Ben Howland

Bkocats

Heisman
Jan 2, 2011
80,871
69,823
67
probably be successful enough there to keep him around for a while. He DID take UCLA to three FFs in a row....now he probably won't have the same results there, but he'll get them to the tourney anyway
 
Nov 15, 2008
38,645
57,515
0
I see where the Indbred fans are mulling over an offer to him on Peegs if talks fall thru with their other 5 or 6 fantasy hires.

Crean 4Life in Doomington.
 
Sep 6, 2005
1,297
400
0
Not sure if they'd be getting the Ben Howland who found a lot of success at Pitt and took UCLA to 3 straight Final Fours or the one whose UCLA program was an absolute mess his last few years there. He obviously recruited very well at UCLA, so he is probably worth a shot.
 

Saguaro Cat

All-American
Apr 27, 2008
16,576
7,219
113
A fifty eight year old has-been, who's won one Ncaa tournament game in the last six years at UCLA.

I expect nothing less from an SEC school. Can sign him to a contract and still put that bar in the offensive coordinator's private jet.
 

Tummygoat

Junior
Jul 7, 2002
873
206
0
Would be a good pick up for them. He obviously can coach but recruiting became erratic his last few years at UcLA. He's be a solid hire for the SeC.
 
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
9,162
0
A coach with an NCAA title game appearance plus two other trips to the final four...

May be a "has been" to us...but for a lower tier program in a football conference...great hire...

Howland had a 28 and 29 win season at Pitt...then had a couple of 30+ win seasons at UCLA

Recruited on a Cal type of level for about a 4 year stretch at UCLA...

Miss St could be his swan song...would be a good transition type of hire for the bulldogs...he could come in, get them back to respectable and making the big dance, and in about 6-8 years State could pitch that they are on the up tick and getting serious about basketball to some hot young up and comer...
This post was edited on 3/22 7:10 PM by truebluewildcat
 

MychalG

All-Conference
Dec 16, 2012
2,951
2,846
82
At 58 years old and out of the game for awhile, I'm sure he will he will relate well to the HS players of today, so he should be able to burn it up on the recruiting trail.
 

Saguaro Cat

All-American
Apr 27, 2008
16,576
7,219
113
I expect they'll have the same success that Texas tech is having with tubby right now. It's like when Bobby cremmins or lefty driessell went to coach for Georgia state and college of Charleston. Except those aren't even mid majors and theoretically the SEC is a major power conference.
 

wall2rondo

All-Conference
Jun 3, 2010
117,414
2,961
0
Who,cares about his age. Most of the great coaches today are 50-70 range.

Miss st could do way worse. I think he could atleast get them back in ncaa tourney contention. The sec needs to get a better brand and household name coaches.
 

Cats192

Heisman
Apr 22, 2011
14,901
17,816
93
Who is Miss State going to get that's better? Up and comers aren't viewing them as a step up.

Howland has a great resume. Had a lot of success. He can tell guys "I coached Westbrook and Love. I think he's a solid hire. He'll be good for the SEC.
 

smeads00

Redshirt
Apr 5, 2013
68
0
0
I think Howland would be a pretty high-level hire for Miss St. His biggest problem seemed to be losing institutional control at UCLA. But I'd imagine it's easier to keep the players in line when you don't have the temptations of Los Angeles right outside your dorm room.
 

kygrandpa

Heisman
Mar 28, 2012
6,466
17,432
113
I like this just to make the SEC look better in good coaches. Does have a good chance to make Miss. St look better.
Go BB
 

simnalecho

Junior
Oct 16, 2001
1,109
386
56
Holland is most likely better at a smaller school with lesser talent then trying to coach the top tier recruits. If he wins it will be with upper classmen much like he did at Pitt.
 

sosoblue

All-Conference
Aug 18, 2004
8,399
1,777
0
Howland sounds desperate he's willing to talk with anyone that will pay him 1M plus even at dogishU.
 

preacherfan

All-Conference
Oct 11, 2003
29,103
4,784
113
Ben is an interesting choice. Miss St is a radical change from either Pitt or UCLA. I think it might be worth a shot.
 

Real Deal 2

Heisman
Jan 25, 2007
11,312
13,675
113
Yeah, Miss. St. could do better. A guy that led UCLA to 3 FF's, State might want to hold off and try to bring in some pathetic coach from Alcorn St. This hire will change the landscape, he is a good coach, he will also probably get Newman with this move. Sounds like this is part of reason to hire him. Solid coach who led UCLA to 3 FF's and coached and recruited Russell Westbrook who is simply dominating the NBA the last 2 months.
IMO
 

ORCAT

Heisman
Jan 6, 2003
24,671
11,960
113
For MSU it would be a great hire. We're not talking about a Blueblood program here, folks, and he does have the resume he could use to impress recruits, at least the type that would make MSU much better and more competitive. If they can get him I would say they better sign him right away. Who else would be better that would want to go there?
 
Feb 21, 2006
8,403
9,162
0
it's not like he has to come in and pull in half a dozen lottery picks and make final four runs every year to keep the "For Sale" signs out of his yard...

if he can establish a firm hold on the instate talent he will be able to be competitive...if he could branch out a bit and establish some sort of pipeline to Memphis, Montgomery, Birmingham, and steal a kid or two from Louisiana...he could have State competing in the SEC at least winning a game or two in the big dance...
 

JohnBlue

Heisman
Jul 22, 2003
188,376
14,335
0
Originally posted by Samwise Ganjee:
UCLA to the SEC

Yeah, worked out great for UGA and Jim Harrell

Harrick was his name and he didn't come directly from UCLA. He also was winning before getting caught cheating again. I don't recall Howland having any trouble with the ncaa, other than both coaching UCLA they don't compare imo.