LA Times basically saying Howland is gone

[Pakuni]

Come-on. I don't think Donovan is leaving, but Florida is in no way shape or form better than UCLA. There are only 4 schools you could argue are (UK, UNC, Indiana, Kansas).

If it were 1983, maybe even 1993, you'd be correct.
But in 2013, UCLA is not a better job. Maybe not worse, but it no better.
Donovan has a terrific recruiting base,  plus can recruit nationwide; a warm weather campus; respectable academics (like it matters); a relevant tradition of winning (kids born in 1997 don't care much about John Wooden and Lew Alcindor); he's paid extraordinarily well; he's got a national profile.

Really, other than some dusty banners, crotchety boosters and unrealistic expectations, what can UCLA offer tgat Florida cannot?

[jeffreyweee]

The only inside knowledge* of any college basketball that I have: My best friend from childhood is close with Miller at Arizona. He's absolutely not leaving for Pitt - no chance in hell.


*I have no proof of this, take it or leave it.

[GGGG]

Come-on. I don't think Donovan is leaving, but Florida is in no way shape or form better than UCLA. There are only 4 schools you could argue are (UK, UNC, Indiana, Kansas).

How do you measure if it is better?  Donovan wins national championships, attracts recruits, and has all the resources he needs at his disposal.  What else do you need?

[ChicosBailBonds]

How do you measure if it is better?  Donovan wins national championships, attracts recruits, and has all the resources he needs at his disposal.  What else do you need?

Plus, no state income taxes in Florida.

[GGGG]

Not to mention that living in a place like Gainesville would be much more appealing than Los Angeles for a lot of people.

[MarquetteDano]

Plus, no state income taxes in Florida.

Yeah, especially comparing the 125321% you guys pay in California.   

[Goose]

Billy Donovan would win if he coached at UW Green Bay. That said, really no reason for him ever to leave Florida with only exception being ego.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Billy Donovan would win if he coached at UW Green Bay. That said, really no reason for him ever to leave Florida with only exception being ego.

Well, the one thing no one is talking about is prestige. It's still Florida...Football is 1.  Football signing period is 2.  Football spring practice is 3.  Gator basketball is 4.

At UCLA, basketball is #1.

[lab_warrior]

If it were 1983, maybe even 1993, you'd be correct.
But in 2013, UCLA is not a better job. Maybe not worse, but it no better.
Donovan has a terrific recruiting base,  plus can recruit nationwide; a warm weather campus; respectable academics (like it matters); a relevant tradition of winning (kids born in 1997 don't care much about John Wooden and Lew Alcindor); he's paid extraordinarily well; he's got a national profile.

Really, other than some dusty banners, crotchety boosters and unrealistic expectations, what can UCLA offer tgat Florida cannot?

+1

This isn't your father or grandfather's UCLA.  John Wooden
and Lew Alcindor ain't walkin' through that door.  Florida
IS a better gig than UCLA.

[LAZER]

Any chance Pitino throws his hat in? Wasn't he snooping around the Indiana job when it opened?

[ChicosBailBonds]

Any chance Pitino throws his hat in? Wasn't he snooping around the Indiana job when it opened?

He has his horses in Louisville.  He'll retire at UL

[GGGG]

Any chance Pitino throws his hat in? Wasn't he snooping around the Indiana job when it opened?

Not sure the UCLA job is better than the Louisville job either frankly...especially with their move to the ACC.

[ChicosBailBonds]

+1

This isn't your father or grandfather's UCLA.  John Wooden
and Lew Alcindor ain't walkin' through that door.  Florida
IS a better gig than UCLA.

Since folks love the RSCI so much here....those guys might not be walking through the door, but the recruiting talent is a lot different.



Last year's RSCI had 8 players from California....0 of them went to UCLA.  Arizona, UNLV, Oregon, Cal, Colorado got them.  Only two top 100 players from the state of Florida that year.

Year prior, 9 from California...1 went to UCLA.  St. John's, Uconn, Marquette, Arizona, got them.  Only 1 top 100 player from state of Florida that year.

Year prior, 8 from California...1 went to UCLA.  Stanford, ASU, St. John's, USC, Cal got them.  5 top 100 players from state of Florida.

Year prior, 11 from California...1 went to UCLA.  Texas, North Carolina, USC, Georgetown, Mississippi State got them.  5 top 100 players from the state of Florida

[77ncaachamps]

I think this would be the one to finally budge Mark Few.

You know, I think you're right.

What happened to Dixon to UCLA?
If I were him, I'd do it.

[ChicosBailBonds]

You know, I think you're right.

What happened to Dixon to UCLA?
If I were him, I'd do it.

Unlikely to happen. People here view him as a Howland disciple and that's what they are trying to get away from.  They all agree Howland is a very good coach, but the HS and AAU coaches aren't buying into him, the players aren't, and the style is boring....attendance lagging.  Fair or not, Dixon is tied to Ben from coaching with him at several stops as an assistant.

[4everwarriors]

He has his horses in Louisville.  He'll retire at UL

And his favorite eatery.

[Spaniel with a Short Tail]

He has his horses stable in Louisville.  He'll retire at UL

Fixed.

[WellsstreetWanderer]

And his favorite eatery

Italian as I recall !?

[ChicosBailBonds]

And his favorite eatery.

Well played

[77ncaachamps]

Unlikely to happen. People here view him as a Howland disciple and that's what they are trying to get away from.  They all agree Howland is a very good coach, but the HS and AAU coaches aren't buying into him, the players aren't, and the style is boring....attendance lagging.  Fair or not, Dixon is tied to Ben from coaching with him at several stops as an assistant.

Makes sense.

I wonder if they go regional or big name.

Shaka Smart would be a great get: his defense and trademark "HAVOC" would be an instant hit.
Pastner would be good too. He's a recruiter but not yet a proven winner (as is Shaka).

Maybe Bo Ryan. He's a proven coach...who needs a tan.

[keefe]

I think this would be the one to finally budge Mark Few.

I have a friend who fly fishes with Few and Stockton (Stockton is the one who 'hooked' Karl Malone on fly fishing, by the way.) Few fly fishes most mornings and then gets on with his day. Unless the browns are better in LA Few won't leave Spokane for anything.

Few has got the world by the balls. He is set for life and his wife isn't about to leave. If you have not been to the Inland Empire it is truly God's Country and Few knows it. Besides, who would want to live in LA as well as deal with an unrealistic alumni base?

[mr.MUskie]

Maybe Bo Ryan. He's a proven coach...who needs a tan.

Then send Jerry Wainwright.  That man needs a tan more than anyone I know.

[Pakuni]

Since folks love the RSCI so much here....those guys might not be walking through the door, but the recruiting talent is a lot different.



Last year's RSCI had 8 players from California....0 of them went to UCLA.  Arizona, UNLV, Oregon, Cal, Colorado got them.  Only two top 100 players from the state of Florida that year.

Year prior, 9 from California...1 went to UCLA.  St. John's, Uconn, Marquette, Arizona, got them.  Only 1 top 100 player from state of Florida that year.

Year prior, 8 from California...1 went to UCLA.  Stanford, ASU, St. John's, USC, Cal got them.  5 top 100 players from state of Florida.

Year prior, 11 from California...1 went to UCLA.  Texas, North Carolina, USC, Georgetown, Mississippi State got them.  5 top 100 players from the state of Florida

So the largest state in the union by far produces a large number of talented basketball players?
Duly noted.
Not sure what you're getting at, though. None of this change the fact that a) Donovan has an excellent recruiting base (eight kids on the current roster come from Florida) and b) Donovan has been able to recruit elite players nationally at Florida (Beal, Noah, Horford, Lee, Miller, Roberson, Brewer, Bonner, Speights, etc., all from out of state).
Donovan already has an elite program at Florida ... one that, mind you, twice beat UCLA on its way to national championships. Other than maybe money, there's no reason for him to go to UCLA. He's got at Florida everything UCLA has to offer, minus the unrealistic expectations.

[MuMark]

Looks like your friend is wrong....Dixon just signed an extension at Pitt today through 2023....

My friend, a huge PITT alum with contacts says Dixon to USC is a done deal.  Dixon not happy with split from BE, was a huge backer of BE and wants no part of ACC and starting over.  He wants to go back to west coast.  No idea of who would replace, but did mention they would inquire about Miller. 

We shall see. 

[nyg]

Looks like your friend is wrong....Dixon just signed an extension at Pitt today through 2023....

Very wrong if true.   Sometimes the facts are not what friends say, time for eating crow on his behalf.  Thanks