You do realize that my list wasn't a list of potential replacements for Cal, right? It's a list of coaches who have proven success at their current spots, even though they weren't "big names" before getting there or hadn't come from traditional powerhouse programs
Realistic coaching replacements for Cal
- Thread starter PapaNooch
- Start date
Agree with Pearl. Dude wants and needs a title. Hates losing. Give him 5 years to do it. I believe he does.
It's not a shot at you but the name Lamont Paris and watching that garbage basketball is Tony Bennett 2.0. If he's a "hot coach" people need to wake the **** up and realize that crap style doesn't win in March.
I'm not saying Pearl isn't the right guy. But he's 64, just one year younger than Cal. I don't want some fresh pup out of college, but also not sure with the new landscape of college hoops, a newer generation coach isn't the right path?
The list of names people are throwing out are delusional. Maybe Phil Jackson and Pat Riley are interested in being co-GMs and Stevens, Donovan, Bill Self and Kelvin Sampson can all be co-head coaches
I didn’t say it was a bad hire but he wasn’t the most popular candidate to the fans. PAC 12 and the SEC are two totally different animals. Him being a top 2 choice is not what I heard. A few coaches admitted to turning the job down.
Last edited:
Pearl can’t even beat Calipari at home and had a history of lying to everyone (he’s Bobby Petrino bad), Pitino isn’t walking through that door and Cal owned him too (like it or not). What the program will need is a fresh, young face - who understands today’s game and can handle the spotlight of being here.
Did drew sign an extension? And another poster said Texas people are saying he won’t come here.
So Hurley gets the 1st call you have to hear a no from him then go hire Pearl. I was high on Beard but I think Pearl will kill it here. He’ll embrace the fans and get the talent we need to hang #9. These are the 2 realistic guys I’d call and talk to, you can say Stevens & wright etc…..but that ain’t happening boys.
So Hurley gets the 1st call you have to hear a no from him then go hire Pearl. I was high on Beard but I think Pearl will kill it here. He’ll embrace the fans and get the talent we need to hang #9. These are the 2 realistic guys I’d call and talk to, you can say Stevens & wright etc…..but that ain’t happening boys.
I will go with Sean Miller. I think he'd come gladly. He can coach.
Sean Miller - Wikipedia
It had been 5 years since SC made the tournament, he got them there in his 2nd season, 13-5 in the SEC this season. As far as Bennet 2.0 goes, not sure what you mean? They scored 73 points yesterday, far cry from Virginia. But to your point, they only averaged 72 points per game on the season, Virginia at 63
Again, I'm not campaigning for Paris to be the next coach. But aside from your personal opinion, he's pretty well respected as one of the top younger coaches in the nation
Honestly it doesn't really matter to me. Anybody we can hire can't do worse than 1 NCAA win in 4 years.
Pearl would prob sell his kidney for a title. Yeah I’m thinking just a 5 year or so run, get a title. Evaluate the young ones coming up in the mean time. Portal and NIL is something young and vet coaches alike are all having to navigate and learn. Not sure anyone is close to mastering it yet.
Let's also not forget, Pearl lost to Appalaichan St this year. And lost a home game to UK. Haven't made it past the first weekend the last 2 years. Not sure what'll happen this year.
All that to say, he's not a homerun hire. Willing, yes. Experienced, yes. Charismatic, yes. He checks some boxes, absolutely. Also some dirt on that resume. And if I'm correct, he's only made it past the 1st weekend once since he's been at Auburn - Final 4 year where they beat UK.
There was a time when I would have disagreed but honestly that guy loves to win and I think he would do well here.
The top 2 choices were DeBoer and Mike Norvell of FSU.
Neither of those names need to be spoken about a new coach again. Jay Wright may have like a 2% chance of wanting to coach again, but the others are just crazy.
I know what he did-also think SEC is the most corrupt CBB conference in the sport for allowing crap teams to mug and muck up games with the better teams and get some wins for the sake of greed. This isn't the Big 12 where teams actually have success in the Postseason. SEC success was better when they let the elite program dominate and others raised their game. Since they've tried to "improve the conference"--what results have been netted as success?
I saw great UK teams but you had Arkansas/Florida as elite programs who maintained success and were threats. Mississippi State, LSU, South Carolina, Auburn all made runs to Final Four before the "parity" word came up. Once it's gone "parity" and the corrupt officials gravitated towards the SEC, you have a bunch of dog ****. So Lamont Paris "success" comes with a side eye--specifically seeing how awful the performance of the conference was yesterday.
And if this job has proven anything…5-10 years is kind of the sweet spot
All good points. Don’t think MB would do it anyway. Guessing it’ll be a very vanilla and safe hire.
I don’t think he’s fired tho. They’ll go all in on this new NIL fund saying that’ll make the difference despite talent at UK never being the issue.
Last edited:
Good breakdown Rick. Sean MIller imo is the most obtainable choice. I love Pearl but when a coach reaches a certain age they lose their mojo.
Yep. I use to want a lifer, like 25 year guy. I don't think that's realistic now. Come in, hit it hard, get out unless you're still killing it.
Just to get it out of the way: Pitino, with his son Richard as top assistant so he can be groomed to take over in a few years.
Same here. I would have said NO just a couple years ago and he’s still not my top choice but at this point, if Pearl is what it takes to get Cal out, fine. Just do it.
If he was younger, I would have loved another stint with Rick Pitino. He is too old now though. I wasn't old enough to know Rupp but in my lifetime. Pitino was the greatest Kentucky coach. His style is what I think of when I think Kentucky basketball.
I'm serious when I say this. For me, ANYONE who puts the UK program first and is committed to its success is a realistic candidate and a big improvement.
Cal had his indiscretions when he was hired. At this point just hire someone who wants to win titles, has bench coaching abilities, and recruits decent. The rest will take care of itself.
Why I said clueless. It's amazing sometimes. Sure, Rick came from the NBA. But it ain't 1980 something. It doesn't happen that way now. Realistically guys like Drew would be considered a home run. Hell, Pat Kelsey would feel like a homerun now. Just no more fat poser.
Call hurley then Wright after they say no move on to Pearl and Drew types which will likely end with Drew getting the offer. Not sure he will take it but I think this is the most likely scenario.
It's hilarious how some of you are still stuck on these three names. It'll never happen. They have less than zero urge to come back to college.