Ratto on UA's coaching opening

Skkorpion · March 25th, 2009, 06:58 PM

http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/11548448

Surely will be met with derision here but addresses the point that maybe only UA fans think their job opening is coveted by the already-proven good coaches.

Lefty · March 25th, 2009, 07:50 PM

Arizona vs. Louisville | Preview
When: 7:07 p.m. ET Friday
Where: Indianapolis (Midwest Regional)

Comment: There are already stories popping up about whether it's possible Arizona could be playing against its next head coach, i.e., Rick Pitino, and you can expect Pitino to be asked about it at some point, if he hasn't already. On the surface, such a move sounds crazy. But when you consider that Pitino is about to complete his eighth season at Louisville, and that he has never started a ninth season anywhere, and that he's going to lose Terrence Williams and Earl Clark, and that he doesn't enjoy coaching in the brutal Big East, and that he likes new challenges, and that the weather is nice in Tucson, well, maybe it's not as crazy as it sounds. In other words, if Arizona can pay the type of money it would take to land a Hall of Famer, this is the type of Hall of Famer who might consider rebuilding its program.

Final score: Louisville 73, Arizona 65

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebask...story/11548469

I will be very happy if the Cats hire Pitino, Izzo or Callipari. I read that Livengood has already got his man and a verbal agreement has been made.

MaoTosiFanClub · March 25th, 2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skkorpion

http://www.cbssports.com/columns/story/11548448

Surely will be met with derision here but addresses the point that maybe only UA fans think their job opening is coveted by the already-proven good coaches.

You'll be met with derision because you're referencing an article that suggests Arizona would actually consider hiring a women's coach. No Division I program in the country would consider hiring Auriemma, let alone one that has over $2 million budgeted to pay a head coach.

HooverDam · March 25th, 2009, 08:24 PM

Andy Katz thinks UA fans are delusional as well:
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=25620

Quote:

"Joe,New Castle,PA.: Have you heard any rumors about Jamie Dixon possibly going to Arizona?

Andy Katz: No shot. I'm coninced he's not going anywhere. He loves Pittsburgh. He's got a great gig. His family is very happy in Pittsburgh.

"Mike (Chicago, IL): Why is Arizona a better job for Calipari or Izzo? Don't they have too good of a thing going to leave for a program on the other side of the country that will be decimated by a lack of players the next 2-3 years?

Andy Katz: It's not. I don't think either one would or should leave. Arizona can't pay what they're making and the facilities don't even compare."

Alan, Glenview, Il : If its not Dixon or Izzo (who I never thought was a possibility). Realistically who are the front runners to be the next Arizona Head Coach. I've heard some Jay Wright rumors and of course Mark Few. Also, you said Nic Wise is probably gone. Where would he go? He is definitely not ready for the NBA. Do you think that if Wise does return Arizona could make it 26 in a row? Fogg, Johnson and Horne are all decent players.

Andy Katz: Nope. Even if Wise returns I don't think they'll have enough to make the NCAAs next season. I won't be surprise if it "falls" down to someone like Randy Bennett or Reggie Theus. Ultimately, I'll be surprised if they're able to pull off the $2 million plus it would take to get any of the coaches mentioned like Mark Few, Jamie Dixon, Rick Pitino, Tom Izzo or Sean Miller. I just don't see any of them leaving their respective gigs.

For whatever thats worth

MaoTosiFanClub · March 25th, 2009, 08:25 PM

The lowest (and I mean absolute lowest) on the totem pole that Arizona will go is somebody like Randy Bennett and he'd cream his pants for the Arizona gig. After that they'd just hire Josh Pastner and surround him with some veteran x's and o's guys or Pennell and surround him with ace recruiters.

Dixon has been out for months.

MaoTosiFanClub · March 25th, 2009, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooverDam

Andy Katz thinks UA fans are delusional as well:

Not worried about it. Like with most things in life - money talks.

I suppose UK fans are delusional for running Tubby and Billy Clyde out of town in the past two years. When you have a blank check there's no point in settling for mediocrity.

ASUCHRIS · March 25th, 2009, 08:56 PM

For those in the know, just curious what speculation is about it at this point...Is there a chance an Izzo or Calipari really would come to Tucson?

Mr. Boldin · March 25th, 2009, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUCHRIS

For those in the know, just curious what speculation is about it at this point...Is there a chance an Izzo or Calipari really would come to Tucson?

Yes there is a good chance, but im not counting on Izzo at all. Calipari on the other hand is within reach as long as the UA closes and offers the right things to Cal or some of the other top coaches that are available and interested.

Lefty · March 25th, 2009, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASUCHRIS

For those in the know, just curious what speculation is about it at this point...Is there a chance an Izzo or Calipari really would come to Tucson?

Gambo and Ash think Izzo could be the guy.
http://ktar.net/blogs/gash/

The Arizona Wildcats are in the Sweet 16, but interim coach Russ Pennell won’t be back and he knows it. The rumors are swirling and names include Rick Pitino, John Calipari, and Michigan State’s Tom Izzo. Of the three names, G&A agree Izzo makes the most sense. Ash is hearing the deal is done-whoever it is and UA won’t shy away from spending big dollars for this hire. Gambo thinks Izzo would be a great catch for the Basket Cats because UA is a big-time college hoops job and Izzo is a big-time coach.

MaoTosiFanClub · March 25th, 2009, 09:37 PM

First off, Gambo is a clown with no sources.

If Calipari is ever going to make the jump to a real conference and get the respect in the college basketball world he deserves then now is the time. Once the UK and Arizona jobs get filled this summer then that really only leaves UConn of the power jobs opening up in the next decade. Of course I don't know what drives Calipari, perhaps he's happy being the big fish in the small pond known as Conference USA. What I do know is that he'll never be remembered with the likes of Coach K, Boeheim, Pitino, Lute, Roy Williams, Knight, etc. if he sticks around that conference for the rest of his career.

I think Capel would be a good fit and he's probably interested.

Arizona, despite what people like Skkorp tells you is an excellent job. Top 15 nationally. It's a basketball school that pays more than any coaching job west of Kansas, has a rich tradition with alumni all over the NBA, a supportive community, facilities that will be among the best on the west coast, and is in a conference with no real threat outside of UCLA (who just happens to run a system that is easy to recruit against). It's a pretty easy sell.

HooverDam · March 25th, 2009, 10:42 PM

How would UA fans feel about Billy Gillespie as UAs next HC if he's ousted at UK?

Lefty · March 26th, 2009, 04:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HooverDam

How would UA fans feel about Billy Gillespie as UAs next HC if he's ousted at UK?

Two years ago Gillespie was one of the hottest coaches. He wins every where he coaches. I think Kentucky would be foolish to let him go after only two years. If the UofA can't get the big 3, I would be happy if they looked at Billy, if he was available.

DWKB · March 26th, 2009, 05:25 AM

Mao, you've hinted several times that you're in the know. So who is it? We won't hold you to it if it turns out to be bad info, but the coyness is irritating

MaoTosiFanClub · March 26th, 2009, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWKB

Mao, you've hinted several times that you're in the know. So who is it? We won't hold you to it if it turns out to be bad info, but the coyness is irritating

I don't know Jim Livengood, just a few boosters and some others with various ties to the university. Nobody other that Livengood, Shelton, and a few others can tell you exactly who Arizona is going to hire (and I've heard and be willing to guess they have some sort of agreement in place or else they'd have asked permission to speak with Grant who at one point was high on their list) but from what I gather the names everyone is mentioning with the exception of Dixon are on the list and everyone feels confident we will land one of them. The package Arizona has put together from a financial and opportunity standpoint is very good, the best of any school west of the Mississippi not named Kansas. That's probably going to be too good for several quality coaches to turn down.

Although as we have all seen, nothing is complete until the ink is on the paper.

Mulli · March 26th, 2009, 06:59 AM

I am an ASU fan that always resisted wanting UofA to succeed in anything. After the past two years, I am resigned to end my futile hate of the school. I will now hope UofA gets a sweet coach that plays an up-tempo style.

This is not easy for me, but neither is the alternative.

(this only applies to basketball at the moment. That might change.)