Coaching Search

CoachPAW’s Short List

I would love nothing more than for UA to make a real run against the rest of the SEC schedule and make the NCAA tourney.  I will be rooting for them to do so at every remaining home game at Coleman Coliseum.  However, barring an 8-3 or better finish in the league, Anthony Grant’s tenure at Alabama is done.  So what now?  I believe that Alabama will be willing to pay up to 2.5 million to hire the right coach, but who is that right coach?  First, these are the things that Crimson Tide hoops fans desire most in a new coach:

1.       Accessibility to the media

Of all of Grant’s negative characteristics, his utter abhorrence for promoting the Alabama basketball brand has to be the worst.  How are fans supposed to be excited about the program without at least the appearance that their head coach is excited as well?  Bama fans want a dynamic personality that will be willing to meet with the media on a consistent basis.  Coach Grant has been about as easy to interview as Marshawn Lynch.  This needs to be changed with a new coach, especially when recruiting in a state that includes a personality like Bruce Pearl.

2.       An offensive mind

Every game, I hear the overwhelming moans and groans of fans who absolute despise our current offensive philosophy.  We run some false motion, do a ton of handoffs, and traditionally wait until too deep in the shot clock to get a quality look.  A new offense that provides a little more freedom would ignite the crowds and be a big time help in recruiting as well.

3.       A proven track record of winning close games.

We have ZERO wins against the top 25 under Grant.  There’s a familiar storyline in each game too.  We fight hard, close the gap and tie the game late, then lose in the last minute.  Grant’s tenure is marred with moral victory after moral victory but we never can get over the hump, especially on the road.  We literally went a whole season without winning a road game last year.

A Beginning List of Coaches

  

Would Walk to Tuscaloosa Coaches

Archie Miller-Dayton (79-41, final four appearance last year)

Current Salary: $450,000

                Miller, the brother of more widely-known Arizona coach Sean Miller, made a name for his own self at last year’s NCAA tourney by making a run to the final four with Dayton.  The Flyers beat us in our own gym a couple of years ago.  They currently score 68 points a game while giving up 59. Coach Miller did well on the television and radio circuit during his run in the tourney last season.  He will be a hot coach again this year as his team looks to be a lock for the tourney again.

Ben Jacobson-Northern Iowa (184-103, 2 NCAA tourney appearances)

Current Salary: $550,000

                Ben Jacobson’s Panthers are ranked #18 and the country.  They score 65 points a game while giving up 55.  He’s had a long 9 year tenure at Northern Iowa and may be the type that’s comfortable there.  He wouldn’t be the big name Bama fans are looking for, but he’s certainly a viable option.

Within the Realm of Possibility Coaches

Josh Pastner-Memphis (141-50, 4 NCAA appearances)

Current Salary: 2,650,000

                Pastner personally admits that he was lucky when he got the Memphis job in 2009.  Other high profile coaches turned the job down when the then 32-year old Pastner was tabbed to replace John Calipari.  He’s had the Tigers in the NCAA tournament every year since though.  His team scores 68 points a game this year while giving up 62.  Pastner makes a good deal of money, but his seat is getting hot in Memphis during his worse year yet.  He may not leave Memphis willingly, but they may run him on down to Tuscaloosa.  I think he could provide the youthful energy needed at Alabama as he is a tireless recruiter. 

Probably Not Coming But We Should Try

Jay Wright- Villanova (422-235, 11 NCAA tournament appearances)

Current Salary: $2,500,000

Mark Few- Gonzaga (423-101, 15 NCAA tourney appearances)

Current Salary: $1,180,000

Gregg Marshall- Wichita State (382-156, 10 NCAA tourney appearances)

Current Salary: $1,750,000