Would Reggie Theus Look Good in Nike?

Deposed Sacramento Kings coach Reggie Theus isn't going to be unemployed for very long. He's just too good of a coach to be thrown by the wayside. And while another run in the NBA isn't out of the question, Theus should seriously consider returning to college basketball where he achieved some success turning around New Mexico State's basketball program.

But where would be the best fit for Reggie?

New Mexico State would certainly welcome him back. The Aggies are 4-4 under Theus' successor Marvin Menzies. But somehow, I don't believe that Theus will be going back to Las Cruces. UNLV has long been Theus' dream job, but Lon Kruger isn't going anywhere.

Reggie's best bet might be in the Pac-10.

The two programs that jump out at you are Arizona and Oregon.

The Wildcats are making their case for coach Russ Pennell following a huge upset over No. 4 Gonzaga on Sunday night. Arizona is now 7-2 and that should be enough for the interim coach to keep his gig. But with the flood of recruits leaving, I'd still stand by my earlier assessment that Arizona is desperately close to being a mid-major. But I see them staying inside the box to keep Pennell. Arizona doesn't make bold moves.

That leaves Oregon. The school gave Ernie Kent a contract extension this summer, but come on, this is Oregon. A school that basically prints money. At least it prints Nike money. If Phil Knight wants to get Theus as coach of the Ducks, it's going to happen. When Oregon wanted to take Cal State baseball coach George Horton out of Fullerton, they just threw a lot of money at him.

Oregon would be a great spot for Theus. He's already proven that he could win with a mid-major. Combine that with the prestige of the Pac-10 and the seemingly unlimited resources in Eugene, this move seems like -- forgive the expression -- a slam dunk. And if I was Oregon, I wouldn't wait until the end of the season to make this move, either.