Fun Speculation

[Stainmaster]

I know I’m citing an anonymous Twitter account with ~5K followers here, but given the sheer volume of personal knowledge of college coaches they display on a regular basis, I’m inclined to believe that the people running it are very well connected.

Since they’re absolutely nuts, they decided to rank who they perceive as the top three candidates for all 351 DI jobs if any of them opened up this offseason.

Here is their top three for us:



Just for yuks, Ollie is listed as #2 for the Loyola Marymount job were he to leave - which they think has a 90% chance of happening per an earlier hot seat rundown.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

I almost wonder if Ollie would be a better NBA coach

 

[SirHypeAlot]

Is it possible the fan base is willing Danny Hurley into the roll of our new head coach next year? We have no idea if Benedict is actually in talks with him, yet the narrative has become so mainstream it almost feels like it's going to happen because we have willed it into fruition. The AD is paid to make his own decisions but the input from the fan base is so overwhelmingly in favor of Hurley that AD Dave (probably) feels like he needs to acquiesce. I think his ass is on the hot seat- the pressure to please the fans is real. Give them what they want?

 

[Lefty2one]

If KO is gone I'd bet my life on him becoming an NBA assistant over taking another college job.

 

[Slasher]

UCLA? They're not going to be in the market for a new coach.

 

[Stainmaster]

Is it possible the fan base is willing Danny Hurley into the roll of our new head coach next year? We have no idea if Benedict is actually in talks with him, yet the narrative has become so mainstream it almost feels like it's going to happen because we have willed it into fruition. The AD is paid to make his own decisions but the input from the fan base is so overwhelmingly in favor of Hurley that AD Dave (probably) feels like he needs to acquiesce. I think his ass is on the hot seat- the pressure to please the fans is real. Give them what they want?

As usual, the fanbase grossly overestimates its importance.

If Hurley comes here, nobody in the fanbase save for any BoT members who coughed up dough for the buyout had anything to do with it.

Benedict is after Hurley because it’s plain to see he’s a very good coach. Not because he uses a few dozen Boneyard posters and a handful of stray Twitter accounts as his search firm.

But if it makes you feel better, by all means tell yourself that message board posting is what’s bringing Hurley here.

 

[Stainmaster]

UCLA? They're not going to be in the market for a new coach.

They did this for all 351 jobs. Like I said, they’re insane.

 

[8893]

UCLA? They're not going to be in the market for a new coach.

He did every D1 school.

 

[UConnStats]

Is it possible the fan base is willing Danny Hurley into the roll of our new head coach next year? We have no idea if Benedict is actually in talks with him, yet the narrative has become so mainstream it almost feels like it's going to happen because we have willed it into fruition. The AD is paid to make his own decisions but the input from the fan base is so overwhelmingly in favor of Hurley that AD Dave (probably) feels like he needs to acquiesce. I think his ass is on the hot seat- the pressure to please the fans is real. Give them what they want?

The reason the fanbase is on him is because he’s been rumored to want/have interest in the job for the past year.

 

[CL82]

Jeff Capel - didn't light the world on fire at Oklahoma:

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
VCU Rams (Colonial Athletic Association) (2002–2006)
2002–03 VCU 18–10 12–6 T–2nd
2003–04 VCU 23–8 14–4 1st NCAA Round of 64
2004–05 VCU 19–13 13–5 T–2nd NIT Opening Round
2005–06 VCU 19–10 11–7 5th
VCU: 79–41 (.658) 50–22 (.694)
Oklahoma Sooners (Big 12 Conference) (2006–2011)
2006–07 Oklahoma 16–15 6–10 T–7th
2007–08 Oklahoma 23–12 9–7 T–4th NCAA Round of 32
2008–09 Oklahoma 30–6 13–3 2nd NCAA Elite Eight
2009–10 Oklahoma 0–18* 0–12* T-11th
2010–11 Oklahoma 14–18 5–11 8th
Oklahoma: 83–69* (.546) 33-43* (.434)

Plus, there was speculation that it might be related to media reports that Tiny Gallon had received an impermissible extra benefit from Merrill Lynch employee and this was confirmed when subsequently released phone records tied him and Taliaferro and the NCAA confirmed it was investigating. In August 2011, Oklahoma admitted that Taliaferro had committed 2 NCAA violations in the Gallon case; Capel was not implicated in the violations. Now he's associate head coach at Duke and we find out that the FBI is looking into that program. I'd definitely ask for an explanation and have a get out of jail free card inserted into his contract in the event that he's implicated in the Duke scandal (just feels good to type that.)
​

Bill Coen - I'm not sure we capture lightening in a bottle again with an Northeastern coach. Record is meh:

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Northeastern (Colonial Athletic Association) (2006–present)
2006–07 Northeastern 13–19 9–9 T–5th
2007–08 Northeastern 14–17 9–9 T–6th
2008–09 Northeastern 19–13 12–6 T–3rd CBI Quarterfinals
2009–10 Northeastern 20–13 14–4 2nd NIT First Round
2010–11 Northeastern 11–20 6–12 T–9th
2011–12 Northeastern 14–17 9–9 7th
2012–13 Northeastern 20–13 14-4 1st NIT First Round
2013–14 Northeastern 11–21 7–9 5th
2014–15 Northeastern 23–12 12–6 T–1st NCAA Second Round
2015–16 Northeastern 18–15 9–9 6th
2016–17 Northeastern 15–16 8–10 6th
2017–18 Northeastern 21–9 14-4 T-1st
Northeastern: 199–185 (.518) 123–91 (.575)​

Danny Hurley

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Wagner Seahawks (Northeast Conference) (2010–2012)
2010–11 Wagner 13–17 9–9 6th
2011–12 Wagner 25–6 15–3 2nd
Wagner: 38–23 (.623) 24–12 (.667)
Rhode Island Rams (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2012–present)
2012–13 Rhode Island 8–21 3–13 T–14th
2013–14 Rhode Island 14–18 5–11 10th
2014–15 Rhode Island 23–10 13–5 T–2nd NIT Second Round
2015–16 Rhode Island 17–15 9–9 7th
2016–17 Rhode Island 25–10 13–5 T–3rd NCAA Round of 32
2017–18 Rhode Island 23-4 15-1 1st
Rhode Island: 109–78 (.576) 57–44 (.546)
​

Kevin Ollie

Connecticut Huskies (Big East Conference) (2012–2013)
2012–13 Connecticut 20–10 10–8 T–7th Ineligible
Connecticut Huskies (American Athletic Conference) (2013–present)
2013–14 Connecticut 32–8 12–6 T–3rd NCAA Champions
2014–15 Connecticut 20–15 10–8 T–5th NIT First Round
2015–16 Connecticut 25–11 11–7 6th NCAA Second Round
2016–17 Connecticut 16–17 9–9 T–5th
2017–18 Connecticut 14–16 7–10
Connecticut: 127–77 (.623) 59–48 (.551) ​

 

[Travelman6]

As usual, the fanbase grossly overestimates its importance.

If Hurley comes here, nobody in the fanbase save for any BoT members who coughed up dough for the buyout had anything to do with it.

Benedict is after Hurley because it’s plain to see he’s a very good coach. Not because he uses a few dozen Boneyard posters and a handful of stray Twitter accounts as his search firm.

But if it makes you feel better, by all means tell yourself that message board posting is what’s bringing Hurley here.

To be fair, he did say...

...Is it possible ...
...We have no idea if ...
...it almost feels like ...
...(probably) feels like ...
...I think his ass is on the hot seat...

Lots of conditionals and other related language that is non committal and just speculation.

"....the pressure to please the fans is real..."

However, that statement is true. You do have to please fans (aka customers) otherwise revenue via ticket sales, merchandise and even donations risks declining. So, fans have more clout than they realize, especially with social media (which has been cause for change in much bigger aspects of life, like entire govts in some countries).

 

[SirHypeAlot]

As usual, the fanbase grossly overestimates its importance.

If Hurley comes here, nobody in the fanbase save for any BoT members who coughed up dough for the buyout had anything to do with it.

Benedict is after Hurley because it’s plain to see he’s a very good coach. Not because he uses a few dozen Boneyard posters and a handful of stray Twitter accounts as his search firm.

But if it makes you feel better, by all means tell yourself that message board posting is what’s bringing Hurley here.

Newsflash there is life beyond the boneyard. Tens of thousands of fans and alumni. We're the ones that pay the bills. Look at the attendance numbers:
2015 10,687
2016 10,413
2017 8,505

Do you see a trend there? Take a wild guess at what this year's numbers will look like. People aren't going to games - that spells doom for a program already running in the red. You want to pack XL and Gampel? you make the people happy. who is literally everyone clamoring for? Danny Hurley.

 

[Stainmaster]

To be fair, he did say...

...Is it possible ...
...We have no idea if ...
...it almost feels like ...
...(probably) feels like ...
...I think his ass is on the hot seat...

Lots of conditionals and other related language that is non committal one way or the other.

"....the pressure to please the fans is real..."

However, that statement is true. You do have to please fans (aka customers) otherwise revenue via ticket sales, merchandise and even donations risks declining. So, fans have more clout than they realize, especially with social media (which has been cause for change in much bigger aspects of life, like entire govts in some countries).

AD Dave needs to please the fans by hiring a good coach, not by letting them pick the next one.

 

[Travelman6]

AD Dave needs to please the fans by hiring a good coach, not by letting them pick the next one.

I totally agree with that. I would not be shocked, however, if fans wants and what AD does is somehow actually aligned, but who knows.

 

[Stainmaster]

who is literally everyone clamoring for? Danny Hurley.

Nope. Nice try.

There is nowhere near the kind of unanimous support for Dan Hurley in the manner you are suggesting. Large swaths of the fanbase - season ticket holders included - probably have little to no idea who he is.

 

[Stainmaster]

I totally agree with that. I would not be shocked, however, if fans wants and what AD does is somehow actually aligned, but who knows.

It’s certainly not a causal relationship though.

 

[bazzketball13]

Is it possible the fan base is willing Danny Hurley into the roll of our new head coach next year? We have no idea if Benedict is actually in talks with him, yet the narrative has become so mainstream it almost feels like it's going to happen because we have willed it into fruition. The AD is paid to make his own decisions but the input from the fan base is so overwhelmingly in favor of Hurley that AD Dave (probably) feels like he needs to acquiesce. I think his ass is on the hot seat- the pressure to please the fans is real. Give them what they want?

Kevin will be back. If things change, I like tom crean.

 

[The Viking]

No Jim Calhoun in the top three?
Hmmm

 

[Kathy]

Newsflash there is life beyond the boneyard. Tens of thousands of fans and alumni. We're the ones that pay the bills. Look at the attendance numbers:
2015 10,687
2016 10,413
2017 8,505

Do you see a trend there? Take a wild guess at what this year's numbers will look like. People aren't going to games - that spells doom for a program already running in the red. You want to pack XL and Gampel? you make the people happy. who is literally everyone clamoring for? Danny Hurley.

Not all losing or Ollie. Sime of the decrease is opponents. I can't give away a ticket for some of the teams in this league. My own son who used to come up from jersey for many games before the AAC says just nit worth thr trip. Will come for ooc teams and a couple AAC but the draw isn't the same.

 

[hoopsknowitall]

If you’re spitting ten million out for a buyout it had better be more than Jeff Capel....

 

[Tenspro2002]

​

Bill Coen - I'm not sure we capture lightening in a bottle again with an Northeastern coach. Record is meh:

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Northeastern (Colonial Athletic Association) (2006–present)
2006–07 Northeastern 13–19 9–9 T–5th
2007–08 Northeastern 14–17 9–9 T–6th
2008–09 Northeastern 19–13 12–6 T–3rd CBI Quarterfinals
2009–10 Northeastern 20–13 14–4 2nd NIT First Round
2010–11 Northeastern 11–20 6–12 T–9th
2011–12 Northeastern 14–17 9–9 7th
2012–13 Northeastern 20–13 14-4 1st NIT First Round
2013–14 Northeastern 11–21 7–9 5th
2014–15 Northeastern 23–12 12–6 T–1st NCAA Second Round
2015–16 Northeastern 18–15 9–9 6th
2016–17 Northeastern 15–16 8–10 6th
2017–18 Northeastern 21–9 14-4 T-1st
Northeastern: 199–185 (.518) 123–91 (.575)​

Jesus, you mean that that Northeastern team we lost to last season with a full roster didn't even finish .500 in the CAA? My goodness.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Not all losing or Ollie. Sime of the decrease is opponents. I can't give away a ticket for some of the teams in this league. My own son who used to come up from jersey for many games before the AAC says just nit worth thr trip. Will come for ooc teams and a couple AAC but the draw isn't the same.

Our conference schedule is no different this year than it was in 2015-16, arguably it's even better now with the addition of WSU.

Don't overthink this, it is the losing, and the directionlessness of this program under the current coach.

 

[Horatio]

Karl Hobbs with Scott Burrell.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Jeff Capel - didn't light the world on fire at Oklahoma:

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
VCU Rams (Colonial Athletic Association) (2002–2006)
2002–03 VCU 18–10 12–6 T–2nd
2003–04 VCU 23–8 14–4 1st NCAA Round of 64
2004–05 VCU 19–13 13–5 T–2nd NIT Opening Round
2005–06 VCU 19–10 11–7 5th
VCU: 79–41 (.658) 50–22 (.694)
Oklahoma Sooners (Big 12 Conference) (2006–2011)
2006–07 Oklahoma 16–15 6–10 T–7th
2007–08 Oklahoma 23–12 9–7 T–4th NCAA Round of 32
2008–09 Oklahoma 30–6 13–3 2nd NCAA Elite Eight
2009–10 Oklahoma 0–18* 0–12* T-11th
2010–11 Oklahoma 14–18 5–11 8th
Oklahoma: 83–69* (.546) 33-43* (.434)

Plus, there was speculation that it might be related to media reports that Tiny Gallon had received an impermissible extra benefit from Merrill Lynch employee and this was confirmed when subsequently released phone records tied him and Taliaferro and the NCAA confirmed it was investigating. In August 2011, Oklahoma admitted that Taliaferro had committed 2 NCAA violations in the Gallon case; Capel was not implicated in the violations. Now he's associate head coach at Duke and we find out that the FBI is looking into that program. I'd definitely ask for an explanation and have a get out of jail free card inserted into his contract in the event that he's implicated in the Duke scandal (just feels good to type that.)
​

Bill Coen - I'm not sure we capture lightening in a bottle again with an Northeastern coach. Record is meh:

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Northeastern (Colonial Athletic Association) (2006–present)
2006–07 Northeastern 13–19 9–9 T–5th
2007–08 Northeastern 14–17 9–9 T–6th
2008–09 Northeastern 19–13 12–6 T–3rd CBI Quarterfinals
2009–10 Northeastern 20–13 14–4 2nd NIT First Round
2010–11 Northeastern 11–20 6–12 T–9th
2011–12 Northeastern 14–17 9–9 7th
2012–13 Northeastern 20–13 14-4 1st NIT First Round
2013–14 Northeastern 11–21 7–9 5th
2014–15 Northeastern 23–12 12–6 T–1st NCAA Second Round
2015–16 Northeastern 18–15 9–9 6th
2016–17 Northeastern 15–16 8–10 6th
2017–18 Northeastern 21–9 14-4 T-1st
Northeastern: 199–185 (.518) 123–91 (.575)​

Danny Hurley

Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Wagner Seahawks (Northeast Conference) (2010–2012)
2010–11 Wagner 13–17 9–9 6th
2011–12 Wagner 25–6 15–3 2nd
Wagner: 38–23 (.623) 24–12 (.667)
Rhode Island Rams (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2012–present)
2012–13 Rhode Island 8–21 3–13 T–14th
2013–14 Rhode Island 14–18 5–11 10th
2014–15 Rhode Island 23–10 13–5 T–2nd NIT Second Round
2015–16 Rhode Island 17–15 9–9 7th
2016–17 Rhode Island 25–10 13–5 T–3rd NCAA Round of 32
2017–18 Rhode Island 23-4 15-1 1st
Rhode Island: 109–78 (.576) 57–44 (.546)
​

Kevin Ollie

Connecticut Huskies (Big East Conference) (2012–2013)
2012–13 Connecticut 20–10 10–8 T–7th Ineligible
Connecticut Huskies (American Athletic Conference) (2013–present)
2013–14 Connecticut 32–8 12–6 T–3rd NCAA Champions
2014–15 Connecticut 20–15 10–8 T–5th NIT First Round
2015–16 Connecticut 25–11 11–7 6th NCAA Second Round
2016–17 Connecticut 16–17 9–9 T–5th
2017–18 Connecticut 14–16 7–10
Connecticut: 127–77 (.623) 59–48 (.551) ​

I'd take the guy at Vermont over either of Coen or Caple, without hesitation.

 

[champs99and04]

I'd rather keep KO for another year than bring in Capel or Coen. In the long run it is going to be much more important that we pick the right guy than it will be that we do it at exactly the right time.

I don't think people are as sure about moving on from KO as they'll tell you in the heat of the moment. That doesn't mean there isn't a very good case for doing so, but you come here after a win as opposed to a loss and the tone is a lot different. When the decision is tough, small samples can mean a lot. I fully expect them go bet blown out by Houston and probably lose their first tournament game, but I'm also open to the possibility that they could rally like they did last year and finish respectably. Don't confuse panic for conviction. People here are panicked.