Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

[Hooe]

Because inevitably select coaches around the nation will either move on to greener pastures or be removed from their current positions, I'm starting this thread.

Rumor going around, from both TheSabre.com and from hearsay through my brother who has a friend who is close with 2009 UVa commitment Tristan Spurlock (how's that for roundabout?), is that either Virginia has fired head basketball coach Dave Leitao, or that he has resigned. After this season for the Wahoos, despite the low expectations coming into this year, I can't say I'm surprised with either result.

The same rumor lists potential replacement candidates as Tubby Smith of Minnesota, Anthony Grant of VCU, and Jeff Capel of Oklahoma. Out of those, I'd guess that Grant is the most likely, as I don't understand why Smith or Capel would leave Minnesota or Oklahoma, respectively. That said, this is not the first time that Tubby Smith's name has been associated with the Cavaliers' head coaching position, as his name came up after we canned Pete Gillen as well; it's still more than likely a pipe dream, though.

At this point though, it's speculation until something official comes out, but I thought I'd throw this out there, and start this thread as well.

[ehh]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Frank Haith is supposedly out at Miami and taking the Alabama job. Pitt and UConn fans should be interested in that news since Durand Scott will now have the option to get out of his LOI and select a new school.

[JohnDoe8865]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

I think UVA needs a change at HC. Grant would be a good choice, but it would be great to add the name recognition of Smith. Just heard on ESPN, that Leitao HAS resigned. GREAT sources you had there!

[JohnDoe8865]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Frank Haith is supposedly out at Miami and taking the Alabama job. Pitt and UConn fans should be interested in that news since Durand Scott will now have the option to get out of his LOI and select a new school.

Wow, Miami was close this year. I wonder who the leading candidates would be to take over?

[Hooe]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

I think UVA needs a change at HC. Grant would be a good choice, but it would be great to add the name recognition of Smith. Just heard on ESPN, that Leitao HAS resigned. GREAT sources you had there!

If we indeed got Tubby, I'd be ecstatic. I just don't want to get my hopes up and be let down; I mean Tubby already has a job with a tournament team in a power conference.

I have similar feelings with regard to Capel, though I'm not as familiar with his career body of work.

Having thought about it some more, I'm not sad to see Dave go; having been around the Wahoos' bench for quite a number of games (I'm a student here at UVa and work at the John Paul Jones Arena for men's and women's basketball games), he was INCREDIBLY hard on his players during his tenure here. In fact, the frequency and tenacity of his yelling at and grating of his players had become the butt of jokes amongst the student body here; not that the players didn't deserve criticism, but doing it in such a vocal and public manner probably was not the best course of action for keeping the team morale up.

Also, it seemed at times like Leitao couldn't draw up an inbounds play to save his life.

[KG]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Grant was supposedly rumored to take over for Donovan after their 2nd title which I think was the same year VCU beat Duke in the 1st round.

I don't think Capel leaves unless it's for somebody huge (maybe Duke when Coach K retires?)

[Lintyfresh85]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

I'm hearing Smith.

Hopefully we get a big name... we really do need it.

[ehh]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Wow, Miami was close this year. I wonder who the leading candidates would be to take over?

I worded my post crappily, he would be voluntarily leaving Miami, not getting canned.

[TarHeelMan]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Grant was supposedly rumored to take over for Donovan after their 2nd title which I think was the same year VCU beat Duke in the 1st round.

I don't think Capel leaves unless it's for somebody huge (maybe Duke when Coach K retires?)

I think Grant's going to UF was a foregone conclusion up until the point that Donovan got cold feet... He's not gonna be long for VCU, especially if they pull a first round upset.

[Hooe]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

There's a report going around saying that Virginia has hired Tony Bennett, who most recently was the head basketball coach at Washington State.

If this is true, and considering the names being tossed around since Dave Leitao's firing, and also given the fact that this guy was apparently our top choice (we reportedly only made one contract offer) I give up.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Tony Bennett?

In the ACC?

[Hooe]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

Tony Bennett?

In the ACC?

You know any more about him than I do? All I really know is what I can read in his Wikipedia entry. Which, having read it, may not be as bad as I initially thought.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

You know any more about him than I do? All I really know is what I can read in his Wikipedia entry. Which, having read it, may not be as bad as I initially thought.

If I remember correctly, he's a excellent defensive coach, but is maybe the worst offensive coach in the country.

He did win a lot in the Pac-10, but I don't know about his style in the ACC.

[Hooe]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

If I remember correctly, he's a excellent defensive coach, but is maybe the worst offensive coach in the country.

He did win a lot in the Pac-10, but I don't know about his style in the ACC.

So basically, if what you are saying is accurate, and the rumor I'm hearing is accurate, we get Dave Leitao all over again (defensive-minded coach who doesn't have a clue on offense). Wonderful. Just wonderful.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: Official 2009 Coaching Carousel Thread

So basically, if what you are saying is accurate, and the rumor I'm hearing is accurate, we get Dave Leitao all over again (defensive-minded coach who doesn't have a clue on offense). Wonderful. Just wonderful.

Pretty much.

FYI, he is a disciple of Wisconsin basketball...so, yeah, like I said, all D, no O.