OT: UCLA narrowing in on Dixon and Cronin

[RayIsTheGOAT]

That is so underwhelming if I'm a UCLA fan. Dixon and Cronin do not move the needle very much from Steve Alford.

Why not shoot a bit bigger? Luke Walton is a good mention. Kelvin Sampson? Chris Beard?
Take a risk, go for Rick Pitino. As slimy as he is, he's a great coach.
Unless I'm missing something, I would think UCLA would be an great draw for any coach.

 

[intlzncster]

Any coaching position that pays over 2 million a year is not overrated. IMO

You're not wrong, but that's about the going rate these days for an average program.

 

[intlzncster]

Take a risk, go for Rick Pitino. As slimy as he is, he's a great coach.

I heard the AD considered him, but higher ups eventually passed.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I heard the AD considered him, but higher ups eventually passed.

If we were unable to get Hurley, I would have loved to go after Pitino. I know that's probably an unpopular opinion on here. Maybe that's selling my soul to the devil a bit too much. But it would have been our best chance at staying relevant, perhaps.

This is assuming that Tom Crean caliber was truly our next best option.

 

[tcf15]

If we were unable to get Hurley, I would have loved to go after Pitino. I know that's probably an unpopular opinion on here. But it would have been our best chance at staying relevant, perhaps.

This is assuming that Tom Crean caliber was truly our next best option.

I think Frank Martin was plan B

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

I think Frank Martin was plan B

That is a bit scary. No disrespect to the man. But wow are we lucky to have Hurley.

 

[intlzncster]

If we were unable to get Hurley, I would have loved to go after Pitino. I know that's probably an unpopular opinion on here. Maybe that's selling my soul to the devil a bit too much. But it would have been our best chance at staying relevant, perhaps.

This is assuming that Tom Crean caliber was truly our next best option.

Can you imagine the Connecticut NIMBY's if Pitino was hired? lmao was a crap show that would have been. A truly untenable hire.

 

[gampelcrazies]

I think Frank Martin was plan B

Me personally I think they would have gotten John Becker from Vermont.

 

[RayIsTheGOAT]

Can you imagine the Connecticut NIMBY's if Pitino was hired? lmao was a crap show that would have been. A truly untenable hire.

I would have loved every second of it.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

It always takes me a second when people call TCU Texas Christian

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Kevin Ollie's probably around?

 

[HooperScooper]

And they're potentially interested in Shaka Smart too? Because he's done so well at Texas?

Reports: Texas coach Shaka Smart a candidate for UCLA opening

 

[Hans Sprungfeld]

I thought this was going to be an April Fool's article.

 

[polycom]

And they're potentially interested in Shaka Smart too? Because he's done so well at Texas?

Reports: Texas coach Shaka Smart a candidate for UCLA opening

Hot take: is Shaka Smart the basketball version of Diaco?

 

[zls44]

Shaka is only moving if someone wants to pay that buyout. And nobody is doing that.

 

[zls44]

Nick Van Exel doesn't have the experience to jump to a high major job

Kind of like Kevin Ollie and Aaron McKie and Penny Hardaway

 

[Gwynning]

Don't be surprised if Cronin does leave Cincy, but not for a Cali job.
If Virginia Tech finds themselves Buzzless, a Cronin and Babcock reunion would be very logical.
Unless Mick likes money... then he should go west!

 

[UConnStats]

Me personally I think they would have gotten John Becker from Vermont.

He would have been my pick. He’s an awesome coach. Recruiting would be pretty tough though.

 

[gampelcrazies]

He would have been my pick. He’s an awesome coach. Recruiting would be pretty tough though.

Agreed

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Shaka is only moving if someone wants to pay that buyout. And nobody is doing that.

You don't think Texas would cut a deal to let Shaka move on?

 

[zls44]

You don't think Texas would cut a deal to let Shaka move on?

His buyout is over $10m. Got the feeling that Texas would've fired him if it wasn't so much.

 

[pj]

Seems odd they would be considering someone from the Ben Howland coaching tree.

UCLA never should have gotten rid of Howland, he got them to 3 final4's and was doing a great job of recru$ting.

These names make it obvious that UCLA is trying to find Ben Howland 2.0.

 

[kobe]

Nick Van Exel doesn't have the experience to jump to a high major job, I can't see that possibly happening.

He's definitely not gonna be the leading candidate. I think that has to be Brannen but Van Exel has expressed interest in college coaching and likely will be considered. Whether that's right or wrong idk...leaning towards wrong.

I mean Vandy just hired Stackhouse lmao. Crazy things are happening rn.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

His buyout is over $10m. Got the feeling that Texas would've fired him if it wasn't so much.

If Texas wants Shaka Smarrt to leave, and Shaka Smart wants Shaka Smart to leave, I suspect they can come up with a deal on his buyout.

 

[John]

Is UCLA even a top tier job anymore?