2015 College basketball coaching carousel thread

"Salmon?"

"Forget it, he's rolling."

 

Right now if a Kansas, Indiana, Georgetown, Florida or Michigan came open, I would think Smart would be on their short list even if he stayed at VCU for 4-5 more years. Wouldn't his next move be his final move? I just don't see Texas as a final move.

 

Why would his next move be his final move? He's 37 years old.

 

Texas landed Myles Turner last year, probably the best big man recruit out there not named Okafor. You look at the schools that were recruiting him and their track records of producing lottery picks at his position, getting to Final Fours, winning their conference, Hall of Fame coaches, etc. It's kind of hard to figure out what Texas had to offer that was better other than just being Texas.

Now imagine that program already having a leg up to get the Turners and Durants and Aldridges with a guy like Marshall or Smart who can really, really coach. Why couldn't it be a destination job?

 

Maybe it's me, but I could see someone leaving Texas for Duke or Carolina, but I don't see people jumping from Kansas or Indiana to a another job unless you have serious roots there, like Williams. Smart's roots are in DIII and DII hoops.

 

Somebody might leave Texas for those schools, or maybe not. Depends on the situation. But if a coach sees Texas as a place where he can win championships I don't see the wisdom in not taking it because Duke or Carolina might come open and they might look for somebody other than a replacement handpicked by K or Roy. Would you really pass up on Texas just to wait for K to retire and hope he isn't planning on hanging on until he has a guarantee Dawkins or Wojo gets the job?

 

That's always been the rumor about Smart, that he was holding out for Duke or Carolina when those jobs eventually come open in the next 5 years or so. We'll see.

 

I know, and he's been very picky about where he goes. Most people would have thought UCLA was a no-brainer, but if you don't think you are going to be any happier or more successful there than VCU there's not reason to go. Texas just seems like a unique opportunity. The question I would ask myself is "if UNC or Duke never comes along, will I regret not going to Texas?" If the answer is no, then stay at VCU, but I think if I was in his shoes I would regret it. More so than UCLA or Indiana.

 

Pictured: the best reason for Smart (or anyone) to go to Texas:

 

Maybe it's like the end of Life, where you have one last spin to try to get to Millionaire Acres.

 

Works for me.