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1. In general, it's fairly quiet right now. Only two or three high-major jobs are overwhelmingly likely to open, and there probably are only 12 to 14 other jobs around the country that look like locks to make a change. Of course, there are going to be other moves made, and we will see some domino effects -- but right now, it looks like it could be a quieter carousel than in recent years.

4. John Beilein will be the elephant in the room for most searches over the next several weeks. Even before Beilein stepped down from his post as head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, there was buzz among industry sources that the former Michigan head coach was going to be in the mix for high-major openings this spring. And then he became available earlier than expected. Now, there's no guarantee Beilein returns to college coaching -- he's 67 years old and has been coaching for 45 years. His son, Patrick, left his head-coaching job at Niagara before the season, citing personal reasons. And it's unlikely Beilein is going to want to take over a rebuilding job -- which would describe most potential openings. But look for him to be linked to Texas if that position opens, while some of the ACC openings (Boston College, Wake Forest) and even Minnesota could be appealing.

10. What's going on at Minnesota? Richard Pitino signed a contract extension after last season, when he led the Golden Gophers to the second round of the NCAA tournament. But this season has been a different story. They have really struggled in Big Ten play and now look unlikely to get to the NCAA tournament barring a shocking run in the conference tournament. It seems harsh to fire Pitino at this point, although his buyout is a reasonable $2 million. Pitino could also look to get out on his own, with Boston College a potential landing spot for him -- although the Pitino name in Boston generates mixed feelings, at best. If Minnesota fired him, he could also decide to take his buyout money and enjoy a year off. He's only 37, after all.

11. The only two jobs I feel reasonably confident will open are Boston College and Wake Forest. Jim Christian had a promising campaign in 2017-18 when Jerome Robinson and Ky Bowman were in Chestnut Hill, but the Eagles have never reached the NCAA tournament in Christian's six seasons at Boston College and will finish below .500 this season. Meanwhile, Danny Manning is also finishing up his sixth season in the ACC -- and despite a reported eight-figure buyout and contract until 2025, he's also likely to move on. The Demon Deacons have shown some flashes this season, but it'll be his fifth time in six years finishing below .500 in the league.

claver2010 {l Wrote}:borzello is usually pretty well informed (not a whole lot of CONTENT here though)

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... g-carousel

Meanwhile, Danny Manning is also finishing up his sixth season in the ACC -- and despite a reported eight-figure buyout and contract until 2025, he's also likely to move on. The Demon Deacons have shown some flashes this season, but it'll be his fifth time in six years finishing below .500 in the league.

HJS {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:borzello is usually pretty well informed (not a whole lot of CONTENT here though)

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... g-carousel

Meanwhile, Danny Manning is also finishing up his sixth season in the ACC -- and despite a reported eight-figure buyout and contract until 2025, he's also likely to move on. The Demon Deacons have shown some flashes this season, but it'll be his fifth time in six years finishing below .500 in the league.

What in the hell?

HJS {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:A-List:
- Thad Matta (Ohio St formerly) (this is health dependent)
- Kevin Willard (Seton Hall) (this would be high on my list)
- Mick Cronin (Cincinnati) (also very high on my list)
- Ed Cooley (Providence) (I'm not nuts about this idea, but he would do well here)
- Wojo (Marquette) (He's winning at a school very similar to BC)

B-List:
- Wes Miller (UNCG) (He's young, has ACC connections and UNCG was a train-wreck before he turned it around)
- Mark Schmidt (Bonnies) (He's really well connected & the Bonnies were a total teardown job also)
- Eric Musselman (Nevada) (Doubt he's coming East for this job, but he's a good coach)

None of these names would be a program defining moment. However, I'd be happy to give any of the first 6 names listed a shot. That said, I doubt any of the first 5 would take the BC job. That would leave us with Wes Miller... who I think is actually a very good choice.

If Buzz would leave Marquette for VT, any of those guys would leave their current destination for BC. I added Shaka Smart to the A-List also, he's going to be fired shortly and is a good coach.

In my opinion, Shaka would be a program-defining moment. I think he is an excellent coach who would win with players that he'd land at BC. However, I think he's being retained by Texas. It is a shame though. BC would be all over hiring a guy who is being financially supported by another program.

Jeff Goodman talking BC today...
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status ... 9944291328
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status ... 9697017856
https://twitter.com/GoodmanHoops/status ... 3050494977

Since folks like to pretend that we are going to make a move, I will bump this post from last year.

I continue to believe that this next hire needs to be a program defining moment. We have been deplorable since Skinner was fired. Another misstep makes us irrelevant for multiple generations (something that we won't come back from). I am all-in on Beilein and Shaka. But, to me, Wes Miller has a resume very similar to Bernabei-McNamee. For the record, I'd be psyched if that was ultimate outcome. If we missed on Beilein, Smart and Miller... I'd give Bob Richey and Wojo and Bobby Hurley a look.

HJS {l Wrote}:

claver2010 {l Wrote}:borzello is usually pretty well informed (not a whole lot of CONTENT here though)

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-baske ... g-carousel

Meanwhile, Danny Manning is also finishing up his sixth season in the ACC -- and despite a reported eight-figure buyout and contract until 2025, he's also likely to move on. The Demon Deacons have shown some flashes this season, but it'll be his fifth time in six years finishing below .500 in the league.

What in the hell?

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:How is Wes Miller any different than Donahue or Christian? Going the mid-major route makes me really nervous with the state of this basketball program.

HJS {l Wrote}:

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:How is Wes Miller any different than Donahue or Christian? Going the mid-major route makes me really nervous with the state of this basketball program.

It's not really. However, unlike the other two, Miller played major college basketball (at UNC). He'd also be a decade younger than either Don or JC when he landed the job (meaning that Don and JC were fully-baked... we got what we bought where Miller might be a growth opportunity).

The proven commodity is Beilein or Smart. Anything else is gonna be a crap shoot. You support Eisley. How well is he going to recruit since being in the college game for only a few months? How is he going to be as a head coach (assembling staff, running a system) when he's never done it? BC is either landing someone with significant questions... or will shock the world with a coach that is sought after other programs.

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:

HJS {l Wrote}:

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:How is Wes Miller any different than Donahue or Christian? Going the mid-major route makes me really nervous with the state of this basketball program.

It's not really. However, unlike the other two, Miller played major college basketball (at UNC). He'd also be a decade younger than either Don or JC when he landed the job (meaning that Don and JC were fully-baked... we got what we bought where Miller might be a growth opportunity).

The proven commodity is Beilein or Smart. Anything else is gonna be a crap shoot. You support Eisley. How well is he going to recruit since being in the college game for only a few months? How is he going to be as a head coach (assembling staff, running a system) when he's never done it? BC is either landing someone with significant questions... or will shock the world with a coach that is sought after other programs.

I think I'd rather keep JC than hire Miller or Eisley. I just don't see the difference.

If you can get a brand name (Beilein, Smart, Kevin Willard, etc.) then make the move. I think it would really benefit BC to announce a new coach at the same time as announcing a new basketball facility. One without the other won't do any good.

Dick Rosenthal {l Wrote}:Can one or both of you explain why Smart is a good hire? He took over a VCU franchise that was already a power and had huge advantages in terms of facilities, recent historical success and recruiting and while he kept that train running, so have the two coaches that followed him. At Texas, where he has advantages over almost the entire Big 12 (Kansas being the only exception), he has not performed well. From that resume, how is he a "big name" hire or someone we should expect to succeed?

Corporal Funishment {l Wrote}:The people who think Shaka Smart is below us are going to be so, so disappointed again when they see what we end up with.

Shaka Smart is the reach candidate, gentlemen.

BCEagles25 {l Wrote}:Shaka is conflicting. He has big recruiting success at the major level, and more success than JC has had at both mid major (the A10 is good enough where they aren’t far out of major level) and major level. He’s young. His price tag gives me pause.

If it’s not Beilein or a splash name - just stick with JC.

Don’t think they make a splash hire after they made one in football.

innocentbystander {l Wrote}:

BCEagles25 {l Wrote}:Shaka is conflicting. He has big recruiting success at the major level, and more success than JC has had at both mid major (the A10 is good enough where they aren’t far out of major level) and major level. He’s young. His price tag gives me pause.

If it’s not Beilein or a splash name - just stick with JC.

Don’t think they make a splash hire after they made one in football.

I think any scenario where Jarmond just sticks with JC is pretty much a non-starter with the minions at EO.

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:There is zero reason to keep JC.

eepstein0 {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:There is zero reason to keep JC.

If you’re going to hire Bill Coen or something just keep JC

HJS {l Wrote}:So... everyone is on the same page as it relates to hiring Beilein or Jay Wright or similar homerun, never-happen, program-altering coaches. If Marty can land one, no amount of money is too much. The real question is what to do when you can’t land that.

I view the next level to be guys like Shaka Smart, Wojo, Bobby Hurley, Richard Pitino, Mike Hopkins, Kevin Willard, Thad Matta and Ed Cooley. Each are probably more expensive than they are worth. Each come with some question marks. But, each would be viewed as a strong hire for BC. Each are also young enough (except Cooley and Matta) to grow in the role.

The next level is where most think we’d be fishing. This is the sea of unknowns. Do you go for young, unprovens (like Wes Miller or Bob Richey) or do you go for the boring (like Bill Coen, John Becker or JT3)

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:The guy that hired Hafley is not hiring Bill Coen. Christ, where have you people been?

HJS {l Wrote}:

twballgame9 {l Wrote}:The guy that hired Hafley is not hiring Bill Coen. Christ, where have you people been?

The guy who hired Hafley extended Jim Christian. Christ, where have you been?

Corporal Funishment {l Wrote}:JC isn't Spaziani-ing the program at the very least