Agree with PhilG. KO can't be the next coach. Love him and all he has done and all he stands for. Has great potential but only 2 years as an assistant and no head coaching experience means he can't be the next coach.
I've said I think it's going to be Tom Moore or Steve Pikiell because I'm trying to think of how it's going to go down between JC and Manuel. JC has never said "I want KO to replace me." It's always been something to the effect of "I want someone from the family to replace me." It's been the rumor mongers and some idiots like ESPN's Andy Katz who have deduced it must be KO, so it's become consensus. Now Manuel clearly seems to be indicating he is not comfortable giving it to KO with the lack of experience. Manuel also seems smart enough to not piss off JC on the way out the door so they will sit down and come to a compromise. "Jim, I'm not comfortable with KO's lack of experience, so who else do you recommend so we can keep this thing in the family?" In my mind, having seen a lot of Quinnipiac games, Moore would be a great compromise. 13 years of high major AAU recruiting contacts, which this current "recruiting staff" sorely lacks. 13 years of ties to all the current UConn NBA alums. 5 years of head coaching experience where he's averaged 21 wins per year over the last three years at a place that had only won more than 21 twice in the history of the school. And he comes with JC's strong endorsement.
Now, I'm not saying this is what should happen....but I could certainly see it going this way.
Zero chance it goes down that way.
KO bring continuity. He already has a relationship with the players and incoming recruits. That's a big part of what he's bringing to the table. The weight that Manuel places on these two items will go a long way to determining if Kevin gets the job. Other "family members", who aren't on staff now, don’t bring that to the table. There is little reason to take them instead of the best available coach.
I expect Manuel to be true to his word and look at all the factors and pick the guy who seems best to him. That's his job. Kevin has enough to make him a candidate, namely:
1. JC's blessing. It is a big benefit to the institution to keep their high profile HOF coach happy. If he want Kevin, that's certainly a plus for KO.
2. Relationship with the existing players, limits transfers, smoothes the transition.
3. Relationship with recruits, better not to have kids asking to be released.
4. Familiarity with the existing system, again eases the transition.
5. NBA experience, meaningful for recruiting.
6. Experience at the university. They know the guy and know that they can work with him.
7. Compelling personal story/credibility with recruits.
That's pretty decent but hardly compelling. The big missing component is head coaching experience, particularly at a big time college level. Face it, if Kevin wasn't one of our own, we'd be outraged by his choice.
If JC were to retire today, Kevin would likely be considered but would lose the job to more experienced candidates. This season, however, provides a unique opportunity. Each day that passes makes it less likely that another suitable coach would take the job. If we aren't eligible for the post season, and I still haven't given up hope that they use current data in the end, Kevin would be have a great chance to cut his teeth as a head coach, with less pressure on him. If JC were to have a 'health issue' at the start of the season, Kevin would be well positioned to step in. Manuel could give him his shot without be held accountable if things go south. I have a hunch that that could well be where this is going.
