Updated (w/ juicy rumor) Basketball Coaching Rumors: Tubby Smith?
by Redhawk on Mar 18, 2011 8:27 PM CDT
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via www1.pictures.gi.zimbio.com
Is this OU's next Men's Basketball Head Coach?
Dean Blevins on Twitter
Solid source convinces me #Arkansas 2 name Mike Anderson of #Missouri head coach early next week. Great guy;won as UAasst; gets good signees.
So..
1) Not Tubby Smith after all
2) Tubby Smith is available. Would OU want him? Was OU the reason he didn't go to Arkansas or did Arkansas pass?
3) I would assume to get a coach from Missouri to Arkansas, which to me is a lateral move at best as both schools think of themselves as basketball schools..and Mizzou actually makes the tourny...that the Pigs paid a bucket of cash for Anderson. (something I heard they didn't do for the last head coach)
Which means...what we heard about OU's willingness to pay for the right guy, seem that much more relevant.
Also, Arkansas Athletic Director worked for Joe C at Oklahoma, and are very good friends still. The Arkansas Democrat also threw out Buzz Williams name from Marquette for the Arkansas job.. So are the 2 good friends and AD's comparing notes?
Also the good folks at one of the best OU Blogs out there OU Hoops has been all over this coaching search.
Other names that have been linked to OU's head coaching job (In no order)
Former OU player and current head coach of UCO in Edmond, Terry Evans called OU his "dream job"
James Fraschilla, the son of ESPN commentator and former college coach Fran Fraschilla, will walk-on at Oklahoma next season despite the Sooners’ coaching situation being in limbo, leading to the idea, that Fraschilla might be on the Sooner's short list.
Marquette's Buzz Williams is the name everyone is throwing out there. He has several ties to Oklahoma including coaching at OCU and his wife if from Oklahoma.
One name that is OUT: Billy Gillispie. Yeah...I also heard the same thing. Concern over his drinking and 3 DUI convictions. He says he's sober, but OU fears a relapse.
Here's a MAJOR UPDATE: I got of the phone with a friend that knows some people (yeah, yeah....internet rumor, friend of a friend...but he was ahead on the "OU willing to pony up for coach, and WAY ahead on no to Gillispie). Well, the blockbuster he dropped: The leading candidate for the OU MEN'S basketball head coaching job: Geno Auriemma the head coach of the UCONN Huskies women's basketball team! You will hear next week his name out there to get a feel if the fans will accept it, especially around the boosters that write checks.
WOW! So...whadd think about Auriemma?
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I am in agreeance with you RedHawk
OU may not be willing to take a chance on a young coach simply because Joe C might have his head on the chopping block if he comes up with another fail boat. Tubby Smith is one I think OU is willing to throw money at if Joe C thinks it will save him and the program but I would be more than happy to see Marquette’s Buzz Williams get the green light. I like what we have seen from him and it is not exactly a lateral move for him. OU has the potential to be as good as it once was and I think Buzz has the know how on recruiting and game time coaching to give OU a good push in that direction.
by OnlyOneOU on Mar 18, 2011 8:52 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
see my update….how does that float your boat?
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
Wow dude! Auriemma being thrown out there?
Not saying that he is not capable but the Women’s game is a different monster than the Men’s game…think he can really make the switch after building that empire? IMO the men’s game is not dominated by gaurds like the women’s game is and it all comes down to post players. Yes you have your star gaurds (KD, Melo, D-Wade, Kyrie Irving, John Lucas, etc.) and they are a great asset but without bigs the chances of winning close ones is a little less. Just not sure that Auriemma would be the best option because I think he will have to face somewhat of a learning curve but he should be great at recruiting.
I really don't think....
….that Joe C.‘s job is at risk with this one hire. His job is not so much about wins and losses as much as it is about running the business side of the athletic department and making sure the athletic department represents the university as a whole. I think that this hire is more about getting the basketball program back on track and not at all about going the safe route to protect Joe C.’s job.
I'm really pointing out the fact that Joe C
Likes to take a chance on unproven coaches. Some work and some fail but if it becomes a line of fail boats waiting to pass through the canal, Joe C will have something to worry about. Programs are what bring money in and the basketball program isn’t doing that great of a job at that with Castiglione as a major proponent in backing Capel. Gonna be tough to keep a guy around that hires people whose programs can’t bring in cash if you are running a “business.”
by OnlyOneOU on Mar 19, 2011 12:28 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Josh Pastner!!!
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
see my update
I like Pastner too. I think he’s a great fit…but I’ve not heard any more than “Hey, you know who would be a good fit….” type speculation around him.
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
I think Pastner is great too but do you really see him leaving Memphis
with 2 years under his belt there and taking them to the NCAA tourney after all the Calipari mess?
We all know $$$ talks
I think if OU is willing to give him the “keys to the castle” there is no reason we couldn’t get him. I may get ripped for this, but a restored OU is a better job than Memphis and if he were able to get Sooner fans excited about basketball (a given I feel with his recruiting ability) then he would be a hero in Norman. I know you know every OU fan over a certain age is familiar with the name Billy Tubbs and for good reason.
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
by Jordan Esco on Mar 19, 2011 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions
and a restored OU basketball
with every game on cable TV nationally (or regionally) is a greater platform, than Memphis and C-USA and CBS sports
If it comes down to money, my understanding is OU will pay for the right person, so that’s not really an issue.
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
Apparently Pastner stated in a press conference that he has not been contacted concerning the OU job
and Evans said this is a dream job for himself
Of course "he" hasn't been contacted
These guys use this line all the time. I’m not saying I know he has been contacted, but even OU had reached out to him it would have been through his agent not Pastner himself. So they use this line because then they have plausible deniability and in their own mind aren’t technically lying.
I will say the longer this goes on the more worried I get. I remain fearful that Joe C is not going to get his guy and we’ll have to settle and that could have disastrous implications for this basketball program IMO.
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
Geno....I think woul be way way toooooo gimmicky.
You really think a mens recruit is gonna say “I wanna play for Geno”?
It's definitely a bold move though.
I wouldn’t blame them for throwing the name out there to see what kind or reception it gets.
Flashing the 7 rings has to mean a little!
I assume they get rings of some sort
by coolestbigmac on Mar 18, 2011 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
but
he is also the “winningest” college basketball coach too.
From what I understand…Joe C really liked Geno the last time around…but couldn’t pull the trigger on a “women’s” coach. BUT…now, he’s wishing he had. Geno also doesn’t want to be “Just a Women’s coach”
it shocked me too…which is why I had to share!
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
The question that needs to be asked
Is how would he and Sherri co-exist? Not saying they couldn’t or wouldn’t, but given where Sherri has taken her program I think it’s a courtesy to her that you have to at least consider.
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
by Jordan Esco on Mar 19, 2011 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions
well according to my "source"
(I love typing that)
Sherri and Geno are supposedly big admirers and friends of each other, and that connection is one of the reasons that Geno is such a strong candidate for the men’s job
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
good
I didn’t necessarily expect it to be a problem, but Geno is known to have a pretty healthy ego so I suppose it was just natural to have an initial worry.
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
by Jordan Esco on Mar 19, 2011 12:36 PM CDT up reply actions
And...
Given that friendship, as a side note, how much better does that make our women’s program as well? Sheri is amazing on her own. Imagine if Geno is there as a mentor?
by soonergal5 on Mar 19, 2011 6:29 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Another name bound to come up now
Or after his inevitable firing, is Bruce Pearl. I have to say, if OU wouldn’t seriously consider BCG I’m not sure how I can see them going after Pearl. I love the guy’s passion and think he’s a good coach, but the NCAA issues is just a deal breaker for me (and I assume Joe C/Boren).
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
hahahaha awesome
Auriemma would kick…well you know. The guy knows how to whip people into shape and he JUST WINS. PERIOD.
It would generate a lot of interest, put butts in the seats, and Coale and Auriemma could build quite the basketball kingdom.
And, honestly, I think Geno has to be kind of tired of the same old thing: UCONN wins 99% of their games, run through the tournament, and win easily. Wash, rinse, repeat. This would be quite the change of pace.
I still like Tubby and Buzz the best, but I think Buzz is more likely to refuse an offer.
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 19, 2011 11:33 AM CDT reply actions
And to the people whining about Auriemma not knowing men's basketball:
Because I know they exist:
1. Auriemma is a man. Duh. He was an 18-22 year old guy at one point in his life. I think he can figure it out.
2. While the women’s and men’s games are different in ways, basketball is still basketball. The guy is one of the most successful basketball coaches EVER. Do you really think he doesn’t watch or pay attention to any men’s games (NBA or NCAA)? Do you think that he would really be that inept at being able to adjust to something new? Is he really that stupid? Did he really win 7 titles by sheer luck?
3. Let’s not forget that Auriemma is a guy who can turn things around. The UCONN women’s team only had 1 winning season in their first 11 years before he took over.
4.
"I know a lot of guys in the men’s game and I always feel ‘yeah you know, if you were any good you would be in the men’s game.’ I think winning one or two national championships on the men’s side puts you at a level that people think you’re one of the greatest, or greats of all time," Auriemma said in an interview with ESPN. "I think you could win six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 15, and there’s still a part of me that thinks ‘well, you’re doing it in the women’s game.’ That’s the perception out there.
What I do is hard to do. We make it look easy. And that’s the reason why I ever contemplated even coaching a men’s team, just to prove ‘you guys aren’t as smart as you think.’ That I can win games on any level.
Yeah, this guy is p-o-ed and motivated. You want to bet against the most successful college basketball coach of all time when that’s the case?
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 19, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
This part should also be in the blockquote:
What I do is hard to do. We make it look easy. And that’s the reason why I ever contemplated even coaching a men’s team, just to prove ‘you guys aren’t as smart as you think.’ That I can win games on any level.
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 19, 2011 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
wow
that info…just BLOWS this thing UP! Awesome job as usually dimes! (You really need to post stuff and write more!)
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
haha sorry
I usually fade away when it isn’t football season. :)
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 19, 2011 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Auriemma very much so has the skills and know how to make the switch
My hang up is that UCONN is good because they get any recruit they go for and every girl in the nation would love to play there or Tenn or Stanford. I’m not seeing a line of talent circling the building to play at OU for the men’s team. You really think Auriemma is capable of overcoming all the sanctions and “restoring” OU? Most people are looking for an instant fix and it will never happen no matter who you hire…just one more thing to pile on the new hire.
by OnlyOneOU on Mar 19, 2011 12:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
From the Tulsa World 3/16
GO HERE…then scroll down to the 3rd posting (at the time I’m putting it up)
Headline: Five years later, Auriemma-to-OU still smoldering
In a Yahoo! Video interview with Graham Bensinger, Auriemma was asked how strongly he considered an offer to coach the men at an unnamed program “a couple years ago.”
“Five of 12 midnight,” Auriemma replied. “That’s when I made the phone call saying ‘no.’ That’s how close.”
Barry Tramel of the Daily Oklahoman, asked at the presser with Joe C announcing Capel firings if Joe C would consider a coach from a women’s program.
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
Looks like some people are saying Gillespie is in at Texas Tech
Cross that name off the list.
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 19, 2011 1:30 PM CDT reply actions
Officially
but he was never “in” at OU. I would think OU and Norman, would be better than Tech and Lubbock any day. But OU was scared of his drinking past.
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
Barry Tramel's new article
says NO to Auriemma (and any one that is TOO far out of the box, like Terry Evans or Larry Brown)
Not to say he isn’t correct…as what I heard we’d get Auriemma rumor/articles in the next few days (and we just got one) to get a fill on what people thought about Auriemma
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
I thought Tramel got up REALLY high on his horse for that one
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
I thought the same thing
the part, that lost it for me was that Joe C doesn’t have carte blanche and will have to answer to the OU brass. Ok….there is some PR work in any hire, especially with out of the box hires, but if there is an AD anywhere in the country that has carte blanche..it’s Castiglione
When I write: Rockies Reporter (www.rockiesreporter.wordpress.com)
"Suck it monkeys, the Rockies will win this year"
agreed 1000%
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
I think it's either Tubby or Buzz....for what it's worth.
I have thought that all along. Either tubby for stability & his last stop, restoration. Or Buzz for the homerun, knowing their will be pains…
by OU JJ on Mar 19, 2011 6:57 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
We should totally get Brad Stevens from Butler
Man do his teams come up clutch!!!
"Coach Gundy, why was Oklahoma able to march right down the field against you?" --Erin Andrews
by dishingoutdimes on Mar 19, 2011 8:38 PM CDT reply actions
Don't spend too much time on Tubby
I’ll be really (REALLY) surprised if he leaves Minnesota, unless it is Maryland (where he grew up) or somebody offers him a LOT more money than he’s currently earning.
Tubby isn’t looking to climb the ladder anymore and the reason his name is surfacing is for leverage on the extension he is about to sign. I realize that from the outside people assume a guy like Tubby wouldn’t stay at a place like Minnesota. But like I said, Tubby is more concerned about building a legacy and I believe he is grooming his son Saul to replace him when he retires. He’s climbed the ladder to the top and that didn’t work out so well, he isn’t looking to leave. I’ll be anyone my massive SBN salary stipend chump change that Tubby doesn’t leave even if offered the OK job.
what you say here can, and will, be used against you The Daily Gopher
Thanks for the update!
Not necessarily the news we wanted to hear, but still much appreciated!
"I don't like Texas. I don't like the city of Austin. And I don't like the color orange. It reminds me of puke." The Boz
Crimson and Cream Machine - There's only one Oklahoma!
Listen to Sooner Nation, the #1 podcast for OU fans
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