This is Part II of our "Who Will Succeed Tubby Smith" series. (For Part 1, click here.)
Mid-shelf Name #1: Tom Crean, Marquette
Although Marquette stepped out of this year's NCAA tourney in the first round after losing to his former employers (Tom Izzo and Michigan State), Tom Crean has been very successful at Marquette. Crean led the Golden Eagles to an NCAA Final Four berth in 2003 and back-to-back 20+ wins in '06 and '07. Crean doesn't need to leave the Big East if he wants to coach in a "power" college basketball conference, but certainly the pay grade increase and chance to recruit the best athletes in the nation would have to hold some appeal for Crean.
His Interest Level: Unknown
Likelihood of Getting Him: Unless Crean is absolutely married to the idea of coaching at Marquette forever, it would seem that a job like Kentucky would be extremely difficult for this coach to turn down. 7 out of 10.
Mid-shelf Name #2: Mark Few, Gonzaga
Pardon the pun, but "Few have done more with less" than Mark Few. Few is an instituation at Gonzaga, where he has been courtside since 1989. He was part of Gonzaga's steady climb from little-known mid-major to the lofty heights of regular NCAA Tourney appearances. As a head coach he's taken the Zags to three Sweet 16s in eight seasons and averages 24 wins per year. Few's '06 Bulldogs were one fluke play away from appearing in the Elite Eight for the first time since 1999. Few is 211-52 as a head coach. Main knocks against him? He's geographically and culturally removed from Kentucky's fanbase and recruiting grounds. However, the man can coach.
His Interest Level: Unknown
Likelihood of Getting Him: Also unknown, but Few would certainly have to entertain an offer from Kentucky. It may seem that Few is not a good fit for Kentucky, but Kentucky A.D. Mitch Barnhart's northwestern connection might lead to conversations with the Gonzaga coach. It doesn't seem likely Kentucky would offer, but let's call it a 5 out of 10 chance.
Next: Scrapin' the Barrel names
Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Marquette has bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the first round 4 of the last 5 times ... Since arriving in New Orleans for the 2003 Final Four, Marquette is 0-3 in the tournament with two setbacks to lower seeded teams. MU has played two of the last three postseasons without their best player (Travis Diener and Jerel McNeal) because of injuries suffered in practice.
Two words: Kyle Macy
Rene Portland
I thinnk they should consider Rick Pitino. Does anyone know of a better coach? It's a far-fetched idea but Kentucky should feel him out.
"pay grade increase" for Crean? He makes nearly $1.7M and basically runs the athletic department.
$$$ wont be the draw if he ever leaves MU
as long as hen is white he will be great at u kkk
two words...kyle macy....one word....crackhead
as long as he is white the next coach will be great at the ukkk
What about Billy Gillespie (texas A&M)? He built a program in the Big 12. He can do it in the SEC.
John Pelphrey..nuff said!!!!!!!!
What about the coach of Winthrop? Gregg Marshall
I'd be happy with Donovan, Pelphrey, Richie Farmer, but would be real happy to see Travis Ford take the job. He is my sentimental favorite. That is, unless Rick Pitino wants to finally come to his senses and go back to UK where he should have stayed in the first place.
Dont start with this Tubby got it cause he was black stuff. Tubby got it because Kansas made us look like a second tier program in the tourney. Because thats what we ahve become under Tubby a second tier program. I love Tubby, I think he's a great coach, and I have nothing but respect for the man. However, I do believe that UK was not the place for him, and now was the best time to make a clean break. As far as replacements Calipari, or Donovan would be the best fits. Sentimental favorite Travis Ford!!!
Where has Richie Farmer 'coached' anything? Travis Ford or Phelphrey has not had enough time at a major school to be considered. I have no idea what will happen or who will be considered but I'm sure that none of the 'unforgetables' will be considered.
the mornon that thinks KENTUCKY is racist is just that a mornon. UK let tubby ruin a great program so is that the way all black coaches do? start only black players that cant read or write. Players that do not know you dont leaved the foul line, players that think they are NBA quality but arent is kentucky racist because they hired a mid-major coach that was a mid-major coach only , one that won off another coachs team and didnt do anything else.tubby ran when it got hot all he had to do was win..so maybe tubby is the true bigot he never played white players, didnt recrute them but let the morons be that just stay out of kentucky if you dont like it
I want Pitino!!!!! He is one of the greatest coaches of all time. At least he won't be sitting on the bench when the team needs motivating.
Recruiting is key to any college program. Kentucky is intelligent enough to know that, and if that takes a former Kentucky player, then they will make the decision to go with Ford or Macy. Personally I believe they should go out and find a high profile coach with the intensity and coaching abiility that Rick Petino had as a young coach. Billy Gillespie would have to be my pick. And as a side note, if a young John Thompson was available and Kentucky passed on him because he was black, then they would have to be considered racists. I don't believe that would be the case, though.
Listen, these kkk comments are just ridiculous. When Pitino left, I was all for Tubby coming to UK as most were. We welcomed him with open arms and supported him. But when you take a program such as Kentucky and help it regress instead of progress, you have to draw the line somewhere. I wish him the best of luck and agree that Minnesota is getting a great person to coach their team. But he knew as well as the fans did it was time to go. He also knew how demanding the UK job was when he accepted it. And being a fan, I have never saw a display of disinterest and disgust in this UK program, even after the Eddie Sutton era. And as far as who should succeed Tubby, I would like to see Billy Donovan, Rick Pitino, or Tom Crean. And for those who think Billy Donovan would not come to Kentucky....Please, you know just as well as I do that he would entertain the idea of coming to Kentucky. And as for the recruits who don't want to play for UK because Tubby left..Oh well, go somewhere else. They are not worthy of the UK tradition anyway.
not sure if Crean would want the UK job -- tough to say. It's certainly one of the top five jobs in all of college hoops, but he would have to deal with the completely irrational fan base who thinks that it's entitled to a national championship every other year. Not sure if UK wants to afford Crean's buyout either. He is contracted for the next ten years, then it will probably take a pretty penny to get him out of the deal.
Rick Pitino, as soon as the news of Tubby's departure broke, said... and I quote:
“I’ve got the job that I want,” the Louisville coach said today. “I’m where I want to be.”
Give up on that pipe dream fellas.