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Post by Yotes on Mar 15, 2018 10:35:58 GMT -6
With the end of our season comes rampant speculation and rumors. It's no secret that Smith won't be here much longer, as is the nature with any successful mid-major coach looking to climb the ladder. I think Colorado State would be foolish not to have him on their short list but there are others with connections who are also highly qualified, plus any number of outside up-and-coming coaches. I'm sure Smith has his eyes on other programs as well as he seeks to advance his career.
I'm sure everyone remembers the Drake saga last year and the Nielson to Kent State rumors a few months ago. Smith is a sought after coach and will probably be brought up as a rumored candidate at many schools. Let's keep those inevitable rumors here and away from other threads.
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Post by gasser86 on Mar 16, 2018 21:06:43 GMT -6
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Post by gopheryote on Mar 19, 2018 14:21:31 GMT -6
Just took a look at Hoop Dirt, and it has been a pretty quiet coach-firing/leaving season so far. I guess we will have to assume that all the FBI watchlist schools are just hunkering down this year with current coaches until lawsuits start flying?
Here are the 'big' jobs that are still open:
Colorado St. (big-ish)
Louisville
Pitt
UConn
Missouri St. (just assuming they will pay a ton, but don't know for sure)
Utah St. (??)
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Post by kiyoat on Mar 19, 2018 15:08:31 GMT -6
With all of the upsets in the Tourney, there has to be some coaches of upstart mid-majors like UMBC, Rhode Island, Loyola CHi, Buffalo, Marshall, etc. that are getting some attention. That's good for us, right? The main issue is the connection/history between Smith and CSU.
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Post by easmus on Mar 19, 2018 15:11:50 GMT -6
Just took a look at Hoop Dirt, and it has been a pretty quiet coach-firing/leaving season so far. I guess we will have to assume that all the FBI watchlist schools are just hunkering down this year with current coaches until lawsuits start flying? Here are the 'big' jobs that are still open: Colorado St. (big-ish) Louisville Pitt UConn Missouri St. (just assuming they will pay a ton, but don't know for sure) Utah St. (??) This is interesting because if there aren’t many openings then there aren’t jobs to fill this cycle. So we wait and see. |
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Post by Coyote Fan on Mar 19, 2018 19:05:59 GMT -6
Missouri State and Utah State would be the only real legit opportunities for Smith other than CSU. Is Missouri State really that much of a move up? Utah State? Sorry but I don't think so even though some may argue otherwise. If Smith takes either job that would give me the indication that he wants out, more than he wants a big upgrade. I don't think he wants out for the sake of wanting out and both of those jobs are "who cares" type jobs IMO.
I think there is about a 70% chance that Smith is back.
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Post by goyotes24 on Mar 19, 2018 19:27:37 GMT -6
Seeing that, during the CBI press conference, Smith used terms like "we" regarding improvement during the off-season and into next season, I would assume Craig has every intention of coming back next season. That's not to say a program can sway him away, but I certainly don't think programs like Missouri State and Utah State are the programs to do it at this time, and the power five programs with openings aren't going to go after him.
We have to remember, although we talk about higher paychecks (which is obviously a legitimate reason), it is important to look at other facets of programs. Access to the NCAA tourney is certainly an area to consider (2 bid league obviously more enticing than one bid league). A coach needs to have a solid relationship with the school's AD/President. How have previous coaches fared in the last decades with the school and its administration? Is there instability? All of this is tied to job security.
Right now, USD offers Craig job security with a pretty good paycheck already, and job security is difficult to find in the college landscape. Of course, Craig will likely be gone within a few years, but considering the programs with open positions right now, he will remain in Vermillion for another year while he waits for a better opportunity than the ones that are out there right now.
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Post by Yotes on Mar 19, 2018 21:11:42 GMT -6
With all of the upsets in the Tourney, there has to be some coaches of upstart mid-majors like UMBC, Rhode Island, Loyola CHi, Buffalo, Marshall, etc. that are getting some attention. That's good for us, right? The main issue is the connection/history between Smith and CSU. Considering those are (besides UMBC) the type of school Smith would land at; no, it would not help us. That being said, I don't see Smith going to the coasts. Colorado State is the only apparent threat right now but the trickle down effect needs to play out still. |
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Post by usdcoyote on Mar 21, 2018 11:54:25 GMT -6
It sounds like the ex Georgia Coach, Mark Fox, is receiving interest from several schools, and the chances of him going to Colorado St are going down. It also looks like Becky Hammons is going to stay in the NBA. We might not be out of the woods on Colorado St just yet. I still think the way our season ended will increase the likelihood of him being here another year, but I won't breathe easy until all these coaching vacancies are filled.
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Post by Yotes on Mar 21, 2018 16:55:11 GMT -6
I don't know Smith, but I assume that Colorado State is the largest hurdle to clear in order to keep him another year. Colorado State will receive applications from many highly qualified candidates. There is a score of quality coaches out there with CSU ties - plus the possibility of a complete outsider being a good fit.
I've said before that CSU would be foolish not to have Smith on their short list, but I'm not sweating yet. We haven't even seen the rumor mill churn out his name yet. The only guy I've seen putting it out there is a guy from KWSN desperate to look like an inside source.
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Post by golfingyote on Mar 21, 2018 18:34:10 GMT -6
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Post by Yotes on Mar 21, 2018 19:00:58 GMT -6
The list of candidates believed to have interviewed: Niko Medved - Assistant under Tim Miles at Colorado State from 2007-2013. Took Furman from 7-24 the year preceding his hire in 2012-13 to 23-11 in his final year in 2016-17. In one season has improved Drake from 7-24 (5-13) to 17-17 (10-8). DeMarlo Slocum - Assistant under Tim Miles at Colorado State from 2007-2011. Has since been lead recruiter at Utah, who has averaged 22.6 wins the past 5 years. Travis DeCuire - Current head coach at Montana. Team was 17-13 the year before his hire (2013-14) and went 26-8 this season with an NCAA berth. Chris Crutchfield - Associate head coach at Oklahoma, has been an assistant there for 7 years. Craig Smith - I don't need to spell this one out. The three Tim Miles assistants look like the three most attractive candidates on that list. Head coaching success is easier to sell than assistant coaching success, so out of this list I'd guess it's between Medved and Smith. All the names are believable but are still just rumors. Smith should be interviewing and strongly considered, we'll see what happens. |
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Post by gopheryote on Mar 22, 2018 5:49:25 GMT -6
Makes me wonder who CSU was/is really targeting. CSU has been officially looking for a coach since early February. Drake and Yotes have been done playing for a long time (in Silly Season time anyway). Montana & Oklahoma have been done for a week. Of this list in this article, only Utah is still playing. Makes me wonder if this list is more of a 'best guess' list vs. actual insider info. Would seem to me the main target is either still playing or at least played through the weekend.
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Post by usdcoyote on Mar 22, 2018 6:36:10 GMT -6
It appears the Montana coach has pulled himself out of consideration, according to his tweet. Utah won last night so their season goes on. It probably will be a promising sign if they continue to wait to make a decision. I just don't like the idea of Smith having an interview there because I think we all know how well he would interview.
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Post by JWKunzman on Mar 22, 2018 7:25:18 GMT -6
It appears the Montana coach has pulled himself out of consideration, according to his tweet. Utah won last night so their season goes on. It probably will be a promising sign if they continue to wait to make a decision. I just don't like the idea of Smith having an interview there because I think we all know how well he would interview. If it is Smith I feel there's a possibility he would want the announcement to wait as long as the women are still playing in WNIT. Wouldn't want to overshadow them. who knows though. |
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