Martin ends up getting the job

[Skatastrophy]

I would prefer Oliver Purnell over Cuonzo Martin. No joke.

[NersEllenson]

Years of mediocrity.

He's engineered nice turnarounds at Missouri State and now Tennessee...was a basket away from an Elite 8.  He was finalist for JJJ, Looney, Hill...has been recruiting Stone...with questionable recruiting resources at TN.  Has a very strong assistant coaching staff with Tracy Webster and Jon Harris...

Team is in Top 20 offense and defensive efficiency - something Buzz never accomplished at MU.

I'd be fine with either Howland or Martin - just have concerns about Howland's ability and drive to recruit at MU..and think Martin would have more appeal/cache with recruits than Howland.

[WadeATKBurton]

Years of mediocrity.

Brent slurper? (no joke)

[WadeATKBurton]

He's engineered nice turnarounds at Missouri State and now Tennessee...was a basket away from an Elite 8.  He was finalist for JJJ, Looney, Hill...has been recruiting Stone...with questionable recruiting resources at TN.  Has a very strong assistant coaching staff with Tracy Webster and Jon Harris...

Team is in Top 20 offense and defensive efficiency - something Buzz never accomplished at MU.

I'd be fine with either Howland or Martin - just have concerns about Howland's ability and drive to recruit at MU..and think Martin would have more appeal/cache with recruits than Howland.

Ners, you the best. Right on point.

[WadeATKBurton]

What people fail to realize is that the TN program was in disarray after Pearl was fired. Cuonzo has done a damn good job getting that program back on its feet!

[Aughnanure]

I would prefer Oliver Purnell over Cuonzo Martin. No joke.

Well that's just stupid.

[MUMonster03]

While Martin would still not be my first choice, the idea is growing. At least it wouldn't be an assistant coach. Martin is at least an established coach. While the SEC isn't a power in basketball, outside of Florida and Kentucky, other schools in the conference have been able to either consistently make the tournament or have limited success. Martin would at least give us a big conference coach, instead of some unknown assistant to the masses, after the Shaka fiasco of 14.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I have a spider sense this isn't happening either...must be all the earthquakes out here.

[Aughnanure]

Team is in Top 20 offense and defensive efficiency - something Buzz never accomplished at MU.

This is why I'm starting to really like the Martin thing.

[Silkk the Shaka]

He's engineered nice turnarounds at Missouri State and now Tennessee...was a basket away from an Elite 8.  He was finalist for JJJ, Looney, Hill...has been recruiting Stone...with questionable recruiting resources at TN.  Has a very strong assistant coaching staff with Tracy Webster and Jon Harris...

Team is in Top 20 offense and defensive efficiency - something Buzz never accomplished at MU.

I'd be fine with either Howland or Martin - just have concerns about Howland's ability and drive to recruit at MU..and think Martin would have more appeal/cache with recruits than Howland.

I totally agreed with you on the Derrick Wilson thing this year (just posted it about 1% as often) and I totally agree with you here. I'd also add the fact that he had such high level playing experience will be a plus. I think it matters in terms of managing game flow/rhythm, which I think was Buzz and Crean's biggest weakness. Neither of them playing past high school was a major contributing factor on that end, IMO. Plus, he seems to be the personality fit we're looking for, and I have heard his players love him. I'd be totally on board with Martin.

[NavinRJohnson]

He's engineered nice turnarounds at Missouri State and now Tennessee...was a basket away from an Elite 8.  He was finalist for JJJ, Looney, Hill...has been recruiting Stone...with questionable recruiting resources at TN.  Has a very strong assistant coaching staff with Tracy Webster and Jon Harris...

Team is in Top 20 offense and defensive efficiency - something Buzz never accomplished at MU.

I'd be fine with either Howland or Martin - just have concerns about Howland's ability and drive to recruit at MU..and think Martin would have more appeal/cache with recruits than Howland.

I don't necessarily disagree...though I think you may be a little too locked into the players is/was involved with, that may be swaying your opinion some.

Don't think its necessarily a bad choice, I know Pom loved Tennessee this year. It's become pretty evident we re not going to see a knock your socks off hire, and likely never were, so I suppose it has to be someone.

[MU06CU10]

I would prefer Oliver Purnell over Cuonzo Martin. No joke.

Oof. Honestly, that's the kind of rational thinking I expect from most UT fans. "He's not my top choice, so might as well go after the worst possible choice and give up completely."

I live in Nashville. I've had to listen to Vols fans complain all the time about Cuonzo. Honestly, their biggest complaint has been that he isn't Bruce Pearl. The fanbase is insufferable in general, but it wasn't until Pearl signed with Auburn (and with the idea of him returning officially dead) that they started to warm up to Cuonzo. Then he kept winning. Literally, nobody has anything bad to say about him as a person. As a coach, check the kenpom numbers. Look at what he did while at Missouri St. The guy wins and does it in a way that people really respect.

Most here recall the videos with Buzz and his life lessons. Most of us loved those because it made us proud of the program. At least I felt good rooting for Buzz and those kids. Cuonzo is very similar in that regard. Players love him and play hard for him for a reason. I'm not saying he's the best choice, but he's certainly better than Purnell and if we end up hiring him, I think he'll make us proud to root for him.

[NavinRJohnson]

 Has a very strong assistant coaching staff with Tracy Webster and Jon Harris...

One question...other than the fact that you recognize their names, what makes you conclude that this makes a strong coaching staff?

[Marquette_g]

I would prefer Oliver Purnell over Cuonzo Martin. No joke.

Care to elaborate on why?

[NickelDimer]

Oof. Honestly, that's the kind of rational thinking I expect from most UT fans. "He's not my top choice, so might as well go after the worst possible choice and give up completely."

I live in Nashville. I've had to listen to Vols fans complain all the time about Cuonzo. Honestly, their biggest complaint has been that he isn't Bruce Pearl. The fanbase is insufferable in general, but it wasn't until Pearl signed with Auburn (and with the idea of him returning officially dead) that they started to warm up to Cuonzo. Then he kept winning. Literally, nobody has anything bad to say about him as a person. As a coach, check the kenpom numbers. Look at what he did while at Missouri St. The guy wins and does it in a way that people really respect.

Most here recall the videos with Buzz and his life lessons. Most of us loved those because it made us proud of the program. At least I felt good rooting for Buzz and those kids. Cuonzo is very similar in that regard. Players love him and play hard for him for a reason. I'm not saying he's the best choice, but he's certainly better than Purnell and if we end up hiring him, I think he'll make us proud to root for him.

Good insight thanks for posting this

[Pakuni]

I would prefer Oliver Purnell over Cuonzo Martin. No joke.

[WadeATKBurton]

Oof. Honestly, that's the kind of rational thinking I expect from most UT fans. "He's not my top choice, so might as well go after the worst possible choice and give up completely."

I live in Nashville. I've had to listen to Vols fans complain all the time about Cuonzo. Honestly, their biggest complaint has been that he isn't Bruce Pearl. The fanbase is insufferable in general, but it wasn't until Pearl signed with Auburn (and with the idea of him returning officially dead) that they started to warm up to Cuonzo. Then he kept winning. Literally, nobody has anything bad to say about him as a person. As a coach, check the kenpom numbers. Look at what he did while at Missouri St. The guy wins and does it in a way that people really respect.

Most here recall the videos with Buzz and his life lessons. Most of us loved those because it made us proud of the program. At least I felt good rooting for Buzz and those kids. Cuonzo is very similar in that regard. Players love him and play hard for him for a reason. I'm not saying he's the best choice, but he's certainly better than Purnell and if we end up hiring him, I think he'll make us proud to root for him.

Well said!

[MUWeb7]

The more I hear about Martin, the more I like him as a candidate.  - I can say I wouldn't be mad at the hire.

Not my top choice (not saying I know anything about coaching), but I think he is a reasonable option.

[Blackhat]

It's gonna be a disaster. 

As sure of that as I was that Buzz was going to succeed.

[miggs0721]

I believe this has been covered, but what is the boards general consensus about a coach from the same state as Cuonzo but Southwest

[hairy worthen]

Hiring Martin means we would be getting a head coach from a BCS conference instead of the other way around. That in itself  makes it a step forward.

Martin would be an ok hire,certainly not an "impact hire"  Doesn't mean he can't do well, he may very well be the guy to take the program to an even higher level. Lot of the talk on here sounds like people are trying to talk themselves into settling for less than expectations.

[🏀]

+!

Great use.

[Tums Festival]

What are you guys afraid of with Martin? Serious question

No proof he can recruit at a high level. And listing all the players he's missed out on does not help your argument. Plus, the SEC isn't exactly known for their commitment to academics.

[Big Papi]

Martin is not an IMPACT hire.  The only reason I would be lukewarm on this hire is that there is a chance that JJJ stays, that Hill might honor his signing and we have some stability with our players.  

Unfortunately the only big impact hire that made sense for everyone was Smart.  That hire would have provided a bump for us and Smart.  I don't see any other candidate that I can say the same.  Wardle?  Yuck.  He is at least 5 successful years away.  Hopkins?  Why hire him when he will bolt as soon as Jimmy B. retires.  A. Miller?  He would look at us as a stepping stone and bolt after any success.  Howland? I think he has some baggage and we would need to rebuild as all of our signings would likely bolt.  Being out of the game for a year, he won't find immediate adequate replacements and the current roster might not fit into his defensive style.  He would get us back on track but after a couple of years.  I am spoiled.  I want a quick turnaround from this past year's debacle.

Back to Martin.  At the end of the day, he is probably an ok hire but I definitely feel like we would be settling.  Having said that I don't see any other really good realistic option.    

[Blackhat]

You already assume Archie Miller wants to leave before he gets here?     That's his downside?

Crean here 9 years
Buzz lightly pushed out 6 years.

Coaches usually aren't running to get out of here, they play us for more money often though.