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Post by Jazzfan on Feb 7, 2009 12:42:38 GMT -5
Let the games begin.......................Seven coaches ready for ACCCaulton Tudor - Staff Writer Sat, Feb. 07, 2009 With at least four ACC basketball coaches under some degree of pressure -- Florida State's Leonard Hamilton, Maryland's Gary Williams, N.C. State's Sidney Lowe and Virginia's Dave Leitao -- entering the final month or so of the season, here are seven potential hiring candidates that ACC athletic directors would be smart to scout: MIKE BREY, NOTRE DAME: The guy is just too solid for the ACC to keep passing on. If you can win 20 games in South Bend, where it's difficult to get anyone through the admissions office, you can win 22 to 23 in the ACC. BRAD BROWNELL, WRIGHT STATE: At age 40, the former UNC-Wilmington coach has the perfect blend of experience and youth to become the right fit for the next 20 to 25 years in the ACC. JEFF CAPEL, OKLAHOMA: The ACC missed far and wide on Capel when he left Virginia Commonwealth for Oklahoma. Now, it's going to be expensive to correct that mistake. Even so, Oklahoma is a football school and the ACC still is a basketball league. ANTHONY GRANT, VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH: Florida's loss will be someone else's gain. In only his third season with the Rams, Grant already has established that he can recruit on the margin and implement effective in-game strategy. BRIAN GREGORY, DAYTON: At 6-1 in the Atlantic 10 and 20-2 overall, it's obvious that Gregory is still on the up-tick. And like most A-10 coaches, he's affordable. SEAN MILLER, XAVIER: It's just a matter of time before Miller gets picked off by the ACC, Big East or Big Ten. At 7-0 in the Atlantic 10 and 19-2 overall, the Musketeers are again heading toward an NCAA seed. BOB MCKILLOP, DAVIDSON: Even at age 58, McKillop is still an undiscovered diamond in the coaching rough. He was winning with regularity at Davidson long before Stephen Curry came along. No one runs a cleaner program, or recruits with more specificity. www.newsobserver.com/sports/story/1396968.html
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Post by Jazzfan on Feb 7, 2009 12:44:12 GMT -5
Alexander fired; Pittman interim coach February 7, 2009 NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Cy Alexander has been fired as basketball coach at Tennessee State. His dismissal was announced Friday by athletic director Teresa Phillips. He said the Tiger basketball program needs "a new direction." Assistant coach Mark Pittman was named interim coach. Alexander was in his sixth season at Tennessee State, posting a record of 67-107 overall and 48-56 in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Tigers were 4-8 and 6-16 this season. Overall, in 24 years of coaching, Alexander has a record of 344-306. Last season, Tennessee State finished 15-17 and reached the championship game of the Ohio Valley Conference. sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3889789
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Post by Jazzfan on Feb 7, 2009 12:50:07 GMT -5
Georgia fires FeltonBy Mark Schlabach ESPN.com 1/29/09 ATHENS, Ga. -- Dennis Felton, who last season led Georgia's basketball program to an improbable SEC tournament championship, was fired on Thursday morning, the school announced. Associate coach Pete Herrmann will serve as interim coach for the remainder of the season, the school said at a news conference announcing the move. Evans' decision came after the Bulldogs lost to Florida 83-57 on Wednesday night, their seventh consecutive defeat. Georgia is 9-11 overall and 0-5 in SEC play. "I'm disappointed that things have not worked out better," athletic director Damon Evans said in a statement released by the school. "I do think it is in the best interest of our men's basketball program that we move in a new direction. "While this may be unusual timing, I'm convinced it is the right time," Evans added. Felton did not immediately return calls from ESPN.com seeking comment. Felton had an 84-91 record in six seasons at Georgia, including a 26-59 mark against SEC opponents. Evans seemed poised to fire Felton a year ago, but the Bulldogs won three games in two days to win the SEC tournament. Georgia was forced to play a condensed schedule after Atlanta's Georgia Dome was damaged by a tornado. By winning the SEC tournament, Georgia won an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, its only appearance on college basketball's biggest stage during Felton's tenure. The No. 14-seeded Bulldogs lost to No. 3 seed Xavier 76-61 in the first round. Felton inherited a Georgia program that had been crippled by NCAA sanctions. He succeeded Jim Harrick in 2003 after Harrick was fired following the discovery of academic fraud and other NCAA rules violations. Evans said an assistant athletic director called Felton late Wednesday night to set up a meeting Thursday morning. Evans said he fired Felton about 7 a.m. Thursday. Under the terms of Felton's contract, Georgia will owe him about $1.5 million to buy out the final two years of his contract, which was scheduled to expire in June 2011. Georgia gave Felton a $50,000 raise and one-year contract extension in March 2007. He was paid $760,000 annually. After Felton led the Bulldogs to an SEC tournament championship and 17-17 record in 2007-08, Georgia didn't extend his contract. Felton didn't attend the news conference Thursday and wasn't available for comment. "I was hoping that we'd build upon the success that we had in the SEC tournament," Evans said. "That's what all the Georgia fans wanted; that's what we wanted; that's what Dennis wanted. We thought it would be a momentum-builder for us. To be where we are today is disappointing." Evans said the search for Felton's successor would begin immediately. Evans said the school would hire an outside search firm to assist in the interview process. Among the candidates believed to be high on Georgia's list of potential replacements are Oklahoma's Jeff Capel; Xavier's Sean Miller; UNLV's Lon Kruger; Baylor's Scott Drew; and Virginia Commonwealth's Anthony Grant. Minnesota coach Tubby Smith, who had a 45-19 record in two seasons at Georgia from 1995 to 1997, also will be considered for the opening, sources close to the situation said. Smith led Georgia to consecutive 20-win seasons before leaving for Kentucky in 1997. "I'll say this: Our commitment and my commitment to build Georgia basketball is strong," Evans said. "And when I say strong, I'll add very strong onto that. We're going to go out and find the best possible person for this job. That may mean we commit more resources than we have in the past but we're not letting that hold us back from doing what we need to do to have a successful men's basketball program." sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3868747
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Post by Jazzfan on Feb 20, 2009 21:46:17 GMT -5
Arizona job still openFinding the next Arizona men's basketball coach could take a month or longer. UA athletic director Jim Livengood, who has been compiling a list of candidates for four months, will make the decision with school president Robert Shelton. With the Wildcats riding a seven-game winning streak, some fans have suggested that interim coach Russ Pennell be considered for the permanent position. "Russ and I have never talked about the job. No one has been promised the job," Livengood said. www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/91578-arizona-job-still-open?eref=fromSI
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Post by Raider Rowdies on Mar 4, 2009 20:33:10 GMT -5
March 4, 2009 NCAA investigating Arizona programAssociated Press TUCSON, Ariz. -- The NCAA is investigating Arizona's basketball program for alleged recruiting violations, according to a notice of inquiry sent to the school's president. The Arizona Daily Star reported on its Web site that the allegations stem from initially self-reported violations involving a recruiting event at the McKale Center, where the Wildcats play. The NCAA began looking into the matter last year after Arizona reported that then-coach Lute Olson asked donors to give money to support the event, which brings in hundreds of elite athletes for recruitment. NCAA rules say a school or coach cannot offer or arrange financial assistance, directly or indirectly, to pay for a recruit's expenses before his university enrollment. Penalties for violations could include loss of scholarships and recruiting visits. In its Feb. 6 letter to the university, the NCAA told school president Robert Shelton that it plans to finish the investigation by May 1. sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3950471
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Post by BasketBallJones on Mar 8, 2009 3:17:51 GMT -5
The Carousel will really start turning in about a week. I really thought that BB would be here at least one more year after our dismal start, but now that he just posted his 3rd 20 win season in a row, I'm not so sure.
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Post by Raider Fanatic on Mar 8, 2009 12:30:32 GMT -5
The good news for us is I think little man k did just enough this year to not get himself fired. He can recruit, but he isn't 1/2 the coach Brownell is.
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Post by wolf41 on Mar 8, 2009 14:45:40 GMT -5
I honestly feel that Brad will be back next season. Beyond that I have nothing to offer. After next season, I think he'll be more open to offers. If one of his "favorites" offers he could be gone, but next next year.
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Post by riceownz2 on Mar 8, 2009 20:03:35 GMT -5
I hope BB stays. But if something comes available in a BCS school how can he turn it down? Maybe with the economy the way it is, the money may not be there so staying maybe an option. I want AT LEAST one more year.
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Post by ohiopirate on Mar 11, 2009 8:23:00 GMT -5
sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bill_trocchi/03/10/coaching.carousel/Brad Brownell, Wright State -- Brownell, 40, is in his seventh year as a head coach and has never had a losing record. He was 83-40 in four years at UNC Wilmington that included two NCAA tournament berths. He then took Wright State to the NCAA tournament in his first year. This season, Wright State went 20-13 (10-6 in the Horizon) despite losing all-league guard Vaughn Duggins after just four games to a broken finger. Wright State reached the Horizon semifinals before falling at Butler, 62-57.
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Post by Jazzfan on Mar 16, 2009 19:37:25 GMT -5
March 16, 2009 Leitao resigns after four seasonsCHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Dave Leitao resigned Monday as Virginia's men's basketball coach after the team's worst season in decades. "Dave has been a respected colleague and a fine University representative in the local community during his tenure here," athletic director Craig Littlepage said in a release from the school. "He brought a great deal of leadership, discipline and integrity to his coaching responsibilities. I appreciate his hard work and dedication to athletics at the University of Virginia." Leitao will be paid about $2.1 million, Littlepage said. The school said neither Leitao nor Littlepage would be available for additional comment. Virginia finished 10-18 this season, 11th in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was the Cavaliers' worst record since they went 9-17 in 1967-68. Their season ended with a 76-63 loss to Boston College in the first round of the ACC tournament in a game that was never close. Leitao won the ACC coach of the year award in 2007, when Virginia shared first place in the conference with North Carolina, but compiled a 63-60 record in his four years. This season was his first without Sean Singletary at point guard, and while Leitao said after last season that he expected to begin fully implementing his philosophy and system this year, the Cavaliers remained one of the league's worst defensive and rebounding teams. The Cavaliers routinely trailed by double figures at halftime, even at John Paul Jones Arena, where they went 9-8, and fan interest waned as the team's difficulties continued. The $130 million arena, opened just three years ago, seats more than 14,000 for basketball, but drew an average of just over 10,000 this season. Apathy was more apparent during Leitao's weekly hourlong radio show, which more than once attracted no callers. On the court, Leitao's distribution of playing time was often befuddling as players got significant minutes one game, and then went several games playing sparingly if at all. Earlier in the season, sophomore Mustafa Farrakhan checked in with Virginia losing by 15 points at Virginia Tech and almost shot them back into the game by himself. Farrakhan hit four 3-pointers and scored 15 points in a span of less than four minutes as Virginia lost 78-75. Farrakhan started the next game against North Carolina and played 27 minutes, but shot just 4-for-15 from the field in an 83-61 loss, and his minutes dwindled steadily thereafter. The Cavaliers were young, with only two seniors in forward Mamadi Diane and center Tunji Soroye. Diane was their leading returning scorer, but started the season slowly and soon found himself relegated to the bench, while the oft-injured Soroye played minimally all year. Only in the last two games, when Diane scored 23 points on senior day and then followed up with 24 against Boston College in the Cavaliers' one-and-done ACC appearance, did he show any of the flashes of potential that marked four very inconsistent seasons in Charlottesville. Indeed, Virginia's lone bright spot was the arrival of Sylven Landesberg, a New York City native who led the team in scoring and was a runaway winner as the ACC's top rookie in 2009. sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=3986162
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Post by Jazzfan on Mar 17, 2009 20:43:48 GMT -5
Appalachian State's Fancher resigns after 13-18 campaignMarch 16, 2009 BOONE, N.C. -- Houston Fancher is out as coach at Appalachian State after nine seasons. The school said Monday night that Fancher had resigned, but would be paid through the end of next season, when his contract expires. Fancher was 137-136, but the Mountaineers went 13-18 this season and lost in the Southern Conference tournament quarterfinals. Fancher was promoted to head coach in 2000 after Buzz Peterson left for Tulsa. Appalachian won a school-record 25 games in 2006-07 and reached the NIT. But the Mountaineers never reached the NCAA tournament under Fancher. www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11510746
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Post by Jazzfan on Mar 17, 2009 20:48:45 GMT -5
The hottest mid-major coaches Tuesday March 10, 2009 Of the 13 job openings last year at power conference schools (BCS conferences, A-10, MWC, WAC), four were filled with head coaches from mid-major programs. Darrin Horn went from Western Kentucky to South Carolina, Jim Christian moved from Kent State to TCU, Craig Robinson jumped from Brown to Oregon State and Keno Davis went from Drake to Providence. All four have improved their new teams, with Robinson having the biggest impact with the Beavers. Three major programs -- Alabama, Arizona and Georgia -- are already in the market for a new head coach, and more are sure to follow. Here are some names from the mid-major ranks those athletic directors might want to contact: Todd Bozeman, Morgan State -- Yes, he's got some baggage, but the man can coach. Bozeman took over a team that won four games in 2006, 13 in 2007 and 22 in 2008, when the Bears clinched the MEAC regular-season title. This year, the Bears repeated as MEAC regular-season champs and start their conference tournament Wednesday as the No. 1 seed. Bozeman was out of college coaching for 10 years after he was caught cheating at Cal in 1996, but he paid his dues and has shown he can rebuild a program. Brad Brownell, Wright State -- Brownell, 40, is in his seventh year as a head coach and has never had a losing record. He was 83-40 in four years at UNC Wilmington that included two NCAA tournament berths. He then took Wright State to the NCAA tournament in his first year. This season, Wright State went 20-13 (10-6 in the Horizon) despite losing all-league guard Vaughn Duggins after just four games to a broken finger. Wright State reached the Horizon semifinals before falling at Butler, 62-57.Anthony Grant, VCU -- The longtime Billy Donovan assistant, Grant nearly replaced his mentor at Florida at the end of the 2007 season. Grant is in his third year at VCU after coaching under Donovan for 12 years (10 at Florida, two at Marshall). The Rams are 76-24 since Grant took over, winning three-straight CAA regular-season titles and two CAA tournaments. VCU beat Duke and lost to Pittsburgh in overtime in the 2007 tournament, and enters this year's tourney as a team no team wants to face. Tim Jankovich, Illinois State -- After spending five years as an assistant under Bill Self (one year at Illinois, four at Kansas), Jankovich took over at Illinois State last year and is 49-19 at a program that averaged 13 wins the four years before he arrived. The Redbirds made the NIT last year and came within one possession of winning the Valley tournament this year before losing in overtime to Northern Iowa. Jankovich was head coach at North Texas from 1993-97 and has the second-best winning percentage of any coach at UNT. Brad Stevens, Butler -- Stevens has been a head coach for less than two years, but he has already proven he can lead a veteran or inexperienced team. Butler is 56-7 the last two years and reached the second round of the NCAA tournament last year with a veteran group. This year, with three freshmen and a sophomore in the starting lineup, Butler is back in the dance. The guess here is Stevens, 32, will see this current crop of freshmen through before exploring other options, but he's still worth a phone call. Cliff Warren, Jacksonville -- Warren spent five years as an assistant to Paul Hewitt at Georgia Tech before taking over at Jacksonville. The Dolphins won one game in Warren's injury-plagued first year, 15 in his second season and 18 last year. This season, Jacksonville (18-13) won the Atlantic Sun regular-season title and will head to the NIT after falling to East Tennessee State in the conference tournament final. sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/bill_trocchi/03/10/coaching.carousel/
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Post by ilm2day on Mar 18, 2009 10:04:08 GMT -5
Donlon could be looking for a job as well, opening at Elon, High Point and App State brings him back closer to where he wants to eventually end up.
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Post by Sixth Man on Mar 18, 2009 20:21:33 GMT -5
Donlon could be looking for a job as well, opening at Elon, High Point and App State brings him back closer to where he wants to eventually end up. He would be a fool to leave now for any of those jobs. If he just sits tight for another season or two he will get a chance to be the head man at WSU when Brownell moves on.
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