MU Coaching Candidates

[shoothoops]

The rumors are that Howard Eisley will in all likelihood be the next BC coach.
BC player and star.  12 years as an NBA player, 10 years as an NBA assistant coach and currently an assistant on Howard's Michigan team.

This is a good opportunity to discuss how Juwan Howard put his staff together at Michigan, and the various strengths of Howard and his assistants.

[Uncle Rico]

This is a good opportunity to discuss how Juwan Howard put his staff together at Michigan, and the various strengths of Howard and his assistants.

Phil Martelli is his X's and O's guy, Saddi Washington was a holdover from the previous staff and Howard Eisley came with him from the NBA.  Eisley is from Detroit originally.  Martelli and Washington are a good mix.  Martelli has the long expereince and Washington had a connection to the players on the roster when Howard took over and probably contacts with potential recruits.

Howard's acumen as a coach shouldn't get dismissed.  I see this a lot but he paid his dues in the NBA.  His name got floated for jobs in the Association.  He's a legit dude, not just a famous alum.

Here's a nice breakdown of some of his stuff on offense:

https://mgoblog.com/content/coach%27s-clipboard-pistol-action#read-more

[shoothoops]

Phil Martelli is his X's and O's guy, Saddi Washington was a holdover from the previous staff and Howard Eisley came with him from the NBA.  Eisley is from Detroit originally.  Martelli and Washington are a good mix.  Martelli has the long expereince and Washington had a connection to the players on the roster when Howard took over and probably contacts with potential recruits.

Howard's acumen as a coach shouldn't get dismissed.  I see this a lot but he paid his dues in the NBA.  His name got floated for jobs in the Association.  He's a legit dude, not just a famous alum.

Here's a nice breakdown of some of his stuff on offense:

https://mgoblog.com/content/coach%27s-clipboard-pistol-action#read-more

Yep, and Eisley handles guard development, especially point guards, etc...Washington front court players, both can recruit etc.... combining a good range of staff to cover different things, both new and holdover. It has gone well for them to this point. Howard clearly hired a variety of coaches with different skill sets to compliment his own.

[MU82]

Great post, Rico.

Howard's coaching is underrated. Immediately, it was, "Oh, he's just another NBA guy." But he's a smart guy who played under great coaches and had a chance to do a lot of observing at the end of his career. And as you and others said, he assembled a great group of coaches.

[JWags85]

Great post, Rico.

Howard's coaching is underrated. Immediately, it was, "Oh, he's just another NBA guy." But he's a smart guy who played under great coaches and had a chance to do a lot of observing at the end of his career. And as you and others said, he assembled a great group of coaches.

Not only was he an assistant, but in Miami working with two fantastic basketball minds in Riley and Spoelstra. Consistency and continuity in his NBA coaching experience.

Back to BC, I get that it's normal speculation and often agents floating names to get raises and buzz, but Randy Bennett for the BC job is hysterical.  Nearly 60, spent all of his career west of the Mississippi, all but 3 years on the West Coast, and all but 5 years of a 35 year career in Cali, but sure, he'll leave a high 6 figure salary and basically a job for life for one of the toughest P6 gigs across the country.  I'd buy it if it was ASU Or even Oregon State, but BC? Lol

[Uncle Rico]

Not only was he an assistant, but in Miami working with two fantastic basketball minds in Riley and Spoelstra. Consistency and continuity in his NBA coaching experience.

Back to BC, I get that it's normal speculation and often agents floating names to get raises and buzz, but Randy Bennett for the BC job is hysterical.  Nearly 60, spent all of his career west of the Mississippi, all but 3 years on the West Coast, and all but 5 years of a 35 year career in Cali, but sure, he'll leave a high 6 figure salary and basically a job for life for one of the toughest P6 gigs across the country.  I'd buy it if it was ASU Or even Oregon State, but BC? Lol

He's angling for a raise

[shoothoops]

Not only was he an assistant, but in Miami working with two fantastic basketball minds in Riley and Spoelstra. Consistency and continuity in his NBA coaching experience.

Back to BC, I get that it's normal speculation and often agents floating names to get raises and buzz, but Randy Bennett for the BC job is hysterical.  Nearly 60, spent all of his career west of the Mississippi, all but 3 years on the West Coast, and all but 5 years of a 35 year career in Cali, but sure, he'll leave a high 6 figure salary and basically a job for life for one of the toughest P6 gigs across the country.  I'd buy it if it was ASU Or even Oregon State, but BC? Lol

Former Lorenzo Romar assistant at Pepperdine and SLU.

19 Completed Seasons at St. Mary's.

14 times in the last 17 years his teams finished either 1st or 2nd in the WCC. (The other three were 3rd twice and 4th)

7 NCAA teams not including a canceled post season.

13 straight NCAA or NIT appearances

Life is pretty good in Moraga, CA.

[tower912]

Apparently we don't want Izzo or K.  I just found out today they both stink.

[Billy Hoyle]

Phil Martelli is his X's and O's guy, Saddi Washington was a holdover from the previous staff and Howard Eisley came with him from the NBA.  Eisley is from Detroit originally.  Martelli and Washington are a good mix.  Martelli has the long expereince and Washington had a connection to the players on the roster when Howard took over and probably contacts with potential recruits.

This separates Wojo from Howard. Howard recognized his shortcomings and limitations as a coach and hired to address that. Wojo hired buddies he could also play noon ball with (well except Stan, a mix of Wooden, Al, Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach all in one). Maybe tell him hire a top flight X's and O's assistant to sit behind him. A former head coach like Martelli.

[panda]

This separates Wojo from Howard. Howard recognized his shortcomings and limitations as a coach and hired to address that. Wojo hired buddies he could also play noon ball with (well except Stan, a mix of Wooden, Al, Phil Jackson and Red Auerbach all in one). Maybe tell him hire a top flight X's and O's assistant to sit behind him. A former head coach like Martelli.

He's had Rob Judson on the staff for awhile. But I agree with your point. Rehiring Gainey and promoting Presuti make me believe he's having a hard time getting assistants to buy in.

[brewcity77]

He's had Rob Judson on the staff for awhile. But I agree with your point. Rehiring Gainey and promoting Presuti make me believe he's having a hard time getting assistants to buy in.

Judson is still there. But agreed with the general thought process of Howard's staff. Martelli is the X's & O's guy, but maybe more important the guy who can teach Howard how to navigate administration & boosters. Washington is the bridge to the roster that was there to retain talent & give him a proven recruiter. And Eisley is the pro coach with the experience and know-how to convince players Michigan can get them to the next level. It's one of the savviest staff makeups I can remember.

[Nukem2]

He's had Rob Judson on the staff for awhile. But I agree with your point. Rehiring Gainey and promoting Presuti make me believe he's having a hard time getting assistants to buy in.

Contrarily, maybe Wojo is settling for guys he knows.  Often better to have a new voice and be challenged. 

[JWags85]

Judson is still there. But agreed with the general thought process of Howard's staff. Martelli is the X's & O's guy, but maybe more important the guy who can teach Howard how to navigate administration & boosters. Washington is the bridge to the roster that was there to retain talent & give him a proven recruiter. And Eisley is the pro coach with the experience and know-how to convince players Michigan can get them to the next level. It's one of the savviest staff makeups I can remember.

But just cause a guy was a HC for awhile doesn't mean they are an effective experienced assistant/X and O guy for a young coach.  Buzz had Wainwright for awhile. His ending at DePaul was unimpressive but he was a successful coach for a long time. Same with Martelli. Judson is just a career assistant who was thoroughly mediocre as a HC at NIU.  He's coached under some solid coaches but he's not the kind of guy to make a huge difference in growing as a HC or with an otherwise inexperienced staff.

Either way, at this point, I'm not much for giving Wojo the benefit of the doubt on program running or staff building

[wadesworld]

How many former successful head coaches are out there waiting for a call to be an assistant coach?  And which ones are the guys Wojo should target this offseason to bring aboard?

[brewcity77]

How many former successful head coaches are out there waiting for a call to be an assistant coach?  And which ones are the guys Wojo should target this offseason to bring aboard?

Does anyone really think Wojo would bring in a more proven coach than himself to provide guidance? If we were going to see that move, it would've been when Brett or Stan left. That he's filling those spots with people he already had control over and mediocre success with indicates he doesn't think he needs that Martelli type influence. If he needs to replace someone, it will be with Danny Mads, Cam, or someone else Wojo already knows and falls in line.

[wadesworld]

Does anyone really think Wojo would bring in a more proven coach than himself to provide guidance? If we were going to see that move, it would've been when Brett or Stan left. That he's filling those spots with people he already had control over and mediocre success with indicates he doesn't think he needs that Martelli type influence. If he needs to replace someone, it will be with Danny Mads, Cam, or someone else Wojo already knows and falls in line.

That wasn't the question.  Who are the candidates?

We talk like these guys are just hanging around waiting for a call.  Like all Wojo needs to do is pick up the phone and Beilein or Matta (or both!) would be on their way to Milwaukee to work for Wojo, but Wojo's ego is the issue.  It's just not the case.

[Dr. Blackheart]

That wasn't the question.  Who are the candidates?

We talk like these guys are just hanging around waiting for a call.  Like all Wojo needs to do is pick up the phone and Beilein or Matta (or both!) would be on their way to Milwaukee to work for Wojo, but Wojo's ego is the issue.  It's just not the case.

KO, Mike Deane, Steve Lavin.

The problem: Wojo is a Duke system guy. Pretty stridently. It's no different than Gard's staff at UW or the Butler legacy of coaches we often admire in their ability to plug and play with the next guy. Wojo doesn't want X & Os but guys who know the nuances of this system.

Any of the above coaches would be bad fits as a result, btw.

[GoldenWarrior11]

When Wojo was hired, the biggest assistant hire, IMO, was Mark Phelps.  He was a former head coach at Drake, had experience at NC State, Arizona State and Missouri.  Carrawell was a Wojo connection from Duke, and Nelson was an assistant under Phelps at Drake.  When Phelps left after a year to Arizona, Wojo replaced him with Stan, who is arguably universally admired by fans and players alike, but that head coaching experience was not replaced. 

Carrawell replaced Jeff Capel at Duke.  Nelson went to Holy Cross.  Stan went to LMU. 

Killings replaced Carrawell.  Jake replaced Nelson.  Justin replaced Stan. 

For whatever reason, external candidates were not pursued. 

[MU82]

KO, Mike Deane, Steve Lavin.

Teal?

[JWags85]

That wasn't the question.  Who are the candidates?

We talk like these guys are just hanging around waiting for a call.  Like all Wojo needs to do is pick up the phone and Beilein or Matta (or both!) would be on their way to Milwaukee to work for Wojo, but Wojo's ego is the issue.  It's just not the case.

I know you're being a snarky contrarian douche per usual, but nobody is suggesting a top tier coach as an assistant.  Major programs are littered with fairly solid former HCs as assistants.  Todd Lickliter was at Evansville before he got promoted.  A guy like Ray McCallum is at Tulane as an assistant.  Ewing has Louis Orr on staff.  A guy like Steve Hawkins was just let go at Western Michigan after a fairly successful run.  Saul Phillips is a D2 coach now.  A top assistant gig at somewhere like MU would be a significant pay raise and set him back on track to be a D1 HC again.  It's not hard at all to list.

Nobody is asking for a former very successful P6 coach.  But there are tons of guys out there who were good coaches at lower levels, winning without star players and running programs, who could help Wojo greatly.

[wadesworld]

I know you're being a snarky contrarian douche per usual, but nobody is suggesting a top tier coach as an assistant.  Major programs are littered with fairly solid former HCs as assistants.  Todd Lickliter was at Evansville before he got promoted.  A guy like Ray McCallum is at Tulane as an assistant.  Ewing has Louis Orr on staff.  A guy like Steve Hawkins was just let go at Western Michigan after a fairly successful run.  Saul Phillips is a D2 coach now.  A top assistant gig at somewhere like MU would be a significant pay raise and set him back on track to be a D1 HC again.  It's not hard at all to list.

Nobody is asking for a former very successful P6 coach.  But there are tons of guys out there who were good coaches at lower levels, winning without star players and running programs, who could help Wojo greatly.

So like Phelps or like Judson?

[Dr. Blackheart]

Teal?

If you have to ask...

[JWags85]

So like Phelps or like Judson?

No cause Judson was a bad coach who then was a DOBO 30+ years into his coaching career.  Phelps was also not a good HC who was with Wojo for a season before bolting.  Combined 42% conference winning percentages helping out are probably why Wojo is progressing the way he is.  If you think either of them were "fairly solid HCs", then you deserve Wojo

If I'm a new Sales Director looking to hire an experienced sales manager to assist me and help me learn the ropes, I don't just want someone who was a director elsewhere and got unceremoniously canned.  It would be nice to have a guy who at least hit his sales numbers a few years during his tenure.

[Galway Eagle]

No cause Judson was a bad coach who then was a DOBO 30+ years into his coaching career.  Phelps was also not a good HC who was with Wojo for a season before bolting.  Combined 42% conference winning percentages helping out are probably why Wojo is progressing the way he is.  If you think either of them were "fairly solid HCs", then you deserve Wojo

If I'm a new Sales Director looking to hire an experienced sales manager to assist me and help me learn the ropes, I don't just want someone who was a director elsewhere and got unceremoniously canned.  It would be nice to have a guy who at least hit his sales numbers a few years during his tenure.

So in this analogy our next coach should hire Wojo as his assistant because Wojo hit his numbers a few years.

[Billy Hoyle]

KO, Mike Deane, Steve Lavin.

The problem: Wojo is a Duke system guy. Pretty stridently. It's no different than Gard's staff at UW or the Butler legacy of coaches we often admire in their ability to plug and play with the next guy. Wojo doesn't want X & Os but guys who know the nuances of this system.

Any of the above coaches would be bad fits as a result, btw.

Lavin hired X's and O's guys because it was his weakness and he knew it. Dunlap then Whitsell on the bench as his #1, and he had Keady as a consultant.

One doesn't have to be an eminently successful HC but the need to be someone who can make up for Wojo's weaknesses a d challenge him, not be a yes man or sidekick.

Judson is limited in not being a countable coach. He can't communicate with players.