I figured it would be nice to have somewhere for those who maybe don't read every single page, of every thread to have a summarized version as to what has taken place over the last 3+ days. When news first broke of Martin leaving for Cal the initial "Coaching Hot Board's" had quite a few names as you would expect, I may have forgotten 1 or 2, but heres most of them:
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)
Shaka Smart (VCU)
Lawrence Frank(BKN Nets)
Tom Crean (Indiana)
Ben Howland (former UCLA)
Archie Miller (Dayton)
Tad Boyle (Colorado)
Rick Byrd (Belmont)
Michael White (Louisiana Tech)
Donnie Tyndall (Southern Miss)
Allan Houston (Knicks frontoffice)
Tim Miles (Nebraska)
Chris Mack (Xavier)
Tubby Smith (Texas Tech)
Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)
Will Wade (UT-Chattanooga)
Brad Brownell (Clemson)
Chris Mooney (Richmond)
Richard Pitino (Minnesota)
So after 3 days where do things stand? Well, there hasn't been a whole lot of concrete information come out as far as X candidate saying they're definitely interested or Y candidate saying they're definitely not interested. There has been some statements from AD's, but as we know that doesn't always mean the coach feels the same way.
From this point forward is not fact, it is speculation on my part which I will provide quotes and links for some, and what I truly believe has happened. As I mentioned above though, unless a coach says it themselves, and sometimes even if a coach says it, doesn't necessarily mean it is true. So, with that said...
Money is a major issue: and not in a good way. According to volquest.com multiple sources indicated to them that Tennessee could've gotten Gregg Marshall or Tad Boyle to the negotiating table if they were willing to pay north of $2 million. Dave Hart doesn't feel that Tennessee is in a financial position to pay that much for a basketball coach, so you likely can eliminate those 2 names. I would also include Shaka Smart into that same group as well as you're not going to get Shaka Smart for less than $2.5 million in my opinion. Include Tom Crean into this as it would take well over $2 million to attract him as well.
No Thanks: that seems to be what Dave Hart has said to both Tubby Smith and Ben Howland. Both reportedly reached out to Tennessee to make them aware of their interest, but as of right now it doesn't appear that it goes both ways. Tubby Smith I would imagine because of how he left Minnesota, and Ben Howland because of the NCAA issues that appear to be haunting him.
He's not interested....says the AD in regards to Richard Pitino. Now the question becomes, do you believe Pitino told his AD this, or do you believe his AD took it upon himself to say this? Speculation seems to be that it is indeed the case, as this would be Pitino's 3rd job in as many years, and that isn't exactly appealing to him. Still, Tennessee is expected to reach out to him, and want to hear first hand from him that he's not interested.
A couple on Cincy boys...are very interested, at least according to Wes Rucker of 247. Chris Mack of Xavier and Mick Cronin of Cincinnati have both responded to Tennessee and let them know they are interested in the opening. The odd thing here is that both coach at their alma mater, so on the surface you wouldn't expect either to make the move. However...In Mack's case he plays in a Big East that seems to be falling apart by the day, and he makes less than $1/yr reportedly. As for Cronin, he's playing in a solid conference, but has been fighting for years to try and get upgrades done for his program, no such luck to date. It's also rumored that he hasn't signed the new extension that was offered to him months ago, and his current salary is around $1.5 million. Cronin could be a case of Buzz Williams, takes similar or less money, at possibly a worse school in a better conference for the chance to make it big there with more support.
It's Miller time...I'm talking about Archie Miller. On the surface you see a guy at a mid major in Dayton, whos rumored to be making between $600-$800k on the deal he signed in February. Nobody knows his buyout, but I would assume it's a decent amount as he just signed the deal 2 months ago. Could Tennessee afford Miller? absolutely. However, Archie also likely realizes what Tennessee has at this point. He sees a tough job next year ahead of him, where as at Dayton he's one more good year away from being the next Brad Stevens (ok not quite, but you get the point). I expect Tennessee to reach out to Miller, and try to engage in some serious talks, but at the end of the day I would be surprised if they are able to pull him.
The great C-USA...that's where all the great coaches start at right? Well anyways, Michael White and Donnie Tyndall. These 2 are both serious candidates and have reportedly let Tennessee know they are indeed interested. Both should be available pretty cheap, which if you read the part about money being an issue these 2 have to be very appealing to Hart. Both of these guys make around $600k with about the same buyout, so for what Cal owes you on Martin you can buyout one of these guys and may the majority of their first year salary.
No Phil Jackson?...it appears not, or any other NBA tie for that matter. I doubt Allan Houston was every really an option, but hey his name was out there so thought I would address it. Lawrence Frank is a name that seems to always get thrown around with Tennessee fans, but reality is he seems to be a NBA lifer, so moving on.
Homegrown Heroes...talking about Will Wade and Rick Byrd. Wade coaches right down the road at UTC, and Byrd is a Tennessee grad who has been at Belmont for what seems like at least 100 years. While Tennessee has reached out to both to at least gauge interest, it doesn't appear the coaching search will fall far enough for either to really become a likely candidate.
So who's left...Tim Miles, Brad Brownell and Chris Mooney. Never really thought Tim Miles was a legitimate candidate. He's currently making $1.4 million and I'm sure that's getting ready to go up with the job he did last year. That means Tennessee would likely have to offer up at least $2 million and I really don't see him being the guy Hart would offer that much up to. Miles has also leaked out through a few national media outlets that he's not interested, and even the day of Martin leaving let it known he wasn't interested. As for the other 2, it doesn't appear Tennessee has reached out to either as Mooney seemingly missed the elevator on being a hot name, and Brownell has struggled in recent years, have to imagine both are far down the list.
So, what has happened in 3 days? (once again this is speculation on my part based on reports out there and some educated guessing)....on the surface not a whole lot, but really exactly what you thought would go on appears to have. Dave Hart has had people in his office reach out to probably anywhere from 25-50 names across the country to gauge interest. Get numbers as far as salaries, buyouts, and just an overall gauge of interest as well. As I mentioned in the beginning money is clearly an issue, so that's something that im sure was addressed in most of the phone calls to bigger names.
So weeding through all of this, I feel pretty confident (which in a coaching search means nothing) that Dave Hart is likely down to about 4-6 realistic candidates, and that the next coach will come from this list.
Michael White
Donnie Tyndall
Chris Mack
Richard Pitino
Mick Cronin
Archie Miller
What it very well could come down to is money. In order of accomplishments Chris Mack, Mick Cronin, Archie Miller, Donnie Tyndall, Michael White and Richard Pitino imo. If Dave Hart feels he can get either of the 1st two names for under $1.8 million that's likely your guy, if neither is willing to leave their alma mater for the price then it will fall down the list in my opinion. I could also see a scenario where Michael White's southern ties, and inexpensive ticket price are very appealing and Dave Hart interviews him before anyone else. If he nails the interview I could see him being offered the job before even trying with Mack or Cronin.
Sorry for the length of this post, kind of ended up turning into a complete rant, but i'll try to make the next update (if there is one) a bit shorter
