OT: 2021 Coaching Carousel

[Eye]

Agreed ND. U of A my 2nd-fav team after MU. Hoping a change that should've been made two years ago creates the big negative to positive energy change that Smart has done for MU. Between the cheating, probation and more-and-more games being moved to the Pac 10 Network, my interest in U of A basketball has gone WAY down in the past few years.

[Oldgym]

Miller fired a couple years too late. Another reminder that Mark Emmert is a complete ass and the NCAA is a joke.

Seriously. 

And Will Wade says hi.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Yeah. So much for Covid giving coaches a break this season.

It's not as bad as it might seem.

2 of those (UNC, OK) are retirements, not firings
3 of those (TX, TTU, MN) are because the coaches left for new jobs
2 of those (PSU, AZ) are because off the court scandals
3 of those (DPL, BC, NM) had buyouts less than $1.5 million
2 of those (IU and MU) had donors pony up the buyout

That leaves IAST currently as the lone opening where the school paid a multi-million dollar buyout without donor help or scandal....and Prohm was coming off 2 consecutive losing seasons including 2-22 this season.

There are some other coaches that have gotten a COVID reprieve for now...looking at you Bruce Weber

[JakeBarnes]

It's not as bad as it might seem.

2 of those (UNC, OK) are retirements, not firings
3 of those (TX, TTU, MN) are because the coaches left for new jobs
2 of those (PSU, AZ) are because off the court scandals
3 of those (DPL, BC, NM) had buyouts less than $1.5 million
2 of those (IU and MU) had donors pony up the buyout

That leaves IAST currently as the lone opening where the school paid a multi-million dollar buyout without donor help or scandal....and Prohm was coming off 2 consecutive losing seasons including 2-22 this season.

There are some other coaches that have gotten a COVID reprieve for now...looking at you Bruce Weber

MN was vacated due to a firing. The coach just happened to find a job after that.

[MU82]

MN was vacated due to a firing. The coach just happened to find a job after that.

TX too, almost certainly.

[Billy Hoyle]

Miller fired a couple years too late. Another reminder that Mark Emmert is a complete ass and the NCAA is a joke.

the NCAA can't order a coach fired. They also weren't allowed access to the FBI investigations until 2019 and something happened in early 2020 when the NCAA had investigators (who don't have subpoena power) on the ground in Tuscon that slowed things down a bit.

[GooooMarquette]

It's not as bad as it might seem.

2 of those (UNC, OK) are retirements, not firings
3 of those (TX, TTU, MN) are because the coaches left for new jobs
2 of those (PSU, AZ) are because off the court scandals
3 of those (DPL, BC, NM) had buyouts less than $1.5 million
2 of those (IU and MU) had donors pony up the buyout

That leaves IAST currently as the lone opening where the school paid a multi-million dollar buyout without donor help or scandal....and Prohm was coming off 2 consecutive losing seasons including 2-22 this season.

There are some other coaches that have gotten a COVID reprieve for now...looking at you Bruce Weber

I wasn't just referring to the high buyouts. Many seemed to feel that they strangeness of the season (restrictions in practices, COVID 'pauses', etc) might give guys a relatively free pass, regardless of the buyout issue. That clearly didn't turn out to be true. And MN was a firing...and TX might have been too if MU had hesitated long enough.

[NickelDimer]

the NCAA can't order a coach fired. They also weren't allowed access to the FBI investigations until 2019 and something happened in early 2020 when the NCAA had investigators (who don't have subpoena power) on the ground in Tuscon that slowed things down a bit.

Ok so, keep up the bang up job NCAA

[Pakuni]

TX too, almost certainly.

Shaka wasn't getting fired.

[cheebs09]

Shaka wasn't getting fired.

I'm not so sure based on how quickly Beard was hired. I wouldn't be surprised if once Texas lost, there were some discussions with Beard's people.

[Dr. Blackheart]

It's not as bad as it might seem.

2 of those (UNC, OK) are retirements, not firings
3 of those (TX, TTU, MN) are because the coaches left for new jobs
2 of those (PSU, AZ) are because off the court scandals
3 of those (DPL, BC, NM) had buyouts less than $1.5 million
2 of those (IU and MU) had donors pony up the buyout

That leaves IAST currently as the lone opening where the school paid a multi-million dollar buyout without donor help or scandal....and Prohm was coming off 2 consecutive losing seasons including 2-22 this season.

There are some other coaches that have gotten a COVID reprieve for now...looking at you Bruce Weber

Missed Utah firing.

[jesmu84]

the NCAA can't order a coach fired. They also weren't allowed access to the FBI investigations until 2019 and something happened in early 2020 when the NCAA had investigators (who don't have subpoena power) on the ground in Tuscon that slowed things down a bit.

Keep carrying that water

[MU82]

Shaka wasn't getting fired.

You seem very certain of that.

[Lennys Tap]

You seem very certain of that.

Who knows. Some of our most prolific posters were certain Wojo wasn't getting canned. At least one went so far as saying his return was a FACT, not an opinion.

[Galway Eagle]

Who knows. Some of our most prolific posters were certain Wojo wasn't getting canned. At least one went so far as saying his return was a FACT, not an opinion.

To be fair, you can only predict what the Athletic department will do with their budget. Cant predict what donors will do.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Missed Utah firing.

True, I was going off the list someone posted earlier.

[Pakuni]

You seem very certain of that.

Just relying on what's been reported by several in the know.

[jesmu84]

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3357782/arizona-just-fired-sean-miller-and-its-totally-because-of-the-fbi-investigation-and-not-because-he-stopped-winning-wink-wink

[shoothoops]

You seem very certain of that.

For what it's worth, everything I have heard is that Beard was targeted by Texas to be its Head Coach long before Smart left.

[Hards Alumni]

For what it's worth, everything I have heard is that Beard was targeted by Texas to be its Head Coach long before Smart left.

It is Beard's dream job, and since Marquette was there to take Shaka off their hands, the timeline worked out.

Had Marquette waited another year before firing Wojo and hiring Shaka (or another suitor showed up), I have zero doubt that Shaka would still be coaching basketball in Texas.

[Herman Cain]

Happy to see Speedy Claxton get the Hofstra job.

https://gohofstra.com/news/2021/4/7/mens-basketball-mbb-past-present-future-claxton-to-lead-the-hofstra-mens-basketball-program.aspx

[GoldenWarrior11]

I think many underestimated the lengths schools are willing to go through, even in a pandemic or facing financial uncertainty, in order to boost fan morale and/or help turn around struggling programs.

Last Spring, it was clear schools were staying clear of making changes.  Not only are we seeing two years worth of changes occur in the immediate term, but many high major changes are occurring as well - with more possible (Cincinnati).

Bottom line, successful and winning programs bring interest, donations, applications and awareness to a university. For the proven programs, there will always be a way to eat a contract because the potential return of investment with a strong replacement will not only pay for itself, but provide strong value and return in the long-term.

Glad our school faced reality and had a donor, or donors, ready to support and initiate a necessary change. 

[The Sultan]

I think a lot of schools are in better financial shape than we think, and a lot of donors have capital gains to get rid of.

[Scoop Snoop]

I think many underestimated the lengths schools are willing to go through, even in a pandemic or facing financial uncertainty, in order to boost fan morale and/or help turn around struggling programs.

Last Spring, it was clear schools were staying clear of making changes.  Not only are we seeing two years worth of changes occur in the immediate term, but many high major changes are occurring as well - with more possible (Cincinnati).

Bottom line, successful and winning programs bring interest, donations, applications and awareness to a university. For the proven programs, there will always be a way to eat a contract because the potential return of investment with a strong replacement will not only pay for itself, but provide strong value and return in the long-term.

Glad our school faced reality and had a donor, or donors, ready to support and initiate a necessary change.

Very nice summary emphasizing the business decisions- return on investment, being realistic and looking at the long term investment vs. short term buyout, etc. I founded a small manufacturing company so I have had first hand experience with many of the points you made. And a huge thank you to the donor(s) for coming up with the buyout money. I was losing hope just before Wojo was fired and in my mind was convinced that Marquette basketball would be on life support if he was given another year. Imagine this off season with the new transfer rules on the horizon and Wojo staying on. How scary is that thought?

[avid1010]

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog/3357782/arizona-just-fired-sean-miller-and-its-totally-because-of-the-fbi-investigation-and-not-because-he-stopped-winning-wink-wink

If you're going to cheat...you better win...