Had a lengthy exchange with a contact that knows a couple of agents within College and Professional Coaching circles and the topic came up regarding what UNC would do if Roy Williams did in-fact step down for health related concerns IF he was able to engineer the Tar Heels to a National Championship....For those that are not completely aware, Williams has had some health concerns that may force him to consider a retirement. I then asked what he was aware of regarding RU job and the fact Eddie Jordan came from the NBA and how RU has struggled.
He agreed that Eddie was just not a right fit and surprisingly confirmed a decent amount of interest in the RU likely opening, once it likely opens in the next few weeks. The names that have interest are similar to what's been mentioned over the last couple of weeks, this is a brief breakdown of the RU Coaching Board, via this contact that is not associated with RU, but is connected enough to know what coaches are in play for openings or potential openings.
Names that are 100% interested in the job.
Herb Sendek-High Interest-Former NC State and Arizona State head coach
Will Brown (current Albany HC)- High Interest - Some concern about RU but clearly would take job if offered (find it difficult that he would wait for a smaller school like an A-10 or MAAC type school)
Danny Hurley (current URI HC)-Moderately High Interest (only due to current contract situation at Rhode Island....there is more than enough history, so no need to rehash or debate whether he'd take the job....he almost has to consider it yet again.
Seth Greenberg-Former Virginia Tech and current ESPN analyst-High Interest.- Only drawback is he's 59, but has the track record of recruiting and is ultimately familiar with the tri-state area.
Mike Lonergan-(current GW Head Coach) Moderate Interest-Not sure he wants to uproot family and depart DC area....this one bears watching on whether interest goes from Moderate to High.
Steve Massiello (current Manhattan Head Coach)-High Interest-Is extremely interested and contact believes if offered he would accept the job immediately. Was told specifically beyond this conversation that he would walk to RU if offered....has work ethic that RU needs at this stage to get the kids into the program to win.
Tommy Amaker (Harvard coach, former Michigan and Seton Hall HC), little or no interest....confirmed via multiple sources, not interested in RU job....essentially would only be interested in Duke job, if and when Coach K retires.....only mentioned because of past ties/connection to Hobbs at Seton Hall.
I didn't get any other names but there were some names elsewhere regarding coaches that are doing a good job locally like Princeton's Mitch Henderson (former long time Associate Head Coach at Northwestern under Bill Carmody) and Bashir Mason (current coach at Wagner) or Iona's coach Tim Cluess as well........other outside names beyond coaching circles like Kevin Boyle were not mentioned...folks like Monmouth's King Rice for various reasons are off the radar, regardless of his extension just agreed to or not.
The keys to this list isn't necessarily whether these coaches can assemble a better job than what RU has today....it's really a matter of whether they can match up with the right assistant coaches assembled, to allow a better competitive product in recruiting and game management vs the rest of the B1G. RU ultimately needs credibility, the league is truly unforgiving from a competition/financial standpoint, unlike past years in the Big East....in the old Big East there were the financial haves and have nots.....RU could find a couple of wins against programs or coaching staffs that were on the level of where RU was (DePaul, SHU at times, Providence, USF etc)......those matchups and easier road trips in not so intimidating gyms are over....There are no gimmes in the B1G to pick up.
Sendek apparently has already assembled a potential staff that consists of a couple of current assistant coaches elsewhere that would arrive immediately in tow, with recruiting connections/Players that can help RU immediately. These are current and active full time assistants at D1 (some Power 5) schools that are consistent winners or working under very good Head Coaches right now. I confirmed one of the assistants, but cannot mention their name out of courtesy for where they are and to not compromise what potential is in place for their potential arrival at RU.
I would place Sendek, Will Brown and Danny Hurley as home run hires for RU and current favorites based on this exchange of information. I know there are "pie in the sky" types of coaches elsewhere, where fans may automatically think "offer 3M to Gregg Marshall at Wichita State" or "offer 4M to Nova's Jay Wright", but those coaches are not realistic options for where RU is financially and with the program.
This thread isn't meant to determine whether Eddie should stay or not, or what the potential fallout would be on players, current recruits, if and when a change ultimately happens. It's also not meant to rehash the "what if RU hired this person 10-15 years ago", those are past discussions that don't change anything.
It's meant to identify a conversation of what coaches are on the proverbial radar for an opening that many believe will open for RU in the very near future and RU's future financial standing within the B1G that ultimately is the carrot that eventually elevates this job to a true next level going forward.
It would be interesting to see how these coaches ultimately get interviewed/sorted out. In this case, similar to the Football Coaching search, a lot of rumors and very little leaks were out there before Ash was hired for Football...that was due to RU using a search firm to conduct the review, so I don't think you'll see a parade of people calling Hobbs directly or media members calling Los Angeles to talk to a candidate that says they want the RU job...... Hobbs is sharp and will conduct this properly and identify what choice may make sense for RU.
Fire away as you see fit......it's as accurate as it can be based on where things are today.....
