Santa Clara University - The New Men's Basketball Coach Is...

ICYMI, it's open season for Men's Basketball coaches in both the NCAA and WCC. 

Rex Walters (USF), Kerry Keating, Ron Verlin (Pacific), Eric Reveno (Portland) all are "out."

Johnny Dawkins is done at Stanford after eight seasons where an NCAA sweet 16 and two NIT championships were not good enough.  Thanks Cal...

Mark Few was chapped as well.  He piled on with this zinger, 

“Our league needs to really step back and take notice,” he said. “It’s time for some of these other institutions to start picking it up. They’re really dragging the top three down.”

With 20 losses - we're in that "other" bucket...

Few's Plan

“We’re trying to make single-digit seeding – we’ve even tried to make an argument for No. 1.  It’s deeper than just ‘getting in.’ It’s a way to attract recruits.  It creates incredible exposure for the university and the community.  There’s more to it than the tournament — but that’s big in my mind.”

We may not like it, but it's true.  Ask Randy Bennett.  His 13 WCC wins against sub 200 RPI teams torpedoed his NCAA at-large hopes.  He was a free throw away at Cal from getting in...

We are 20 years; let alone a free throw away...

BUT...

We have a new Coach - who is...

At this point a rumor... The "names" - I whittled them down to 20. Some who are hilarious, crazy, and some a dream come true.

Here's a few names from "rumorville."  You pick or comment.

SCU Alums

Kurt Rambis - NY Knicks, would he tear up his new deal?

Steve Nash - Retired and now a Soccer team owner dude

Lloyd Pierce - 76'ers assistant, has yet to run the show

Bay Area Locals

Johnny Dawkins - Just canned at Stanford - no hand me downs

Mike Montgomery - Would he have the "fire" left

The Others 

Herb Sendek - Fired by ASU, from NC State, lots of NCAA's

Jeff Capel - Assoc. at Duke. Head at Oklahoma, leave Duke?

Kenny Payne - Asst. at Kentucky, come West? Uh-uh

Travis Steele - Asst. for 7 yrs at Xavier, ties to Nike, Well, well!!!

Justin Hutson - Asst. at SDSU, UNLV, Young, NCAA's...Hmmm?

Russell Turner - Head at UCI, from Wake and Stanford

Steve Lavin - Proven NCAA machine from UCLA, Not twice

Damon Stoudamire - U of A & Memphis asst, His history?

Dan Majerle - Head at Grand Canyon, daughter SCU Grad, just went Division 1 and made NCAA tourney.  Is he the "phoenix?"

The worst rumor is that we'll look for the "bargain" coach.  No way. Why even go through the exercise?  Been there, done that. 

Our former Coach "K" was making in the $400's.  This hire is to fire up the "engine" to take us national. Hard to get national if you're paying "local."  Our new A.D. won't be shy for the "right" person.  Her job depends on it and 2020 is the "year"...

The conventional wisdom says hire someone who has been a successful head coach.  Good.  However, many current D1 standouts were just assistants when they got their head job, but had serious upside.  How about Brad Stevens or Chris Mack?  Coaches can be like thoroughbred horses.  You have to check their lineage. Did they work for the studs of NCAA basketball head coaches?Would those coaches say they could take their jobs?  Better...

Our A.D. says she'll take her time and no national search firm.  My guess is there's a "go to" few she's waiting on from the NCAA tourney.  Then we will need to strike fast.  There are over 40 openings in D1 Men's Basketball. 

It's a deal maker or breaker for SCU.  It will be only our 7th head coach.  The bright lights are on and it's show time.

As season ticket holders and fans, we just hope this story ends with a little madness.  March Madness!!!

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