| | Expect the regular slew of jobs to open in the spring. A number of usual
suspects will probably pop up as candidates for openings: Utah's Rick Majerus, Bradley's Jim Molinari,
Evansville's Jim Crews, Cal's Ben Braun and Detroit's Perry Watson. But it
would take a can't-miss offer to lure any of these coaches away from their
present schools.
It wouldn't be as difficult with a number of others. Here's ESPN.com's
preseason list of hot coaches:
Head coaches
Paul Hewitt, Siena: Hewitt has the Saints as a perennial favorite out of
the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Hewitt can be had if the right job
comes offering a decent payday.
Mike Brey, Delaware: Brey is committed to his current crop of Blue Hens
but if a once-in-a-lifetime opening popped (like Notre Dame a year ago), he
could be twisted to check it out.
|  | | Butler's Barry Collier continues to be a hot name in coaching circles. |
Gregg Marshall, Winthrop: The Eagles are the favorite to win the Big
South and Marshall is a natural to take a step up in the region.
Bob Williams, UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos lost eight straight games to
open the season and then won 15 of 23 to win the Big West's West Division.
Another season like that and the former Division II national champ (UC Davis)
could make a leap in the West.
Gary Waters, Kent: The Mid-American Conference has always been fertile
ground for head coaches. Waters is next in line by putting the Flashes in
position for another NCAA bid.
Barry Collier, Butler: Like Brey and Hewitt, Collier was a hot name last
spring but is comfortable enough to stay put. A Big Ten or Big 12 offer would
be too good to turn down for one of the most underrated tacticians in the
game.
Steve McClain, Wyoming: He's only been a head coach for one season but
got the Cowboys deep in the NIT. If he gets them in the NCAA this season, a
Big 12 opening could be his if he wants to bolt.
Buzz Peterson, Appalachian State: Michael Jordan's former roommate nearly
left last spring but Southwest Missouri State wasn't the right fit. If he
earns another NCAA bid, he might find a better offer in March.
Tim Carter, Texas-San Antonio: Carter should put UTSA in the tourney
again this season, making him even more marketable to make a step up in the
Southwest.
Jimmy Tillette, Samford: He coached the Bulldogs to the NCAAs last season
and has a shot again. Back-to-back out of the Trans America Athletic
Conference warrants a free pass to a higher-profile league.
Assistants
Tony Benford, Arizona State: The Sun Devils' top recruiter prepped with
Dave Bliss at New Mexico and signed Kenny Thomas and Lamont Long. Benford is
the likely top candidate whenever Lou Henson decides to retire at New Mexico
State.
Russ Pennell, Arizona State: Was a finalist at Oral Roberts and
considered at Mississippi. Sun Devils' success could go a long way toward
landing him a mid-major job.
Robert McCullum, Illinois: McCullum was with Lon Kruger when Florida went
to the Final Four. Illinois' recruiting is equal to any team in the Big Ten.
McCullum could make a Quin Snyder-type leap.
Rick Boyages, Ohio State: Boyages has been a staple with Jim O'Brien at
Boston College and the Buckeyes. He shares responsibility with both
turnarounds. A mid-major Midwest or East job could be an easy move.
Neil Dougherty, Kansas: Dougherty's name was tossed around a year ago but
he felt compelled to stick it out at Kansas. He may struggle to make a giant
jump. A mid-major is a given.
Ray Lopes, Oklahoma: Lopes was nearly a candidate at UTEP but his
colleague Jason Rabedeaux got the job. Lopes is next in line and should be
able to end up at a similar school.
Reid Gettys, Houston: Don't expect to see Gettys at any other school but
Houston. He's a top candidate if Clyde Drexler ever decides to retire from
coaching.
Jim Saia, UCLA: Saia interviewed at UTEP and being at UCLA will help him
get interviews at most West Coast schools. He's a better fit at a Cal State
school.
John Pelphrey, Florida: Helped Billy Donovan build national title
contender in a few seasons. Might want to stick around for another year or
two before doing it himself. He'll likely have his pick.
Shawn Finney, Kentucky: A finalist at UTEP, Finney is in line to get a
similar job in a year. Youthful exuberance and Kentucky name will help.
Mike Anderson, Arkansas: Veteran Nolan Richardson assistant could be
waiting to replace the living legend. If he wants, a nearby Texas or
Louisiana job could be his if he pursues one this spring.
Scott Beeten, Cal: Recruited well on each coast (Cal, Penn and George
Washington). Successful high school coach in New Jersey and has a ton of
foreign contacts.
Jack Fertig, Fresno State: Longtime assistant at nine different schools
with an abundance of national recruiting contacts should get him an
interview. His media experience and administrative knowledge would be a help
at a low to mid-major school.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
| |
Conferences
America East
ACC
Atlantic 10
Big East
Big Sky
Big South
Big Ten
Big 12
Big West
Colonial
Conference USA
Independents
Ivy League
MAAC
Mid-American
Mid-Continent
Mid-Eastern Athletic
MCC
Missouri Valley
Mountain West
Northeast
Ohio Valley
Pac-10
Patriot
SEC
Southern
Southland
Sun Belt
SWAC
TAAC
WAC
West Coast
ALSO SEE
Coaching trend favoring beauty before age
 |
