Drew
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College basketball coaches on the hot seat: Who has work to do to save their jobs?
If not for NCAA and/or FBI investigations still threatening the jobs of a batch of men, it would absolutely be the quietest year of coaching turnover at the major-conference level in the past decade. In speaking with industry sources over the past few weeks, it's accepted as a lock that fewer than 20 jobs flip from the Major 7 conferences (AAC, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC). The number might not even hit 15 -- but there are outside factors that could bring upheaval.
Here is a list of schools who could reasonably and rationally opt to make a change come March. The list also details what coaches can do in order to keep their jobs. In some instances, coaches are already on track to do so. This is the longest list rationally possible, which is another way of saying that many of these schools will wind up retaining their current coaches.
AAC COACHES ON THE HOT SEAT
UCONN
Coach: Kevin Ollie
Interesting ongoing situation in Storrs: The Huskies (11-12) have sharply fallen out of national relevance the past two seasons, but season-ending injuries have also played a part in that. Ollie -- in his sixth season and with a national title to his name -- is under contract through 2021 and signed for a base compensation of .9 million across the life of that deal. But that could be wiped away if information from an ongoing NCAA investigation turns up evidence that would void his contract. Locally, UConn fans have become fed up with the team's mediocrity in the American -- the Huskies were the crown jewel get for the American, yet have never finished better than third -- and doubts have permeated throughout the Nutmeg State as to whether the program can get back to top-25 status under Ollie. The timeline on the NCAA's investigation is unknown, as is the severity of potential violations. If no new information comes from the NCAA side in the next two months, Ollie will likely hold on to his job.
E. CAROLINA
Interim coach: Michael Perry
The Pirates already have made a coaching change, as Jeff Lebo resigned at the end of November. Athletic director Jeff Compher no doubt has crafted a target list of realistic candidates whom he'll be eager to interview come March. ECU last made the NCAAs in 1993.
MEMPHIS
Coach: Tubby Smith
I don't expect a change the Bluff City, but the 14-10 Tigers just lost to East Carolina on Saturday, then fell by 20 against Wichita State on Tuesday night. ECU was ranked 315th at KenPom heading into that game. It marked a new low in Smith's tenure with the Tigers. If Memphis continues to crater, then a job change could be in order, but he is only in year two. I think it's more likely than not that Smith is back for 2018-19. It's hard to overstate just how frustrated the fan base is, though. Recruiting has sagged and positive morale has faded.
If not for NCAA and/or FBI investigations still threatening the jobs of a batch of men, it would absolutely be the quietest year of coaching turnover at the major-conference level in the past decade. In speaking with industry sources over the past few weeks, it's accepted as a lock that fewer than 20 jobs flip from the Major 7 conferences (AAC, ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC). The number might not even hit 15 -- but there are outside factors that could bring upheaval.
Here is a list of schools who could reasonably and rationally opt to make a change come March. The list also details what coaches can do in order to keep their jobs. In some instances, coaches are already on track to do so. This is the longest list rationally possible, which is another way of saying that many of these schools will wind up retaining their current coaches.
AAC COACHES ON THE HOT SEAT
UCONN
Coach: Kevin Ollie
Interesting ongoing situation in Storrs: The Huskies (11-12) have sharply fallen out of national relevance the past two seasons, but season-ending injuries have also played a part in that. Ollie -- in his sixth season and with a national title to his name -- is under contract through 2021 and signed for a base compensation of .9 million across the life of that deal. But that could be wiped away if information from an ongoing NCAA investigation turns up evidence that would void his contract. Locally, UConn fans have become fed up with the team's mediocrity in the American -- the Huskies were the crown jewel get for the American, yet have never finished better than third -- and doubts have permeated throughout the Nutmeg State as to whether the program can get back to top-25 status under Ollie. The timeline on the NCAA's investigation is unknown, as is the severity of potential violations. If no new information comes from the NCAA side in the next two months, Ollie will likely hold on to his job.
E. CAROLINA
Interim coach: Michael Perry
The Pirates already have made a coaching change, as Jeff Lebo resigned at the end of November. Athletic director Jeff Compher no doubt has crafted a target list of realistic candidates whom he'll be eager to interview come March. ECU last made the NCAAs in 1993.
MEMPHIS
Coach: Tubby Smith
I don't expect a change the Bluff City, but the 14-10 Tigers just lost to East Carolina on Saturday, then fell by 20 against Wichita State on Tuesday night. ECU was ranked 315th at KenPom heading into that game. It marked a new low in Smith's tenure with the Tigers. If Memphis continues to crater, then a job change could be in order, but he is only in year two. I think it's more likely than not that Smith is back for 2018-19. It's hard to overstate just how frustrated the fan base is, though. Recruiting has sagged and positive morale has faded.
