April 11
A number of prominent assistant coaches are getting the opportunity to move up to head-coaching positions across America. I think it's fantastic, baby!

I believe there are several reasons for this trend. First of all, athletics directors are realizing that instead of going for the musical-chairs, recycling of coaches, it's time to give some new guys a shot. Think about the unbelievable energy and enthusiasm they can bring to head-coaching jobs. They can provide a spark and ignite a program that has struggled.

Much of this trend can be attributed to the fact that Mike Davis led Indiana to this year's championship game.

Past Assistants Have Found Success
Much of this trend can be attributed to the fact that Mike Davis led Indiana to this year's championship game. Think about his résumé: Davis was an assistant for three years at IU before becoming the head coach when Bob Knight lost his job. He stepped in for the icon and did a fantastic job motivating his kids and getting them ready to play at a big-time level.

In just his second season in charge, Davis led the Hoosiers to a share of the Big Ten regular-season championship, then a trip to the Final Four and an upset of Oklahoma. Oh, yes, along the way came that shock-city win over Duke!

Davis took Indiana where coaches dream of going. Revered names like Hall of Famer John Chaney, Eddie Sutton and Gene Keady have never reached that point, and I love and respect those guys. They don't have to win a national title to validate how super they are. Some people feel winning a championship is a part of the criteria for greatness, but that's a fallacy to me.

Roy Williams is a great coach with 388 wins in 14 years; you don't have to be a mathematical genius to realize that 27 wins per year is impressive. Williams is a great example of a guy being given a shot to prove himself. He was an outstanding assistant at North Carolina, but still unproven when Kansas AD Bob Frederick took a chance and named Williams the Jayhawks' head coach as Larry Brown's replacement. That has certainly worked out well.

Another guy who did a fine job moving up from assistant to head coach is Tom Crean at Marquette. He came over from Michigan State and took advantage of the opportunity, competing in a tough league like Conference USA against superstar coaches like Rick Pitino, John Calipari and Bob Huggins.

Stan Heath went from assistant to head coach at Kent State, and now he's moving to the big time at Arkansas. Two years ago, he was one of Tom Izzo's right-hand men. He had a phenomenal season with the Golden Flashes, shocking America by leading the program to the Elite Eight. Heath was one game away from being the first MAC team to make the Final Four. Then came Indiana's explosion, hitting on 15-of-19 trifectas to end the dream. Heath will replace Nolan Richardson at Arkansas.

These Ex-Assistants Eye First Seasons
Let's look at some other guys who have paid the price and now will have a chance to run their own programs and make noise as head coaches.

Tommy Herrion will bring all kinds of enthusiasm in replacing John Kresse at Charleston. What a guy to replace -- Kresse was sensational during his tenure. I believe he will help Herrion with his adjustment to the new environment. Pete Gillen has helped a few assistants move on to Division I head-coaching positions. Remember, he had Bobby Gonzalez on his staff before Gonzalez went on to Manhattan. Herrion has the same background.

It's about time that Mike Anderson got a chance, and now he takes over at UAB. He was a loyal, dedicated assistant under Nolan Richardson at Arkansas. He grew up in Birmingham, so this is a great fit. Anderson replaces Murry Bartow.

Ray Lopes had tremendous success as an assistant, and Oklahoma's trip to the Final Four probably had a big role in his opportunity to move up. Now he gets a chance at Fresno State, where he will try to build on the success Jerry Tarkanian enjoyed out West. Lopes also will enjoy the luxury of a new facility, which will help Bulldog recruiting.

John Pelphrey was a prominent lieutenant under Billy Donovan at Florida. The former Kentucky player learned under outstanding coaches Sutton and Pitino. Now he takes over at South Alabama, and the Jaguars will make a dedicated move to improve the program in the Sun Belt Conference. Pelphrey can do it as he brings a wealth of knowledge and a tremendous work ethic.

Jay John has paid the price and worked hard as an assistant under Lute Olson at Arizona. He also was a loyal assistant at San Francisco, Butler and Oregon before joining Olson's staff. Now he stays in the Pac-10, taking over at Oregon State.

Those are just some of the names getting the golden opportunity to be the boss. They will make their own decisions, standing on the sideline in the role of captain instead of lieutenant. With that comes the heat, baby! There is scrutiny under the microscope. People will be watching every move they make, welcoming them to the big-time world of college-hoops pressure.

Something tells me these guys are ready for the challenge.