2009.03.22
Timing
Minnesota's loss to Texas in the first round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament, coupled with a pair of Oklahoma victories, works to Virginia's advantage in its search for a new coach.
The way I see it, Virginia should know by next week whether it has any chance at Minnesota coach Tubby Smith. If not, the Cavaliers can turn their full attention to Sooners' coach Jeff Capel.
Smith would come at a much higher price tag than Capel, but I don't think money will be an issue this time. It wouldn't have been an issue with Smith in 2005 if UVa president John Casteen hadn't nixed the deal.
Arena benefactor Paul Tudor Jones was behind the bid for Smith in 2005 and he's involved again this time, from all indications.
I don't know who Virginia would turn to if Smith and Capel both say no. It's interesting to note that Siena coach Fran McCaffrey, who led the Saints to a first-round victory over Ohio State and had them on the brink of a monumental upset of Louisville, once worked as an assistant under Craig Littlepage.
Oklahoma's 73-63 victory over Michigan in the NCAA Tournament's second round
Fans get too high and too low!
Tubby Smith is not John Wooden. Don't forget, he got out of Kentucky before they were about to fire him! Had he waited a little longer, he was going to be fired!
I seem to remember the euphoria when Dave Leitao came here, and what was his coaching record when he arrived?
One career NCAA bid as a head coach.
2004-05 20-11 NIT Second Round
2003-04 22-10 NCAA Second Round
2002-03 16-13 NIT First Round
1995-96 4-24
1994-95 18-11
So all in all, he did exactly what could have been expected of him at UVa, considering his past.
P.S.
Great statement by Doug! "Arena benefactor Paul Tudor Jones was behind the bid for Smith in 2005 and he's involved again this time, from all indications."
Comment by Nelson — March 23, 2009 @ 1:51 am
Sorry, but there is no comparison between Tubby and Leitao coaching-wise imho. Hopefully "King John" has learned his lesson and he will stay out of this search a bit more. We had a brand spanking new $130 million arena opening up and he nixed the Tubby deal. Ask Kentucky fans how life has been post-Tubby in Lexington.
Comment by Wokisan — March 23, 2009 @ 7:21 am
Tubby says "no thanks." Next!!
Comment by Nita Change — March 23, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Jay Wright from Villanova is looking more and more like a logical choice to me!
Comment by Nelson — March 24, 2009 @ 12:54 am
CL to hire his buddy Bruce Smith as an advisor for the deal. The next coach must have a strong personality who can handle the crushing pressure of 19 year olds with cardboard signs in their hands...or at least handle the embarrassment of working for CL and JC.
Comment by Southernfried Wahoo — March 24, 2009 @ 7:24 am
Tubby Smith........puhleeese NO! Tired worn out and borderline at best recruiting ethics. I want BOBBY KNIGHT for a 2-4 year ride. He will sell out JPJ, bring UVA to the masses on ESPN. He might be a little tough on the players, but he way he expects his players to go to class as well as be disciplined - would be refreshing. It sounds crazy, but think about it....he could come to the ACC (where he never has coached), beat Carolina and Duke (which he would really like to do) and get this program on the fast track. Then we could work with a younger coach like Capel. The only other coach to consider would be Rick Carlisle. Any other coach will end up like Leitao.
Comment by Big Poppy — March 24, 2009 @ 8:55 am
Orrie thinks this may end up being a three circus before it is all said and done just like the last go around ...
Comment by Orrie — March 25, 2009 @ 9:56 pm
Fran McCaffrey. "White Magic." Haha.
Comment by Nelson — March 26, 2009 @ 3:47 am
I'd still go with Sean Miller. He's had a two-year audition with the home-and-home series and destroyed Virginia each time.
Comment by Doug Doughty — March 26, 2009 @ 4:56 pm
I don't think you should use the "2 game destruction of UVa" as a measuring stick. Who hasn't destroyed us lately?????
10-4
Chester
Comment by Chester — March 26, 2009 @ 5:47 pm
Yeah, Sean Miller might be good. But, could he hold his own against UNC and Duke as a recruiter?
I still remember him when he was a child, doing his dribbling exhibitions at half-time of the McDonald's Capitol Classics!
Comment by Nelson — March 29, 2009 @ 2:09 am
I'm not sure anybody can hold their own when recruiting against UNC and Duke. If either of them want a guy, they usually get him. The rest of the ACC coaches have to be good at picking through the leftovers.
Comment by Justafan — March 30, 2009 @ 3:35 pm