OT Virginia Coach search
Yes, that's a joke. UVA is a step down from Michigan, for sure (no offense MaizeAndBlueWahoo). I wouldn't worry about it.
None taken, but, it's not really a step down. Conference-wise it's a step up. Facilities are much nicer at UVA. Recruiting base is better too if you have a coach that can take advantage of it. Michigan's a lot closer to contending for actual things worth winning though. UVA's a rebuilding job.
you do know that at michigan we have a huge superiority complex, right? once you leave a2 it's a step down.
I mean, I know he doesn't have much history here...but come on...for virginia? Maybe Kentucky...but Virginia?
Beilein is successful, his guys graduate, no whiff of scandal. So from that point of view, it makes sense. This old Wahoo can't see it happening, though.
It's not at all surprising he's on their list. He flirted with that job two years ago and almost went. He has a history in Virginia having coached at Richmond for 5 years.
I don't think he'll go as I see it as a step-down but why wouldn't UVA have him on their list?
ACC schools think that "you get to have your ass beat by Duke and UNC at historic arenas like Cameron and The Dean Smith Center" is an irresistible draw.
I don't see Beilein being an actual candidate. The only reason is because of his Richmond ties. People around UVA tend to believe anyone with ties to the state/commonwealth of Virginia is a viable candidate - hence some Anthony Grant speculation despite him not being interested at all.
Besides, the search appears about over and the dice seem to be coming up Tubby Smith. Other possibilities: Jeff Capel (who supposedly covets the job) and Rick Barnes (who's flirted with it in the past, as has Tubby.)
reason for him to leave M.
were candidates #1 through #4?
I heard Jeff Capel was on the list.
Tubby Smith, Jeff Capel, Sean Miller, Rick Barnes.
With a list like that you can't go wrong. Unless you're Craig Littlepage.
They hired Tony Bennett from Washington State.
PISSED OFF
Haha, Michigan basketball fans know how you feel. Out of curiosity, who, realistically, would you have liked to have been hired?
Tubby, Tubby, Tubby, Tubby, Tubby. I don't care if he calls timeouts at funny times - the guy has a proven track record including a national title and can flat out coach. Jeff Capel would have been good too - lots of people were saying he was actively hoping for a call from UVA so he can get back to the ACC.
Tubby would have meant peanut butter jelly time in Charlottesville. A small percentage of UVA fans didn't want Capel because he's a Dookie, but those people were dumb.
If that caliber coach couldn't have been lured to UVA, then Leitao shouldn't have been fired in the first place.
"If that caliber coach couldn't have been lured to UVA, then Leitao shouldn't have been fired in the first place."
I think they fired Leitao way too soon. This is not an obvious win, and that is what they need. If it was going to be a "let's all muddle along and see how it goes," why not keep a coach who was ACC COTY a mere two seasons ago?
I wanted one more year for Leitao. The window of opportunity is (was) wide open next year. Lot of the ACC's best players are leaving and our team loses practically nobody. Everyone has a year of experience now, and a solid recruiting class is (was) on the way. Things were set up for a rebound. I wanted to see how Leitao did given that chance. If he couldn't at least get back to the NIT, then I'd have been OK with the firing.
Good coach who plays a slow, defensive oriented style. Wonder how players on the team now will react to that?
I heard from UVA alumni that Tubby was in the mix the last two searches but it proved not to be.
Well, Leitao preached a defensive-oriented style too. Many felt he preached it to the point of being detrimental to the offense. I sure hope this isn't the new boss, same as the old boss.
i love it.
I think it's interesting when coaches become head coaches at programs and leave for a new one within a year or two. Hopefully Bennett will experience some nice success on the east coast now as well.