Time to ante up or go the low-profile route
Nobody knows for sure if UA athletic director Jim Livengood offered John Calipari a blank check because Livengood has chosen to keep his finger planted firmly on the mute button when it comes to his search for a coach.
Besides, a blank check? Come on. That’s one of the fallacies so far in this never-ending search. Throw in for good measure Roy Williams’ comment to Livengood that Arizona is a top five program, or more appropriately, for bad measure.
Maybe top five in the 1990s but not now. Top 20, for sure, like ESPN analyst Jay Bilas said Thursday.
We don’t know exactly what happened to Livengood’s communication with Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel. How far down the pecking order was Tim Floyd? We don’t know. We probably never will. Livengood does not say much to begin with because he’s so straight to the vest.
The reality is Livengood had more than this whole season to prepare for Lute Olson’s permanent replacement. He’s had the last two seasons to prepare for the inevitable, starting when Olson announced he would take a leave of absence before the 2007-2008 season. If Livengood did not start to get his ideas in motion at that time, then he has himself to blame.
What does he have to show for all of this preparation time? No coach and a conference rival’s rejection today. Even more embarrassing: Livengood was prepared to hand the reins to Kevin O’Neill last season before O’Neill drew the ire of Olson by playing a slower tempo and choosing not to communicate with assistants Josh Pastner and Miles Simon.
Fans are now saying Livengood should be let go for a more capable athletic director who can handle this search. Not gonna happen. This is Livengood’s hire and he still has options. The bottom line now — as we know he is on at least his third candidate after Calipari and Floyd — is Livengood has to ante up and make a bold salary offer or he must reassess the situation and go after a low-profile candidate who can recruit.
He must go after Pitt’s Jamie Dixon or Capel with at least a $2 million a year contract offer ($2.5 million is more like it). And it must be a multi-year deal, similar to Calipari’s eight-year arrangement with Kentucky.
In order for Livengood to get what he wants, he must offer somebody like Capel or Dixon at least a five-year deal worth something like $13 million, not including perks. Dixon has been peculiarly quiet through all of this. In my communication with the media in Pittsburgh it has been suggested that Dixon is happy with where he is at.
But if Livengood offers $2.5 million a year with free trips to Hawaii for Dixon’s wife (a Hawaiian native), the 43-year-old coach might bite. A contract worth $2.5 million would elevate Dixon to elite status occupied by Tom Izzo and Rick Pitino. That’s the only chance Livengood has to get a coach of Dixon’s ilk.
If Livengood is not prepared to open the wallet, the UA is in jeopardy of losing its lofty status as one of the most lucrative college basketball programs in the country as determined by Forbes’ magazine. The UA currently ranks No. 6 in the country.
He will have to bank on a lesser-known to keep the UA money-making machine going. That includes Reggie Theus, who has the experience of being a former assistant to Pitino in his favor; Baylor coach Scott Drew, who has brought Baylor basketball back from the dead; and St. Mary’s coach Randy Bennett, a Lorenzo Romar disciple.
Don’t entirely count out former UA player and assistant Josh Pastner, who has the experience now of coaching under Olson and Calipari. He broke down game film when he was a player. He does have a recruiting base in Texas.
Remember, Calipari is largely regarded as the best overall coach in college basketball by his peers and media types, and he had the insight to hire Pastner last year. Calipari knows what he’s doing.
Former UA players have voiced their support for Pastner, including Luke Walton, Bennett Davison and Mike Bibby. When Bibby played with the UA, he credited Pastner for helping him develop his outside shot. Pastner, who graduated from the UA in less than four years, is intelligent enough to hire a staff that could include a former head coach and a young up-and-coming recruiter who can identify with today’s athlete.
When asked recently if he would ever be interested in a place like Texas-Pan American, which has an opening, to get Division I head coaching experience, Pastner reacted strongly: “Forget Texas Pan-American, I want the U of A job. I want that challenge and opportunity to bring it right back to the nation’s elite. I just need that chance.”
Take a look at this weekend’s Final Four coaches. None of them were big names when they took over their respective programs.
Tom Izzo was a long-time assistant to Jud Heathcote at Michigan State. Jay Wright coached at Hoftsra before becoming Villanova’s head coach. Jim Calhoun was at Northeastern for 14 years — yes, 14 years — and never got past the second round of the NCAA tournament before getting a chance at Connecticut.
Roy Williams was an assistant for 10 years under Dean Smith at North Carolina when Kansas took a chance on him to replace Larry Brown the year the Jayhawks won an NCAA title in 1989.
So don’t give up yet. Livengood’s hire could pay dividends in the future no matter the profile.
2009 NCAA DIVISION I COACHING CHANGES
| SCHOOL | OUT | IN | TOP CANDIDATES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Mark Gottfried | Anthony Grant | |
| Appalachian St. | Houston Fancher | Mike Muse, James Holland, Buzz Peterson, Mike Matheny | |
| Arizona | Lute Olson | SEAN MILLER | |
| Boston U. | Dennis Wolff | Pat Chambers | |
| Cal Poly | Kevin Bromley | Joe Callero | |
| Elon | Ernie Nestor | Mike Matheny | |
| Florida International | Sergio Rouco | Isiah Thomas | |
| Georgia | Dennis Felton | Mark Fox | |
| Georgia Southern | Jeff Price | Charlton Young | |
| Hampton | Kevin Nickelberry | Edward Joyner Jr. | |
| High Point | Bart Lundy | Scott Cherry | |
| Kentucky | Billy Gillispie | John Calipari | |
| Liberty | Ritchie McKay | Dale Layer | |
| Memphis | John Calipari | JOSH PASTNER | |
| Nevada | Mark Fox | David Carter | |
| North Carolina Central | Henry Dickerson | LeVelle Moton | |
| North Florida | Matt Kilcullen | Matthew Driscoll | |
| Portland St. | Ken Bone | Tyler Geving | |
| Seattle | Joe Callero | Cameron Dollar | |
| SE Missouri St. | Zac Roman | Dickey Nutt | |
| Tennessee St. | Cy Alexander | John Cooper | |
| Texas-Pan American | Tom Schuberth | Mark Slessinger, Kevin Johnson | |
| Virginia | Dave Leitao | Tony Bennett | |
| VCU | Anthony Grant | Shaka Smart | |
| Washington St. | Tony Bennett | Ken Bone | |
| Xavier | Sean Miller | Chris Mack |
Tags: Pastner, Randy Bennett, Theus
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April 2nd, 2009 at 6:40 PM
Javier
The more you discuss it, the more I would say if you are going to bring in Scott Drew, you might as well go get Pastner. What do he and Pennell have in common? They both coached AAU ball. (Was Pennell more qualified than Pastner? I would say Pastner is more qualified) What experience did Drew have before turning Baylor around? Livengood will get railed by the national media for the hire, but who cares – it is about Tucson and the local folks that count. (The national media will say he should have kept Pennell/Dunlap. They may be right, but hindsight is 20-20)
Plus, Pastner WANTS the challenge of coaching here. He wants this job. Right now if you can’t get Dixon or Capel, I say go get Pastner, bring him in here and give him a shot. You know Olson will help him out however he can – he always said he thought of Josh as a son – he would have the support of the fans here as well as they always loved Pastner, the ex-players, etc. and I think they would give him a chance here to turn this around.
If Livengood can’t get one of the other two – or a “press conference” win as he put it, save face and give Pastner a shot. I would rather have someone in here who knows what UA Hoops is all about, owes the University something and we all know he wouldn’t be using this job as a stepping stone.
Local base would probably have more patience with Josh than any other “2nd-tier” coach he could bring in here. (That includes Tim Floyd)
April 2nd, 2009 at 6:59 PM
…another silent night in tucson.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 PM
I don’t know about the boy genuis Pastner. Too much of a risk if you ask moi. For instance, the Perfect Storm would have to materialize for abso-LUTE-ly everything fall in place for Pastner, i.e, hiring of assistants, recruiting game, x’s and o’s, for instance.
Oh well, Livengood has messed up the search of the elusive head coach, might as well give him one more week, and see what happens. And if he fails to hire one from the troika of Sean Miller, Scott Drew or abso-LUTE LONGSHOT Jeff Capel, then hand over the reigns to Pastner.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 PM
Those who think Pastner needs 5 or 10 more years; he’s already like 31. Capel is only 34 and has been a head coach since he was 27. Pastner is a bright guy who’s been around basketball his entire life, it’s not neurosurgery, he’ll be fine if given a chance. He would never do anything to harm the school and would work his ass off to put it back where it belongs.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 PM
I hate to be such a NEGATIVE Willy Wildcat- LOL- but the way things are devolving for Arizona, Memphis probably will hire Scott Drew or Sean Miller first.
Then Wildcat fandom is abso-LUTE-ly looking at a Theus or Pastner pacing the Arizona bench come November.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:11 PM
Go after Dixon, Wright, and Capel with 2.5-3 mil per year. They would have to consider it. Anyone that can be had for less is going to cost more in lost revenue overall than you save. Wake up Livengood!
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:12 PM
Wow, today is becoming “Roast Jim Liengood” day by all accounts. I think JL is in a real tough situation, sorta of a “Kobiashi Maru” (pardon the Star Trek reference) no-win scenario. I’m by no means defending the guy, I happen to think he’s fairly incompetent and should’ve been fired after Mackovic.
I’m sure JL meant well and had strategic reasons for being so quiet, but it has certainly come back to bite him in the keister. He is huilty of treating the public like mindless sheep, like he could sell whatever bill of goods he had like a great contemplated strategic conquest. On the flip side, if it blows up behind the scenes you not only look incompetent but you also alienate the very people you are trying to please. Nobody likes having their intelligence insulted. Congrats JL, you just did that to the fanbase of UA basketball. Give yourself a hand.
I don’t think anyone thought for 1 second that Floyd was the target of this great 5+ month long quest. So… given that TF wasn’t JL’s first choice obviously, the question becomes…. who was his first choice and what went wrong?? This is where JL really did the community wrong by not keeping the fans at least somewhat in the loop.
As with any management decision…. when keeping a big decision so close to the vest you do one of two things…. you either get it right and come out looking like a hero…. OR…. something goes wrong and you come out looking like a complete idiot. You’re now forced to play catch-up while feeling the additional pressure of an agry fan-base. However, in most corporations you don’t stay employed long enough to get to that last step.
So apparently JL approached this like any overconfident and sly corporate dingleberry by keeping it close to the vest. He kept speaking of the situation like a high profile coach was a slam dunk, even (reportedly) rebuffing inquiries with such a statement. He was publicly overconfident, and only built up the already high expectations of the fan base.
So… what the heck went wrong here?
I keep trying to break it down in my head why so much secrecy was necessary. I can only speculate that he had a high profile coach on the hook at some point earlier this season. Maybe this coach was feeling unhappy where he was, or was thinking he may end up on the hot seat… either way he was using UA as a potential out. This is not far-fetched as even Tom Izzo inquired immediately after Olson resigned. JL probably made an agreement in principle with this coach (which does not require official permission to speak with another school’s coach, only to officially interview them and make an offer) and proceeded to put all of his eggs in this basket. Low and beyond (and this is pure speculation here) the chosen coach goes and makes a deep NCAA tournament run, or maybe he just has a change of heart… OR… a bigger offer came around. Heck, for all we know whoever JL had his sights on may still be in the tournament. I suspect that within the last week or two, this candidate contacted JL and told him he was no longer interested.
Either way, JL’s great strategy now becomes a worst case scenario and he has no plan B. He then haphazzardly inquires about Tim Floyd (if he was so secret and overconfident before… why blow cover now?) who thinks about it then says no.
What JL should do now, if he has any hopes of keeping his job, is to hold his own press conference and level with the fan-base. Just come clean Jim, if you had a candidate and he backed out… just say so. If there are currently no good candidates to choose from… just say so. Tell the fan-base that you’re trying your best but it’s proving to be a real difficult sell. Sure, many a fan may not want to hear that but it is certainly better than the sure-thing-slam-dunk approach that has clearly blown up in your face. Do something to get your fan-base on your side for one. It can’t be good if ASU and UCLA fans are showing pity towards us. Finally step up and prove to the fans that you arent as stupid as you seem to be.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:13 PM
I am completely convinced that it should, NO, it has to be Pastner. At this point, he is the only logical choice.
He is the ONLY person who will have the leeway from the fan base and the national media, to do what needs to be done. Anyone else, no matter if it is Jeff Capel, Jamie Dixon, or John Wooden, will be under intense scrutiny, and intense pressure to win NOW.
To anyone who is still holding out hope for a “tier 1″ coach to come in and save the day, forget it. They look at the UA job as a career ender. Seriously, why would you put your good reputation on the line to come to an empty shell.
But Pastner sees this as a career-MAKER. He has shown that he is the best and the brightest. Lute and Calapari would not have wasted time on him if they did not see his value.
He’ll take it for much less than anyone else, and it leaves you enough coin to surround him with saavy assistants.
He’ll have the full support of Lute, and more importantly for recruiting, NBA players to come to his camps.
Put public opinion on your side. People will root for the kid to win.
Besides, who says that Capel, Floyd, Theus, Kruger, or even Dixon could come in and make the tourney next year? There are no guarantees of that at all. In fact, unless they can say with certainty that they can bring some top recruits with them, there chances are only marginally better than Pastners would be. No matter who is at the helm, they are going to have it rough. I’d rather have the guy who is relishing the challenge than the guy who is here becuase his check has commas in it.
JL, take back the offensive position, and quit playing catch-up. You’re playing a game that you can’t win.
Pastner can be the game changer you need.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:14 PM
Oh yeah, and you’ll look mighty stupid if Memphis names Pastner as their next coach!!
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 PM
This whole situation has been very unfortunate. It could have all been avoided if Livengood gave Dunlap a two-year deal, on the cheap, to be head coach as soon as Lute retired. We would have been in decent position, considering how we fared in the tourney, to lock up some recruits and perhaps have prevented Gaddy, Hill, and Moser from committing elsewhere. Instead, recruits have fled because there has been no stability, no head coach they could commit to. If Dunlap did not work out, at least we would have some prospects in stock and the team would be in better position to lobby for an elite coach. The image of coming to a gutted team is hurting us now and our tradition hasn’t been enough to charm anyone to leave their respective schools. It is too late for Dunlap and Pennell, not to mention that they would probably have a hard time bringing in recruits this late in the recruiting period. I just think that Livengood messed this thing up a long time ago, not within the last two days. Although the last two days have been pretty shitty as well.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:18 PM
+1 tom Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Those who think Pastner needs 5 or 10 more years; he’s already like 31. Capel is only 34 and has been a head coach since he was 27. Pastner is a bright guy who’s been around basketball his entire life, it’s not neurosurgery, he’ll be fine if given a chance. He would never do anything to harm the school and would work his ass off to put it back where it belongs.
————————————
I understand what you are conveying, but will the bloody lot of Arizona be willing to patiently wait at least three or four years before the Wildcat’s are Disco Dancing again.
As it stands, the recruiting is kaput for the 2010 class, and 2011 class. And recruiting Elite-level H.S. ballers is probably the life blood B.C.S. schools.
Basically, with the hiring of Pastner, the Arizona fandom are looking at a miracle for him to turn it around in at least two seasons, if not three.
So, loyal Wildcat fandom has to ask him/herself this. Are y’all willing to go three seasons of abso-LUTE-ly no N.C.A.A. Tournaments for three seasons in a worst case scenario. Because that’s what Livengood has done to the program by not having a cogent succession plan in place the past two seasons.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:20 PM
Going after Pastner now would be the equivalent of hitting the “panic” button. Pastner has a lot of upside… but he is inexperienced and would decidedly be a step down from Pennell. Pastner recruited, coached the big guys, and broke down film. He needs more seasoning as a coach higher up the pole.
Even with as much as Livengood has botched this thing, I doubt even he wants to eat the crap that would result from such a hire. There are still some good coaches out there, just not any high profile ones. At this point as fans we just have to take a deap breath and be patient… but a honest press conference by JL to talk about WTF went wrong would be nice too LOL
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 PM
Buddha,
again, you are assuming that bringing in a higher-profile coach automatically assures us of a tourney appearance.
It doesn’t.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:25 PM
gotta go hard after Dixon, then Capel, then Drew, then Bennett, in that order. If you strike out with all of those, THEN Pastner, but not before.
This whole situation is beyond absurd. This was Livengood’s legacy hire and he has certainly cemented his legacy in my mind.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:25 PM
…I’ll bet Paster says “no thanks”
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:26 PM
+1 ragedookie Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:20 pm
Going after Pastner now would be the equivalent of hitting the “panic” button. Pastner has a lot of upside… but he is inexperienced and would decidedly be a step down from Pennell. Pastner recruited, coached the big guys, and broke down film. He needs more seasoning as a coach higher up the pole.
Even with as much as Livengood has botched this thing, I doubt even he wants to eat the crap that would result from such a hire. There are still some good coaches out there, just not any high profile ones. At this point as fans we just have to take a deap breath and be patient… but a honest press conference by JL to talk about WTF went wrong would be nice too LOL
————————-
Voila! Like I keep harping on, it would be a 21st Century major college hoopdom’s Miracle of epic proportions for Pastner to turn Arizona around in less than three season’s, and I have my reservations if the vast majority of Arizona fans will wait that long.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 PM
Buddha,
I think the only way UA makes the NCAAs at all over the next couple of years is if JL lands a coach who can bring a recruit or two or three along with them. I suspect that was the whole reason Floyd was offered the job. The only other way is if JL gets UA a coach who can scrape up whoever tries to back out of verbal commitments before LOI day.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 PM
kevinp Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Buddha,
again, you are assuming that bringing in a higher-profile coach automatically assures us of a tourney appearance.
It doesn’t.
——————–
Not necessarily. Look at what Floyd did at U.S.C. He had the Trojans in the Grand Dance in his second season, and he had decades of head coaching experience which Pastner lacks.
Then, there’s Capel of Oklahoma. Again, he had Oklahoma Dancing in his second season but had been through the head coaching wars at Virginia Commonwealth, I believe.
There are other examples, and the one common denominator these head coaches have is prior Division-I coaching experience.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:35 PM
+1 ragedookie Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Buddha,
I think the only way UA makes the NCAAs at all over the next couple of years is if JL lands a coach who can bring a recruit or two or three along with them. I suspect that was the whole reason Floyd was offered the job. The only other way is if JL gets UA a coach who can scrape up whoever tries to back out of verbal commitments before LOI day.
———————————-
Exactly. So, from Javier’s list this leaves Capel, which I’m aware of, but I don’t know the recruiting situations of the other hopeful contenders.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:39 PM
I understand what you are conveying, but will the bloody lot of Arizona be willing to patiently wait at least three or four years before the Wildcat’s are Disco Dancing again.
As it stands, the recruiting is kaput for the 2010 class, and 2011 class. And recruiting Elite-level H.S. ballers is probably the life blood B.C.S. schools.
Basically, with the hiring of Pastner, the Arizona fandom are looking at a miracle for him to turn it around in at least two seasons, if not three.
So, loyal Wildcat fandom has to ask him/herself this. Are y’all willing to go three seasons of abso-LUTE-ly no N.C.A.A. Tournaments for three seasons in a worst case scenario. Because that’s what Livengood has done to the program by not having a cogent succession plan in place the past two seasons.
___________________________________________
I think right now, no matter who you bring in, they’ll be looking at a 2 to 3 year rebuilding period. That includes Dixon, Pitino, Izzo etc. We’ve lost this years and next years classes, and no one is bringing along 4 or 5 McDonalds players with them in any deal.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:40 PM
Pastner would save the day for Livengood.
He had the chance to do the right thing and hire Ricky HUnley but he missed it then – will he do the same here?
Will he ever learn fro his mistakes?
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:47 PM
It be nice to try for Capel- BUT JOSH PASTNER is the one for our future.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:48 PM
Pastner, Rosborough, Geary, Stoudamire – There’s my coaching staff. 0% probability, but a nostalgic idea and would ‘win’ the press conference at least in Tucson.
I’m talking crazy now… Time for a drink.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 PM
Pastner was the lead recruiter for Calipari at Memphis. Memphis currently has 2 of the top 5 prospects and a 3rd considering. (Granted, that might change…) But, whose to say Pastner couldn’t sway 1 of them to come with him to UA??
In terms of the 2-3 year turn-around, at this point I think we need to resign ourselves to the fact that it will take a few years to turn this mess around. (Regardless of who comes in here) Anyone who thinks otherwise is really just kidding themselves.
I would rather have someone who wants to be here and is committed to turning this thing around and will work tirelessly to see it through than someone who they can get in here because the price is right…
I guess I really need to question what the hell Livengood has been doing the last 6 months to get us to the point where we offer Floyd the job. He could not have been his #1 pick.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:53 PM
This has been a very frustrating day. I really hope that Livengood has someone lined up to talk to tomorrow. I agree with Buddha and I hope Livengood realizes this: the right coach can continue the winning tradition immediately. I am not satisfied to lower my expectations of this program to ESPN standards.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 PM
No way is Dixon, Capel or Miller in the mix people.. way, way beyond that.. In fact I do not believe for one second that Cal ever considered UA til UK came calling.
After what has happened Cal was playing UA like a fiddle just like Floyd did to get a raise if he had returned to Memphis..
This whole situation has damaged the program for years to come..
Its over..folks.. I almost feel Livenbad did this on purpose…
Prediction- No tourney for the next 3 years.. You heard it first..
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:57 PM
Buddha…
Capel also had VCU dancing in his second season at VCU – with ZERO coaching experience prior to that.
* Capel was an assistant under his dad at Old Dominion for 1 season – 2000-2001.
* He was then hired as an assistant at VCU in 2001.
* In 2002 he was promoted to head coach at the age of 27 at VCU.
* 4 seasons at VCU he compiled a 79-41 record and took VCU to the big dance in his 2nd season and the NIT in his 3rd season.
* 2006 he was hired by Oklahoma
* 2nd season he went 23-12 and lost in the 2nd round of the NCAA.
* We know what he did this season, his 3rd at Oklahoma.
He has less experience than Pastner when he was given his chance. Granted, it was VCU and not Arizona….
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:58 PM
if you are going to wait, you may as well wait, and go big at Izzo or Wright after the tourney is over.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 PM
Pearl is now out of the conversation because he just renegotiated his contract to 6 years. will this madness ever end?
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Pastner????? OMG, have you people gone out of your minds? What evidence is there that Pastner can recruit? Name some of his big time recruits here at U of A. Good luck, because his busts out number his even decent players. Good Lord, is this where the program has sunk to?
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:11 PM
I still say Reggie Theus is the man!
Imagne Russ Pennell getting the job in Nevada and doing well?
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Pastner is the Asst Coach, Lead Recruiter at Memphis.
Have you happen to seen Memphis recruiting class this season? (Ranked #1 by most major services) He has 2 of the top 5 recruits coming to Memphis, plus a 3rd in the top 5 considering Memphis. (Now, they might all go to Kentucky with Calipari… but that is a different story) I’d say that is evidence he can recruit.
I guess Calipari thinks Josh is pretty good since he is bringing him to Kentucky with him.
Pastner was instrumental in bringing in Nic Wise and Chase Budinger to the UA.. I think they worked out pretty good.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:17 PM
“Pastner was instrumental…” Exactly Pastner was the instrument not the surgeon, musician, or coach. He’s a good instrument in the hands of others.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 PM
Bring on Josh………..
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 PM
“instrumental” in bringing those guys to UA – Correct.
He “WAS THE MAN” responsible for Memphis’ recruiting class this season though. Pastner recently was ranked No. 7 among assistant coaches nationally in a poll conducted by Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com. Someone, somewhere thinks he is pretty good.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Funny questioning Pastner’s recruiting ability.
Here you go brainchild. Read this Sportingnews network article that calls the Memphis recruiting class one of the “greatest recruiting classes ever”. The article is talking about who might follow Calipari to Kentucky. And remember when reading this Pastner’s title at Memphis – Asst Coach/Lead Recruiter.
http://www.sportingnews.com/experts/brian-mclaughlin/blog/1094896.html
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:36 PM
Pastner also recruited Bayless to UA.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Javier, do you think you, the Tucson media or anyone, someone somewhere can find this out for a fact:
We were told after reports that first Capel was being seriously considered and then, finally, Floyd was in the bag, that coaches such as Pitino, Calipari (I stop calling him Cal as if he were my bud right now), Dixon, Capel and Smith were not even reached by Livengood, let alone spoken to by the AD in name only.
True or not?
Livengood and UA boosters in name only had at least 5 months and 8 days since Lute retired for good and the ‘Cats had their Dance card revoked to line up prospects, “feel” them out through proxies, ask permission to officially speak and close the deal, but nothing…
Who did Livengood call, line up, question other than Floyd?
If that’s it, Floyd and nobody else, then the UA’s own AD sold his own b-ball team and program short, and he can’t – won’t! – be forgiven for that.
There’s no cheap and easy way out of this mess we’re in and if we are to compete with the big boys, and our people with money, our supporters with the kind of support that speaks louder than words, especially when you’re going up against the schools we must compete with for top-notch coaching talent, you have got to ante up.
Obviously The U did not do this, and this can be directly attributed to Livengood and Shelton’s ineptness, plain and simple.
Shelton is no Peter A. Likens and it shows, and UA as a b-ball program and Athletic Department is suffering for that fact.
Shelton is so far removed from the situation it’s as if to say, Who cares ’cause I sure as hell don’t?
Any university president worth his/her salt knows full well that “university” in and of itself means encompassing a massive or vast array or many or multitude of things.
Shelton by his absence and silence and cavalier attitude where the Athletic Department is concerned is devoid of any capacity to lead the UA as an institution of higher learning.
One that should be looked at for its academic rigor and relevance, yes, but also its rich tradition of athletic excellence, the interest and revenue generating kind, and the likes of which that for all these years has seen many a young man and woman’s character, life skills and overall health developed beyond belief.
So where are the Croppers, the Bafferts, the Sarvers, the Morenos, the Ellers, the Concholas, the Esteses and so on and so forth?
And we want to call ourselves a Top 5 program.
Right.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
And if the shenanigans of the last 5 months and 8 days haven’t shown us this, another rejection – this one from Capel and Dixon – ought to do it.
I can’t believe I’m saying this…
No I’m not saying it – it isn’t time yet for Pastner.
No, let’s round up the troops and make one last power drive at Dixon, Capel, Smith or…Williams, the fearless tutle himself.
Heck, Gare (I’ll call him this as if he were our friend until he, too, says no) just came into Olson’s own back yard and snatched up Stoglin right out from under the mess, otherwise known as Livengood’s battered nose, as it were, and he is only what, 3, 4 years removed from One Shining Moment of his own: A National Championship?
And how ironic: Stoglin goes to Maryland on the exact same day, at the exact same time Floyd finishes playing Livengood like that Coleman size 13 upside Budinger’s noggin’.
Gare would listen, wouldn’t he?
He’s certainly worth a try, boosters.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:39 PM
I can hear the memphis recruits now ” well coach cal was an a**, memphis is a pit, but boy that josh pastner”
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:40 PM
Found this interesting article on the start of Roy Williams’ career. Now, I’m not saying Pastner is the second coming of Roy Williams. But I do find it interesting that Williams had no head coaching experience when Kansas took a chance on him in 1988 after it won a national title with Larry Brown and Danny Manning (the year of UA’s first Final Four appearance). Furthermore, Kansas was being investigated by the NCAA at the time for recruiting violations. Imagine the mindset of Jayhawk fans at the time. You think the UA has it bad right now? Anyway, in the article it says that one prominent disgusted Kansas booster said the hire of Williams was worse than Notre Dame bringing Gerry Faust to South Bend. All Williams has done since then is win a national title and he has gone to the Final Four seven times, including five out of the last eight years. He took Kansas to the national title game in his third season. He’s already in the Hall of Fame. Williams wanted to attend UNC specifically to learn the game under Dean Smith. Sound familiar? Williams asked Smith if he could attend practice and take notes. He also volunteered to take stats and work Smith’s summer camps.
The article written when Williams was inducted into the Hall of Fame two years ago:
http://www.hoophall.com/ot/roy-williams-induction-article.html
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:41 PM
In order for you to prove that “he was the man responsible” you would have to find the recruits on record saying that they signed with Mephis because of Josh Pastner. You will never find that because he was only “instrumental” in bringing in these recruits. His recruiting efforts have never been to play for Josh Pastner, they have been to play for the legendary coach Olson and the now highest paid coach in college basketball John Calipari. I have never seen a single credible source crediting Pastner with the 2009 Memphis recruiting class, and I never will because such a source doesn’t exist.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Home_Slice.
Typically when a program gives someone the title of “Lead Recruiter” they are actually making them responsible for keeping stats for each game. “Lead Recruiter” is an ambiguous term that they give to most Asst Coaches in Hoops.
It really means if you have nothing else to do that day, you are able to send text messages and such to recruits.
April 2nd, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Ok what I don’t get is boosters have donated I’m just guessing somewhere around $7-15 million for the next coach and someone said a privet jet a his disposal and yet with all this Levingood cant attract a coach its not the schools it Levingood that’s the problem.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 PM
Who knows if Pastner is the right hire or not. NOBODY has a crystal ball and can say he would or would not be successful. The one thing he has is the drive to succeed, he knows what Arizona basketball is about, he has been mentored by two of the best coaches in the game, he knows how to recruit, knows what it is like to coach here, knows Lute’s place in this community, etc. He could go be a head coach at some smaller school, be wildly successful come back here and fall on his face. WHO KNOWS?
The program is at the lowest point it has been at in 25+ years. It can’t go any lower – except if we take the advice of some and not put a team on the floor next year – Pastner would pump some enthusiasm into the locals here, maybe pull a recruit or two from the list of unsigned’s into here and turn this around.
The program has already been set back 3+ years by the lack of any recruiting done, no matter who comes in here it will take time to rebuild, etc. (Sounds an awful lot like Indiana, no?) And the sooner the fans in Tucson realize this, the easier it will be for whoever the next coach is. So why not bring back one of the most popular player/coaches to come through here?
Javier – that article is great about Roy Williams. All it takes is an AD who is confident in their job and has the huevos to pull the trigger. All you need is the chance as Pastner says. (He certainly does not lack the confidence)
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:20 PM
To the best of my knowledge, Livengood has had more informal than formal contact with the candidates so far. The media in Tucson would get a better read of that. As an editor of a fan-based Web site my clout goes only so far with gathering information directly from the UA administration etc. I have gathered most of my information from sources who have either worked in the program or are close to the program. My read on it is that somebody who Livengood thought he had all along backed out most likely because of the Kentucky mess and Livengood was not prepared for that. When Livengood discovered Memphis would go after Floyd, Livengood thought he should try the coach first because of Olson’s respect for Floyd, etc. I really believe Livengood is back to Square One and it’s likely because of what happened with Kentucky. Calipari and/or Pitino had a change of heart after that development, for example.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 PM
One more thing. We opted for the “experienced coach” over the “inexperienced coach” in football once looking for stability – John Mackovick over Ricky Hunley or Norm Chow, remember? (How’d that work out?)
So, a few years later when the football program was at the lowest point it had been in for years (man, do we have a history of this or what around here? Holy Shnikees…) Livengood went and hired someone with no experience as a head coach (Mike Stoops). While Stoops has not been wildly successful, I think it is fair to say the program is in much better shape now than when he got here. He is bringing in recruits, got us to a bowl game last year, brought in Sonny Dykes to turn the O around, etc. He has gotten the program back to respectability.
Zero head coaching experience coming in here, players revolting against the head coach, etc. (Wow, remember those days???) Suddenly our hoops problem doesn’t seem as bad.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Lets face it our program is dead no i doubt we’ll land a coach any time soon. soon being a month or two we just have to deal with it and accept that our team will never compete in the pac-10 let alone the nation.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Javier, until it’s truly Pastner time, and I trust we’ll know exactly when that moment arrives, let’s have a little more fun.
Gare Williams – yes or no?
I mean, he just came into the Old Pueblo and got a verbal from Stoglin?
Wouldn’t Williams want to succeed Olson?
He followed “Left Nut” Driesell at the Home of the Fear-Mongering Turtles, after all.
With first Darryl Strawberry’s boy, Simon Says’…nephew, and now Stogs, Wills knows west coast ball, wouldn’t you say?
THE U’s so-called “boosters” – and they know who they are – have got to allow the ‘Cats to play with the big boys in this game of coach searching or it’s lights out, game over, time to stay home.
It’s not for the faint of heart – you don’t see a search committee or consulting firm hired for top dollar after all, like some panzies play it – so you gotta put up or shut up if you decide to go this route.
It’s all the way – Dixon, Capel, Smith, Donovan or Williams – or no way.
Until this happens, we put Mr. No-Doze in a holding pattern for what his new boss did to our search.
Dang it’s a rough business, I know.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Interesting stuff. Although if Livengood thought he had either Calipari or Pitino wrapped up at some point, you would assume it was for big money. Implications are clear, why hasn’t that big money just been taken or a Dixon or Capel.
As for Pastner, I wouldn’t mind taking a chance on him. Problem is, he’s now in a great position to improve his skills and resume further at Kentucky.
Lets assume he wants a shot at being something like the next Olson here eventually. The chance of failure is so high now he may consider it too risky. That is, he is run out of town after the almost inevitable 2-3 bad seasons and never has a chance to be ‘the guy’ at Arizona again.
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:58 PM
Gary Williams is not in the equation. He is 64 and will only be around for four to six more years. Livengood will not want to start over again in that time. He wants a coach who can be at Arizona for at least 10-15 years.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Correct me if I’m wrong. Wasn’t part of the criteria to find a coach that’s won at the highest level. Then why is it reported that we approached Few and Floyd and not Dixon or Pitino. We’ve all been duped.
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 PM
I think Pastner, at this point, is our best option. Olson and Calipari didn’t keep him around just so he could be a stat-boy, trust me. The man can coach and recruit with the best of them, he just needs to be given a chance. He is confident and loves Tucson, and Tucson loves him. Plus, if it works out and everything falls into place in a perfect storm, he is very young and could certainly stick around for 20-odd years, much more than you could say for any of our other options.
I say go Pastner, what the hell do we have to lose at this point?
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:17 PM
Javier what do we have now as in coach options, are we trying to find one in the damaged goods and recall bin?
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:41 PM
ZonaCat: If it’s true that Dixon and Capel are definitely out — we’ve yet to hear it straight from them — than I think Livengood must go after Scott Drew guns blazing. In only five years, he has turned a moribund Baylor program into a winner with consecutive 20-win seasons. Compared to what he faced at Baylor, the situation at Arizona is very appealing. Memphis will go through what Arizona is experiencing. Both programs are affected by a negative recruiting scenario. The UA has already lost numerous recruits; expect Memphis to go through the same even if it hires a qualified coach.It’s gonna take getting a coach in here who is more confident than worried about the situation. Can’t see Drew worried after what he’s endured at Baylor. By the way, it could come down to Memphis vs. Arizona for Drew. What I don’t understand is Livengood has never strongly considered Drew from what I’ve been told by someone who knows the situation better than me.
If Livengood can’t land Drew, than I say he turns to a guy who has been tutored by two of the game’s best: Pastner. With all due respect to Theus, who did a good job at NMSU and also learned under the great Pitino, if Livengood hires him instead of Pastner you will hear some negative feedback from some former UA players. Speaking of former Cats, what about Kerr, not for the coaching job but the AD job? The Suns’ season is winding down and they are not going to make the playoffs. Maybe Kerr would rather step out of his role there and become an instant hit in Tucson as the AD. Livengood has only one more year left on his contract and could have Kerr in the department in some capacity before taking over.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Guys,
One thing I’m hoping someone can clarify for me is the following:
How can other programs like ‘Bama pay Anthony Grant 2Million? How did UGA offer Anderson more than 2Million? How could Memphis match UK’s offer? None of these are in the top 20 most valuable programs, but they are outbidding us left and right.
I want to know why everyone says we are broke. Where is all the money? Where are all the boosters? I just want to know!
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:44 PM
Its called football. Football is life in the SEC and creates so much revenue for their respective schools. AZ gets all its money for the entire athletic department from hoops. and Memphis has FedEx. The Tigers play in an arena w/ their name on top of it. They can give whatever the school asks for.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:45 PM
Why has nobody talked about Romar? Barnes?
We definitely need to wait this out and not panic. I, for one, considered the possibility of getting Pastner in the fall in order to maintain continuity. After all, he had just left. Give him a couple of years and see what happens. Could have done that with Dunlap as well. Either way we would have been better off than we are right at this moment.
The only way Livengood saves this is to go back to the top tier and get somebody. Wright, Izzo, doesn’t matter. If the price is right, people will at least listen. That is what throws me with all of this, is where is the money? What was this 10 million dollar trip to El Paso at the Sunland races? If Livengood is holding back, then we deserve to be laughed at. It takes money to make money. I would have to think that everybody has their price.
If we can’t afford it, why not, given the fact that we are one of the most lucrative college basketball programs in the country?
If we can’t hire one of the top guys, give it to Pastner.
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:54 PM
Guys,
One thing I’m hoping someone can clarify for me is the following:
How can other programs like ‘Bama pay Anthony Grant 2Million? How did UGA offer Anderson more than 2Million? How could Memphis match UK’s offer? None of these are in the top 20 most valuable programs, but they are outbidding us left and right.
I want to know why everyone says we are broke. Where is all the money? Where are all the boosters? I just want to know!
_____________________________________
Couple different reasons I’m thinking.
Arizona as an institution, gets very little support from the state. I’m not sure to what degree that effects the athletic department but you can be sure that the budget cuts are weighing in on financial decisions made by the department.
Football revenues provide the bulk of any athletic department’s revenue, and you can be sure that the Alabama and Georgia basketball programs are benefiting from a little football love.
UofA as previously stated is a very sound basketball program financially and i can’t imagine that they would be unable to match a program like Memphis unless the booster support wasn’t there. By virtue of the sharing an arena with the Grizzlies, Memphis’ arena seats about 4,000 more people, but when you come down to it, that is not a huge difference.
I think that assuming the UofA either can’t or won’t pony up the dough is a stretch. Nobody really knows what Livengood is offering people, but my guess is that it is gonna take a big sum (I’m gonna say 3m and 6-7 years) to lure any of the tier 2 names (Capel, Dixon, Wright, etc…) away from their current programs. my guess is it really isn’t the money at this point.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:32 AM
I read the hanson piece and Livengood seems to say that it would be immoral to contact a coach while he was coaching, yet obviously, if he thought he had something in place with Calipari, then he contacted him during the season. These, you can be sure, are going to be the excuses that Livengood will be issuing after he fails in this search. I would not be this hard on him if he, himself had not said “we want guy who has won at the highest levels…” and “we want to win the press conference…”. Right now he sounds like he’s politicing his way into: “really, it’s Lute’s fault, I was dealt a bad hand…” give me a break. This is getting worse by the second. I will say, Hanson made a good point; right now Xavier’s Coach Miller might be a serious save for Livengood. Dixon HAD to have been felt out, so miller is really the last salvation at this point.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Javier, I am continually impressed by your insight and logic. I agree with you 100% that J: had someone lined up already, and that person… through no fault of JL’s… backed out at the last second. Either the UK situtuation, or a deep and unexpected NCAA run was to blame for this.
Do I still think JL has a lot to answer for? Absolutely. I would ask fans to call on JL for holding a press conference to tell fans the TRUTH about what went down. Even if the truth hurts, and even if JL can’t name names… I think the fans deserve this much… especially if donors are expected to help bankroll this operation.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:44 AM
I agree, I think JL has to go and just blow Miller away with an offer. Flatter him with most of the money you were planning on enticing Calipari with. If they end up overpaying for a yes, so what.
I do not think you give Pastner the job yet. This job has the potential to get a coach run over by a bus, and if Pastner is pushed out after 4 poor years because it was too early, or the situation was unfavorable you have to figure the UofA wasted a serious resource.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 AM
More than anything, UA needs its fans on its side now more than ever. Regardless of who the new coach will be, it will be a very tough 2-3 years for fans to swallow. JL needs to level with the fan-base and get the fans behind this search. This means, perish the tought, he needs to be upfront and honest aout his intentions. If Tucson is indeed a “big small town” like so many people make it out to be, then people like JL should take advantage of that fact and be upfront about what is going on. When websited like ESPN or FOXSPORTS are the first news outlets to release breaking news on UA sports… the administration needs to reconsider how things are being done.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 AM
read the Hansen piece this morning. I’m a big fan of Greg’s work but this one came off as simply a mouthpiece tool for Livengood, to allow him to try to tell everyone “settle down, I’ on it”. Greg didn’t ask any tough questions, and I’m sure many we’d love to ask are not able of being answered right now. Livengood can’t disclose who is on the list.
The idea of Sean Miller with Pastner at his side? That would win the press conference for me. I think you go hard, REALLY hard, with a minimum of 5 years and $2.5 mil a year in hand, after Miller and then Capel, then if you can’t land those guys, you turn to Drew and Bennett.
I think the scenario that Livengood had a plan he thought was on, and then KY blew everything up, is probably on the money. But here’s the gig: it’s his job to anticipate contingencies and plan for them. And making Floyd his first public offer, an in conference coach? That was a very risky move that blew up and in the doing makes us look second tier. Let’s hope our rep is more damaged with us here than other coaches nationally.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:05 AM
Wow crazy town. I do think that someone was locked up (verbally) Few and that he backed out last Few weeks. I can’t really believe that Livengood would go after Calipari, NCAA penalties for UMASS, as a first choice (is there any evidence) . Few seems much more realistic considering the three named individuals. As this melted down he is now in full panic. (Floyd) Why no back up? (He’s out to prove he’s a genius) He needs to pony up the dough (2.5 to 3 .5mil per year) and get a Wright, Dixon, Capel or realize the next time we try to hire a coach we wont have the positive revenue. Spend it or lose it! Next chance it will be Theus if we are lucky. GO Get Montgomery if were going in conference! Maybe just maybe Livengood needs to consult with the heavy donors now!!!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:24 AM
Javier, question for you about the timing of a press conference. Let’s say Livengood gets someone today to agree to terms and they could proceed with a press conference by this afternoon if they so chose. This is obviously hypothetical, I don’t expect that to be the case.
The traditional line of thought is they really couldn’t do the press conference until next week when we’re through the Final Four media barrage, otherwise our announcement gets lost in the noise and makes no impact. The problem with that strategy is by waiting, more precious recruiting days slip by and more opportunities are lost. At this point, I’d imagine every lost day is critical. So, which makes more sense, do you just announce as soon as you can, the day be damned, so you can get the word out asap and get your new coach into living rooms as quickly as possible? Or do you wait and ‘spend’ those few days buying more media exposure for your announcement?
As a fan I’d rather they just got it out and got to work, but this is obviously way outside my area of expertise.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:31 AM
Capel just signed a seven year extension, pearl just got six years, fox went to georgia….way to put all your eggs in one basket livengood…..he really fouled this one up
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:34 AM
i think we need to go after Sean Miller really hard and see what happens….he has turned an xavier program in a not very good conference to teh tournament for several years straight now….give him a chance
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 AM
they are not going to got Dixon or Wright….why would you ever leave the big east conference????its by far the best and they both have great programs….go after realistic targets at this point….another turn down would be even more disheartening
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:03 AM
Thues was reported to have had a “lack of control” with is players from what I heard..
No way Miller is leaving Xavier as he is in too good of position as is Capel and Dixon..
No one wants this jon plain and simple and other coaches talk among each other and it will only get worse this weekend at the Final 4…
I would take Pastner hand over fist before Theus anyday… Give the job to Josh and have him keep Geary on staff.. I think Josh would battle thru and thru.. Jeff Capel started even younger as a head coach..
There are 6 of my family members who are all UA grads- dad, aunts etc. and they told me last night they were cancelling their donations that they give every year to the busniess school and my aunt’s husband cancelled his season football and hoops tix over this..
From what I’m hearing from my dad’s booster friends is that we simply do not have the money which is shocking considering $22 mil a year in revenues.. Some of the money goes to other areas of the school.. amazing! we are screwed..
At this point I would shocked if Drew even accepted the job..
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:25 AM
I never thought I would say this, but give the job to Pastner. The one thing I truly believe about him is his genuine passion for U of A Basketball. I know there will be bumps in the road, but instead of continuing to take a beating nationally, bring in some home grown talent. Regardless of what happens at this point I will not be renewing my 6 seaon tickets that I currently hold. I’m not big on saying people should be fired but if enough money evaporates out of the program, capitalism should take its course.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:38 AM
I think it’s time Arizona gets over itself. We WERE a powerhouse to be reckoned with, but with no recruiting class (Tremayne Johnson excluded) coming in, and really no one in the pipeline in terms of recruits (until someone is hired), what high profile coach in their right mind would want this job? Our only shot of landing any recruits is hiring someone immediately and keeping RG. He’s been keeping the heart pulsating out there on the recruiting trails, but it’s nearly impossible to land a reputable recruit when you have nothing other than prestige to sell them on, and now, even that can be questioned by a incoming recruit. At least by naming a coach, we finally have a few selling points. The newly hired coach can hit the ground running, and should use his major selling point as playing time.
In all honesty, I think Josh Pastner is the guy. On top of playing time, he can truly make a claim of being a product of some of the greatest coaches of our time. Not to mention a viable argument for returning this team to the prestigious status. He will run the same type of up tempo game Lute Olson ran, and many recruits like that style of play, and came to Arizona for just that reason. Hell, the only reason Chase came back this year was for the opportunity to run the same tempo game he ran his freshman year under Olson. I think if you’re Livengood, you have to jump on the landmine and admit you made a mistake in your initial promises, but at the same time can spin it in a manner that makes him appear to have the program’s best interest in mind. I think it speaks highly of Pastner that he is getting support from former U of A STARS to take the reigns.
I was under the same impression as most people at the beginning of this whole fiasco – we HAVE to hire a high profile coach. But after Tim Floyd turned us down, it really made me take a step back and re-evaluate the entire situation. I mean TIM FLOYD for god sake. When I first heard Pastner’s name, I disregarded it, but if you truly think about it, he makes the most sense. Especially, since money is “supposedly” and issue.
So, just think about it
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 AM
there is no need to panic here guys…..i mean cancelling tickets just because we didnt get who we wanted, what are we three??? Paul, cancelling donations to the business school because we didnt get a coach; so basically you are making all of the students suffer just because you didnt get your way. These are people’s education that you are talking about here…
I am just as pissed off as you are at livengood and his lack of competency but you have to take it within reason. Cancelling donations to other parts of the college that will surely impact education is just wrong. Give up your tickets, who cares, somebody else will pick them up in a second.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:40 AM
On goazcats they keep talking about Miller…. He is just playing us like Floyd did to get a raise.. Is Livengood that stupid?? Miller is really tight with Sendek and no way would those two go head to head in the same state..
Forget about Miller .. He is not coming… This was discussed weeks ago and I’m shocked he has come up again..
email – robert.shelton@arizona.edu to voice your disgrace..
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 AM
ktar is talking about steve lavin…. now that would be funny
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 AM
Lavin?
Oh gawd no. That has to be a joke.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:53 AM
Maybe Livengood should talk to Stoops about doing a little recruiting for us while he pulls his head out of his ass looking for a coach…
Heck, Stoops is a pretty good recruiter and just pulled in some home-grown talent in Adam Hall this year.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:02 AM
i say we just take pastner and see what happens….hes a good coach, under olsen and calipari, older ua players liked him a lot… signing day for 2009 recruits is two weeks away, we need at least another recruit
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 AM
Great, because Lavin did wonders for UCLA! I don’t want that uptight, greased hair, ANALYST to be our coach. In my opinion, Lavin is currently in the only basketball related position he’s good at, and he would only make a fool of himself if he were to get back into coaching, especially trying to rebuild a program.
I agree with Jeff – those of you who are talking about halting donations to the U of A are ignorant. So, you didn’t get what you wanted, who cares?? Grow up!!! You sound like Jay Cutler. When you’re talking about indirectly, negatively impacting the potential education of the future of this country, I really have to question your integrity as a human being. As Jeff mentioned, it’s one thing to cancel your season tickets, but it’s entirely something else when you’re talking about depriving STUDENTS resources they desperately need to thrive. Here’s another thought, far-fetched it may be but regardless, say everyone takes suit and stops donating to the University (i.e. the Eller School of Business), well then the education ranking drop because our resources just aren’t comparative to that of other institutions, and when the ranking of the school drops, as does the value of every single graduates diploma, and in such a tough employment environment, don’t you think we need every advantage we have???
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:06 AM
…That said, Pastner wouldn’t mind getting a call from Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood offering him the Wildcats’ job.
“He knows where to find me,” Pastner said with a smile. “It’d be like a half a phone call. In the midst of the sentence I’d be like, ‘I’m coming.’ “
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 AM
pastner would be much better than theus….I say go for it….probally get him cheap but i could guarantee livengood would be gone next year after his contract expires
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:20 AM
I agree that I’d rather get a higher profile name than Pastner, but now that Fox and Stevens are gone, if we can’t get Miller or a similar caliber coach and we’re then looking at assistant coaches or a guy like Theus, then yeah, bring in Pastner, for sure.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:21 AM
I could see Pastner bringing Rosborough back, too. Wouldn’t that be a kick?
You know, the minute Lute fired Ros, Livengood should’ve stepped in and said “OK, enough.”
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 AM
Javi, any truth to this rumor?
Mike Francesca and a WILDCAT booster report that Mike D’Antoni was talked to about becoming ARIZONA WILDCATS coach last year, again a few months ago, and NY NBC Mike Francesca says that he has heard that D’Antoni may be throwing his name in the coaching circle at Arizona.
- he said New York isn’t the place for him, and that he really misses being around the state of arizona, and would thrive in coaching basketball in the NCAA.
-also mentioned D’ANTONI could become the next John Calipari because of his offensive philosophy and would charm recruits with his personality.
-New York Knicks are aware of ARIZONA discussion and believes the KNICKS would let him go.
-multiple UA BOOSTERS have been pursuing him since February
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:30 AM
what???? is this true???
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:33 AM
Paulo: I have heard D’Antoni’s name mentioned but I find it peculiar that he’d be interested in Kerr’s alma mater. Kerr and Sarver basically forced him out of Phoenix. They didn’t see eye to eye. I think it’s just a rumor with no teeth to it. Plus, he’s well compensated in the NBA, far more than he’d make at Arizona.
We’re just going to have to be patient and wait until after the Final Four. I don’t see an abrupt press conference announced today but after following this process, anything is possible. Don’t count on it though.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:36 AM
Icky Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 pm
Guys,
One thing I’m hoping someone can clarify for me is the following:
How can other programs like ‘Bama pay Anthony Grant 2Million? How did UGA offer Anderson more than 2Million? How could Memphis match UK’s offer? None of these are in the top 20 most valuable programs, but they are outbidding us left and right.
I want to know why everyone says we are broke. Where is all the money? Where are all the boosters? I just want to know!
——————————————–
The abso-LUTE reason why these “football” schools can, i.e., Bama and Georgia, and will handily outbid Arizona is because football is King down south. These schools are leeching off the revenue each S.E.C. school generates.
For instance, football is so prevasive in the S.E.C. that they exclusively have two telly contracts now, i.e, CBS as well as ESPN. Prior to the ESPN carpetbagger’s going down south, ESPN generally televised a national game or two every two weeks. But now, there’s Thursday nights, and Saturday afternoon and Saturday prime time of S.E.C. coverage, i.e., ESPN/ESPN-2 televising national games.
Baby, you are talking three and or four S.E.C. games being televised on Saturday’s. On one Saturday last season, I recall FOUR S.E.C. games being show nationally by the troika of CBS, ESPN and ESPN-2.
So, the telly financial variable is just one of the other numerous financial variables in the S.E.C. economic football equation. LOL
That’s why non- Top 30 basketball schools such as Bama and Georgia can easily outbid Arizona.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Javier – the next taget HAS to be Sean Miller. Do some research on him, look at this record, look at what his peers have to say about him, look at his recruiting at a mid-major program. That guy is LEGIT, and one who will stick around for 10+ years if the money and situation is right.
Can you imagine a Sean Miller, Pastner, XO Guy, Another Recruiting guy at the helm? We’d be back to Final Fours with an exciting brand of basketball after the initial rebuilding job.
Livengood must close Sean Miller for this to end up well. Out of all the realistic choices (not Pitino, not Cal, not Capel, not Few), it’s Miller time.
PS – regarding Livengood’s banking on the head coach. That’s what Cal does, and we’re probably better off in the long run without him.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Q. If you were Pastner would you even want to come here if JL offered the job to you?
A. Hell no, in two years that team(UK) is going to be final four ready – he is basically going to get any recruit he wants over there in the upcoming years, I’m sure he makes a decent paycheck, he has a chance to build himself into a more household name under Cali, and in 5 years when Zona has picked itself off the floor from this Livengood fuck up – only then will you see Pastner as the UA coach.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 AM
After reading Hansen’s article, it seems we could have had Pitino if we would ditched one or two non-revenue sports. Personally, I think it should have been time for the cross country folks have a close out sale and bring Pitino over.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 AM
HEY GUYS, I AM STILL OUT THERE!!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:48 AM
any possibility that Floyd’s move was strictly tactical – not to leverage himself but to damage U of A in the headlines and on the recruiting front by publicly rejecting a team in his conference? just a thought.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:48 AM
+1 jeff Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:37 am
they are not going to got Dixon or Wright….why would you ever leave the big east conference????its by far the best and they both have great programs….go after realistic targets at this point….another turn down would be even more disheartening
—————————————–
Dixon is an abso-LUTE longshot of an epic, epic degree!! LMFAO
And believe it or not. Coach Wright isn’t leaving Philly for Arizona. Vault it. And IF y’all don’t believe moi, then give Rollie a ring. LOL
For instance, I’ve listened to two national sports radio show interviews with Rollie earlier this week, and Rollie abso-LUTE-ly shut the door on Wright leaving Villanova for any major school.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:50 AM
It is amazing how we are in such a bad economic time and you hear ASU has almost completed their “royal palace” of a practice facility that cost $22 million and yet UA who does $23 million in annual revenue can’t even pay a coach to come and coach here..
Something is just not right here…
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:51 AM
Where are you guys getting the Pastner quotes from (the ones about him wanting the job, etc)? Anybody have a link?
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 AM
+1 jeff Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 am
ktar is talking about steve lavin…. now that would be funny
———————–
April Fool’s was two days ago. LOL
However, the way this bloody fiasco has devolved, it wouldn’t surpise moi the least bit IF Livengood went after a former head coach vis-a-vis Lavin.
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:53 AM
paul, i totally agree with you….its the same thing with the oregon football program…they say that they are out of money and they have the Nike CEO as one of their supporters….what are these schools doing with all of this money???? a team does not need 10 different uniforms to wear oregon
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Budda……you realize with the “abso-LUTE-ly” schtick you come across like an absolute moron, right?
Once was clever. Twice, we get it. Now? It’s a parody.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 AM
-2 John Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:43 am
After reading Hansen’s article, it seems we could have had Pitino if we would ditched one or two non-revenue sports. Personally, I think it should have been time for the cross country folks have a close out sale and bring Pitino over.
————————–
That was a Hansen “smoke screen” piece to cover Livengood’s “backside,” metaphorically speaking. LMFAO
Rick Pitino NEVER had any intentions of coming to Tucson. Capice! In all of his interviews since last Sunday, he basically canned the notion of him and Arizona.
Yes, yes. Pitino may have informally talked with a Pletcher or some other Wildcat alum of high-standing many moons ago. But it was only chatter with no legs to stand on. Capice.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 AM
+2 Rick Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:58 am
Budda……you realize with the “abso-LUTE-ly” schtick you come across like an absolute moron, right?
Once was clever. Twice, we get it. Now? It’s a parody.
—————————–
It is what it is baby! LMFAO
And by the way, I thought your boy Livengood was the abso-LUTE moron! DOUBLE LMFAO
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 AM
livengood is going to kill Lute…..this cant be good for his health….for all of the things he has gone through over the last 25 years, it must break his heart to see this…..now with ASU’s new state of the art arena coming this year or next….we will definetly be second fiddle
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:12 AM
Billy Gillespie would be a wildcard choice. He was considered one of the best coaches a couple of years ago, until Kentucky ground him down. He can coach and he can recruit. Just because he didn’t fit in Kentucky doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t work here. Kentucky for some reason think they’re gods and deserve to be in the championship game every year, completely unreasonable expectations in my opinion. Three Kentucky recruits have already decommitted and a Gillespie hire might bring them in.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Katz article on ESPN says that Capel told him he is not interested in the Arizona job. Also, Arizona had not put out any feelers to Capel until the Floyd thing blew up. Capel quickly declined. Check Capel off the list.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 AM
if it’s true that Arizona did not contact Capel until Floyd declined, then Livengood is guilty of gross incompetence unless he has someone else sewn up.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:24 AM
i agree with Tom, Gillespie would be a good choice. Kentucky went through one on his recruiting classes and they gave up on him…he can recruit and is a good coach
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Capel is out – Here’s a piece from another site:
“*The first candidate, and the main one worth talking about, is Xavier head coach Sean Miller. Miller, 40, has to be considered one of the best coaches in the country at his age or younger.
He’s been at Xavier for five years and has compiled a 120-47 record, three straight A-10 championships and over the past four seasons has finished in the first, second, fourth and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, respectively. UA would be very fortunate to land Miller as he’s definitely a good coach.
I know Arizona and Miller have had contact as early as this past Monday and he has shown interest in the job, albeit how much depends on who you ask. I believe that his interest has increased in each passing day.”
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 AM
The idea that Pastner would come back for an assistant job is ridiculous. Why would he? He is headed to Kentucky for yet ANOTHER resume boost for two or three years. I think Pastner would be an excellent Head Coach, but only AFTER he cut his teeth at another D-1 school for a few years – I think offering him the Head Coaching position right now would be a mistake. We need someone with some experiance of rebuilding a program. To totally and completely right this ship, we need someone like a Miller or a Capel, who will rebuild Arizona as a way too boost their own resumes for their dream jobs – Pitt for Miller and Duke for Capel, and THEN, after those guys leave, and Pastner is ready, bring the boy wonder back to Tucson where he belongs. But throwing Pastner into the fire right now would hurt all involved.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Here is the list
Tom Izzo (probably not because of a huge buy out, he may not want to go through a 5 win season next year)
Jamie Dixon (Lavengood probably hasn’t contacted Jamie Yet)
Josh Pastner (Would come running)
Mike D’antonie (probably not enough money in the world)
Scott Drew (May be interested)
Jay Wright (probably will stay put)
Sean Miller (May be interested)
Randy Bennett (#2 coach in a bad conference, not sure if he cold be #1 coach in Pac10)
Reggie Theus (would probably be intersted)
Lon Kruger (washed up)
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:42 AM
Sean Miller would definetly be the best choice, having pastner come abck as his assistant is ridiculous, he is under on the best coaches in teh country if not the best…the only way pastner is coming is to be head coach….Sean Miller is a great choice, I would think same tier as a floyd or few
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 AM
Fire LIvengood go with an interim for one year, because if Livengood panics and hires the wrong guy, this program may never be on top again (example St. Johns, G’Town, etc). I would rather sacrifice one bad year (’09-’10) instead of 1/4 of a century being bad if Livengood panics and hires the wrong guy.
It is pretty ovious as to why no one wants this job, there is no one to talent here. 2-3 years ago if Olson had retired Arizona would have been loaded with talent (M Williams Bayless Budinger Jennings, this year Moore S. Hill, and Abdul Gaddy), and any coach I guarantee would want this job, fresh off an Elite 8, and loaded with talent. Coaches no doubt would jump on this job win instantly and high recruits coming in, Pitino, Izzo, Calipari, etc would want this job. It if unfortunatley a case of BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. But I can say Arizona would have gotten Calipari if Kentucky wouldnt have been open, he was talking about coming to Arizona, then Kentucky became open, and of course he said no.
Coaches want to come and instantly win, Calipari in Kentucky will win next year at least he has talent, and recruits coming in. But Arizona is basically 2 years without getting any good recruits.
If Olson just knew when to say ‘quits’ this program would have been left off great. I hate to blame Olson a god in Arizona, but he single handely started and killed the Arizona program. I think no doubt even if Olson had health problems, he should of coached this year, then most likey retire after the season. Becasue he would have kept the recruits, and loaded with talent, and a lot of coaches would want this job.
Can you imagine the teams Arizona would have had if Olson would have quit, earlier, can you imagine what kind of coach we would have both (recruits and coach) would have been Top-Tier. And if Olson would have just gone on another year, hes kept doing it for so long never knowing and not wanting to step down.
LUTE OLSON BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM TO EXCELLENCE, in the 90′=mid 2000′s, BUT LUTE OLSON KEPT THIS PROGRAM FROM BEING AN ELITE LIKE UK, KU, UNC, etc. Arizona would have won another National Championship, it would have happen in ’05 when they blew that game, what if Arizona had Iguodala in ’05 National Champions for sure, and Iguodala was a number 8 overall I believe, he would have been a top 5. And can you imagine if Bayless (who isnt playing nothing in Port.) would have come back, and if Jennings didnt have academic issues, youre talking about Olson, Jennings, Bayless, Budinger, Hill, Wise, Three top 10 picks, 1 a lottery pick, and 1 a possilbe late first rounder, or 2nd rounder. You are talking about 5 NBA players on Arizona, just give them the National Championship, because thats what they would have done, with depth Fogg, Wise, Horne etc. UNC wouldnt have been able to beat them. Olson then should haver retired, with most likely top recruits coming in and most likey at big run in the NCAA tournament, who wouldnt want this job, answer no one. I can tell if UK didnt open its doors, Calipari would have been Arizona’s coach, or Izzo, or Pitino.
Now I’m not saying its all Olson’s fault, but hes just as much to blame as Livengood. Because now with no good players, and good recruits, no one wants to coach here, they want the easy way and win instatnly. Livengood could have a big line of coaches wanting to coach here. But because Olson kept saying I want to come back, and Arizona (as a school) telling him no is slowly killing the program.
I hope you understand why Arizona doesnt have a good coach. Arizona fans (me) have been blind as why has no one wants this job. But the problem is in front of us and its both Olson and Livengood. But I wont say anything bad about Olson anymoer I just cant, but Livengood needs to be fired. I really hope Arizona knows that they have to for him, because he will panic and hire the wrong guy, most likely, and set back this program for a while. I DONT KNOW WHY ARIZONA THOUGHT THAT LIVENGOOD WOULD DELIVER SOMEONE GOOD, BECAUSE HE HAS SOME OF THE WORST HIRES IN ARIZONA HISTORY John Mackovic, are you kidding me. We should have known what Livengood was capable of doing. The Mackovic hire says it all. AT LEAST IM HAPPY IN 2012 HIS CONTRACT SO I KNOW ARIZONA WONT HAVE LIVENGOOD AFTER 2012, IF ARIZONA IS STUPID ENOUGH TO LET HIM STAY THAT LONG.
I think they should fire Livengood (oviously), get a good AD in here, and give him a year to find his man. I would rather take a really bad year, next year, then really bad years for a couple of decades. The next coach, I rather put in the hands of a good AD, that knows what he is doing instead of Livengood. I cant believe UA fans Arizona let him decide who will be Arizona coach, or thought he could find a good coach. They should have fired him, and let the new good AD find his man.
BUT TO END THIS I WILL SAY LIVENGOOD STILL SEEMS UPBEAT AND CONFIDENT, MAYBE HE HAS A TRICK UP HIS SLEEVE. I read that Floyd and Livengood used each other Floyd to Get more money at SC, and Livengood, to hide who his hire would be I hope to god this is true. Nonetheless ASU fans and National fans are having a field day, they are laughing at this program, and that is not right. UA Livengood better come up with something, ask for more money from Moreno, Sarver, and go throw it at Capel, Few, and Dixon. Even if they already said no. MONEY$$$$$$$$ makes you change your mind Livengood. You better hire someone good because no matter what Livengood, you’re fired.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:46 AM
Capel sounds like he never had any interest in the Arizona job…
http://newsok.com/jeff-capel-says-he-will-return-to-ou/article/3358621
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is looking for a head coaching gig. It’s not as far-fetched as having Steve Kerr or Mike D’Antoni on the list, and he would be better than Reggie Theus or Lon Kruger. (Kerr isn’t coming – Sarver’s keeping him, and D’Antoni’s not coming either – the Knicks are paying too well.)
Jay Wright and Tom Izzo aren’t coming – they’re still dancing in the Big Dance and they’re not going to take off anytime soon from a Final Four team (or possibly a National Championship team, in the case of MSU – you don’t discount the home team in something like this, and MSU in Detroit is definitely the home team). Tubby Smith isn’t an option – he likes being appreciated in Minnesota.
Since Capel’s declined interest, that leaves Dixon, Drew, Miller, Bennett (just shoot me now), and Pastner, unless you want to include Matta (Ohio St) or Ford (Okla St).
I think Rosborough’s name should be on the odds list at 450-1 because he’ll be the only one left if everyone else declines.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Seth Davis is reporting that Oklahoma just gave Capel a 7 year extension.
Seems like schools are locking in their young “up and coming” coaches…
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Stop blaming Olson. If it wasn’t for him, Arizona basketball would have been a dump for the past 25 years, and we wouldn’t have a national championship. So the next time you think about blaming him, remember all the amazing things he accomplished for UofA basketball, and then cut him some slack.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:54 AM
yes olson did wonders for the arizona program but over the last two years he set it back three years. His indecisiveness caused the 2009 recruiting class which was top ten to all go to pac 10 rivals. He really left us in a bind but it is what it is. He was an excellent coach
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:57 AM
Listen people, there’s 5 stages of grief. The last 25 years have been great, but It’s time to move on. Right now the only thing that can possibly make this situation worse is to focus on what a bad job Livengood is doing. This predicament is a result of the last 2 years. Not the last week. It’s unfortunate that every coach we’ve dreamed of thinks it’s a bad gig, but do you blame them? I’m gonna get behind whoever they pick because I love Arizona Basketball.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:58 AM
Javi,
What are all these rumors about us getting Steve Robinson the top assistant coach from North Carolina?
Any truth…
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Capel given seven-year extension
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/ncaa/mens-tournament/04/03/capel/index.html
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:00 AM
Paulo – where do you get all of these rumors from???? first d’antoni and now steve robinson…..d’antoni is in the first year of his contract, the buyout would be huge
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:04 AM
MENS BASKETBALL
Greg Hansen : AD Livengood still has a chance to land right guy
Opinion by Greg Hansen
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.03.2009
advertisement
Across five months, Jim Livengood researched every conceivable elite-tier coach in college basketball. Here’s what Arizona’s athletic director found:
• Rick Pitino of Louisville would have been interested in coaching the Wildcats at an average salary of $4 million. He would have insisted on charter flights for everything, including recruiting and game trips. The cost was prohibitive. To make it work financially, Livengood would have had to eliminate a sport or two.
The Board of Regents would have croaked at the figures. No deal.
• Jamie Dixon isn’t going to leave Pitt. Maybe someday, but not now. No deal, not even a conversation. It was the same with Michigan State’s Tom Izzo, whose contract, strategically applied by a possessive administration, includes an enormous longevity bonus due April 30. Unavailable times two.
• John Calipari at Memphis let it be known he would talk at season’s end. But then Kentucky fired Billy Gillispie and in 48 hours Calipari was out of Arizona’s economic range.
The Big Four vanished before Livengood had a chance, face-to-face, to propose a deal.
That left USC’s Tim Floyd, Xavier’s Sean Miller and Oklahoma’s Jeff Capel on the priority board. It was Floyd’s job to turn down.
And so he did.
“At 10 this morning, Tim called and told me he had struggled with the decision; that his players had gotten to him and appealed for him to stay,” Livengood said Thursday. “So I moved on. I understand that our fans are in a hurry to know who our next coach is, but I’m not going to rush the process. I’m not going to make a mistake.”
The critics and detractors of Arizona’s athletic director won’t easily let this go. The search is in its fifth month. Someone with a recognizable face and a Final Four résumé was expected to be moving into Lute Olson’s office days ago.
Nobody is out recruiting. Nobody is on a plane to Tucson for a press conference. Livengood is more unpopular than AIG.
“I understand that the perception is that I’ve had ‘all this time’ and nothing has been done,” Livengood said. “And I truly understand that point of view. But in reality, I couldn’t talk to any coach until their season was completed. That would’ve been unethical on my part and unethical on the part of the coach. I won’t do that, and I wouldn’t hire a coach who would do that.
“But we’re close. I like where we’re at; we can have this wrapped up in a few days.”
Nobody wants to hear that “we’re close.” They don’t want to hear that Livengood was operating on 30 minutes’ sleep Thursday, or that he’s not at liberty to answer questions about coaches he continues to pursue and those he didn’t pursue.
Had the timing of Olson’s retirement been different, former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery would have already coached his first season of Arizona basketball, and Livengood would be sailing into a contract renewal. Instead, Montgomery was hired by California.
But Olson wouldn’t let go (who can blame him?), nobody had the power to force him out, and ultimately it all blew up in Livengood’s hands.
His biggest misstep was in failing to properly evaluate 2007-08 interim coach Kevin O’Neill, and although Olson and Steve Kerr share the blame for the KO disaster, it is ultimately Livengood’s responsibility.
But he can right that wrong by hiring the right guy today, or this weekend, and launching the next era of Arizona basketball.
Who’s left? The best coach available is probably Xavier’s Miller, a 40-year-old whiz kid who has gone 30-7 and 27-8 the last two seasons, reaching the Elite Eight and the Sweet 16, with players he recruited, not inherited.
Miller chose not to pursue the opening at Virginia. He wants bigger game. He wants an Arizona-level job. He’s a Pennsylvanian with absolutely no West Coast experience, but isn’t that overrated? Geography didn’t stop Oregon State from hiring Craig Robinson or Stanford from signing Johnny Dawkins.
Miller has coached at Wisconsin, Pitt and North Carolina State. He wins. He would hit the ground in a dead-out sprint. About all he would need to do is hire a power recruiter with a Pac-10 background, and I’m thinking former UA assistant Josh Pastner would agree to be his associate head coach in, oh, 20 seconds.
That pairing would probably win a press conference at McKale Center on Monday or Tuesday.
Sean Miller has won 103 games in the last four seasons at Xavier, which is Lute territory. Xavier beat Missouri and Memphis this year. It knocked off West Virginia in last year’s NCAA tournament a few days after West Virginia eliminated Arizona.
On Thursday, I asked Livengood if he was reeling from this ordeal.
“Oh, no,” he said. “I’m refreshed. We’re going to have some very good news in a day or two.”
And so we wait. It’s Christmas morning delayed for a few more days.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:06 AM
“Right now the only thing that can possibly make this situation worse is to focus on what a bad job Livengood is doing.”
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yeah but it sure is a lot of fun, and it’s not like we didn’t see this all coming a mile away.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:16 AM
Say what you want about Lute – but COME ON.
Livengood, an athletic director of a major college, was played like a drum by Floyd and Livengood din’t see it coming.
Livengood will get a free pass from the local media for whatever reason.
This is the sort of thing that SHOULD show up on his evaluation.
He’s all worried about ethics yet he fell for the oldest trick in the book.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:20 AM
Billy Gillespie would be a good hire. He works hard and is a great recruiter and if Kentucky fired him because he wouldn’t kiss a** that is is even more reason. Also look at the Kentucky players that are decommitting, something is wrong there. he would be a steady hand and motivated to show up Kentucky.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:22 AM
I’m with you, AJM. Hansen’s piece is the usual whitewash from local hacks. Livengood should have been fired 5 years ago. End of discussion. He’s been a total failure. If the AD doesn’t have the power to force out a coach, then he’s not up to the job. I have a hard time believing that Lute couldn’t have been “nudged” into retirement 2 years ago. The problem is Livengood never thought about trying. This is his mess and regardless who he hires, we need a new AD.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 AM
nothing more will happen until after the tournament is over, probally middle of next week….everybody is traveling to detroit to watch the final four
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Livengood messed up when he didn’t give Dunlap a 2 year contract for the head coaching position right when Lute retired. If he did that, we would possibly have retained our recruits and kept the image of Arizona b-ball as an elite program, specially considering we made the sweet 16. Additionally, if JL did this, Dunlap and company probably could have locked down a couple more fringe recruits for 2010. That was the serious mistake, not naming a permanent coach right away. Consider all this the fallout.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:31 AM
Latest rumor has Steve Robinson (asst coach at UNC) agreeing to become UA head coach…
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:33 AM
mike Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:31 am
Latest rumor has Steve Robinson (asst coach at UNC) agreeing to become UA head coach…
________________________________________________________________
again you have proof of this
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 AM
The old FSU coach? No thanks.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 AM
we dont need a steve robinson as head coach…i never heard of him until you guys brought him up, if we are going after assistants we might as well get pastner
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:36 AM
Can you please provide a link to a news story or radio show that is talking about this Steve Robinson rumor?
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:37 AM
Livengood messed up when he didn’t give Dunlap a 2 year contract for the head coaching position right when Lute retired.
—————————-
JL messed up when he didn’t convince Lute to retire during O’Neill’s season. If he had done that, Mike Montgomery or Calipari would be coaching the Cats right now. I’m not convinced recruits would have been wowed by Dunlap. They started decommitting as soon as Lute retired. Dunlap wasn’t gonna change anyone’s mind.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 AM
if we are going after assistants we might as well get pastner
———————-
Why does everyone have such a hard-on for Pastner? The kid’s never coached at the college level. Convincing recruits to play for Lute Olson or John Calipari is a lot easier than convincing them to play for Josh Pastner. I mean, I like the guy but the love Cat fans have for him seems unwarranted.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:45 AM
Pastner should be the next head coach, if everything falls, which it has. Pastner no doubt will take the job in a second. And Davis of SI.com, and Bilas Dick V. thinks he the next great head coach in NCAA M Bball. I think they should throw all the money to Miller and let him leave after 5-10 years to pitt, and then let Pastner take over
But if Miller doesnt want to come let Pastner take a chance better someone young then someone old, thats why at the end i wastnt in favor of pitino or izzo
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:46 AM
Just say no to Gillespie!
He’s loose cannon!
Besides, what has he won? Nothing! Not one title, conference tournament, regular season tourney, nothing! Check it out for yourselves….not even a run in to the NCAA…
Why is nobody talking about Romar? Would he not at least consider?
Bring in Pastner and lets move on….let him make the decision as to whether he is ready or not. He’s a grown man, not the walk on we all knew. If he wants to take the risk on his career, let him. I, for one am ready.
I really appreciate the Roy Williams article. Quite a parallel to Josh’s situation. Thanks, Javier for doing this for all of us. This is great.
Bring him (Pastner) in and let’s go before he gets too comfortable in Lexington…
GO CATS!
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:47 AM
On thursday pearl got an extension stevens of butler got a extension and fox (nevada0 went to UGA
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:51 AM
And Davis of SI.com, and Bilas Dick V. thinks he the next great head coach in NCAA M Bball.
———————————
Oh, you mean the same guys we’ve been trashing as clueless, UA-hating hacks for the last week? Maybe Pastner is the next Roy Williams, but honestly, what are the odds? And like Roy Williams and UNC, no matter what Pastner does elsewhere he’ll probably always be open to coming back to the Cats.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:57 AM
+2 Jared Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
Stop blaming Olson. If it wasn’t for him, Arizona basketball would have been a dump for the past 25 years, and we wouldn’t have a national championship. So the next time you think about blaming him, remember all the amazing things he accomplished for UofA basketball, and then cut him some slack.
——————————–
Tragically for the current state of Arizona college basketball, Olson does deserve some of the blame. At least to a lesser, lesser , lesser degree.
And one other personality in this here forum and other personalities in other Wildcat blogspaces have said what was mentioned above. But without all the bloviating. LMFAO
So, WAKE UP Wildcat fandom!! For the “bells have tolled!”
Because whom ever is hired as Arizona’s next coach, there’s still going to be at least three dark seasons in the Old Pueblo.
April 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Gillespie is a very good coach and recruiter, but I will be shocked if at some point in the next 5 years of his career he doesn’t have to leave a position because of behavioral impropriety. In fact, this could well be the reason he was dismissed from KY. He had a history at A&M of fraternizing with students, i.e., young, attractive co-eds. He would routinely blow off boosters and alumni after games to go to a student watering hole. He was curt and dismissive with the media and did not suck up to the money.
He is indeed a loose cannon. There’s a reason he’s no longer at KY and I totally believe them when they saw it had nothing to do with wins and losses. Had he won more would he still be there? Maybe not. If you see an ethics headline coming down the road, you move to resolve it. KY has had enough problems, they didn’t need another.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 AM
-3 voice of Budda Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:04 am
+2 Rick Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:58 am
Budda……you realize with the “abso-LUTE-ly” schtick you come across like an absolute moron, right?
Once was clever. Twice, we get it. Now? It’s a parody.
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It is what it is baby! LMFAO
And by the way, I thought your boy Livengood was the abso-LUTE moron! DOUBLE LMFAO
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Even coach Capel has bloody enough sense not to work for an abso-LUTE moron! LOL
So, just WAKE UP to reality ricardo, and accept the fact that Arizona is PASSE. At least for the next three seasons, and that’s in a BEST CASE SCENARIO!
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:01 AM
whoever it was who said Lute built this great program and now he’s directly responsible for helping burn it down was absolutely right.
Lute began to lose judgment and work ethic 2-3 years ago. After the loss to Purdue, after erratic statements, after dismissing Ros, at some point in there Livengood should’ve had the balls to step in and say “enough, it’s time for you to go while the program still has some luster.”
instead, Lute ran it into the ground and now we’re paying the price. I am VERY grateful to Lute for what he did for the program, but what’s happened the last few years is just reality and he just as richly deserves ‘credit’ for this debacle as he does for what he built beforehand.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:02 AM
so now Budda is quoting himself?
Wow. I didn’t know they had internet access at the Mickey D’s fries station. Who knew?
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 AM
Well, with all that’s been going on, you offer everything but the kitchen sink to Miller and Dixon TODAY! You offer them everything you plausibly can.
With everyone signing extensions, etc, the buyouts will be a lot more expensive. I think miller was making 900k-1M this year, expect that to be bumped.
Capel agreed to anew 7 year contract, reports indicate he was contacted after the Floyd incident, but was not interested.
Really, those are the last two guys. Forget about Wright, Izzo..Please. Then we go hard after Scott Drew. This needs to be done today though, or Memphis will beat us to the punch.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 AM
I think greg hansens article was right on.. we get a good young head coach and ask Pastner to become the “associate head coach”. Given the current “depression” the world economy is in, the university is undoubtable feeling a major pinch. U of A obviously cannot afford a high priced coach at this time. We’ve had one the greatest runs in the history of college basketball. It will end some day, why not this day?
We’re talking about paying an elite head coach 50 times what a typical employee makes.
I don’t know about anybody else, but i’m getting tired of blaming the people involved. We, as fans, need to take the good with the bad. These guys are are doing as well as can be expected given the situation. Believe me, they are feeling our pressure.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:04 AM
My point is that Olson is ENTITLED to do whatever he wants, within the bounds set by the AD. Livengood is the AD. It was his job to make sure the head coaching position at the UofA didn’t get out of hand. And he failed.
But I can’t fault Olson for wanting to continue coaching his Wildcats, the basketball team he built from scratch.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Livengood will get a free pass from the local media for whatever reason.
This is the sort of thing that SHOULD show up on his evaluation.
He’s all worried about ethics yet he fell for the oldest trick in the book.
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Earlier, Buddha, Jr. said the Hansen piece was a “smoke screen” to cover up Livengood’s folly, but some Wildcat fans took bloody exception to my “calling out” their beloved Gregory. LOL
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:08 AM
I am really having a hard time believing that JL did not have a back out plan just in case his first choice did not pan out. Can you seriously tell me Floyd was his back out plan and not anyone else. What i would really like to know is what salary are they offering to them that is having all these other universities matching…. How can a BBALL school making anywhere from 3m – 6m in rev throughout the years not able to offer a coach 3 million/year.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:13 AM
If you make a low ball offer to coaches. All the universities will match or extend their current contracts.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 AM
+2 Icky Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:03 am
Well, with all that’s been going on, you offer everything but the kitchen sink to Miller and Dixon TODAY! You offer them everything you plausibly can.
With everyone signing extensions, etc, the buyouts will be a lot more expensive. I think miller was making 900k-1M this year, expect that to be bumped.
Capel agreed to anew 7 year contract, reports indicate he was contacted after the Floyd incident, but was not interested.
Really, those are the last two guys. Forget about Wright, Izzo..Please. Then we go hard after Scott Drew. This needs to be done today though, or Memphis will beat us to the punch.
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You obviously read moi’s mind, because yesterday I mentioned that Livengood has to suck up his egotistical, pride and go begging on his knees to either Miller or Dixon, and offer at least a 2.5 million/ six year contract to one of these coaches.
Heck, even a college basketball amateur knew Memphis was going to go hard after Drew. So, you can probably cross Scotty of the Wildcat Wish List. LOL
I keep harping on and on and on, but Arizona is in DEEP, DEEP DOO-DOO.
And don’t be surprised if Arizona’s next head coach is someone from a true Mid-Major school or up-and-coming assistanct coach.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Fire LIvengood go with an interim for one year, because if Livengood panics and hires the wrong guy, this program may never be on top again (example St. Johns, G’Town, etc). I would rather sacrifice one bad year (’09-’10) instead of 1/4 of a century being bad if Livengood panics and hires the wrong guy.
It is pretty ovious as to why no one wants this job, there is no one to talent here. 2-3 years ago if Olson had retired Arizona would have been loaded with talent (M Williams Bayless Budinger Jennings, this year Moore S. Hill, and Abdul Gaddy), and any coach I guarantee would want this job, fresh off an Elite 8, and loaded with talent. Coaches no doubt would jump on this job win instantly and high recruits coming in, Pitino, Izzo, Calipari, etc would want this job. It if unfortunatley a case of BEING AT THE WRONG PLACE AT THE WRONG TIME. But I can say Arizona would have gotten Calipari if Kentucky wouldnt have been open, he was talking about coming to Arizona, then Kentucky became open, and of course he said no.
Coaches want to come and instantly win, Calipari in Kentucky will win next year at least he has talent, and recruits coming in. But Arizona is basically 2 years without getting any good recruits.
If Olson just knew when to say ‘quits’ this program would have been left off great. I hate to blame Olson a god in Arizona, but he single handely started and killed the Arizona program. I think no doubt even if Olson had health problems, he should of coached this year, then most likey retire after the season. Becasue he would have kept the recruits, and loaded with talent, and a lot of coaches would want this job.
Can you imagine the teams Arizona would have had if Olson would have quit, earlier, can you imagine what kind of coach we would have both (recruits and coach) would have been Top-Tier. And if Olson would have just gone on another year, hes kept doing it for so long never knowing and not wanting to step down.
LUTE OLSON BROUGHT THIS PROGRAM TO EXCELLENCE, in the 90′=mid 2000’s, BUT LUTE OLSON KEPT THIS PROGRAM FROM BEING AN ELITE LIKE UK, KU, UNC, etc. Arizona would have won another National Championship, it would have happen in ‘05 when they blew that game, what if Arizona had Iguodala in ‘05 National Champions for sure, and Iguodala was a number 8 overall I believe, he would have been a top 5. And can you imagine if Bayless (who isnt playing nothing in Port.) would have come back, and if Jennings didnt have academic issues, youre talking about Olson, Jennings, Bayless, Budinger, Hill, Wise, Three top 10 picks, 1 a lottery pick, and 1 a possilbe late first rounder, or 2nd rounder. You are talking about 5 NBA players on Arizona, just give them the National Championship, because thats what they would have done, with depth Fogg, Wise, Horne etc. UNC wouldnt have been able to beat them. Olson then should haver retired, with most likely top recruits coming in and most likey at big run in the NCAA tournament, who wouldnt want this job, answer no one. I can tell if UK didnt open its doors, Calipari would have been Arizona’s coach, or Izzo, or Pitino.
Now I’m not saying its all Olson’s fault, but hes just as much to blame as Livengood. Because now with no good players, and good recruits, no one wants to coach here, they want the easy way and win instatnly. Livengood could have a big line of coaches wanting to coach here. But because Olson kept saying I want to come back, and Arizona (as a school) telling him no is slowly killing the program.
I hope you understand why Arizona doesnt have a good coach. Arizona fans (me) have been blind as why has no one wants this job. But the problem is in front of us and its both Olson and Livengood. But I wont say anything bad about Olson anymoer I just cant, but Livengood needs to be fired. I really hope Arizona knows that they have to for him, because he will panic and hire the wrong guy, most likely, and set back this program for a while. I DONT KNOW WHY ARIZONA THOUGHT THAT LIVENGOOD WOULD DELIVER SOMEONE GOOD, BECAUSE HE HAS SOME OF THE WORST HIRES IN ARIZONA HISTORY John Mackovic, are you kidding me. We should have known what Livengood was capable of doing. The Mackovic hire says it all. AT LEAST IM HAPPY IN 2012 HIS CONTRACT SO I KNOW ARIZONA WONT HAVE LIVENGOOD AFTER 2012, IF ARIZONA IS STUPID ENOUGH TO LET HIM STAY THAT LONG.
I think they should fire Livengood (oviously), get a good AD in here, and give him a year to find his man. I would rather take a really bad year, next year, then really bad years for a couple of decades. The next coach, I rather put in the hands of a good AD, that knows what he is doing instead of Livengood. I cant believe UA fans Arizona let him decide who will be Arizona coach, or thought he could find a good coach. They should have fired him, and let the new good AD find his man.
BUT TO END THIS I WILL SAY LIVENGOOD STILL SEEMS UPBEAT AND CONFIDENT, MAYBE HE HAS A TRICK UP HIS SLEEVE. I read that Floyd and Livengood used each other Floyd to Get more money at SC, and Livengood, to hide who his hire would be I hope to god this is true. Nonetheless ASU fans and National fans are having a field day, they are laughing at this program, and that is not right. UA Livengood better come up with something, ask for more money from Moreno, Sarver, and go throw it at Capel, Few, and Dixon. Even if they already said no. MONEY$$$$$$$$ makes you change your mind Livengood. You better hire someone good because no matter what Livengood, you’re fired.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:32 AM
The only way Livenswallow will get on his knees is to save his own job.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 AM
i agree we are getting to desperate measures here to find a coach…..we need to throw everything we got at miller, gilespie, baylor coach, if it doesnt stick go with pastner…..dixon will never come here due to the state of the program and he has a good one in pitt
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Randy Bennett- quite possible
Jamie Dixon – Never gonna happen
Scott Drew – Will turn down job
Lon Kruger- Will leave in 3 years due to health concerns ( Lute allover again)
Sean Miller – slight possibility
Josh Pastner – wait 3 years
Reggie Theus – Might be the guy we wont like it but it’s a coach.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 AM
I wouldnt mind Scott Drew of Baylor or Sean Miller of Xavier… If you look at their propects that have committed in Scout.com or Rivals.com there are some 5/4 star recruits. Either one of these guys would be great, young coach who can recruit, now bring in the ARIZONA name and they can really recruit some guys.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 AM
What should frighten us is that schools are moving quickly to lock in their young, up and coming coaches, or signing them quickly away from other schools. (Capel & Pearl signing extensions in the last 48 hours, Fox and Grant getting swooped up quickly, etc.)
Sean Miller would be a nice hire, but we will have to get in a bidding war with Memphis on this one. (Unless they do the same thing we did and are waiting around for Pitino or some other big name to come crawling in there.) Plus, not sure he would want to leave Xavier.
We are not getting Dixon or Wright, etc.
Say it with me…. Josh Pastner.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:15 AM
what about herb sendek????
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:27 AM
Does “buddah” ever have an original post?
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:28 AM
Herb Sendek?
Um, no.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:35 AM
just kidding Rick, well with that new state of the art arena going up, he is going to look like a rock star in recruiting pretty soon
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:42 AM
Fire LIvengood go with an interim for one year, because if Livengood panics and hires the wrong guy, this program may never be on top again (example St. Johns, G’Town, etc). I would rather sacrifice one bad year (’09-’10) instead of 1/4 of a century being bad if Livengood panics and hires the wrong guy.
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I agree completely. It makes no sense to let JL make the hire and then turn around and fire him or (more likely) let him go when his contract runs out next year. Fire JL now, install Geary or whomever as interim coach, suffer the recruiting consequences and the end of the the tourney streak and then take as long as is necessary to get the best AD possible. Livengood had 2 years to prepare for this and all he did was watch his pipe dream take the UK job and get used by USC’s coach. No way. Time to kiss Sunny Jim goodbye. His excuse that he couldn’t talk to coaches until after the tourney rings hollow when lesser basketball schools like Virginia and Georgia are hiring guys and everybody else is locking up their current coaches. Memphis is scrambling too, but they just lost their coach 4 days ago. We’ve had 5 months. No more excuses. Fire Livengood, now.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Looks like the Star’s site is down.
A sign?
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:43 AM
buddha your giong to be in deep deep doo doo if you dont knock it off with this lmfao nonsense and your little instant messanger abbreviations…. you are driving us all crazy….say something that is useful about basketball
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 AM
It’s been an insane week covering the coaching search and in reality, we could probably have a War Room a day, just breaking down the last 24 hours. We’ll start this week’s War Room doing exactly that.
Basketball:
* The big news on Thursday was that Tim Floyd rejected his offer to be UA head coach. This was a surprise, given Jim Livengood’s initial confidence that he was going to get the deal done – on Monday and Tuesday, he told multiple people the coach would be announced in the next 48-72 hours – but not a complete shock at the same time.
Here’s why: On Tuesday evening, information led us to get a good idea of who the next coach would be, and through the process of elimination (contacting sources close to both Arizona and coaches on the board), we were able to narrow it down to two candidates – Floyd and someone else.
We contacted a source extremely close to Floyd, who said, “He might be talking to Arizona, but he’s not going to accept the job.”
With that, we wrote that Floyd was off the list late early Wednesday morning and assumed that the other candidate was the one who Livengood was going to hire. At approximately 9:00am Wednesday morning, sources told us that there may be activity with Floyd, and that there was a strong possibility he would be flying into town via private jet that afternoon.
As a result, we assumed the information coming from Floyd’s camp was not 100% accurate and that he was not eliminated entirely. Jason Scheer headed to the airport at approximately 2:00pm, saw Floyd get off the private jet with Livengood, and it became obvious that he was the coaching candidate Livengood was confident about.
Floyd headed home on Wednesday evening at approximately 7:00pm and by Thursday morning, sources indicated that Floyd was not coming to Arizona.
Maybe Floyd gave Arizona reason to believe that he was going to accept – again, Livengood was at one time confident that he would – but it is interesting that Floyd told people close to him that he was not going to take the UA job.
Sources told us Thursday that Floyd had indicated he wasn’t really that interested in the job before flying to Tucson, but that’s not confirmed from UA’s end. It does make sense though, and it sounds like the Floyd source was right from the beginning.
So that’s why we took Floyd off the board, why we put him back on, and why we stressed that the deal was definitely not done, even though several media outlets were reporting it was.
With that said, I am surprised he didn’t go to Memphis. I had him penned for that job a month ago when it became clear that John Calipari was very serious about leaving his school.
The good news is that there are other candidates on the board.
*The first candidate, and the main one worth talking about, is Xavier head coach Sean Miller. Miller, 40, has to be considered one of the best coaches in the country at his age or younger.
He’s been at Xavier for five years and has compiled a 120-47 record, three straight A-10 championships and over the past four seasons has finished in the first, second, fourth and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, respectively. UA would be very fortunate to land Miller as he’s definitely a good coach.
I know Arizona and Miller have had contact as early as this past Monday and he has shown interest in the job, albeit how much depends on who you ask. I believe that his interest has increased in each passing day.
Sources close to Miller have said that he’s intrigued, which is interesting because just last week, he said he wasn’t interested at all. In fact, many people speculate that he’s waiting for Pittsburgh or to be a head coach in the ACC.
I do believe that Miller is in fact very interested in the job. I remain concerned, however, about a couple possible reasons for him changing his tune about Arizona though.
Next week, according to published reports, Miller is set to meet with his athletic director, where they’re supposed to undergo contract negotiations. Well, obviously Miller will have more leverage if he has a job offer for much more money than the $1 million a year he makes right now.
On top of that, one of Miller’s mentors is ASU head coach Herb Sendek. That hurts for two reasons. One, they’re close and probably don’t want to compete against each other in that fashion.
Two, you can guarantee that Miller has or will call Sendek regarding the job and get his advice on the program and he’d probably tell him it’s decimated with talent and is a rebuilding job. Maybe that’s not a big deal to him, but considering how good his team should be at Xavier next season, it might be.
Despite all that, I do think that Arizona feels confident that it is progressing its talks with Miller. However, as we’ve all learned in the past 24 hours, nothing is set until the coach is at the podium.
* Some recruiting notes on Miller: He has two 2010 commitments in four-star power forward Jordan Latham and three-star power forward J.D. Weatherspoon.
He has an assistant named Book Richardson who has big time recruiting ties, and at one time was the director of the New York Gauchos AAU program.
Miller has never signed anyone west of Oklahoma, so should UA get him, it might be good for him to hire someone with West Coast ties.
* Another candidate who could find himself in play soon is Jeff Capel. UA hasn’t shown Capel a ton of interest to date, which is funny considering other media outlets reported Wednesday that he was a done deal.
Regardless, I think Capel might have some interest in the job. How much remains to be seen because there hasn’t been much (if any) contact between the two parties. Just a name to keep in mind going forward.
* Arizona could also opt to get involved with Mark Few, another candidate who has been rumored to be in consideration. In reality, UA has never really gone after Few, although you’d think he has some place in Livengood’s target list, even if it’s much further down from the top.
* Another name that shouldn’t be entirely ruled out: Lon Kruger. I know he says he hasn’t had contact between UA, but a source close to him says that is definitely not accurate, even if talks were through an intermediary. Livengood could choose to go in that direction if it got to that point.
* I saw at least three members of the national media mention Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s on Thursday. What’s that tell me? Bennett is making sure he’s reaching out to the media to build support for his candidacy. That’s usually how those things work.
* Reggie Theus has never really been in play but UA could opt to go in that direction, should things fall through with other candidates.
* Scott Drew’s Baylor team is now done with the N.I.T., and he’s also someone that Livengood could pursue, although there hasn’t been reason to believe that UA has shown much interest to date.
* The rallying cry on the GOAZCATS.com premium message boards for Josh Pastner has been picked up by some ex-members of the program, who are trying to build support for the ex-UA and current Kentucky assistant.
It’s still a very farfetched scenario. Livengood is trying to hit a homerun and he probably sees Pastner as a sacrifice bunt. With that said, Pastner doesn’t win the press conference, but he’d have many more supporters than some candidates still on the board.
* Off the board is Mark Fox, who is headed from Nevada to Georgia. Fox was definitely on Arizona’s radar, but I don’t think anyone will be too upset that he’s no longer in play.
* There was some speculation that UA could get involved with Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl and Butler’s Brad Stevens. They both signed extensions with their schools on Thursday, so they’re out.
* All in all, I’d say that Miller is definitely the #1 target out of this list. However, if Livengood has learned anything during the coaching search, it’s to always have a backup close by.
* The new coach, whoever it is, will definitely have some work to do inside the program, as there are players who are seriously considering transferring.
On top of that, we all know Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger are gone – they’re both signing with the same agent – and Nic Wise is not only planning on putting his name in the draft, but I would suspect he’ll also entertain offers from overseas and other D-I programs for a transfer.
Keeping Wise will be key, as well as at least a couple of the current players thinking of transferring. Some are very replaceable, some you’d rather hold on to.
* The next coach will have a couple of decisions to make. One, do you make a huge push to land Pastner, naming him associate head coach (essentially the only way he comes back)? Two, do you keep assistant Reggie Geary, who wants nothing more than to stay in Tucson?
UA fans would obviously love one or both to be on next year’s staff, so it will be interesting to see what the new coach will decide.
* Garland Judkins, who ended the 2008-09 season suspended from the team, confirmed to Rahsaan Gethers on Thursday that he will definitely be back for next season.
“I’ll be back next year,” said Judkins. “We’re all in the dark about what is going on with the coaching search but it really doesn’t matter. As long as we all go out there next season and get wins than it doesn’t matter.”
Arizona can probably use all the warm bodies it can get for next year, so it’s safe to assume the new coach will keep Judkins around.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 AM
Doug Gottlieb: If I were Sean Miller, I would take the Arizona job ahead of the Memphis job. While Memphis could pay as much or more, I think Arizona is a better job. I know growing up in LA, it’s always been Guard U. With all the talent in Phoenix, Vegas, Seattle, LA and Texas that have all been funneled to Tucson. It’s a better, more glamorous gig. Better chance of being successful. You’re not following Lute Olson. You’re following interim coach. Memphis you have to live up to winning 30 games.
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Gottlieb posits an interesting point. No one is following Lute Olson. Olson was followed by Oneil, who was followed by Pennell. That might be the way to approach things.
The streak is gone next year, and to believe otherwise is just naive. Let’s just get us a good coach who can recruit, and play ball up to the standards we are used to within the next 2-3 years. I think we all need to understand this is a MAJOR rebuilding project. Expect a losing season next year regardless of the coach, but if we land the right guy, I think within 2-3 years we will be contenders again.
A streak is not that big a deal, a CONSISTENTLY competitive program is. UNC busted its 27 consecutive tournament streak, they had a terrible time from 2000 to around 2004 or so, correct me if I’m wrong. Yet here they are, as favorites to win the whole thing this year, and with a PHENOMENAL class coming in next year.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Most curious. There was an azstarnet update that Capel turned down the job. Click the link, and the server is unresponsive. Thought they might being unplugging the Citizen, but its site is up…with no update.
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 AM
capel signed a seven year extension with OU already….he is out, Sean Miller is by far the best choice out there and livengood needs to get his a** out to ohio or have him come to tucson, play some golf and do everything in his power to get him to arizona
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:59 AM
http://www.cbssports.com/colle…/story/11587780
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Gottlieb posits an interesting point. No one is following Lute Olson. Olson was followed by Oneil, who was followed by Pennell. That might be the way to approach things.
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I’ve been saying this all along. Besides, if a coach is afraid of “following a legend” we don’t want that guy anyway. I think the reasons coaches are wary of coming here is that our AD is an obvious clown and next year’s roster is UGLY. Also, being the coach who ends “the streak” isn’t enviable even if everyone knows it’s not your fault. That said, I’m not gonna abandon all hope. Too much Wildcat pride for that. I just wish President Shelton would do the right thing and show JL the door before he embarrasses our school any further.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Call or Email and voice your opinion Jim Levingood MUST BE FIRED!!!!!!!!
Email uofaad@arizona.edu
Pone: 520-621-4622
Arizona’s President Phone number is 520-621-5511
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:01 PM
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11587780
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:04 PM
zonacat, lets see how all of this pans out before we jump off the deep end….livengood do f*** up but if we can still get a good coach then all is well. Everything happens for a reason and maybe floyd or cal or petino would have jumped ship after a year and then we really would have been screwed. Lets see what happens because I think that everything will turn out for the best
Maybe I am also just being really optimistic
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Icky Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:01 pm
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11587780
I dont think it will happen “Sunny” just needs to forget that one and hire Theus but i wont be schocked if he turns down the job either
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Maybe Olson comes back with a note from his doctor.
Ha.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Maybe, just maybe, in spite of Livengood’s ineptitude, we just might land a decent coach like Miller. I would take him over Floyd or Capel anyday. And Tucson doesn’t need a prima donna like Pitino or Calipari either.
Of course, the top notch down-to-earth coach is Izzo, but he’s not coming. So I say if we hire Miller, that would be a great hire.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Yea, not sure Miller bites for 2M/Year.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 PM
2.5M and now your talking I think….
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 PM
livengood do f*** up but if we can still get a good coach then all is well.
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That’s what I’m afraid of. JL botched the Tomey/Mack situation and he has obviously botched the current coaching search. How many times do we forgive and forget? If JL ends up hiring Miller, it will be because of our reputation not because JL is a good AD.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Sean Miller
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090401/SPT0102/304010051/1065
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:12 PM
i dont care if he hires from reputation or because he likes livengood (hard to believe), as long as we get somebodytaht can recruit and beat ASU every year
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:22 PM
azcatsfan, whats your point???? We already knew he had interest and he was meeting with xavier’s AD next week.. nothing new here
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 PM
I fail to see how Floyd playing Livengood like Livengood was a rookie AD is Olson’s fault?
Maybe the local media can enlighten us on that point?
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:27 PM
i dont care if he hires from reputation or because he likes livengood (hard to believe), as long as we get somebodytaht can recruit and beat ASU every year
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I’m with ya. I just don’t want to see JL get a 5-year extension if he does land Miller.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:30 PM
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11587780
Is it possible?….
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 PM
The plus side to Miller is that I can only see him leaving Arizona for the Pitt job, but as we all know, Dixon isn’t leaving, unless it’s for the USC job, but Floyd isn’t leaving either. Since Dixon will stay put in Pitt, if Miller comes here, it will be for a while.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:34 PM
I think it is definetly possible to land sean miller, i do think that we will have to up our price a little bit 15-16m for five years to get him. you know that xavier is going to counter with something very similar
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:37 PM
oh Lord, I pray, please let Sean Miller accept our offer.
Amen.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:38 PM
Check out this sean miller link.
neswsports.com/2009/03/27/xavier-coach-sean-miller-was-a-basketball-phenom-espn-video/
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Interesting, the Capel story is gone from the Star’s site, and now this appears:
Arizona Wildcats Basketball: Sean Miller won’t attend Final Four
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Yup, if reports are true, they are offering around 2.15M per year, as I’ve said, 2.5M + might have a better chance at landing miller, you can expect Xavier to counter. For once I feel comfortable about saying this, but I don’t think Xavier can outbid Zona…I could be wrong. Also, there is a 2M buyout on Miller, that might be a problem.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Jeff
Dont get your panties in a knot.. interesting article is all I meant. No comment was added just the link
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 PM
Just announced Miller will not be attending the Final 4, in order to fly to Tucson to visit the campus and finish negotiations….the final numbers look like 6 years at 2.4 mill a year….
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:42 PM
So miller is flying to Tucson, as Livengood head to Detroit? Haha. Yeah…..
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Just heard something along those lines on my drive home on WMOH (the cincy sports radio) confirming that Miller is a done deal to Arizona. Bear Down!!!!!!!!!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:46 PM
Bill, just announced where? Please provide a link or where you heard this information.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 PM
I think it is definetly possible to land sean miller, i do think that we will have to up our price a little bit 15-16m for five years to get him. you know that xavier is going to counter with something very similar
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Really? $3M+ would be huge raise for Miller. Word is he makes around $1M now. I think 5 years/$12-13M will get the job done as far as money goes. Before the Calipari deal, I don’t think anyone was making more than $3M in salary. Pitino currently makes $2.5M (though he makes a lot more with bonuses and perks).
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:47 PM
oh man, if we announce that Miller is a done deal and both sides come put and publicly state it and sign off on it, I will be SO freaking happy.
It’s ridiculous, I know. This is a game, but I swear it feels like I’m waiting for test results to see if something is benign or malignant. I just feel like, together, Lute and the fan base, alumni and boosters all worked together to create something so special in Tucson and now it’s at risk of all being blown away and it just tears me up to see that potentially happen.
This would be such great news. Once you work past the big names, Miller was my top ‘next’ choice. This would absolutely win the press conference and everyone, including Katz, would have to stand up and applaud the move.
Make it happen, Sunny!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:50 PM
So miller is flying to Tucson, as Livengood head to Detroit? Haha. Yeah…..
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Maybe Shelton is handling the hire himself and Jimbo is going to Detroit to pass out his resume. If only…
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 PM
I agree with Pete, 3M is too much I think, for miller. 2.4M-2.5M is just about right. If he doesn’t bite, oh well, go for Drew.
Prior to Cal at UK, the highest paid coach was Donovan at 3.5M. Pitino is at 2.3M at Ville I think.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 PM
does anybody have proof that this is actually going down because ktar 620 jumped the gun and looked like idiots in the end
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:54 PM
wow ohiocat they said the same thing about that slimeball Floyd.(and Pitino and Few)
not saying i dont want Miller, he sounds like a great coach and if we could get Pastner to come back that sounds like a great packaged deal. (or any coach who could show him the ropes of west coast recruiting)
Who ever the coach maybe they better work fast, they only have 12 days to salvage a enitre year of recruting with the Class of 09.
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 PM
interesting article from azcentral from boivin(kind of an idiot but you never know)
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaolaBoivin/50014
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:58 PM
NOBODY is reporting that Miller is headed to Tucson. Only that he is not going to the FF in Detroit and that Arizona is inquiring about his interest.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:01 PM
yeah i cant find anything about miller being a done deal, all i hear is that he might be interested
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:04 PM
I think Sean Miller would be an excellent hire, but as mentioned in many earlier posts, he would just use this as a stepping stone to an “Elite” program opening down the road. If that’s the case than so be. That said, I think Miller/Livengood/U of A has no other option than to offer the Associates Coaching job to Pastner. Regardless of whether he takes it or not. I think offerring him at least the Associates Job shows him we want him in Tucson, and we are committed to him in the long. I have a feeling this kid has got something special. Why else does everyone have nothing but great things to say about him?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:04 PM
I haven’t been able to find any sources reporting a deal with Miller. Could somebody please provide a link? Miller would be great. Hopefully they can bring Josh in as his associate head coach. Open up that Houston AAU pipeline again. That might win the press conference.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Icky, where did you see the figures reported (2.15 per year)? Or is it just word of mouth?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 PM
How about a new rule: liars get booted.
If you have no source for your claim don’t bother posting. It’s people like you who SWORE Capel was our coach (“Capel Spotted in Tucson”) and Few was a “done deal, write it down”. Everyone f’d up with Floyd (i’ll give a pass for that one because ESPN looked like the biggest morons).
Links or it didn’t happen.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:07 PM
No one is saying anything is a DONE deal, anyone who does is just lying. Miller is far from a done deal, but this article states he’s been contacted and the offer sounds like 13M for 6 years:
http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/11587780
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 PM
The only deal that I know just got done is the Mets signed Sheffield.
THERE IS NO DEAL PENDING OR ON THE TABLE WITH MILLER.
At least nothing is being reported anywhere. The only post which actually shows that Arizona has reached out to him is the CBS post from Gary Parrish.
The whole deal with him not going to Detroit – there is nothing that says he is coming to Tucson instead, etc. Purely rumors.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 PM
yeah notice how the two idiots who brought up the story havent said a word since….you guys are probally the trolls that are NJIT COACH AND DICK VITALE……this site is like gossip girl except for sports
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Here’s a link to the article saying that Sean Miller isn’t going to the final four:
http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/287271.php
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:10 PM
can you paste the article on here tim, i dont have access to azstarnet
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 PM
Doug Gottlieb on ESPN radio saying “Miller staying put at Xavier”.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:12 PM
From what I understand… Now this is from sources who are not Livengood or Shelton … Dixon and Few made it known early in the process that they had no desire of leaving their programs. I am talking during the season.
Calipari and Pitino had only mild interest and Floyd was very interested. Capel was called after Floyd rejected the UA. Miller’s first contact with Livengood occurred either yesterday or today.
Livengood never went after Few despite all the ESPN reports. He also has not contacted Drew.
That’s pending Miller’s decision. What’s interesting is if USC didn’t come on strong and win the Pac 10 tournament Floyd would probably be the UA coach right now. USC would have been in the NIT and he would not have been that enthused about that job.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:15 PM
Let the witchhunt for Livengood begin…..he better bring his resume because each coach that turns us down makes us look worse and worse
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Livengood is going to end up hiring Brian Peabody at this rate.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:17 PM
1:15 p.m.
Arizona AD Jim Livengood may be heading to the Final Four but Sean Miller isn’t.
Miller’s secretary at Xavier said today that the highly regarded coach is not going to Detroit for the Final Four, which is something of a convention for coaches and athletic directors, and will begin a vacation on Monday.
Livengood’s secretary, meanwhile, said only that he was out of town today.
Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski was not available for comment Friday but he told the Cincinnati Enquirer earlier this week that “it would be safe to assume” that schools such as Arizona and Virginia have expressed interest in Miller.
Bobinski noted that the coach has indicated he isn’t interested in leaving. Miller, 40, earns about $1 million annually, according to the Enquirer, and has a contract through 2018 with a reported $2 million buyout.
This morning, the airplane that transported USC coach Tim Floyd to Tucson for an interview with Livengood headed to Detroit, presumably for the Final Four.
The airplane, a private twin jet owned by UA booster Paul Weitman, left Tucson nearly an hour before schedule at 10:17 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at 4:37 p.m. Eastern Time.
An official at a Tucson executive airport terminal confirmed that the flight had departed but said the passenger list and destination are not public information. The flight and arrival times are listed on the flightaware.com website.
Livengood was expected to attend the Final Four in his continued pursuit of a basketball coach.
— Bruce Pascoe
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:18 PM
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/wildcats/287271
A Excerpt from the story
Arizona AD Jim Livengood may be heading to the Final Four but Sean Miller isn’t.
Miller’s secretary at Xavier said today that the highly regarded coach is not going to Detroit for the Final Four, which is something of a convention for coaches and athletic directors, and will begin a vacation on Monday.
Livengood’s secretary, meanwhile, said only that he was out of town today.
Xavier athletic director Mike Bobinski was not available for comment Friday but he told the Cincinnati Enquirer earlier this week that “it would be safe to assume” that schools such as Arizona and Virginia have expressed interest in Miller.
Bobinski noted that the coach has indicated he isn’t interested in leaving. Miller, 40, earns about $1 million annually, according to the Enquirer, and has a contract through 2018 with a reported $2 million buyout.
This morning, the airplane that transported USC coach Tim Floyd to Tucson for an interview with Livengood headed to Detroit, presumably for the Final Four.
The airplane, a private twin jet owned by UA booster Paul Weitman, left Tucson nearly an hour before schedule at 10:17 a.m. and is scheduled to arrive at 4:37 p.m. Eastern Time.
An official at a Tucson executive airport terminal confirmed that the flight had departed but said the passenger list and destination are not public information. The flight and arrival times are listed on the flightaware.com website.
Livengood was expected to attend the Final Four in his continued pursuit of a basketball coach.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 PM
livengood sounds like he is indiana jones looking for his lost ark
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Javier, thanks for the update. So basically, Few and Dixon said “no” months ago and Pitino and Calipari said, “not unless you give me the sun, moon and stars.” So JL zeroed in on Floyd and didn’t talk to anyone else until yesterday?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:23 PM
QUESTION: so, what azstar.net is trying to say is that Livengood has no intrest in the possible hire of Miller and hes going to detroit to look for a coach?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 PM
so is livengood putting all of his energy into getting one guy again??? That worked out real well last time
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:30 PM
I’ll bet $100 Miller is not on his way to Tucson. It is a fact that Livengood is in Detroit (flightwatch.com). Either Miller changed his mind and went to Detroit, or Livengood better fly to Cincinnati asap and his himself a coach. Who knows maybe Livengood will fly to cinci tonight after hearing the news (I know he can’t possibly hear it or make it first hand)
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:32 PM
From a comment in the Cincinatti Enquier:
cincymuskie wrote:
There is also a report out there that Jim Livengood (Arizona AD) is flying into Detroit tonight to interview his candidate F4 weekend. Please note XU athletic department has confirmed Sean is not going to the F4 this weekend. What does it all mean? Who really knows? If he goes, he goes. If not were going deep in the dance again next year.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:32 PM
I don’t believe this for one second:
http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/PaolaBoivin/50014
Who?! – (by ‘who’, I’m referring to the coach AND the author of the ‘blog’ entry).
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:33 PM
JL needs to realize that the final four is not a job fair, you cant set up a stand that says arizona basketball and drop off your resume if you are interested…..
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:41 PM
“JL needs to realize that the final four is not a job fair, you cant set up a stand that says arizona basketball and drop off your resume if you are interested…..”
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I just think he is going to take the weekend off (I mean isn’t it obvious Jimmy has been working 24/7 for like 3 years now on this job opening :rollseyes:), grab a couple beers, watch some basketball and hopefully get lost on the way back to Arizona.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:46 PM
Anyone worried that while we are busy off trying to tempt Miller to come to AZ, Memphis is busy wrapping up Scott Drew??? You gotta appreciate Drew’s ability to rebuild and recruit. Perhaps we’d be better off focusing on the candidate more likely to take the job than the more high profile name, at least at this point.
Seth Greenberg was at Long Beach State, Lute’s old stomping grounds. Perhaps he is a good omen.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Drew is on Memphis’ radar:
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/03/memphis-tigers-next-target-said-be-baylors-scott-d/
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:49 PM
Anyone worried that while we are busy off trying to tempt Miller to come to AZ, Memphis is busy wrapping up Scott Drew???
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I’m more worried by the reports that say JL is on his way to Detroit and the guy we’re allegedly after (Miller) isn’t. Just what the heck is going on here?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:51 PM
Hahaha, there goes Scott Drew.
How about Lavin? Avery Johnson?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Most likely, JL is debating if he should first offer the position to Digger or Dickie V upon reaching the Detroit.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Livengood is going to get wasted offer 10m per year and have a contract signed……the school fires him and he becomes a drug lord for one of the drug cartels in juarez mexico
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Anyone else think this has gone from dire, to just flat out comedic? Haha, what in the world is going on, seriously.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Lute fucking Olson needs to get his bitchass on that plane and help livengood out
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:54 PM
LOL…agreed justin
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:55 PM
i think this has gotten just hilarious….i wonder what the perception is around the country
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:56 PM
They’re laughing too. Might as well join ‘em.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Fire Livengood. Make Lute interim AD. Who would want to say no to Lute?
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Everyone is laughing. I am AMAZED Livengood still has a job.
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 PM
yeah, this is looking more and more like the Keystone Cops.
Make that, Cop, singular.
If JL hasn’t initiated discussions with 2-3 guys at one time, if he’s running a single threaded search, someone needs to bitchslap some sense into his thick skull.
He should be aggressively pursuing Miller AND Drew at the same time, with side feelers out to Greenberg, Bennett and Pastner.
Say it with me, JL: “contingency plans”.
They’re a beautiful thing. Learn it, love it, DO it.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:01 PM
I just saw an ad on craigs list for the Arizona head basketball position.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:04 PM
Seth Greenberg the old bald fat guy? Are you kidding?
He is an old fat guy…. wow!!
This is aweful..
Miller is not coming to coach UA no way.. He is in a better position then Capel.. Miller is staying put period.. I have said that all along.. He is not going to coach against has old mentor Sendek, no way and no how..
Why did he not talk to Drew? Sounds like Lavin may be the only one left..
At least Lavin can recruit and has had some deep runs on the tourney. Lavs has grown up alot since his UCLA days for sure..
This is unreal!!!
C’mon people.. The fans need to rise up and demand livengood step down..
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:06 PM
Additional stupidity is that by not having two to three threads running simultaneously you can’t put any pressure on your candidates to make a decision. The knife swings both ways. These coaches use the threat of going to a different job to renegotiate with their current school, why not have a couple of possibilities working and force one of your targets to take the offer before someone else does!!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 PM
“Additional stupidity is that by not having two to three threads running simultaneously you can’t put any pressure on your candidates to make a decision. The knife swings both ways. These coaches use the threat of going to a different job to renegotiate with their current school, why not have a couple of possibilities working and force one of your targets to take the offer before someone else does!!!!”
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I don’t give JL that much credit
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 PM
Come on HM-R! That actually makes sense. Why would JL do that?
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 PM
We can’t afford to fire livengood. Literally! We can’t pay a competitive salary to a coach how would we afford the millions to send him packing. This is our situation like it or not..
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:09 PM
Seth Greenberg is the current head basketball coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies men’s basketball team. Greenberg just finished his sixth season as head coach of the Hokies. In his first five seasons, he led the Hokies to an overall record of 100-70. After his initial season coaching the team in the Big East, he guided the Hokies through their first two full seasons in the Atlantic Coast Conference starting in 2004-2005, earning the team a first-round bye in the ACC tournament and their first post-season tournament appearance since 1996 with a trip to the NIT.
Greenberg’s success in 2005 earned him the ACC Coach of the Year award, given by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association. He repeated this achievement in 2008.
In 2006, he bought all the students tickets to the NIT game against Temple. In 2008, he bought 3000 tickets for students in all three NIT games played in Cassell Coliseum.
During the 2006-2007 season, Greenberg led the Hokies to signature victories against #5 Duke on the road and #1 UNC at home in an eight-day span. The victories landed the Hokies in the AP Top 25 for the first time in over a decade, and earned their first NCAA tournament appearance since the 1995-1996 season. They received a #5 seed in the West bracket, but fell to Southern Illinois University Carbondale in the second round. Another highlight in Greenberg’s career came on January 21st, 2009 when the Hokies defeated #1 Wake Forest 78-71. Wake Forest was the only remaining undefeated team in the nation at the time.
Prior to coming to Virginia Tech in 2003, Greenberg was the head coach at the University of South Florida, where he amassed a record of 108-100. Prior to that, he was the head coach at Long Beach State University for six seasons, leading the 49ers to a record of 105-70, 2nd behind legendary coach Jerry Tarkanian for the most wins in the program’s history. While at Long Beach, Greenberg was a mentor of two successful future NBA players, Lucious Harris and Bryon Russell. In the 1992-1993 season, Greenberg led the 49ers to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly 20 years. Earlier that season, the 49ers achieved what is arguably their greatest victory of all time, upsetting #1 Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Greenberg served as the chairman of the organizing committee of AllCoachesCare.com, an online sports memorabilia auction site to benefit Habitat for Humanity and aide in their efforts in helping to rebuild the Gulf Coast. He appeared numerous times on television and radio to promote this cause.
Greenberg has also served as an analyst for College Sports Television’s coverage of the NCAA Tournament. He is often a guest on national, regional and local sports talk shows, including ESPN Radio and the Jim Rome Show. His brother is Radford University basketball coach Brad Greenberg.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:10 PM
I just do understand how we cannot offer some coach 2.5 to 3 mil a year with the revenues they bring in as a program and we have alumns who own pro sports teams.. are our wealthy boosters that tight fisted with the program.. ?
Scary thing is that if they hire a “bald old Greenberg” they will lose revenue year by year by year.. I know I’m not going to watch someone like him, Theus or Kruger coach the Cats..
Meanwhile ASU who does about 4 million a year in hoops revenues is building the “grand poo pah” of basketball practice facilities for $22 million..
And we are in a recession??
Please someone help me make some sense of this..
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:14 PM
On top of that, we all know Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger are gone – they’re both signing with the same agent – and Nic Wise is not only planning on putting his name in the draft, but I would suspect he’ll also entertain offers from overseas and other D-I programs for a transfer.
Keeping Wise will be key, as well as at least a couple of the current players thinking of transferring. Some are very replaceable, some you’d rather hold on to.
* The next coach will have a couple of decisions to make. One, do you make a huge push to land Pastner, naming him associate head coach (essentially the only way he comes back)? Two, do you keep assistant Reggie Geary, who wants nothing more than to stay in Tucson?
UA fans would obviously love one or both to be on next year’s staff, so it will be interesting to see what the new coach will decide.
* Garland Judkins, who ended the 2008-09 season suspended from the team, confirmed to Rahsaan Gethers on Thursday that he will definitely be back for next season.
“I’ll be back next year,” said Judkins. “We’re all in the dark about what is going on with the coaching search but it really doesn’t matter. As long as we all go out there next season and get wins than it doesn’t matter.”
Arizona can probably use all the warm bodies it can get for next year, so it’s safe to assume the new coach will keep Judkins around.
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Abso-LUTE-ly WRONG about Nic transfering, because it makes abso-LUTE-ly no logical sense whatsoever. Verstehen.
For one, Wise is a SENIOR, and will not sit out a year just too transfer to a Division-I program.
And believe it or not, he ain’t going to do the Tangara route, and transfer to Grand Canyon College so he can play immediately! LMFAO
As for the European trek, that’s the only notion which makes common sense, but I highly doubt Wise will leave Arizona to play overseas.
What we have in this here forum is a clever, posseur coming off as a Wildcat fan. Nothing more and nothing less: Think tarheelzona.
But give him mega credit for employing his subtle, clever intellect regarding all the Arizona possible and or impossible scenarios. LMFAO
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:16 PM
paul…..you’re not going to watch the Cats because the guy coaching them would be bald?
You realize that sounds completely asinine and juvenile, right?
I’ll be watching and supporting the Cats, whoever it is. I just hope I’m watching someone who is winning. I could care less what their hair looks like.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:16 PM
Livenbad is three steps behind, chasing a vapor, been there done that..
He is chasing coaches I knew weeks ago would not be interested in the job..
Does this moron of an AD really know whats going on.. Drop your ego Livenbad and get down to earth.. Maybe in 2005 you could have landed one of these coaches but not now..
Scott Drew will be at Memphis… Cross off another one.. and two in Miller..
This bafoon is a joke and disgrace to the school..
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 PM
rick- I can’t stand greenberg, he is just an average coach who can pull an upset every once in a while..
Sorry if I offended bald guys, I’m partially bald too..
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Buddha — you must not have any A$$ left after laughing it off all week.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 PM
I can’t believe we might start seriously talking about Steve Lavin. He hasn’t coached since ’03. Who’s next? Todd Bozeman? Kelvin Sampson? Dave Bliss?
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Livengood’s remaining options (in order)
Scott Drew
Reggie Theus
Steve Lavin
Bill Walton
Brian Peabody
The Shamwow Guy
Big Bird
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:21 PM
Icky Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:10 pm
2.5M and now your talking I think….
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I already mentioned Arizona offers Miller a 2.5 million, six-year contract with incentives. But no mas! LOL
Because other than Drew, Sean is the only viable option left. For instance, Memphis is already three steps ahead of Livengood, and is going after Drew hard!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:22 PM
One thing for sure… I think we need to hurry up and find a coach. There are rumors circulating that Calhoun is contemplating retirement. That would leave now the memphis, uconn and zona vacancies open.. This weeks nightmare can become endless.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Steve Lavin? The guy who couldn’t coach a lick at UCLA? Great recruiter whose teams lacked any sense of discipline whatsoever — that guy?
Give me a break!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:23 PM
Joel, you missed the OOH AAH MAN
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:24 PM
I would hire the shamwow guy. He would definantly be able to recruit….. “ASU lasts 2 season, UA lasts 25 years, I donno it sells itself”….He will have us saying WOW everytime HAHA!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Say it with me…
Josh Pastner
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:29 PM
JL should’ve picked the three guys he would’ve been happy with, say Miller, Capel and Floyd. Made contact with each to gauge interest. Let’s say only Miller and Floyd were interested. Tell them each “look, we like both of you a lot and would be happy with either of you as our coach. Time is critical here and we want someone who wants to be here. We’re making each of you the identical offer. First one to accept gets the job, if no response after 24 hours, then we offer the job to the next two guys on our list.
While he was on that plane he damn well better have been burning up the phones.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:31 PM
“I would hire the shamwow guy. He would definantly be able to recruit….. “ASU lasts 2 season, UA lasts 25 years, I donno it sells itself”….He will have us saying WOW everytime HAHA!”
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Plus the Sham-Wow guy has a record of beating up hookers, what more could you ask for.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:32 PM
That ShamWow guy is starting to look like a decent option. He’s charismatic, energetic and his ability to sell a product can’t be questioned. I mean, recruits would be signing up just to get him out of their kitchen. Besides, the ShamWow is truly amazing. No more waiting while the towel boy trys to mop up sweat in the lane.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 PM
+2 Bill Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Just announced Miller will not be attending the Final 4, in order to fly to Tucson to visit the campus and finish negotiations….the final numbers look like 6 years at 2.4 mill a year….
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Voila! IF this breaking Wildcat story is abso-LUTE-ly TRUE, then Buddha, Jr. is a college hoop’s guru, because this morning- prior to this college sports item breaking- Buddha, Jr. said Arizona should offer Miller 2.5 million along with a six-year contract and perks.
Yes baby, perhaps Olson slapped Livengood across the face, and WOKE-UP Jimmy. LMFAO
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 PM
“Joel, you missed the OOH AAH MAN”
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I almost included the crazy hat lady (she sits a couple places over from my parents season tickets – middle of section 16 lower level) you can’t miss her or the two bald guys she is always dancing around with.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:34 PM
It all comes down to money. If you have enough, you can get anyone you want. Since it seems apparent that JL hasn’t been willing to make a big enough offer, here is an unconventional alternative;
Hire Niya Butts to be BOTH the men’s and women’s coach. She’s inexperienced, hasn’t proven she can recruit, and has no post season success. However, there is no doubt that JL would win the news conference with this unorthodox approach. So, JL get one out of his four criteria met. That’s a better percentage than he has going right now!!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Hi, it’s Vince with Shamwow! You’ll be saying wow every time you use this towel! It’s like a chamois! It’s like a towel! It’s like a sponge. A regular towel doesn’t work wet – this works wet or dry. This is for the house, the car, the boat, the RV! Shamwow holds twenty times its weight in liquid. Look at this! It just does the work! Why do you want to work twice as hard? It doesn’t drip, doesn’t make a mess. You wring it out, wash it in the washing machine. It is made in Germany, you know the Germans always make good stuff. You can cut it in half, use one as a bath mat, drain your dishes with the other one, use one as a towel. Olympic divers, they use it as a towel. Look at that! Completely dry! Put a wet sweater, roll it up, it dries your sweaters. Here’s some cola, wine, coffee and pet stains. Not only is the damage gonna be on top – there’s your mildew. That is going to smell! See that? The most absorbing We’re gonna do this in real time! Look at this! Put it on the spill, turn it over! Without even putting pressure, fifty percent of the cola right there. You follow me, camera guy? The other fifty percent, the color starts to come up. No other towel’s gonna do that! It acts like a vacuum! And look at this – virtually dry on the bottom! See what I’m telling ya? Shamwow! You’ll be saying wow every time!
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:40 PM
I thought the AZ board of regents only allows contracts to be a maximum of five years? If Sean Miller is the next coach, get ready for 55-50 slug fests. The blue hairs will love it because thay can nap and not miss much at the games.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:41 PM
this was on wildcatscoop.com
Posted: 03/30/2009 4:14 PM
Sports 620 AM Gambo & Ash Say Pitino to UA
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Gambo and Ash say their multiple sources at UA say Pitino will be the new head coach at UA and will happen quickly within the next 24 to 48 hours.
They also confirm that Calipari is confirmed at UK for 6 years $40 million.
We’ll see. This is getting interesting.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:42 PM
you’ll notice the date above, how far do we fall in less than a week?
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:43 PM
I was reading some comments on an article from the Commercial Appeal on the Memphis coaching search. They EXACTLY the same. Different university same coaching search. Same whiney a** fans.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:46 PM
I was reading some comments on an article from the Commercial Appeal on the Memphis coaching search. They EXACTLY the same. Different university same coaching search. Same whiney a** fans.
——————–
One major difference, Memphis has had 4 days to find a coach. We’ve had 5 months.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 PM
It’s really amusing that the Memphis fans are saying pretty much the same things on their message boards as we are saying here….
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:48 PM
Shamwow guy just got busted with a prostitute the other day. so he might not be available
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:49 PM
Avery Johnson As Next AZ Coach?
In my personal opinion I think he would be great in succeeding Lute,not only because Avery can bring back order to the program but because he could be brought in immediately as hes working a part time job with ESPN.
Young players respect him,which has been proven in the NBA with the Mavericks in which he only “clashed” with the lazy veterans on the team.
is an interesting prospect I will admit.
Hell.. anyone who can deal with the “Anti-Christ” Mark Cuban can’t be all bad.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 PM
http://firelivengood.blogspot.com
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:50 PM
eh fcuk it – lets just put wilber on the sidelines as coach and save the 2.5 million a year to pay our players… should work out well for recruiting. Free Scholarship and 250K a year, we will have people here in no time.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Apparently on Gottlieb’s show today, our best friend Andy Katz said there is no way Miller leaves Xavier to AZ. I hate to admit it, but as much as I hate that guy, he has been right thus far concerning the AZ job. I’d love nothing more than him to be wrong this time.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:51 PM
Randall, can you post a link?
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Let’s hope we can finally make Andy Katz eat his words.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:55 PM
I remember in the early 2000′s when Andy Katz was on the Arizona bandwagon. Lute must have pissed him off too.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:56 PM
on Espn’s pti they said miller was interested in the arizona job
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 PM
GOAZCATS.com War Room: 4/3/09 Reply
It’s been an insane week covering the coaching search and in reality, we could probably have a War Room a day, just breaking down the last 24 hours. We’ll start this week’s War Room doing exactly that.
Basketball:
* The big news on Thursday was that Tim Floyd rejected his offer to be UA head coach. This was a surprise, given Jim Livengood’s initial confidence that he was going to get the deal done – on Monday and Tuesday, he told multiple people the coach would be announced in the next 48-72 hours – but not a complete shock at the same time.
Here’s why: On Tuesday evening, information led us to get a good idea of who the next coach would be, and through the process of elimination (contacting sources close to both Arizona and coaches on the board), we were able to narrow it down to two candidates – Floyd and someone else.
We contacted a source extremely close to Floyd, who said, “He might be talking to Arizona, but he’s not going to accept the job.”
With that, we wrote that Floyd was off the list late early Wednesday morning and assumed that the other candidate was the one who Livengood was going to hire. At approximately 9:00am Wednesday morning, sources told us that there may be activity with Floyd, and that there was a strong possibility he would be flying into town via private jet that afternoon.
As a result, we assumed the information coming from Floyd’s camp was not 100% accurate and that he was not eliminated entirely. Jason Scheer headed to the airport at approximately 2:00pm, saw Floyd get off the private jet with Livengood, and it became obvious that he was the coaching candidate Livengood was confident about.
Floyd headed home on Wednesday evening at approximately 7:00pm and by Thursday morning, sources indicated that Floyd was not coming to Arizona.
Maybe Floyd gave Arizona reason to believe that he was going to accept – again, Livengood was at one time confident that he would – but it is interesting that Floyd told people close to him that he was not going to take the UA job.
Sources told us Thursday that Floyd had indicated he wasn’t really that interested in the job before flying to Tucson, but that’s not confirmed from UA’s end. It does make sense though, and it sounds like the Floyd source was right from the beginning.
So that’s why we took Floyd off the board, why we put him back on, and why we stressed that the deal was definitely not done, even though several media outlets were reporting it was.
With that said, I am surprised he didn’t go to Memphis. I had him penned for that job a month ago when it became clear that John Calipari was very serious about leaving his school.
The good news is that there are other candidates on the board.
*The first candidate, and the main one worth talking about, is Xavier head coach Sean Miller. Miller, 40, has to be considered one of the best coaches in the country at his age or younger.
He’s been at Xavier for five years and has compiled a 120-47 record, three straight A-10 championships and over the past four seasons has finished in the first, second, fourth and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, respectively. UA would be very fortunate to land Miller as he’s definitely a good coach.
I know Arizona and Miller have had contact as early as this past Monday and he has shown interest in the job, albeit how much depends on who you ask. I believe that his interest has increased in each passing day.
Sources close to Miller have said that he’s intrigued, which is interesting because just last week, he said he wasn’t interested at all. In fact, many people speculate that he’s waiting for Pittsburgh or to be a head coach in the ACC.
I do believe that Miller is in fact very interested in the job. I remain concerned, however, about a couple possible reasons for him changing his tune about Arizona though.
Next week, according to published reports, Miller is set to meet with his athletic director, where they’re supposed to undergo contract negotiations. Well, obviously Miller will have more leverage if he has a job offer for much more money than the $1 million a year he makes right now.
On top of that, one of Miller’s mentors is ASU head coach Herb Sendek. That hurts for two reasons. One, they’re close and probably don’t want to compete against each other in that fashion.
Two, you can guarantee that Miller has or will call Sendek regarding the job and get his advice on the program and he’d probably tell him it’s decimated with talent and is a rebuilding job. Maybe that’s not a big deal to him, but considering how good his team should be at Xavier next season, it might be.
Despite all that, I do think that Arizona feels confident that it is progressing its talks with Miller. However, as we’ve all learned in the past 24 hours, nothing is set until the coach is at the podium.
* Some recruiting notes on Miller: He has two 2010 commitments in four-star power forward Jordan Latham and three-star power forward J.D. Weatherspoon.
He has an assistant named Book Richardson who has big time recruiting ties, and at one time was the director of the New York Gauchos AAU program.
Miller has never signed anyone west of Oklahoma, so should UA get him, it might be good for him to hire someone with West Coast ties.
* Another candidate who could find himself in play soon is Jeff Capel. UA hasn’t shown Capel a ton of interest to date, which is funny considering other media outlets reported Wednesday that he was a done deal.
Regardless, I think Capel might have some interest in the job. How much remains to be seen because there hasn’t been much (if any) contact between the two parties. Just a name to keep in mind going forward.
* Arizona could also opt to get involved with Mark Few, another candidate who has been rumored to be in consideration. In reality, UA has never really gone after Few, although you’d think he has some place in Livengood’s target list, even if it’s much further down from the top.
* Another name that shouldn’t be entirely ruled out: Lon Kruger. I know he says he hasn’t had contact between UA, but a source close to him says that is definitely not accurate, even if talks were through an intermediary. Livengood could choose to go in that direction if it got to that point.
* I saw at least three members of the national media mention Randy Bennett of St. Mary’s on Thursday. What’s that tell me? Bennett is making sure he’s reaching out to the media to build support for his candidacy. That’s usually how those things work.
* Reggie Theus has never really been in play but UA could opt to go in that direction, should things fall through with other candidates.
* Scott Drew’s Baylor team is now done with the N.I.T., and he’s also someone that Livengood could pursue, although there hasn’t been reason to believe that UA has shown much interest to date.
* The rallying cry on the GOAZCATS.com premium message boards for Josh Pastner has been picked up by some ex-members of the program, who are trying to build support for the ex-UA and current Kentucky assistant.
It’s still a very farfetched scenario. Livengood is trying to hit a homerun and he probably sees Pastner as a sacrifice bunt. With that said, Pastner doesn’t win the press conference, but he’d have many more supporters than some candidates still on the board.
* Off the board is Mark Fox, who is headed from Nevada to Georgia. Fox was definitely on Arizona’s radar, but I don’t think anyone will be too upset that he’s no longer in play.
* There was some speculation that UA could get involved with Tennessee’s Bruce Pearl and Butler’s Brad Stevens. They both signed extensions with their schools on Thursday, so they’re out.
* All in all, I’d say that Miller is definitely the #1 target out of this list. However, if Livengood has learned anything during the coaching search, it’s to always have a backup close by.
* The new coach, whoever it is, will definitely have some work to do inside the program, as there are players who are seriously considering transferring.
On top of that, we all know Jordan Hill and Chase Budinger are gone – they’re both signing with the same agent – and Nic Wise is not only planning on putting his name in the draft, but I would suspect he’ll also entertain offers from overseas and other D-I programs for a transfer.
Keeping Wise will be key, as well as at least a couple of the current players thinking of transferring. Some are very replaceable, some you’d rather hold on to.
* The next coach will have a couple of decisions to make. One, do you make a huge push to land Pastner, naming him associate head coach (essentially the only way he comes back)? Two, do you keep assistant Reggie Geary, who wants nothing more than to stay in Tucson?
UA fans would obviously love one or both to be on next year’s staff, so it will be interesting to see what the new coach will decide.
* Garland Judkins, who ended the 2008-09 season suspended from the team, confirmed to Rahsaan Gethers on Thursday that he will definitely be back for next season.
“I’ll be back next year,” said Judkins. “We’re all in the dark about what is going on with the coaching search but it really doesn’t matter. As long as we all go out there next season and get wins than it doesn’t matter.”
Arizona can probably use all the warm bodies it can get for next year, so it’s safe to assume the new coach will keep Judkins around.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 PM
+1 Parallax857 Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Let’s hope we can finally make Andy Katz eat his words.
————————
I second your notion.
By the way, has Katz have a HARD ON for Arizona, or what. Ever since Olson took a LOA, and officially retired, he’s been “sticking it” to the Wildcat program more than’s warranted.
Perhaps, Lute didn’t give Andy enough “respect” when he was coaching.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:58 PM
just in from goazcats– jason G. the lead editor.. on the the JET–
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Jason Terry just called me and gave me the following quotes:
“It’s a little disappointing and disheartening that it’s taken this long to find a head coach but if there’s a head coach that’s right for this position it’s Josh Pastner. Josh is young but all the years I was at Arizona and several years after he was critical to bringing in guys like Gilbert Arenas, Mustafa Shakur, Hassan Adams and several others.
“After ‘99 he was the guy who recruited all those players. He’s always been a big part of bringing top level talent to the program. He’s a big reason why myself, Mike Bibby, Mike Dickerson and others were drafted to the NBA. He would be a great, great head coach. He’s a great motivator and knows the game as well as anyone I know.
“All the former U of A guys, he would get 800 thumbs up from us. I’ve talked to A.J. Bramlett, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson and Luke Walton about this and they all know what Josh has meant to that program all these years.
“Abdul Gaddy would have stayed if Josh or Lute Olson was on the staff last year. As far as recruiting, Josh Pastner is your guy, he’s the one who is going to make it happen, and he has so many connections across the south, throughout the whole west coast, and all across the country. He should be our coach.
“I also talked to Roz, another guy whose name should be included as a top assistant. What he meant for the program is phenomenal. He was Lute’s top assistant for 25 years and it would be great for him to be on staff.
“I haven’t talked to Jim Livengood yet but I plan on talking to him soon to tell him how I feel.
“If I wasn’t playing, I would put my name at the top of the list to be the next coach but I have about seven years left. As soon as I’m done I plan on heading over to Tucson and being Josh’s assistant and eventually replacing him as the head coach of Arizona. I love Tucson and can’t wait to get back there as a coach. That’s my goal, it’s what I want to do and I can’t wait to do it.”
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Just so it’s clear, Jason Terry called me to express his opinion on who the next coach would be. I made absolutely no effort to get a hold of him and to be honest I didn’t even know he had my number.
I know this follows Bennett Davison’s endorsement of Josh, but he came to an agreement to join the site today and it’s what he wanted to talk about with his first post.
We are absolutely not doing anything to endorse Josh Pastner as Arizona’s next coach. I’m not naive enough to think that I will have any impact on Livengood’s decision. The site will not endorse or deny any candidate for the position; that’s not out job.
If any former player or notable person calls me to give me a quote on who they think the next coach will be, I’ll be more than happy to make a post and quote that person.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Jason Terry’s thoughts on the next coach Reply
Jason Terry just called me and gave me the following quotes:
“It’s a little disappointing and disheartening that it’s taken this long to find a head coach but if there’s a head coach that’s right for this position it’s Josh Pastner. Josh is young but all the years I was at Arizona and several years after he was critical to bringing in guys like Gilbert Arenas, Mustafa Shakur, Hassan Adams and several others.
“After ‘99 he was the guy who recruited all those players. He’s always been a big part of bringing top level talent to the program. He’s a big reason why myself, Mike Bibby, Mike Dickerson and others were drafted to the NBA. He would be a great, great head coach. He’s a great motivator and knows the game as well as anyone I know.
“All the former U of A guys, he would get 800 thumbs up from us. I’ve talked to A.J. Bramlett, Mike Bibby, Richard Jefferson and Luke Walton about this and they all know what Josh has meant to that program all these years.
“Abdul Gaddy would have stayed if Josh or Lute Olson was on the staff last year. As far as recruiting, Josh Pastner is your guy, he’s the one who is going to make it happen, and he has so many connections across the south, throughout the whole west coast, and all across the country. He should be our coach.
“I also talked to Roz, another guy whose name should be included as a top assistant. What he meant for the program is phenomenal. He was Lute’s top assistant for 25 years and it would be great for him to be on staff.
“I haven’t talked to Jim Livengood yet but I plan on talking to him soon to tell him how I feel.
“If I wasn’t playing, I would put my name at the top of the list to be the next coach but I have about seven years left. As soon as I’m done I plan on heading over to Tucson and being Josh’s assistant and eventually replacing him as the head coach of Arizona. I love Tucson and can’t wait to get back there as a coach. That’s my goal, it’s what I want to do and I can’t wait to do it.”
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Just so it’s clear, Jason Terry called me to express his opinion on who the next coach would be. I made absolutely no effort to get a hold of him and to be honest I didn’t even know he had my number.
I know this follows Bennett Davison’s endorsement of Josh, but he came to an agreement to join the site today and it’s what he wanted to talk about with his first post.
We are absolutely not doing anything to endorse Josh Pastner as Arizona’s next coach. I’m not naive enough to think that I will have any impact on Livengood’s decision. The site will not endorse or deny any candidate for the position; that’s not out job.
If any former player or notable person calls me to give me a quote on who they think the next coach will be, I’ll be more than happy to make a post and quote that person.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:59 PM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Katz
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Avery is a good coach, there’s no question about it, but is he a good college coach? Can he develop young talent? What about recruiting? At least with a top college assistant you know they know how to recruit and how to develop young players. So lets hire Josh Pastner!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Bennet Davison former Arizona player wrote this on arizona.rivals.com
So if you ask me what it takes to be a head coach of a D-I school, or who should be the next U of A coach, I don’t see any other choice other then Josh Pastner.
I still talk to alumni who live in Tucson and update me on the happenings at the U of A and they all ask if I have talked to Josh and why he isn’t already the head coach.
The U of A, RED and BLUE blood runs through Josh’s veins, because he is a part of a very important time in the University of Arizona’s history.
That is my reason why I think a family member should get the head coaching job.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 PM
“It’s a little disappointing and disheartening that it’s taken this long to find a head coach but if there’s a head coach that’s right for this position it’s Josh Pastner. Josh is young but all the years I was at Arizona and several years after he was critical to bringing in guys like Gilbert Arenas, Mustafa Shakur, Hassan Adams and several others.
“After ‘99 he was the guy who recruited all those players. He’s always been a big part of bringing top level talent to the program. He’s a big reason why myself, Mike Bibby, Mike Dickerson and others were drafted to the NBA. He would be a great, great head coach. He’s a great motivator and knows the game as well as anyone I know.
THAT IS WHAT JASON TERRY SAID TO GOAZCATS.COM (RIVALS) HECK IF HE GOT SHAKUR A 5 STAR AND HASSAN ADAMS A 5 STAR TOO GIVE JOSH PASTNER THE JOB.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 PM
that one article is old news, sorry… on goazcats they are saying that Miller is staying put, if anything he is pulling a “Floyd” in saying he is interested so he too can go get a raise..
I would not be surprised if Roy Williams said he was “interested” and I’m sure nieve Livenbad would come wagging his tail to Roy “uh, ok” then Roy will would get a raise..
Fans face it we are not getting any of these big names.. The closet is empty and it will take years get back on track..
I would hire Josh over Seth Greenberg anyday.. Seth is too old and will lose the fan base quicker than anyone..
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:06 PM
It doesn’t really matter, you think Pastner is dumb enough to take the job right now anyways – If I was him (knowing the AZ job is mine at any point in time) there is no way I leave a good thing at UK with Cali for a couple years, I wait til Zona picks itself back up and THEN welcome myself to the job.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Latest from the news at the Final 4 Livenbad has a sign he is holding…
“I’m a dumbarse” if anyone wants a raise at their current job show some interest in my program and you will get an extension at your current gig… guaranteed!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:07 PM
.
Just so it’s clear, Jason Terry called me to express his opinion on who the next coach would be. I made absolutely no effort to get a hold of him and to be honest I didn’t even know he had my number.
I know this follows Bennett Davison’s endorsement of Josh, but he came to an agreement to join the site today and it’s what he wanted to talk about with his first post.
We are absolutely not doing anything to endorse Josh Pastner as Arizona’s next coach. I’m not naive enough to think that I will have any impact on Livengood’s decision. The site will not endorse or deny any candidate for the position; that’s not out job.
If any former player or notable person calls me to give me a quote on who they think the next coach will be, I’ll be more than happy to make a post and quote that person.
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Thanks for the breath of fresh air Pauly.
Now, IF Livengood absolutely fails to hire Miller, and the next potential following candidate, then offer the position to Pastner, and FREAK’ the lack of head coaching experiencing. Because Arizona is in dire straits!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:09 PM
“HECK IF HE GOT SHAKUR A 5 STAR AND HASSAN ADAMS A 5 STAR TOO GIVE JOSH PASTNER THE JOB.”
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I take a star off Mustafa’s total everytime he drove the lane and jumped before making the decision to pass or shoot and turned the ball over… after his senior year he ended up a -347 Star player.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:10 PM
I love the JET…. and Davison.. now the ex-players are starting to voice their concerns… I heard Bibby was voicing his opionion on a Atlanta radio show..
Keep it up players.. we love you!!!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 PM
People around here are so funny, “give it to pastner”
I wouldn’t take the Zona job if I was him, it would be really embarassing to get turned down by an Alumni.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Buddha – Why do you have it in for Pastner? Did he bang your wife or something? Why don’t you pull your head out, and actually be receptive to what past players (U of A legends, need I remind you) are saying about the guy. Who are you to discredit him? I want what’s best for the U of A Basketball program, and I know that having Pastner involved in some capacity is truly best for this program.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:13 PM
I’ve already accepted it too. If it’s not Miller (which it wont be), or Drew, just give the job to Pastner. Yes, no experience, whatever, who the hell cares at this point? Seriously. The program will be crap, and a JOKE for the next 3-5 years, hopefully we can turn it around after that. Pastner is better than any other No-Name mid major DUD. At least he’ll have the people’s support.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:14 PM
+1 paul z Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:04 pm
that one article is old news, sorry… on goazcats they are saying that Miller is staying put, if anything he is pulling a “Floyd” in saying he is interested so he too can go get a raise..
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Say it ain’t so! Because IF it’s true, then Arizona is absolutely screwed.
I said earlier today that the Wildcat’s would probably end up hiring a genuine Mid-Major coach or second-in-command assistant. But I never intended to be a 21st Century college hoop’s prophet. LMFAO
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:14 PM
Didn’t Paster bring us findi also? That was a diamond in the rough.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Josh Pastner wouldnt take this job if he was offered it, he has says he wouldnt think about he would take it. He says he would take it, but says he needs the opportunity. Josh Pastner according to Terry said Pastner got Williams Terry Bibby Arenas, Shakur Adams etc. HE could recruit no doubt so give Pastner a chance because Livengood has no one good so far, or will ever had. I wouldnt be shocked to know that pastner helped Calipari helped get some top recruits.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 PM
Does anyone else agree with me that even if the job was offered to pastner he wouldn’t take it right now?
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:16 PM
ARTICLE FROM GOAZCATS.COM(RIVALS)
*The first candidate, and the main one worth talking about, is Xavier head coach Sean Miller. Miller, 40, has to be considered one of the best coaches in the country at his age or younger.
He’s been at Xavier for five years and has compiled a 120-47 record, three straight A-10 championships and over the past four seasons has finished in the first, second, fourth and third rounds of the NCAA tournament, respectively. UA would be very fortunate to land Miller as he’s definitely a good coach.
I know Arizona and Miller have had contact as early as this past Monday and he has shown interest in the job, albeit how much depends on who you ask. I believe that his interest has increased in each passing day.
Sources close to Miller have said that he’s intrigued, which is interesting because just last week, he said he wasn’t interested at all. In fact, many people speculate that he’s waiting for Pittsburgh or to be a head coach in the ACC.
I do believe that Miller is in fact very interested in the job. I remain concerned, however, about a couple possible reasons for him changing his tune about Arizona though.
Next week, according to published reports, Miller is set to meet with his athletic director, where they’re supposed to undergo contract negotiations. Well, obviously Miller will have more leverage if he has a job offer for much more money than the $1 million a year he makes right now.
On top of that, one of Miller’s mentors is ASU head coach Herb Sendek. That hurts for two reasons. One, they’re close and probably don’t want to compete against each other in that fashion.
Two, you can guarantee that Miller has or will call Sendek regarding the job and get his advice on the program and he’d probably tell him it’s decimated with talent and is a rebuilding job. Maybe that’s not a big deal to him, but considering how good his team should be at Xavier next season, it might be.
Despite all that, I do think that Arizona feels confident that it is progressing its talks with Miller. However, as we’ve all learned in the past 24 hours, nothing is set until the coach is at the podium.
* Some recruiting notes on Miller: He has two 2010 commitments in four-star power forward Jordan Latham and three-star power forward J.D. Weatherspoon.
He has an assistant named Book Richardson who has big time recruiting ties, and at one time was the director of the New York Gauchos AAU program.
Miller has never signed anyone west of Oklahoma, so should UA get him, it might be good for him to hire someone with West Coast ties.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Look folks, I’ve said this too many times already but this is not the right time to bring in Pastner as head coach. I mean, admittedly, he might be the only guy left who will take the job in which case I’ll support him. But, I really think he needs to stick with Calipari another 2-3 years to learn how to coach. His recruiting background is impressive. But, again, selling recruits on Lute Olson and John Calipari isn’t like selling used cars. Lute and Calipari sell themselves. Frankly, his 8 years with Lute doesn’t mean much to me. Name one of Lute’s assistants who went on to be a successful head coach. Yeah, exactly. Kevin O’Neill is far and away the most successful of Lute’s proteges and he’s really more of an NBA guy anyway. I’d love to see Josh come back, but honestly, let’s leave him where he is for now. He’s at the the best college basketball program in the country working for arguably the best coach in the country. If he comes back now and struggles, he might never get back on top. Let’s wait till he’s ready and Cat basketball is back on stable footing.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:18 PM
I find it hard to believe that Pastner, while still in school and playing for the team recruited Jason Terry and Mike Bibby.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Say it with me…
Josh Pastner.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Football finances everything at most schools that is why the SEC shmucks with doormant basketball programs can pay big dollar for baketball coaches. U fo A football does not generate that kind of cash and even ASU football generates more revenue than U of A.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:23 PM
So who do we get Pete? Realistically, Miller is out, Drew is out…..
Lavin over Pastner? An unknown mid major coach?
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:23 PM
-1 Chris Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Buddha – Why do you have it in for Pastner? Did he bang your wife or something? Why don’t you pull your head out, and actually be receptive to what past players (U of A legends, need I remind you) are saying about the guy. Who are you to discredit him? I want what’s best for the U of A Basketball program, and I know that having Pastner involved in some capacity is truly best for this program.
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Eh BUBBA! Where the FREAK’ did I extremely disrespect Josh. I all said, like several others in this here forum, was Pastner lacks the experience of a major Division-I head coach. Verstehen.
So, WITCH!! Don’t be spreading spurrious, unsubstantiated claims about Buddha, Jr. regarding Pastner.
Because they are abso-LUTE-ly FALSE. Capice!! U little WITCH!!!! LMFAO
By the way, I see BUBBA is not only a bloviating WITCH but a COWARD too!!
For IF Buddha, Jr. DISSED Josh like Bubba aka CHRISTINE claims Buddha, Jr. did, then WHY DOESN’T HE copy and paste what Budda, Jr. said earlier.
Bubba aka CHRISTINE. You wouldn’t happen to be Olson’s EX?? LMFAO
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:24 PM
It’s clear now that a Josh Pastner hire would have tremendous support from our NBA Alums. Across the board it just makes more and more sense. Those guys will go out of their way to praise the hire and talk about what an outstanding coach he is and talk about how he helped them develop… Talk about a recruiting tool. They just haven’t had anything good to talk about lately. These NBA guys past and present are THE reason why kids come to Arizona. Then to think of all their support with basketball camps charity events etc. You’re not gonna get that with anyone else. Sorry. If they hire Pastner, the top recruits WILL come.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 PM
Javier’s list:
Scott Drew, Jamie Dixon, Tom Izzo, Jay Wright, Sean Miller, Jeff Capel, Randy Bennett, Reggie Theus, Josh Pastner
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More like:
Randy Bennett, Reggie Theus, Josh Pastner
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:29 PM
I find it hard to believe that Pastner, while still in school and playing for the team recruited Jason Terry and Mike Bibby.
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Yeah, we’ve got to take what his teammates/recruits are saying about him with a healthy dose of salt. I’m sure they’re sincere but they aren’t exactly impartial. My favorite remark was from Bibby who talked about how Pastner helped him with his outside shot. Really? One of the knocks on Bibby has been and continues to be his poor outside shooting. As far as whether he’d take the job, I think he’d be very tempted to because he wants it so badly. But, I also think Calipari would advise him to wait. No telling what Pastner would do if he’s actually offered the job. This is probably all moot, regardless. Pastner doesn’t meet any of the criteria JL laid out for his potential coach and it’s hard to imagine him going after Pastner other than as a last-ditch desperation move.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:30 PM
Oh how far we have come….
Last week it was Pitino, Izzo, Dixon
This week it is Theus, Krueger, Pastner
I THINK THE THING EVERYONE FAILS TO REALIZE IS THAT EVERYONE IS UNDER THE ASSUMPTION PASTNER WOULD TAKE THE JOB. I FOR ONE DON’T THINK HE WOULD.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 PM
If Miller and Drew are truly off the board, we should go with Pastner. Pete, I hear you that he needs time to develop. But, he might as well do this while he is rebuilding the program with new recruits. Short of Drew and Miller, anybody we bring in is going to take 3-4 years to rebuild, easy. He will get way more experience actually coaching than sitting on UK’s bench. We need to face the facts: there is nothing left, unless you want Theus, Greenberg, or Avery Johnson. I think each of these guys would take about the same amount of time to rebuild as would Josh. However, Josh, I think, would be a better recruiter in the end and has more potential than each of these.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:31 PM
Icky Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Javier’s list:
Scott Drew, Jamie Dixon, Tom Izzo, Jay Wright, Sean Miller, Jeff Capel, Randy Bennett, Reggie Theus, Josh Pastner
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More like:
Randy Bennett, Reggie Theus, Josh Pastner
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Tragically, that’s the absolute REALITY of the dire situation IF Miller turns down Arizona.
Already, the Baylor hoop’s blogs are nervously concerned about Drew going to Memphis. Maybe they see the writing on the Bear decal wall. LOL
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 PM
parallax857:
Here it is…
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/03/memphis-tigers-next-target-said-be-baylors-scott-d/
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Maybe we don’t want Scott Drew after all….
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/03/geoff-calkins-jury-scott-drews-peers-shocked-memph/
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Joel
I do not believe Terry said that Pastner recruited he and Bibby, but that he is a reason that they are in the NBA.
Also, Pastner has had nothing but good things to say about the school and the opportunity ever since the coaching vacancy opened. Look at what he said when he took the assistant position at Kentucky. While he did say that whoever gets the job is lucky or what not, I believe he is just being humble and not assuming that it was coming his way at the time. I think he would jump at the opportunity, he does not appear to be the type of guy to walk away from a challenge.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:37 PM
Arizona Wildcats Basketball: President Shelton out of town “on business”
Arizona Daily Star
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.03.2009
advertisement4 p.m.
If Robert Shelton is following the Arizona Wildcats’ latest overture for a new head basketball coach, he isn’t doing it from his office.
The UA president was not in his office Friday afternoon. An employee in his office said Shelton was out of town “on business,” but would not comment when asked if he had traveled to the Final Four in Detroit.
The finale to the NCAA tournament is an informal coaching convention, with potential job candidates and employers mingling during the weekend.
— Patrick Finley
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:38 PM
Maybe shelton will be meeting with Miller, lavengood to the final 4.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:39 PM
Without a doubt, Pastner would take the job. He’d be insane not to grab it. A chance like this, to jump straight to a Division-I program, with his alma matter, might not come again. Yes, I know he said he wants to be the guy who follows the guy who follows Olson, but Pastner can’t afford to be that choosie.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:40 PM
+1 Randall Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:32 pm
parallax857:
Here it is…
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/apr/03/memphis-tigers-next-target-said-be-baylors-scott-d/
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Voila! I’ve been saying Memphis was going hard after Drew since last night as well as this morining. Heck, it don’t take no college hoops guru to realize this scenario would play out they way it has concerning Scotty and the Tigers.
Pistol Pete, seriously. What other options does Arizona have IF not Pastner. A “off the radar screen” Mid-Major head coach with absolutely no ties to the west. At least Josh has the H.S. connections west of the Rockies.
So, Llke a few other loyal Wildcat fandom have previoulsy mentioned, let the kid take his lumps for two seasons, because that’s whom ever the new coach was going to face anyways.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:42 PM
Parallax-
Technically speaking, if you count the interim coaches, he’ll be the guy who follows the guy, who who followed the guy who followed Lute.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 PM
If I have to hear Buddha mention how he called something one more time, I think I’m going to throw up. Get over yourself
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Wilbur,
I won’t argue that Pastner is probably the future of UA ball, and I have no problem with that.
I just don’t believe that livengood would ever offer pastner the job(no matter how bad this search gets), and I don’t believe a guy who is getting recognition for top 5 recruiting classes, just got brought along with Cali to UK has any reason to leave just yet, and as much as Pastner wants the job in Tucson – even he knows right now how good he has it and wouldn’t leave for Zona.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Now we have lost Drew for sure and I highly doubt unless the boosters step up and make a huge offer to Miller or the likes that they just can’t turn down we not will be getting any top or second tier coach..
I think it looks like Pastner may get a shot ….
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 PM
I second that oz, anyone with half a brain could’ve called that Memphis would go after either Miller, Drew or both.
Also what’s with the LMAO?? Is it needed every post?
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:47 PM
oz Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:43 pm
If I have to hear Buddha mention how he called something one more time, I think I’m going to throw up. Get over yourself
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CHILL OUT ozzy. U don’t have to be UPTIGHT every FREAKIN’ day of your bloody existence. LMFAO
And ozzy, do keep in mind that if all else fails concerning the Wildcat hiring nightmare, I CALLED the hiring of a true Mid-Major head coach. Ok!
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:48 PM
Drop this talk about Avery Johnson. I’ve been watching Maverick games for 20 years and he’s not a college coach and never will be. His temperament just wouldn’t fly with today’s high schoolers and he would never lower himself to the kind of kiss-assing you have to do to recruit.
Anyway, he made $4 million a year as a rookie coach with the Mavericks. He’ll likely make more in his next pro job. There’s no way he takes a college job at $2 million, especially a college that he has no connection to. The *average* salary for a pro coach is $4 million.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:49 PM
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 04.03.2009
advertisement The Arizona Wildcats will not hold a press conference today and have not announced plans to do so in the future, according to a release sent out by a school spokesman.
The release stated that athletic director Jim Livengood “will not be available for comment regarding the search in the immediate future.”
— Patrick Finley
/////
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:51 PM
I saw this in the Memphis Commercial/Appeal website. It has a familiar ring to it….
“Either we get Sean Miller by the end of the weekend or RC JOHNSON SHOULD BE FIRED !”
(RC Johnson, by the way, is the Memphis AD…)
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:51 PM
Chris Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I second that oz, anyone with half a brain could’ve called that Memphis would go after either Miller, Drew or both.
Also what’s with the LMAO?? Is it needed every post?
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Then WHY didn’t you post it, CHRISTINE!?? LOL Instead of coming on AFTER THE FACT, and blabbering that anyone could have “called it.”
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:53 PM
The release stated that athletic director Jim Livengood “will not be available for comment regarding the search in the immediate future.”
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Maybe Sheldon fired him, we can only hope.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:53 PM
All that means is Livengood gets to keep his job for another day since there is no press conference scheduled to announce his release from the program.
Shelton better be out looking for a new AD in Detroit if that is where he is.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:58 PM
If we’re at the point where the only guy who will take the job is a former player/asst coach with no head coaching experience whose dream is to coach here, then the program is probably DOA. I think we’re letting sentimentality cloud our thinking on this one, but that’s just my opinion. What Jason Terry, et al think about Pastner doesn’t mean nearly as much as what the big-money boosters think. I’m not sure they are as enthusiastic about a 30 year-old assistant who has no head coaching experience and has been the recruiting assistant (i.e., the junior assistant on staff) his entire career.
I maintain my position that the best thing to do is fire JL, install an interim coach, conduct an extensive and comprehensive AD search to get the best person possible, suffer the consequences for a year and let the new AD start over with his/her basketball coach of choice.
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 PM
Funny comment with same tone on Commercial Appeal:
“I would much rather have Josh Pastner,Reggie Theus,or Derrick Kellogg than Scott Drew. We need someone that will help keep the recruits.”
I say let the Tigers have Scott Drew.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:00 PM
My money says Livengood has started some half assed discussion with some other coach, and he doesn’t plan to have serious discussions about it until the middle of next week. If it is Miller, then it means Livengood is going to wait for Miller to get a counter offer from the AD at Xavier.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Letter to Mr. Shelton UA President:
Mr. Shelton,
This debacle has gone on long enough Mr. Levingood has completely ruined Arizona’s basketball prestige, whit this disastrous coaching search he has single handedly made Arizona basketball a national laughing stock. This has gotten out of hand the man is truly incompetent and cant make good decisions, I don’t understand how you can sit there and allow this to go any further. If the University continues to want the publics support you will have to open up the bank and pay a high profile coach at least $3 million dollars a season for six year, don’t give the same old same old the basketball program is the Athletics Departments cash machine if that goes so does the rest of the sports programs on campus. Find Jamie Dixon, Mark Few, Capel, Sean Miller and see which one wants a six year contract at $3 million a year if their respective employer comes with a counter offer go higher. If Mr. Levingood does not produce a respectable coach soon the Boosters, people of Tucson and your fans will want Mr. Levingood to be fired.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:06 PM
I really wanted Dixon, no chance now I guess. I was intriqued by Pitino but I really have never liked him much, he seems like a phony to me. Floyd was interesting because I like the way his teams play, they are always tough to beat.
When I first heard Pastner I thought it was a crazy idea. Now after reading or hearing about player endorsements I am starting to like the I idea more and more. I am convinced that Josh will bring in the recruits. If he landed the job I wonder if any of the Memphis recruits would follow him, I also wonder if Chase and/or Jordan would stick around to help the rebuilding process, doubtful but fun to think about.
Can Josh really coach, who knows but I am darn sure that he will give it 110% percent and players will likely play very hard for him. Hiring him seems like its a risk worth taking.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 PM
If we’re at the point where the only guy who will take the job is a former player/asst coach with no head coaching experience whose dream is to coach here, then the program is probably DOA. I think we’re letting sentimentality cloud our thinking on this one, but that’s just my opinion. What Jason Terry, et al think about Pastner doesn’t mean nearly as much as what the big-money boosters think. I’m not sure they are as enthusiastic about a 30 year-old assistant who has no head coaching experience and has been the recruiting assistant (i.e., the junior assistant on staff) his entire career.
I maintain my position that the best thing to do is fire JL, install an interim coach, conduct an extensive and comprehensive AD search to get the best person possible, suffer the consequences for a year and let the new AD start over with his/her basketball coach of choice.
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Yes on the first part, there is no way Pastner will ever get the offer.
No on the second part, whether we like it or not Livengood is going to make a choice at some point in time in the next week(hopefully) and I personally think (because we have seen this senerio play out way to often in the NCAA) which is: Livengood will be fired within say 2 years and the new AD will take note of the fact that the struggling basketball coach wasn’t his hire to begin with, giving him every reason to fire the coach after 3 years and bring in ‘his guy’
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:07 PM
+3 voice of Buddha Says:
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm
I don’t know about the boy genuis Pastner. Too much of a risk if you ask moi. For instance, the Perfect Storm would have to materialize for abso-LUTE-ly everything fall in place for Pastner, i.e, hiring of assistants, recruiting game, x’s and o’s, for instance.
Oh well, Livengood has messed up the search of the elusive head coach, might as well give him one more week, and see what happens. And if he fails to hire one from the troika of Sean Miller, Scott Drew or abso-LUTE LONGSHOT Jeff Capel, then hand over the reigns to Pastner.
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I BLOODY REST MY CASE, christine! LMFAO
Tell moi where I SEVERLY DISSED Pastner. U freakin’ COWARD!!! LMFAO
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 PM
April 3 – No Coach
April 15 – Signing date for Recruits
No Coach+No Recruits=Total Disaster
Can we package Livengood and Shelton and trade them to a school for a basketball coach?
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 PM
My curiosity got the best of me:
Acronym Definition
LMFAO Laughing My Fat Ass Off
LMFAO Laughing My Friggin’ Ass Off (polite form)
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 PM
nervouscatfan Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
April 3 – No Coach
April 15 – Signing date for Recruits
No Coach+No Recruits=Total Disaster
Can we package Livengood and Shelton and trade them to a school for a basketball coach?
____________________________________________________________________
Nobody would want them The U of A was the only one’s dumb enough to hire them.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Joel, I agree with you that Shelton won’t fire JL now and that, yes, JL will hire somebody. I just don’t like it. To me, it doesn’t make sense to allow an essentially lame-duck AD hire your basketball coach. It’s also quite possible that JL gives whomever he hires a 5-year deal. It’s gonna be difficult (and expensive) for a new AD to fire a coach who is only 1 or 2 years into a 5-year contract. I’d rather swallow hard now and suffer one bad season than potentially have to suffer through 3, 4 or 5 bad seasons with whatever dud Livengood hires.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:17 PM
+1 Zonacat_vols Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:15 pm
nervouscatfan Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:11 pm
April 3 – No Coach
April 15 – Signing date for Recruits
No Coach+No Recruits=Total Disaster
Can we package Livengood and Shelton and trade them to a school for a basketball coach?
____________________________________________________________________
Nobody would want them The U of A was the only one’s dumb enough to hire them.
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Now, this call for a double dose of “laughing my freakin’ arse off!
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:20 PM
+1 Pistol Pete Says:
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Joel, I agree with you that Shelton won’t fire JL now and that, yes, JL will hire somebody. I just don’t like it. To me, it doesn’t make sense to allow an essentially lame-duck AD hire your basketball coach. It’s also quite possible that JL gives whomever he hires a 5-year deal. It’s gonna be difficult (and expensive) for a new AD to fire a coach who is only 1 or 2 years into a 5-year contract. I’d rather swallow hard now and suffer one bad season than potentially have to suffer through 3, 4 or 5 bad seasons with whatever dud Livengood hires.
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This entire bloody, coaching search affaire has become absolutely surreal, that Hollywood couldn’t have wriiten a insaner, script.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:28 PM
has it been confirmed that Miller is out or are we just being negative? If he is out themn I restate that we need to go after Gillispie.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:30 PM
What about ASU’s Coach Thorne-Smith? Seriously. I mean c’mon, I heard her say “poop” on Sportscenter the other while wearing a mic and talking to her team during halftime of the ASU-UCONN game. She was on fire! Plus, I”ve heard she can really recruit.
Someone please shoot me.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 PM
What’s crazy is Nolan Richardson ibeing mentioned as a possible candidate, (mainly Memphis). He’s 67. Lute looked way younger at 67. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Nolan_Richardson.jpg
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 PM
RE: Buddha – ignore him he may go away.
I abso-LUTE-ly do not read anything he writes.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 PM
But absent a natural, fertile recruiting case and state-of-the-art facilities, Arizona is considered by many coaches an overrated job. Southern California’s Tim Floyd turned down the position. CBSsports.com reports that Xavier’s Sean Miller is in the mix, but the Arizona Republic says Miller is not interested. — Daily Press
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Yeah, I had a hard time believing it (and still do) when I read a couple days ago that Memphis was considering Richardson. He’s been out of the college game since ’02 and his last 2 coaching gigs were with the Panamanian and Mexican national teams. And yes, he looks terrible.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:40 PM
well guys another day gone another day with out a coach im off i’ll check back later its 20till 9 i’m over this damn 3am BS tryin to see whats goin on out west but lets hope some thing happens soon.
April 3rd, 2009 at 4:53 PM
From goazcats- nice reads, looks like bennett davison is in on this as well– wow, I love these guys!
“This is Bennett Davison, the highest flying, alley-oop catching, player in Arizona Wildcat history. I have joined up with Jim Storey and GOAZCATS.com to help our dedicated fans get and inside view of what ex-players think, how we used to act and what is going on with us currently.
I am excited to be getting back in touch with my old stomping grounds and to interact with people. Let me know what you are thinking about current Arizona events and decisions. Looking forward to hearing from you
I get the feeling that all anyone in Tucson is talking about right now is, “who will be the next head coach of the U of A basketball team?”
It is like when the clouds are building up over the mountains and you know there is gonna be a monsoon a coming. That wet desert sand smell consumes your nostrils. You don’t know when, or how big it will be, but you know it’s gonna rain.
Jim Livengood has a big task ahead of him in preparing the school for whoever he feels is the right person to take on this monumental task of filling Lute Olson’s shoes and carrying on the Wildcat tradition.
I just received an e-mail from A.J. Bramlett saying I needed to contact him ASAP. He said we are getting ex-Wildcat players together to make a run at who we think would best fit the profile to carry out Lute’s legacy.
I remember the late nights Mike Bibby, Mike Dickerson, Miles Simon and myself put in at the McKale Center with Josh Pastner. I don’t know why for some reason he has been looked over, like he is too young and doesn’t have enough experience.
Back in ‘96, ’97 and ’98, Josh was at every practice, every coach’s meeting, every class, and stayed after practice to shot doctor fellow players. He also graduated in three years while doing all these other things to educate himself for the love of the game.
He was one of the key elements to our winning the 97′ National Championship. I think Tucson remembers those days.
It was strange the first time I met Josh Pastner because the first thing he said about why he came to U of A was not only to be a player, but more over to learn from the best and to be a coach.
I look back and see a little pimple faced, fresh out of high school boy, with more internal drive and motivation to achieve the personal goal he has set for himself, than any other person I met in college.
So if you ask me what it takes to be a head coach of a D-I school, or who should be the next U of A coach, I don’t see any other choice other then Josh Pastner.
I still talk to alumni who live in Tucson and update me on the happenings at the U of A and they all ask if I have talked to Josh and why he isn’t already the head coach.
The U of A, RED and BLUE blood runs through Josh’s veins, because he is a part of a very important time in the University of Arizona’s history.
That is my reason why I think a family member should get the head coaching job.”
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Buddha is a big g-LUTE-ius maximus, if you know what I mean.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:12 PM
I just scroll Budda. It’s like trying to read a 15 year old girl’s text messages.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:16 PM
rick, i’d stay away from 15 yr old girls
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Flag….when you have teenage kids, not much of an option there.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:52 PM
It just got real quiet in here.
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:58 PM
ya, i guess no news is….no news.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:12 PM
Looks like my hopes and dreams are crushed again. Ok time to settle for Pastner.
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=ap-oklahoma-capel&prov=ap&type=lgns
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:16 PM
looks like miller or pastner, the nba alums seem to be behind him.
i guess if livengood fails again 2012 can’t come soon enough.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:39 PM
so, is it 2010 or 2012?
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:40 PM
all this talk about pastner makes me think that livenblecch is gonna sign him and a yoda-type.
so sad.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:44 PM
Buddha I just think you’re pathetic end of story, and I’ll say whatever I want about you. What are you going to do about it? LMAFO???? So go beg your wife for sex, though she’ll probably turn you down because Pastner wore her out you little CNUT
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 PM
2012 end of life as we know it
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:49 PM
according to mayans anyway
April 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 PM
We should have saw this coming way back when Billy packer of all people destroyed Livengood when he was head of the NCAA selection committee.
If a guy who went to BYU can’t remember that they can’t play on Sundays then how the heck is he going to stop a college coach from using him to get a better contract…..wait that already happened.
April 4th, 2009 at 10:18 AM
Find it humorous about all the latest news in the papers and some comments on here about how Theus can recruit because he was the “Lead Recruiter” for Pitino and look at the guys he brought in for Louisville.
Yet, when you say Pastner had the same role for Calipari – and some say – that Memphis’ recruiting class coming in next year might be one of the best classes EVER… We don’t want to give Pastner the credit.
Pretty funny how even in sports folks can spin an argument to support their point of view.