*** COACHING SEARCH THREAD: Sunday, June 7 ***

[Cyhart]

I'm not even sure what to make of this coaching search anymore. Is ISU interviewing anyone who seem like they MIGHT be a good coach, or just getting desperate? Sure, Moton seems like a good guy who shows a lot of promise as a coach, but is a terrible fit in many ways from where I sit.

That is why I've come around to the idea of TJ. He can recruit to Ames and hopefully learned some things by observing McDermott vs Fred. Give it to Tj and let's make a go of it.

 

[swarthmoreCY]

I think it would really depend on his plan, but having someone who is respected and liked by his players is important in MBB now. He would have to be able to adjust to the Big12. It would have to be a heck of an interview. He'll get an opportunity some time.

Which is not the same as being a good guy, assuming he is one.

 

[Rhoadhoused]

That is true. And I'd factor that in. Has any of our mid major candidates ever had P5 experience outside of Underwood? I don't want Underwood because I don't want a Fran McCaffrey. Or Frank Martin type.

Prohm has 13 years as an assistant, 4 years as an HC all at mid majors.
Underwood was an assistant for 7 years at Kstate and South Carolina.
Bryce Drew has spent his entire coaching career at Valparaiso. 6 years as an assistant, 4 as a HC.
Levelle Moton was an assistant for 3 years and has been an HC for 6 years all at NCCU.

So no.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Still like Moton as a really well paid associate head coach, but I suppose that is a long shot.

 

[jsb]

Don't confuse the names in the rumor mill (it's a very slow college b-ball news period) with true interest.

Also, it's likely that over half of the names we've talked to were or are using this as a strategy to renegotiate.

Underwood, I can see.

But if Moton, Drew, and Prohm don't have real interest in Iowa State then either they are idiots or JP isn't doing his job.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Because a higher profile candidate, if outed will face pressure to deny interest in the job by his current employer/fans.

Exactly. Could jeopardize our chances.

 

[acgclone]

Underwood, I can see.

But if Moton, Drew, and Prohm don't have real interest in Iowa State then either they are idiots or JP isn't doing his job.

I'm sure those guys do, but some of the other so-called high profile candidates like Altman, Mack, or Dixon may have had some marginal interest but were likely just testing the waters enough to let their AD know they expect a raise in the next 12 months

 

[swarthmoreCY]

It's a blah group, for sure. To be fair to the poor soul that gets the job, we are likely to be disappointed with just about anyone we get. We are going from someone we loved and who was universally loved by the national media to someone who will make even the biggest Iowa State fan shrug at. I do feel sorry for that person, but I feel more sorry for me.

We all know you had an unhealthy thing for Hoiberg coaching ISU MBB. It is like it completed you or something.

He was just a coach and I will have no trouble being just as excited for the direction of the program under a new guy, assuming JP is worth his salary. Just not having to painfully listen to Fred erode our recruiting with his overly honest answers about the NBA will be nice.

 

[DFWClone]

Exactly. Could jeopardize our chances.

Will you be able to say the names after ISU names a coach?

 

[Rhoadhoused]

Exactly. Could jeopardize our chances.

Well now that we know it's Moton you can all come clean.... right?

 

[Cydkar]

We're nearing a point where this probably gets resolved behind the scenes in the next 24-48 hours and announced publicly 24-48 after that.

There really no point in debating TJ vs Underwood/Drew/Prohm.

All are risks and all or none could end up being studs.

Regardless of who it is, we have to rally behind them and give them a shot.

This. The P5-mid major-experience debate is completely useless. How many different ways can the same arguments be stated?

 

[benjay]

It's a blah group, for sure. To be fair to the poor soul that gets the job, we are likely to be disappointed with just about anyone we get. We are going from someone we loved and who was universally loved by the national media to someone who will make even the biggest Iowa State fan shrug at. I do feel sorry for that person, but I feel more sorry for me.

If the new coach wins as much as Fred did then it won't matter. Don't let it ruin your day.

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

Dubai is the busiest.

I seriously doubt Dubai is even in the top 10.

EDIT: Looked it up and it is number 3. They've moved up 10 spots in like 3 years. Crazy! The more you know

 

[Cydkar]

It's a blah group, for sure. To be fair to the poor soul that gets the job, we are likely to be disappointed with just about anyone we get. We are going from someone we loved and who was universally loved by the national media to someone who will make even the biggest Iowa State fan shrug at. I do feel sorry for that person, but I feel more sorry for me.

Wow. I'm already over Fred being gone. For $120/hour I'll get you through this.

 

[00clone]

I'm starting to feel like the only one who doesn't ever want to know the "secret" names. Now, it might jeopardize them as candidates. Post hire, what do we gain by knowing? A resolved curiosity is all. Yet, it could prevent a 'secret' candidate from jumping in on other searches, or it could be a crap show if people find out that X coach was in the mix and we didn't get it done.

Really...secrets are okay, folks. Everything your friends know, so do your enemies.

 

[Die4Cy]

CF = toddler. Real info about the coaching search = hose. SO thirsty.

 

[Jeremy]

A couple quick nuggets...

1 - To those freaking out about Nick Nurse, I can't stress enough that barring some last minute change of heart, he will not be our next head coach. If he is named the coach, you have to worry that A) that means we really didn't like any of about 6 guys in front of him and B) he will only be the coach for 1 or 2 years before getting an NBA HC position.

2 - It's hard to say at the moment if either of the two surprise candidates are still possibilities as most sources are as silent as I am about them out of fear of tanking any chance we do have. I can't stress enough that no news is good news on that front.

3 - If I had to put odds on the current state of affairs (a lot more should be report-able tonight or tomorrow morning), I'd still say TJ is the front-runner, but it's a much closer race than many would expect.

 

[Dingus]

Jeremy, have you heard any names you can mention regarding possible assistants? Depends too much on who's hired though I guess.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Will you be able to say the names after ISU names a coach?

I'll leave that to Jeremy and Chris to decide.

 

[ISUCubswin]

Jeremy, say there's an A+ coach out there that we have a shot at but is an "unknown," do you think Iowa State would be willing to go up to $3.5-4 million for their next coach?

Also, because I'm new to this...say we are down to two coaches. One A+ coach and one B coach. A+ coach clearly would demand more money. Would JP go to big donors and try and figure out financial necessities before making a hire, or will money not be an issue on this?