Having to do a coach search in June is not an ideal time. Still, New Mexico State seems to be moving quickly to replace Reggie Theus.[McKinley] Boston, New Mexico State's athletics director, said he knew weeks ago that the meteoric coaching rise of Reggie Theus could soon stretch to the NBA. By the time the Sacramento Kings hired Theus away from the Aggies on Tuesday, Boston already had hired search firm agency Champ Search and started compiling a list of candidates to interview.According to reports, assistants Damon Archibald and Chris Pompey will be interviewed, but the main candidates are:
That's why the Aggies expect to have a news conference to introduce a new head coach on Friday, Boston said.
- Rodney Terry, Texas assistant;
- Robert Evans, Arkansas assistant, former head coach at Ole Miss and Arizona State, and an Aggie alum;
- Gib Arnold, USC assistant; and
- Marvin Menzies, Louisville assistant.
There are plenty of other names being bandied about, but if there a search firm has already been hired to winnow the list, some have already met with the Aggie AD, and the hire will be expected by Friday. Well, it seems unlikely that they will be looking at too many more candidates.
Obviously part of the reason to make the hire quickly is to preserve a strong recruiting class. While the top assistants at NMSU are being interviewed, they don't look to be promoted (though, the AD apparently would like them to remain on the staff). Distinguishing themselves from the Kansas State move to preserve a recruiting class. Of course, the jewel of the recruiting class, Herb Pope, was actually at the Friday press conference where Theus said good-bye, indicating he wasn't going to hold the school hostage over the coaching hire.
Previously at Fanhouse:
Reggie Theus to Leave New Mexico State for Sacramento Kings
