Official Ben Howland Thread

#76
#76
Like I've said, I would have to know what the asking price is. If he's as desperate as he looks, and you can get him for $1.3-$1.5 that's a freaking steal and Hart would be a moron to not do it. You can write the contract up with a small buyout so if things go south you're not tied up long term with him.

As others have said his style isn't the most exciting, and he doesn't have the personality of Bruce Pearl, but I think his hire would creat an excitement around the program. He would be able to recruit very well in my opinion, and would assemble a top notch staff as well.

If the asking price is low and he will come here for whatever and an AD friendly contract go for it, if he's wanting a Pearlesque contract never mind.

Jmo
 
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#77
#77
Like I've said, I would have to know what the asking price is. If he's as desperate as he looks, and you can get him for $1.3-$1.5 that's a freaking steal and Hart would be a moron to not do it. You can write the contract up with a small buyout so if things go south you're not tied up long term with him.

As others have said his style isn't the most exciting, and he doesn't have the personality of Bruce Pearl, but I think his hire would creat an excitement around the program. He would be able to recruit very well in my opinion, and would assemble a top notch staff as well.

If the asking price is low and he will come here for whatever and an AD friendly contract go for it, if he's wanting a Pearlesque contract never mind.

Jmo

I can't believe I'm saying this but I agree 100% with you. Howland is our only realistic home run hire left and Hart would be stupid to not give him an interview if he's really that interested in the Tennessee job.
 
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#79
#79
If we can get Howland for 1.3-1.8 it would be insane not to hire him.

He's a proven commodity and the best unemployed coach that is available.
 
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#80
#80
Like I've said, I would have to know what the asking price is. If he's as desperate as he looks, and you can get him for $1.3-$1.5 that's a freaking steal and Hart would be a moron to not do it. You can write the contract up with a small buyout so if things go south you're not tied up long term with him.

As others have said his style isn't the most exciting, and he doesn't have the personality of Bruce Pearl, but I think his hire would creat an excitement around the program. He would be able to recruit very well in my opinion, and would assemble a top notch staff as well.

If the asking price is low and he will come here for whatever and an AD friendly contract go for it, if he's wanting a Pearlesque contract never mind.

Jmo
Any info on why he and Marquette didn't mesh?
Priced himself too high?
 
#82
#82
Any info on why he and Marquette didn't mesh?
Priced himself too high?

I've heard very different reasons...

Marquette didn't want him and his baggage....

Howland thought the job was beneath him....


That's opposite ends of the spectrum really, so who knows. I have a hard time believe Howland thought that as he appears to just want a chance at any major school.

The way he hasn't even been interviewed with all these openings tells me there may be more going on behind closed doors with the NCAA telling schools to stay away.
 
#83
#83
I've heard very different reasons...

Marquette didn't want him and his baggage....

Howland thought the job was beneath him....


That's opposite ends of the spectrum really, so who knows. I have a hard time believe Howland thought that as he appears to just want a chance at any major school.

The way he hasn't even been interviewed with all these openings tells me there may be more going on behind closed doors with the NCAA telling schools to stay away.

I think Marquette is worthy of Howland. The other openings to that point were not.
 
#85
#85
Howland is my #1, but I don't think UT goes with him simply because I believe Dave Hart is a bit power mad and he doesn't want his coaches to have more power than him, hence Gruden was not hired and I believe Howland will demand a lot of power. Can I get a few more powers?! :loco:
Somebody call his name? :)
image.jpg
 
#87
#87
You can do better. UT shouldn't be a school where coaching retreads get a second chance. That's what C-USA schools are for.

Not quite sure I agree with this....There are a lot of "retreads" around winning a lot of college games....He certainly has baggage but his ability to coach is undeniable....In fact the more I think about it I would be ok with this hire....maybe not my first choice...but hey...after all its basketball...not the cowbell of most college sports programs....especially after seeing 68,000 plus at the spring game on Saturday...for Vol fans it kinda puts it in perspective....But I do hope we hire someone to keep the winning going...
 
#88
#88
Coaching Candidate Profile: Ben Howland - Blogger So Dear

Here's what a Wake Forest blogger wrote a few weeks ago.

Quotable:
Some question Howland's character and specifically reference a Sports Illustrated piece from 2012. I suppose I just interpret that piece differently than those. I view his demands of room temperature and the temperature of his water as just being detail-oriented and meticulous, which is a character trait of a lot of great leaders. It also appeared that he took appropriate measures to curtail the problems on his team. After hearing rumors that his team was going to rent a Party Bus on New Years Eve when they had practice the next morning, Howland mandated a bed check. That sounds like good management to me. The piece also discusses several of the 'Baby Bruins' class who did not take their bodies and practice seriously enough and as a result they received limited playing time. Again, an appropriate response to lack of effort. By Howland's own admission he could have handled the Reeves Nelson situation better and I believe he learned from that situation and if another situation like that arises he will handle is much better.

This somewhat quells my worries about his character. I don't think we can get anyone else with his pedigree unless we shell out the big bucks for Gregg Marshall. I would be happy to see Ben Howland come to UT and it appears he wants to.

This isn't really related but reading that paragraph...Derek Dooley was also "detail oriented" and apparently a control freak but that didn't really make him a good coach or leader. He didn't even care if his team really lifted weights or not. Just saying...
 
#89
#89
This isn't really related but reading that paragraph...Derek Dooley was also "detail oriented" and apparently a control freak but that didn't really make him a good coach or leader. He didn't even care if his team really lifted weights or not. Just saying...

Remind me when Derek Dooley had anywhere close to the success Howland had. Just saying.....
 
#91
#91
This isn't really related but reading that paragraph...Derek Dooley was also "detail oriented" and apparently a control freak but that didn't really make him a good coach or leader. He didn't even care if his team really lifted weights or not. Just saying...

You are aware that Howland went to 3 straight Final Fours, right? Comparing him to Dooley is as far from reality as east is from west.
 
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#92
#92
You are aware that Howland went to 3 straight Final Fours, right? Comparing him to Dooley is as far from reality as east is from west.

Actually, it's an extremely stupid comparison, made by someone I assume doesn't really know much about Howland. Not just the Final Fours, he won at Northern Arizona and Pitt too.
 
#93
#93
I have serious concerns about Howland, but I definitely think he could kill it here, IF he's moved past whatever caused his issues in LA.
 
#94
#94
No, it was hard enough to watch cuonzos offense. I want to see an uptempo style of play. Howlands brand of basketball is less exciting to watch than Cuonzos.
 
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#98
#98
Athletics and business, blends like oil and water.

- I want to win!
- I want to be entertained!
- I want both! Ok, but which one at the expense of the other?
 
If you want to be entertained and reach elite 8's as you ceiling you call Bruce and pay 2 mil...If you want final fours you call Ben and pay 2 mil, I'll take "boring basketball" over "exciting" if it's final fours over elite 8's.
 
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