Vlyrock
04-06-2007, 08:13 PM
http://www.winthropeagles.com/upload/biography10mainimage.jpghttp://media.collegepublisher.com/media/paper876/stills/zb0tt76r.gifhttp://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Nov-16-Wed-2005/photos/sports.jpghttp://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/cs/sports/m-baskbl/auto_action/73987.jpeg
So Who's Next?
Former A&M coach Billy Gillispie got the call he's been wanting and that A&M fans have been dreading. A "basketball" program, one of the ELITES, called him and a short time after, he accepted the vacancy atop the Kentucky Wildcats' basketball program. Arguments can be made about why it was a good move (or bad) for him, but this is neither the time nor the place. We are going to put ourselves in Bill Byrne's shoes to look at who is available and a "good fit" for Texas A&M basketball. Byrne needs to make a hire soon...and these are some of the guys he may be looking at (in no particulary order):
Andy Kennedy - Ole Miss:
He was the "interim" coach after Bob "I break a lot of rules" Huggins was dismissed from the Cincinnati basketball program. In his first year of coaching, he lead Cincy to a 22-13 record and had them on the doorsteps of the NCAA tournament. He was quickly snatched up by Ole Miss, who was coming off a 14-16 record. Kennedy came in this season and led Ole Miss to a 21-13 mark, a share of the SEC West division crown and an NIT birth. He could be an "up and coming" coach similar to Gillispie when he arrived at Texas A&M.
Gregg Marshall - Winthrop:
Gregg Marshall has been the head coach of Winthrop for the past 9 seasons. 7 of them have resulted in NCAA tournament births, including this year with a first round win over Notre Dame. Winthrop finished a 29-5 record and completed a 14-0 sweep of their conference. He has been Big South coach of the year 3 times and already leads Winthrop coaches in most career victories. This guy can coach a small fish in a small pond, but is the right guy to lead Texas A&M?
Reggie Theus - New Mexico State:
Reggie seems like a long shot to be the next A&M coach. He caused current A&M player, Elonu, to miss a year of basketball with A&M because he wouldn't release him from his commitment to New Mexico State. By rule, a player must sit out a year if he's going to transfer (and isn't released). Theus also seems like a coach that will use A&M as a stepping stone to move on. Byrne is probably looking for a guy with a little more long term potential, which is why Theus is most likely not the next coach at A&M.
Mark Few - Gonzaga
The ultimate longshot, but a heck of a coach. He led "cinderella" Gonzaga to some big upsets and has put them on the basketball map. If you consider the fact that Gonzaga basketball is slipping and may be cycling down, this may be the perfect time to pluck Few out and give him a chance with some good talent.
So Who's Next?
Former A&M coach Billy Gillispie got the call he's been wanting and that A&M fans have been dreading. A "basketball" program, one of the ELITES, called him and a short time after, he accepted the vacancy atop the Kentucky Wildcats' basketball program. Arguments can be made about why it was a good move (or bad) for him, but this is neither the time nor the place. We are going to put ourselves in Bill Byrne's shoes to look at who is available and a "good fit" for Texas A&M basketball. Byrne needs to make a hire soon...and these are some of the guys he may be looking at (in no particulary order):
Andy Kennedy - Ole Miss:
He was the "interim" coach after Bob "I break a lot of rules" Huggins was dismissed from the Cincinnati basketball program. In his first year of coaching, he lead Cincy to a 22-13 record and had them on the doorsteps of the NCAA tournament. He was quickly snatched up by Ole Miss, who was coming off a 14-16 record. Kennedy came in this season and led Ole Miss to a 21-13 mark, a share of the SEC West division crown and an NIT birth. He could be an "up and coming" coach similar to Gillispie when he arrived at Texas A&M.
Gregg Marshall - Winthrop:
Gregg Marshall has been the head coach of Winthrop for the past 9 seasons. 7 of them have resulted in NCAA tournament births, including this year with a first round win over Notre Dame. Winthrop finished a 29-5 record and completed a 14-0 sweep of their conference. He has been Big South coach of the year 3 times and already leads Winthrop coaches in most career victories. This guy can coach a small fish in a small pond, but is the right guy to lead Texas A&M?
Reggie Theus - New Mexico State:
Reggie seems like a long shot to be the next A&M coach. He caused current A&M player, Elonu, to miss a year of basketball with A&M because he wouldn't release him from his commitment to New Mexico State. By rule, a player must sit out a year if he's going to transfer (and isn't released). Theus also seems like a coach that will use A&M as a stepping stone to move on. Byrne is probably looking for a guy with a little more long term potential, which is why Theus is most likely not the next coach at A&M.
Mark Few - Gonzaga
The ultimate longshot, but a heck of a coach. He led "cinderella" Gonzaga to some big upsets and has put them on the basketball map. If you consider the fact that Gonzaga basketball is slipping and may be cycling down, this may be the perfect time to pluck Few out and give him a chance with some good talent.