past year and next, and Olivero's return, next year's team could be pretty solid. No question, though that Taylor will be gone sooner than later if he's planning on making a step up.

[carney2]

Posted this in the O'Hanlon to Penn thread, but it works here too:

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 at 3:00 PM today (Monday, 4/10).

[Marcus Garvey]

Lafayette faithful are now banking on having scholarships as the reason that O'Hanlon will stay. I think it's too little too late.

Penn is an established program, in the Ivy league, with all that jazz. LC has some years of catching up to do and even then are at best third fiddle to BU and HC until they start knocking off some postseason wins.

If I'm O'Hanlon, Penn's a sweet looking job. Lafayette is a rebuilding project. No brainer to me. In some ways it reminds me of when Masella left CCSU to go to Fordham CCSU fans couldn't believe he'd leave when CCSU now has schollies, but bottom line is, Fordham is the 'bigger' program. Masella left. O'Hanlon probably will too.

Agree with your points except for one thing:
Moving from Easton to metro Philly is a huge freaking deal. Again, as I've said in another post somewhere, O'Hanlon currently lives in the College Hill section of Easton (i.e., w/in walking distance of campus). While the Penn job is more illustrious, it means uprooting his family and a major change in "quality of life" (god, I hate the phrase, but can't think of a better one right now). I'm willing to bet there's no way he lives within walking distance of the Palestra if he moves to Philly.
The question for Lafayette and Penn fans is this: "What's that worth to Fran O'Hanlon?"

Example: Fran Dunphy has had several opportunities to leave Penn for much higher profile programs. Most recently it was Ohio State. However, he's finally left Penn for Temple. Say what you want about Temple, but OSU is a "bigger" program. (Stronger conference, better TV ratings, more TV appearances, etc..). But I can see why he'd want to take Temple. It's a step up from Penn (and a much larger step up then if he had gone to LaSalle 2 years ago) but it doesn't impact his family. There's no reason to move. He just has a new address to drive to, or he has to transfer to the BSL subway instead of the Market-Frankford.

[colgate13]

Agree with your points except for one thing:
Moving from Easton to metro Philly is a huge freaking deal. Again, as I've said in another post somewhere, O'Hanlon currently lives in the College Hill section of Easton (i.e., w/in walking distance of campus). While the Penn job is more illustrious, it means uprooting his family and a major change in "quality of life" (god, I hate the phrase, but can't think of a better one right now).

Move to Bucks County or the Main Line. I don't see any quality of life issues compared to Easton there!

[Marcus Garvey]

Move to Bucks County or the Main Line. I don't see any quality of life issues compared to Easton there!

Commute time. 10-15 mintue walk versus driving or taking mass transit.
That's a personal preference that depens upon the individual.

[ngineer]

Commute time. 10-15 mintue walk versus driving or taking mass transit.
That's a personal preference that depens upon the individual.

Ditto--you beat me to it. Those who are unfamiliar with the Greater Delaware Valley do not know the commuting nightmare that exists. There would have to be some major bucks to undertake that quality of life change.
I was approached by a big Philly firm 12 years ago to 'come on down' and join them. Thought about it for 2 seconds. Twice the money--but twice the 'everything else' too...;)

[GannonFan]

Come on, I hardly think he'd be taking Septa from a cushy Main Line home to Penn's campus. Being from the area as well and being one who does take the everyday commute from the Northeast Extension down through the Schuylkill, it's not anywhere as bad as people make it out to be. And if I lived that much closer (like the Main Line) the commute would be a breeze. And remember, O'Hanlon has already coached at Penn before - being a Philly guy his whole life I doubt he takes that pessimistic of a view of living and working in and around Philly. Sometimes the Allentown-area faithful have a bit over-the-top view of life closer to the big city. People who live in Delaware (New Castle County) aren't much different in that disdain for some-things Philly.

[colgate13]

I think a big question in all this hasn't been asked: salary. What's LC paying? It's not Willard-type money at HC. So what do we think Penn will put up? They've got deeper pockets than LC and their alums/athletic department might be willing to pay top notch to get a coach that can win in a nonscholarship situation like O'Hanlon showed earlier.

I think he's still on the table. Money talks.

[carney2]

I think a big question in all this hasn't been asked: salary. What's LC paying? It's not Willard-type money at HC. So what do we think Penn will put up? They've got deeper pockets than LC and their alums/athletic department might be willing to pay top notch to get a coach that can win in a nonscholarship situation like O'Hanlon showed earlier.

I think he's still on the table. Money talks.

The last time I saw the numbers O'Hanlon was getting more than Tavani. It's probably a seniority thing. Since then, both coaches have signed extensions. I'm betting that O'Hanlon is north of $150 at this point.

[colgate13]

The last time I saw the numbers O'Hanlon was getting more than Tavani. It's probably a seniority thing. Since then, both coaches have signed extensions. I'm betting that O'Hanlon is north of $150 at this point.

The question in my mind is will they go up? Willard makes $250K. Penn might not offer as much, but then again... if there is a $100K difference in salary, he's gone IMO. That's too much of a paycheck difference to not trade a walk to work for a drive.

If O'Hanlon wants to push LC a little to get some more dough, I think he's got a case. He's stuck around with a program that has gotten no support until now. If he doesn't get a decent pay raise offer out of this, that's case enough to leave too.

[Marcus Garvey]

Come on, I hardly think he'd be taking Septa from a cushy Main Line home to Penn's campus. Being from the area as well and being one who does take the everyday commute from the Northeast Extension down through the Schuylkill, it's not anywhere as bad as people make it out to be. And if I lived that much closer (like the Main Line) the commute would be a breeze. And remember, O'Hanlon has already coached at Penn before - being a Philly guy his whole life I doubt he takes that pessimistic of a view of living and working in and around Philly. Sometimes the Allentown-area faithful have a bit over-the-top view of life closer to the big city. People who live in Delaware (New Castle County) aren't much different in that disdain for some-things Philly.

Spoken like a guy who's never walked to work! ;)

While Philly traffic isn't as bad as NYC, Boston or LA, it's infintely worse than Easton. Remember, it's all relative. He has family too. It's not like O'Hanlon is single and in his early 20's, where a move to Philly would be an upgrade without question.

[carney2]

If O'Hanlon wants to push LC a little to get some more dough, I think he's got a case. He's stuck around with a program that has gotten no support until now. If he doesn't get a decent pay raise offer out of this, that's case enough to leave too.

Like Tavani, O'Hanlon just signed an extension. I don't see any pay raises coming out of this.

[ngineer]

Like Tavani, O'Hanlon just signed an extension. I don't see any pay raises coming out of this.

Agreed there. "holding up" LC for a raise just after getting the extension would not look good. Then, that really puts on the pressure to produce, or else.
As for the commute issue, if you are a 'family man' as O'Hanlon expresses to be, the communte "thing" is a big issue. I agree with a prior post-- for a single guy in his 20's it's nothing, but when there are other obligations, being an hour or more each way can get 'old'. But, then, I'm spoiled with my 1.3 mile commute;)

[colgate13]

Like Tavani, O'Hanlon just signed an extension. I don't see any pay raises coming out of this.
Biddle signed a contract extension. His name was floated at VMI and I-A Buffalo. I'm betting he got a bump in pay to stay... I think this stuff happens fairly frequently. IMO athletic coaching contracts are very one-sided in nature. Ask Northeastern.

[ngineer]

Column in today's Morning Call based on interview with former Lehigh HC Fran McCaffrey, who just this year left UNC-Greensboro and took over the Siena job and who said he would be 'in the mix' for the Penn job if he had not just gotten a 5 year extension.
He's promoting Taylor, and being a Penn grad and close friend of Penn AD Bilsky, is believed to have his ear. However, the column also lists a half dozen other coaches who are on Penn's 'short list'--which includes O'Hanlon at Lafayette. Other coaches mentioned were Cornell's, Brown's, Dave Wohl (asst. coach of Boston Celtics and former teammate of Bilsky), as well as Taylor, who, according to McCaffrey is supported by some big Penn alums, as well as current Penn asst. Dave Duke.
Also reported that Taylor turned down the Delaware offer as well as one from Ball State. So it appears he is not 'looking' to leave Lehigh, but will certainly consider an opening that is offered to him, which is nice to know.
It is expected Penn won't be making a decision on this for at least another week.

[CollegeSportsInfo]

More Penn interviews coming...a few new names (http://collegesportsinfo.com/blog)

[carney2]

Under the heading "Can you believe that this moron is getting paid for this?!!" a Philadelphia Inquirer staff writer named Kevin Tatum stated today that Billy Taylor interviewed this week for the vacant Penn basketball coaching position.

AND THEN

he said that "...Lafayette coach Fran O'Hanlon...has removed himself from consideration for the Quakers job. His decision made sense. Now that Lafayette will offer basketball scholarships...he has an edge in going after the same players Penn may be recruiting. As coach of the Quakers, O'Hanlon would have been recruiting against Lafayette without the lure of a free education."

An idiot with press credentials is still an idiot.

[carney2]

According to people with knowledge of the situation, Lehigh basketball coach Billy Taylor is considered to be the leading candidate for the Penn job that was vacated when Fran Dunphy accepted a similar position at Temple.
-- Philadelphia Inquirer

[colgate13]

Makes one wonder about the changing dynamics of PL basketball. I can't fault O'Hanlon for staying and I can't fault Taylor for looking. Both are betting on an unknown issue: just how good can the PL get? If Taylor goes, he's not putting much confidence in it like O'Hanlon is. I wonder who will turn out to be right?

I'm betting on O'Hanlon in this one... :)

[ngineer]

Taylor was formally interviewed this week. Press release in the Morning Call said he loves it at Lehigh and wouldn't leave unless the 'right' opportunity came along. I would think with the other interviews this week, we should know 'what's what' by Monday.....:eek:

[carney2]

Makes one wonder about the changing dynamics of PL basketball. I can't fault O'Hanlon for staying and I can't fault Taylor for looking. Both are betting on an unknown issue: just how good can the PL get? If Taylor goes, he's not putting much confidence in it like O'Hanlon is. I wonder who will turn out to be right?

I'm betting on O'Hanlon in this one... :)

One thing that everyone is apparently overlooking:

For O'Hanlon, at 57, Penn would be the end of the trail. If Penn is a step up from a potential Patriot League contender, it isn't a giant step and perhaps not worth the disruption to his life in his 6th decade.

For Taylor, at 32, Penn is just the next step on a career ladder that leads (who knows where). It is, as we have discussed, higher visibility, a more likely - and more consistent - trip to the "dance," and is located in a media center with that Big 5 thing, whatever it may be.

[ngineer]

One thing that everyone is apparently overlooking:

For O'Hanlon, at 57, Penn would be the end of the trail. If Penn is a step up from a potential Patriot League contender, it isn't a giant step and perhaps not worth the disruption to his life in his 6th decade.

For Taylor, at 32, Penn is just the next step on a career ladder that leads (who knows where). It is, as we have discussed, higher visibility, a more likely - and more consistent - trip to the "dance," and is located in a media center with that Big 5 thing, whatever it may be.

Aside from the 'Big 5' participation--the huge media market alone can be a heck of boost to one's career--assuming success. Every night on the Philly area TV stations sports section of the 6 and 11 p.m news, the large print media, etc. You make a very good point on the age differentials. The move may be step sideways in terms of strength of league, overall, but the collateral benefits are significant. This only really applies to Penn and to a lesser degree Princeton. The other Ivies would be a step downward.

[Lehigh Football Nation]

It really pains me to say this, but I'd think Taylor would be a fool not to take the Penn job. At Lehigh Taylor would continue to build a program to become halfway-decent in a place where football and wrestling rule -- whereas if he goes to Penn, he gets Philadelphia "Big 5" exposure, pretty much an automatic berth to the NCAA most years (especially if Princeton continues to struggle), and will be seen as an up-and-coming coach.

Let's face it, being Lehigh's men's basketball coach (at this time) means you're wallowing in obscurity. Being Penn's coach means you're a star.

The tragedy in my mind is that Lehigh could be in disarray next year if this happens, since we'd be getting a coach late in the game with all of Taylor's players.

[ngineer]

It really pains me to say this, but I'd think Taylor would be a fool not to take the Penn job. At Lehigh Taylor would continue to build a program to become halfway-decent in a place where football and wrestling rule -- whereas if he goes to Penn, he gets Philadelphia "Big 5" exposure, pretty much an automatic berth to the NCAA most years (especially if Princeton continues to struggle), and will be seen as an up-and-coming coach.

Let's face it, being Lehigh's men's basketball coach (at this time) means you're wallowing in obscurity. Being Penn's coach means you're a star.

The tragedy in my mind is that Lehigh could be in disarray next year if this happens, since we'd be getting a coach late in the game with all of Taylor's players.

All true, but now is a better time than later. We have some pretty good recruits coming in from what I've read. The players also seem to like the top assistant though I don't know what kind of considereation would be given to the top spot. But a new coach coming in now would have ample time to get to know the players and develop the necessary rapport.

[carney2]

I just heard on the radio (local ESPN) that Billy Taylor is no longer a candidate for the Penn basketball position. Apparently the job will go to Glen Miller who is currently the head coach at Brown.

[ngineer]

I just heard on the radio (local ESPN) that Billy Taylor is no longer a candidate for the Penn basketball position. Apparently the job will go to Glen Miller who is currently the head coach at Brown.

I heard the same thing tonight at a dinner meeting!:hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray: :hurray:

We just might get another year of Billy Ball...:nod:

[Lehigh Football Nation]

Very happy that Billy Taylor appears to be staying in Bethlehem!!!

It means a lot to Lehigh's basketball program. Clearly it needs to continue to build, and Taylor is the right man to continue the building.