OT: 2021 Coaching Carousel

[Nukem2]

You'd be right if they hadn't been the only 16 seed to ever upset a 1 seed in the tournament.

The “Beast” was long gone from UMBC by then.

[GooooMarquette]

Sorry, in the conversation of desired D1 gigs right now, Woj is irrelevant. UMBC seems like a mutually beneficial landing spot, hey?

Eye jus' don unnastand u when u tok lik dis, hey?

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Let's face it: UMBC enjoyed their greatest success when Brett Roseboro was patrolling the paint for the Retrievers.

Talent like Brett Roseboro doesn't grow on trees. Not only did Brett have a sweet touch around the hoop but his faux ghetto accent was second to none among white males gingers standing 6' 10" or greater.

FIFY

[cheebs09]

The “Beast” was long gone from UMBC by then.

Someone had to instill the culture.

[shoothoops]

The University of Cincinnati is seeking a new Head Basketball Coach. it has parted ways with John Brannen. (Rothstein)

[Galway Eagle]

The University of Cincinnati is seeking a new Head Basketball Coach. it has parted ways with John Brannen. (Rothstein)

Seriously? He had a good year last year and a rough year this year. They have to be thinking of a particular person right? Because that seems like a crazy short leash.

[shoothoops]

Seriously? He had a good year last year and a rough year this year. They have to be thinking of a particular person right? Because that seems like a crazy short leash.

This came after an internal investigation. There were accusations, mass transfer exodus, etc...things I heard of example were 3.5 hour practices where Medical Staff had to intervene to stop practice. Also mentioned were talking with some players about other players. Various things of that nature.(Just the messenger here) He had some returning player support but not others. I believe they were down to a lower level of scholarship players.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Seriously? He had a good year last year and a rough year this year. They have to be thinking of a particular person right? Because that seems like a crazy short leash.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31189472/cincinnati-coach-john-brannen-leave-amid-investigation

He was under investigation...though there is speculation that this was done to justify firing him for cause when really they just have buyer's remorse. I imagine Cincy is really salty watching Cronin going to the Final Four after 7 consecutive first weekend exits at Cincy.

To be clear, I have no idea on the veracity of the allegations. Just reporting that there's been speculation.

[LAZER]

You can have all the P6 schools, I will take the field.

Nah. I've never said Wojo would definitely land a P6 job. And there's probably ~100 schools in between P6 level and UMBC.

[Dr. Blackheart]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31189472/cincinnati-coach-john-brannen-leave-amid-investigation

He was under investigation...though there is speculation that this was done to justify firing him for cause when really they just have buyer's remorse. I imagine Cincy is really salty watching Cronin going to the Final Four after 7 consecutive first weekend exits at Cincy.

To be clear, I have no idea on the veracity of the allegations. Just reporting that there's been speculation.

Sounds like a good landing spot for a Wojo-type.  KO was the reclamation specialist. Crean was the car salesman. Buzz the fixer. Wojo the cleanser.

[94Warrior]

Mark Fox' tenure at Georgia makes Wojo look like a star.

Did Mark Fox ever call for his team to foul with 10 seconds left in a tie game?

[GoldenWarrior11]

Regardless of what Scoopers think about Wojo, he has a career 128-95 record. Had teams place 2nd and 3rd in the Big East, and would have led the team to 3 NCAA tournaments if it wasn't for COVID.

He also demonstrated that he is a very strong recruiter.

That's sufficient to be fired at MU; but also sufficient to get a solid new coaching gig.

Someone better than UMBC will give him a chance, maybe not this year, but he'll be coaching a solid Mid-Major, or lower tier P6 team sooner rather than later.

Some other facts:

Wojo had a 59–68 (.465) conference record.  He finished in the bottom half of the conference in five of seven years, had two losing seasons (more than any prior HC in decades) and had more losses to the last place teams in conference than his predecessors.  He recruited "high-star" athletes, but - by the results - what was he able to do with them?  His teams regressed as seasons wore on, with several late season collapses.  He also lost two of his highest level recruits because they were unhappy.

Someone "better" than UMBC might very well give him a chance, but no one has hired Wojo as a head coach since he was dismissed, in a year of historical turnover and openings.  Believe me, if a school values Wojo as the best candidate to be a head coach for their program, he will get a chance.  However, the fact many of these open programs are not busting down doors to get him should speak volumes IMO.

[Galway Eagle]

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/31189472/cincinnati-coach-john-brannen-leave-amid-investigation

He was under investigation...though there is speculation that this was done to justify firing him for cause when really they just have buyer's remorse. I imagine Cincy is really salty watching Cronin going to the Final Four after 7 consecutive first weekend exits at Cincy.

To be clear, I have no idea on the veracity of the allegations. Just reporting that there's been speculation.

Interesting thanks for the information, Had no idea. Could definitely understand frustration watching Cronin get it done so quickly at UCLA for sure.

[LAZER]

Seriously? He had a good year last year and a rough year this year. They have to be thinking of a particular person right? Because that seems like a crazy short leash.

Archie?

[brewcity77]

If I'm Wojo, I'm really thinking about trying to get an assistant job in the NBA. It's a popular path to the college game and if he couldn't get a UMBC or even Cincy to work, his career could be really cut short. Go to the NBA for a few years, then likely have your pick of college jobs if you want to come back. And you might actually end up a better coach because of it.

[Galway Eagle]

If I'm Wojo, I'm really thinking about trying to get an assistant job in the NBA. It's a popular path to the college game and if he couldn't get a UMBC or even Cincy to work, his career could be really cut short. Go to the NBA for a few years, then likely have your pick of college jobs if you want to come back. And you might actually end up a better coach because of it.

The question is whether he could find the humility to learn during it. I mean if you spend all that time next to one of if not the greatest college coach ever you're going to need to be pretty humble to sit on another coaches bench and learn that there's other ways of doing things when the talent doesn't win out.

[brewcity77]

The question is whether he could find the humility to learn during it. I mean if you spend all that time next to one of if not the greatest college coach ever you're going to need to be pretty humble to sit on another coaches bench and learn that there's other ways of doing things when the talent doesn't win out.

Agreed completely. Being stubborn enough to get fired over your refusal to entertain doing things differently could either be a wakeup call, or further entrench him into believing he truly knows best.

[GoldenWarrior11]

If I'm Wojo, I'm really thinking about trying to get an assistant job in the NBA. It's a popular path to the college game and if he couldn't get a UMBC or even Cincy to work, his career could be really cut short. Go to the NBA for a few years, then likely have your pick of college jobs if you want to come back. And you might actually end up a better coach because of it.

Tough time to get NBA assistant jobs.  Those are filled in the Summer, normally.  Duke connections that could be a help would be Elton Brand (Philadelphia), Trajon Langdon (New Orleans) or Quinn Snyder (Utah). 

[MU82]

Are Pop and K tight through their Olympic connection? (And Wojo was involved with Olympics too, right?) Being on Pop’s coaching staff for 2 years could really benefit him.

[The Hippie Satan of Hyperbole]

Coach Bud wouldn't be bad either.  From the Pop tree, and he wouldn't have to move.

[MUfan12]

Coach Bud wouldn't be bad either.  From the Pop tree, and he wouldn't have to move.

Darvin Ham is gonna get a job this summer as a head coach, so there might be an opening.

That said, when Miami bounces the Bucks in the 3-6 series, Bud will be looking for a gig too.

[keefe]

Someone had to instill the culture.

That's exactly right.

The Beast laid down the foundation for an atmosphere of inclusion through his masterful employment of ebonics on the court, in the locker room, and during media interviews.

I think we all know that the Retrievers take down of #1 Seed UVA traces back directly to The Beast and the culture he created at UMBC.   

[Silkk the Shaka]

Sounds like a good landing spot for a Wojo-type.  KO was the reclamation specialist. Crean was the car salesman. Buzz the fixer. Wojo the cleanser.

Cleanser Qualifications (required):

Bachelor's degree from Duke University
Able to wear a suit
Gelled side part haircut (non-threatening)
Monotone vanilla speech pattern

[willie warrior]

Cleanser Qualifications (required):

Bachelor's degree from Duke University
Able to wear a suit
Gelled side part haircut (non-threatening)
Monotone vanilla speech pattern

.....Coaching acumen equivalent to Bob Dukiet
.....Ability to shine K's shoes whenever needed

[bilsu]

Did Mark Fox ever call for his team to foul with 10 seconds left in a tie game?

Maybe I am wrong, but I still believe Wojo was just taking the blame for Bailey not understanding what Wojo wanted him to do. This is no different than Wojo not agreeing to fire his assistant's. Whether you like Wojo or not, I do not think you can find an instance where he ever put the blame on his players or assistant coaches.