Coaching Carousel

[Dan]

Beilein is out at Cleveland.

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/28732883/john-beilein-cavs-head-coach-jb-bickerstaff-takes-over

 

[AZis]

Is this really a surprise? It's what I expected. Brad Stevens is the lone example of an NCAA coaching making the NBA transition successfully. Any other semi-recent examples?????

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

Is this really a surprise? It's what I expected. Brad Stevens is the lone example of an NCAA coaching making the NBA transition successfully. Any other semi-recent examples?????

Billy Donovan hasn't done too poorly at OKC -- shade over .600 winning percentage, conference final and playoffs every year. Don't think too many people were expecting much from OKC this year and right now it looks like they'll make it to playoffs again.

 

[FeelYourPaign]

For me, the surprise of his ouster isn't the fact, its the speed. What was he there, 14 minutes?

 

[haasi]

He apparently negotiated a buyout now instead of waiting to be fired at end of season. He clearly wants to be available for the carousel.

 

[Bleedorangeandblue44]

He apparently negotiated a buyout now instead of waiting to be fired at end of season. He clearly wants to be available for the carousel.

I wonder if we would have gone 2-0 against Michigan this year if Beilein never left. Glad he did. Be interested to see where he ends up at if he gets back in college. You think Indiana fans would rather have him than Archie?

 

[haasi]

I’m sure Indiana fans would rather have him. But not sure Indiana has given up on archie yet. Where he goes depends on which jobs open up, but I’d think Texas is a leading candidate if they miss tourney and fire Shaka.

 

[AZis]

Billy Donovan hasn't done too poorly at OKC -- shade over .600 winning percentage, conference final and playoffs every year. Don't think too many people were expecting much from OKC this year and right now it looks like they'll make it to playoffs again.

Ah, yes, I forgot about him.

 

[sbillini]

Kinda started seeing the writing on the wall when the team started talking about what was going on during private meetings. I bet he had lost the team at that point. Might as well get out and start fresh (or even retire into the sunset) at that point. Wouldn't be surprised to see him back at a strong D1 job. A school that's been down for a while but has a strong history and/or recruiting geography where they need a coach to right the ship and then retire. Us a couple of years ago. Texas fits that as well. Maybe even Wisonsin? Talk about another coach that seems to have lost his team.

 

[Indy Illini Fan]

I’m sure Indiana fans would rather have him. But not sure Indiana has given up on archie yet. Where he goes depends on which jobs open up, but I’d think Texas is a leading candidate if they miss tourney and fire Shaka.

Texas will be on him for sure even if they make the tournament.

They won't let a coach like Beilein go if he is interested. It helps that they've already got Yaklich there too.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

I’m sure Indiana fans would rather have him. But not sure Indiana has given up on archie yet. Where he goes depends on which jobs open up, but I’d think Texas is a leading candidate if they miss tourney and fire Shaka.

Read an article (think it was on ESPN) that listed potential landing spots for Beilein if he doesn't retire and number 1 was Texas. They also listed DePaul (though writer admitted he wasn't really sure if that was a good fit being they are rebuilding and he would likely have to recruit Chicago) and Boston College. Didn't realize he was from NY and coached in that state for most of his early years, so maybe he still has some family back east. Also didn't realize that he has never been an assistant coach at any level.

 

[Hoppy2105]

This is the first level he has failed at right? Crazy career that guy has had.

He is deeply connected and well respected in the coaching world, I'm sure. I wonder if he's gotten wind of some potential retirements/vacancies at the blue bloods? Self might not stick around depending on what the NCAA does with the whole recruiting violations thing. (probably nothing) Roy is having a rough year and could retire. Kentucky is always at least good so there would be no reason for Calipari to leave...but maybe he wants to retire as well? Coach K is always rumored to be in his lat year. Does UCLA like Cronin considering he's got them at 15-11 in the PAC 12?

Anyway, having a continuously successful college career from the bottom levels to the highest level makes you very appealing to anyone. The fact that he now has NBA experience may make him able to recruit some of the one and done's a little better.

Though, I wonder if he would want to get into that world since I'm guessing the blue bloods are more "NBA Lite" as opposed to college teams.

 

[Bailey]

UNC is the first one that comes to mind. Roy's starting to lose his marbles.

Also caught whiff of some juicy rumors earlier this year that Pop could decide to hang it up, and Bill Self would be a name Kansas-connect R.C. Buford would take a hard look at.

 

[Deleted member 4333]

Beilein is 67 years old.

 

[RedRocksIllini]

Sounds like it's been a pretty rough year for him between jumping into the Cleveland dumpster fire and whatever it was that led his son to resign from Niagara. Would not be surprised to see him not come back to coaching (he's 67) or take a lower pressure situation. Always respected him as a coach and wish him the best.

 

[sbillini]

UNC is the first one that comes to mind. Roy's starting to lose his marbles.

Also caught whiff of some juicy rumors earlier this year that Pop could decide to hang it up, and Bill Self would be a name Kansas-connect R.C. Buford would take a hard look at.

UNC is actually pretty far down the list of places I'd think he goes. 1) Unless ol' Roy hangs up the Jordans on his own, I don't think the school will push him out after 1 bad season. They've finished 1st in the ACC 3 of the past 4 seasons and won a Natty 3 years ago. 2) Even if he does retire on his own, why go after a coach that's 2 years younger than the one that's retiring? UNC will have its pick of up and comer (or well established but earlier in their career) younger guys.

 

[ChiefIllini]

If he decides to coach again, I'd bet the house on Texas.

 

[The Sprouting Divot]

UNC is actually pretty far down the list of places I'd think he goes. 1) Unless ol' Roy hangs up the Jordans on his own, I don't think the school will push him out after 1 bad season. They've finished 1st in the ACC 3 of the past 4 seasons and won a Natty 3 years ago. 2) Even if he does retire on his own, why go after a coach that's 2 years younger than the one that's retiring? UNC will have its pick of up and comer (or well established but earlier in their career) younger guys.

Carolina is pretty far up its own butt, too. Beilein isn't a Carolina Guy, so he's practically automatically disqualified anyway.

My money is also on Texas.

 

[ILLHangOut]

Crazy to me to think that a 67 year old guy worth millions would bother. Don't these guys have other ambitions? Whatever. I agree with Texas being a good fit. I could also see a situation where he can bring is son onboard to help get him back in the game. Otherwise, I think he'd be a good TV guy; Super Dakich.

 

[EyeoftheIllini]

This is the first level he has failed at right? Crazy career that guy has had.

He is deeply connected and well respected in the coaching world, I'm sure. I wonder if he's gotten wind of some potential retirements/vacancies at the blue bloods? Self might not stick around depending on what the NCAA does with the whole recruiting violations thing. (probably nothing) Roy is having a rough year and could retire. Kentucky is always at least good so there would be no reason for Calipari to leave...but maybe he wants to retire as well? Coach K is always rumored to be in his lat year. Does UCLA like Cronin considering he's got them at 15-11 in the PAC 12?

Anyway, having a continuously successful college career from the bottom levels to the highest level makes you very appealing to anyone. The fact that he now has NBA experience may make him able to recruit some of the one and done's a little better.

Though, I wonder if he would want to get into that world since I'm guessing the blue bloods are more "NBA Lite" as opposed to college teams.

I'd be very surprised if Cronin's job is in jeopardy at UCLA. Expectations weren't high (pretty much picked 7th in conf. by most publications) and, while only tied for 5th with 8-5 record, they've won 7 of their last 9 conference games (including road win against AZ and home win against Colorado). He has them playing very well. Also Pac 12 is not that bad at all. Last time I looked its NET conference rank was 4th, and the top half of the league is good. Right now Lunardi has 5 teams in -- more than both ACC and SEC. UCLA is not one of those teams and their NET rank is pretty low so probably have to win conf. tourney to get in. Took awhile for coach and team to get on same page, but now that they are and playing well I would be shocked if that job opened up.

 

[WizardBill]

I’d guess Beilein will hang it up. I’ll bet two more beach houses (need to get the two back from my previous betting fiasco).

 

[Hoppy2105]

Crazy to me to think that a 67 year old guy worth millions would bother. Don't these guys have other ambitions? Whatever. I agree with Texas being a good fit. I could also see a situation where he can bring is son onboard to help get him back in the game. Otherwise, I think he'd be a good TV guy; Super Dakich.

I'd be very interested in hearing John Beilein do some color commentary. He is a really good X's and O's coach so I'm guessing he is well versed on the technical sides of basketball. And at 67, maybe he doesn't care about pissing anyone off and will tell it like it is.

 

[APS iMBA]

Crazy to me to think that a 67 year old guy worth millions would bother. Don't these guys have other ambitions?

You have to figure they're good at it, enjoy high status/esteem, and enjoy doing it. And as busy as he's been doing this as long as he has, I would doubt there's anything comparable to it he could do with his time.

 

[sbillini]

What about Syracuse? Boheim seems to have lost a lot of his luster. Mark Dantonio style "retirement" and bring Beilein back to an area where he has lots of roots. Sustain the program for a few years while training an heir apparent. I could see that happening.

 

[PlayAZ]

Texas has a $10 mil buyout for Smart, the deep pocket boosters can afford to do this if they want...
Georgia Tech is almost certainly going to be looking, although this school in this conference is not a good gig...
Wake Forest buyout is probably to substantial for Manning to be leaving, although the school may want it.
Depaul small fish in big pond still, not the player for Beilein.

Texas will be the logical choice, although a Big East type of team probably would fit as well.