a serious candidate list

Lawrence Frank was an assistant under Kevin O Neil, back in the day.....

He was offered the job when Pearl left but he was the head coach of New Nets at the time and didn't want to leave. He only needed a few more seasons of NBA in order to get a retirement.

Didn't want to leave the NBA for a college job when he was so close to earning a retirement.

Oh I see, I was wondering where his UT ties came from.
 
We may soon see. This job would be a serious learning curve for him. While not a perfect example, it would be similar to Tennessee hiring Ken Sparks to coach the football team. Long history of success at C-N, like Byrd at Belmont, but a giant leap in competition, recruiting, public relations, etc. Just not sure that's the step I'd be looking to take at 60 years old, but maybe he'd want the challenge.

I'm not saying he'd do a good job. I'm saying, if offered, he'd be here. It's a no-brainer.
 
Lawrence Frank was an assistant under Kevin O Neil, back in the day.....

He was offered the job when Pearl left but he was the head coach of New Nets at the time and didn't want to leave. He only needed a few more seasons of NBA in order to get a retirement.

Didn't want to leave the NBA for a college job when he was so close to earning a retirement.

He was an assistant for the Boston Celtics when Pearl was fired.
 
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I'm not saying he'd do a good job. I'm saying, if offered, he'd be here. It's a no-brainer.

My point wasn't what kind of job he'd do either. My point was whether those challenges would be something he's interested in taking on at age 60-61. I'm not as sure they are as you seem to be, but he could surprise me. Maybe he wants to prove something to himself before he retires that he can win at the highest level.
 
Without 30 pages of comparing Pearl and Martin and another 15 with just Pearls name....who are your top 5 that would possible take this job?

1) Lawrence Frank (Tennessee ties, will not sniff a NBA coaching job anytime soon unlike the last time when we were searching for a coach, is unhappy in Brooklyn, worked with the AD during our last coaching search, runs an offense that would be highly successful at the college level IMO. Recruiting is questionable but NBA experience and his connections has to help.

2) Tim Floyd (a winner everywhere he's been. Hes just paying his dues for the Mayo situation that I believe wasn't really his fault. Would be an instant upgrade over what we have now, that's for sure!)

3) Steve Fisher (yeah I know...if we hire him why even bother firing Pearl? This guy is a great coach and I'm shocked he hasn't went somewhere by now. )

4) Gregg Marshall (just for fun and highly unlikely)

5) Rick Byrd (should be higher and I see Tennessee as the only job he'd consider. Several ties to the school and Knoxville.)

If I recall, I was actually quite annoyed we didn't even consider Fischer (sp?) the last time we searched. He's a great coach with one blemish a loooooong time ago. But, schematically/X-O's, he's great, and he's great at putting people in a position to play at their best (see the Fab 5, in an era where it was not commonplace for Freshmen, let alone TRUE freshmen to start).
 
2006
Westbrook
Darren Collison
Aaron Afflalo
Mbah a Moute

2007
Same plus Love

2008
Collison
Jrue Holiday

Howland knows how to put together a team. Plus has a 3 peat of final fours! I'd take him in a heartbeat!

Yea, I am not necessarily advocating for Howland, but 3 straight Final Fours is impressive. You know how tough and sometimes lucky it is to make one? He had Westbrook for two years, and Westbrook was a defender in college, not a scorer. Some guys just hone their craft when that is their profession. Love was only their one year, and he is in much better shape as a pro than as a college player. Even Calipari at UK couldn't do it with all of the talent (but he was one game short and he did win a title).
 
Yea, I am not necessarily advocating for Howland, but 3 straight Final Fours is impressive. You know how tough and sometimes lucky it is to make one? He had Westbrook for two years, and Westbrook was a defender in college, not a scorer. Some guys just hone their craft when that is their profession. Love was only their one year, and he is in much better shape as a pro than as a college player. Even Calipari at UK couldn't do it with all of the talent (but he was one game short and he did win a title).

Tennessee can do, and has done, a lot worse than Ben Howland. Realistically, for a big name splash hire, he's probably our ceiling.
 
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My point wasn't what kind of job he'd do either. My point was whether those challenges would be something he's interested in taking on at age 60-61. I'm not as sure they are as you seem to be, but he could surprise me. Maybe he wants to prove something to himself before he retires that he can win at the highest level.

Much better job? Check
Much better pay? Check
In your hometown? Check

To heck with the "challenges" associated with it. He'd take the job.
 
What about lionel Hollins?

Lionel is an NBA coach. Always will be. He admitted in an interview, while still with the Grizzlies, that he hated watching his son play at Minnesota. I think he even said the college game was not that good. Even though he is no-nonsense, he would not mesh well with the responsibilities of a college coach- media requirements, booster events, etc. Lionel is not known to be a media favorite. Our fans would have a field day with his interviews and attitude toward the media.
 
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He's an hell of a coach. He's coached at every level. College, NBA, D-League, FIBA, etc. I'd take him.

He's wanting to be a college head coach and has his family settle down for awhile. As assistant head to Herb Sendek at Arizona State he has helped the offense go from 61ppg to his first year there: 72ppg and this year: 80ppg. He makes them practice with a 24 second clock and he runs NBA sets and is known as a skill developer. He has saved Sendek's job.
 
Without 30 pages of comparing Pearl and Martin and another 15 with just Pearls name....who are your top 5 that would possible take this job?

1) Lawrence Frank (Tennessee ties, will not sniff a NBA coaching job anytime soon unlike the last time when we were searching for a coach, is unhappy in Brooklyn, worked with the AD during our last coaching search, runs an offense that would be highly successful at the college level IMO. Recruiting is questionable but NBA experience and his connections has to help.

2) Tim Floyd (a winner everywhere he's been. Hes just paying his dues for the Mayo situation that I believe wasn't really his fault. Would be an instant upgrade over what we have now, that's for sure!)

3) Steve Fisher (yeah I know...if we hire him why even bother firing Pearl? This guy is a great coach and I'm shocked he hasn't went somewhere by now. )

4) Gregg Marshall (just for fun and highly unlikely)

5) Rick Byrd (should be higher and I see Tennessee as the only job he'd consider. Several ties to the school and Knoxville.)

i would put Bo Ryan on the top of my list.
 
He's wanting to be a college head coach and has his family settle down for awhile. As assistant head to Herb Sendek at Arizona State he has helped the offense go from 61ppg to his first year there: 72ppg and this year: 80ppg. He makes them practice with a 24 second clock and he runs NBA sets and is known as a skill developer. He has saved Sendek's job.
I'm pretty sure he was responsible for developing Jeremy Lin in the D League. I thought I read that somewhere.
 
I'm pretty sure he was responsible for developing Jeremy Lin in the D League. I thought I read that somewhere.

You are correct sir. Also a runner up to Greg Popovich for NBA coach of the year when he coached at Golden State.
 

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