15 top assistants in college basketball

[Cheeks]

From 2012....this made me laugh

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1155271-the-15-best-assistant-coaches-in-college-basketball#slide15


Can't wait for the 2019 version

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

From 2012....this made me laugh

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1155271-the-15-best-assistant-coaches-in-college-basketball#slide15


Can't wait for the 2019 version

Wow not a ringing endorsement for hiring assistants.

[Cheeks]

Wow not a ringing endorsement for hiring assistants.

Been saying this for the last 10 years, but I digress

[Hards Alumni]

Been saying this for the last 10 years, but I digress

You have, and you're right.

[Class71]

Wow not a ringing endorsement for hiring assistants.

So why have we continued the tradition of hiring assistants? It worked twice but eventually luck runs out. We pay well, have administration support and a good fan base so why do we always settle for an unproven maybe?

[Norm]

So why have we continued the tradition of hiring assistants? It worked twice but eventually luck runs out. We pay well, have administration support and a good fan base so why do we always settle for an unproven maybe?

How many established coaches were interested in leaving their jobs and coming to MU?

[Jon]

I would say Otzelberger, Musselman, John Brannen, Leon Rice, Nate Davis, and Earl Rice.

One of my colleagues played at Randolph-Macon and knows Mike Rhoades. He said Rhoades would be great at Marquette.

There is plenty of superb talent out there. Why do we accept sustained mediocrity?

[WhiteTrash]

How many established coaches were interested in leaving their jobs and coming to MU?

According to many on this board, none. Apparently MU is a sh*t whole institution that only someone like Wojo would coach. We can never fire Wojo; if we do then MU is done in DI hoops (like maybe 5 walk-ons for the whole team)

[Hards Alumni]

I would say Otzelberger, Musselman, John Brannen, Leon Rice, Nate Davis, and Earl Rice.

One of my colleagues played at Randolph-Macon and knows Mike Rhoades. He said Rhoades would be great at Marquette.

There is plenty of superb talent out there. Why do we accept sustained mediocrity?

Ever been to Waukesha?

[Warrior_2002]

I would say Otzelberger, Musselman, John Brannen, Leon Rice, Nate Davis, and Earl Rice.

One of my colleagues played at Randolph-Macon and knows Mike Rhoades. He said Rhoades would be great at Marquette.

There is plenty of superb talent out there. Why do we accept sustained mediocrity?

Add Oats to this

[Jon]

Ever been to Waukesha?

I actually stay at the Waukesha Marriott for my visits with GE Distributed Power. Had my first Sobelman's there.

I had read on Scoop about the bloodies there so I naturally ordered one. Had to take a picture of it for the Baby David's mother who commented, "A meal in a glass!"

One thing about being a ball coach - they are oblivious to everything but the team, practice, and the game.

A Belichik or an Izzo can be surrounded by naked Playboy Playmates but all they are thinking is the next game.

I never bought the thesis that coaches and players rate location heavily. If that were true then Michigan and Notre Dame football or Michigan State and Syracuse hoops would have never won a game. 

[Hards Alumni]

I actually stay at the Waukesha Marriott for my visits with GE Distributed Power. Had my first Sobelman's there.

I had read on Scoop about the bloodies there so I naturally ordered one. Had to take a picture of it for the Baby David's mother who commented, "A meal in a glass!"

One thing about being a ball coach - they are oblivious to everything but the team, practice, and the game.

A Belichik or an Izzo can be surrounded by naked Playboy Playmates but all they are thinking is the next game.

I never bought the thesis that coaches and players rate location heavily. If that were true then Michigan and Notre Dame football or Michigan State and Syracuse hoops would have never won a game.

I was simply implying that many of our alumni live in Waukesha, and it is the model of mediocrity.  MU 2000+ is not MU 1970+

[cheese ball chaser]

Luke Yaklich - Michigan. Wojo gets canned, that's who I am after.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Luke Yaklich - Michigan. Wojo gets canned, that's who I am after.

Why? I know he's supposedly the mastermind behind Michigan's defense (and it is a beautiful defense) but the guy was coaching high school 6 years ago. That seems like a huge risk.

[cheese ball chaser]

Why? I know he's supposedly the mastermind behind Michigan's defense (and it is a beautiful defense) but the guy was coaching high school 6 years ago. That seems like a huge risk.

I mean you pretty much answered your own question. He's the defensive "guru" at Michigan. I suppose there are better options at the HC level but he's one of the better assistants imo

[Jon]

I was simply implying that many of our alumni live in Waukesha, and it is the model of mediocrity.  MU 2000+ is not MU 1970+

I had never spent time there until we began doing micro grids with GE. My read on Waukesha is that it is industrial and not prospering.

I have several MU friends who live in Wauwautosa, which I believe is more upscale.

I always confused those two cities while at MU. 

[Jon]

Luke Yaklich - Michigan. Wojo gets canned, that's who I am after.

This would be an excellent choice. Great, great defensive mind.

[muguru]

People would be surprised at the names that have applied for the MU job in the past. That being said...IF he is healthy enough to do it again...My guy would be Thad Matta. I have a list of others I'd prefer that I'm fairly certain MU could get(and it would surprise many). but I'm gonna keep that to myself so people(especially Cheeks) don't ridicule and I have to hear "he'd never come here etc etc".

[Jon]

Why? I know he's supposedly the mastermind behind Michigan's defense (and it is a beautiful defense) but the guy was coaching high school 6 years ago. That seems like a huge risk.

I don't get it. What does his occupation 6 years ago have to do with being a recognized national thought leader in defensive practice at one of the absolute best college basketball programs? 

6 Years before taking over as Head Coach of Butler Brad Stevens was pushing drugs at Eli Lily. He wasn't even in the game. Within two years he was coaching in the National Title game.

If John Beilein has confidence in Yaklich I would suggest the fools of Scoop should note that endorsement.   

[muguru]

I don't get it. What does his occupation 6 years ago have to do with being a recognized national thought leader in defensive practice at one of the absolute best college basketball programs? 

6 Years before taking over as Head Coach of Butler Brad Stevens was pushing drugs at Eli Lily. He wasn't even in the game. Within two years he was coaching in the National Title game.

If John Beilein has confidence in Yaklich I would suggest the fools of Scoop should note that endorsement.

Nate Oates was Coaching at a HS in Michigan before getting an asst job on hurley's staff at Buffalo...a few years later it was his show.

[Cheeks]

So why have we continued the tradition of hiring assistants? It worked twice but eventually luck runs out. We pay well, have administration support and a good fan base so why do we always settle for an unproven maybe?

Pakuni and Lenny will tell you why.  The other answer is because no established coaches from a high major are coming here.

[Cheeks]

People would be surprised at the names that have applied for the MU job in the past. That being said...IF he is healthy enough to do it again...My guy would be Thad Matta. I have a list of others I'd prefer that I'm fairly certain MU could get(and it would surprise many). but I'm gonna keep that to myself so people(especially Cheeks) don't ridicule and I have to hear "he'd never come here etc etc".

Lol.  I've seen many of the names, also on the football side including one Joe Paterno back in the day. 

Even if you could get a few of them, they last 5 years and leave.  Then we start all over again.  Also there are a whole number of total mythological applicants that never happened, but alums think they did.  That list is endless and we used to laugh when I worked there at some of the insane rumors that some lumps had vs the reality of the world.  Pitino was one of my favorite rumors. 

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

I don't get it. What does his occupation 6 years ago have to do with being a recognized national thought leader in defensive practice at one of the absolute best college basketball programs? 

6 Years before taking over as Head Coach of Butler Brad Stevens was pushing drugs at Eli Lily. He wasn't even in the game. Within two years he was coaching in the National Title game.

If John Beilein has confidence in Yaklich I would suggest the fools of Scoop should note that endorsement.

I said it was very risky,  not necessarily bad. Everyone wants the young up and comer who they think is the next big thing. There are a lot more Bryce Drews out there than there are Brad Stevens.

And if Beilein vouching for Yaklich should be noted, shouldn't Coach K vouching for Wojo  ?

[willie warrior]

I would say Otzelberger, Musselman, John Brannen, Leon Rice, Nate Davis, and Earl Rice.

One of my colleagues played at Randolph-Macon and knows Mike Rhoades. He said Rhoades would be great at Marquette.

There is plenty of superb talent out there. Why do we accept sustained mediocrity?

You already know the answer. He who wields the laser power point like a Jedi knight gets thr gig and thr cash and the worship.

[Jon]

I said it was very risky,  not necessarily bad. Everyone wants the young up and comer who they think is the next big thing. There are a lot more Bryce Drews out there than there are Brad Stevens.

And if Beilein vouching for Yaklich should be noted, shouldn't Coach K vouching for Wojo  ?

Not sure K gave Wojo any specific line responsibility as Beilein has with Yaklich. Wojo was more the sidekick or right hand man who had administrative responsibilities.

Sure, Wojo worked with the Duke 4's and 5's. But that doesn't compare with Yaklich's scope of responsibility and span of control.

A color commentator this fall said that U of M had the two finest defensive coordinators in college sports - Don Brown in football and Yaklich in basketball.

Wojo has had his chance. In Year 5 it seemed he had finally turned the corner but the magnitude and completeness of The Collapse gives lie to his ability to run a top program. Fact is, he lost that team. And there is no more damning criticism of a leader than that.