The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Who’s next: A look at potential targets
Who will be the next coach of the UConn men’s basketball team? It’s early and UConn Athletic Director David Benedict said the university will conduct a national search, but here are some of the names you’ll be hearing during the search process:
⏩ 1. Danny Hurley, Rhode Island: Hurley has turned around two programs in recent years — Wagner, where he turned a 13-17 team into a 25-6 program in his two seasons, and Rhode Island, where he currently has the Rams perched in the Top 25 and vying for the Atlantic-10 tournament title. Hurley, described as Jim Calhounlike and notoriously tough on his staff and players, has great Northeast recruiting ties. Sources have told Hearst Media Connecticut he absolutely would be interested in UConn, though others insist he’s looking for a Power 5 job that’s not looking at a long rebuild.
⏩ 2. Tom Crean, ESPN analyst: The former Marquette and Indiana head man did a good job picking up the mess left by Kelvin Sampson with the Hoosiers, but ultimately wore out his welcome in Bloomington. Currently working at ESPN, he’s a familar face — something the program is said to be targeting — though has been a bit of an eccentric figure on the sidelines over the years.
⏩ 3. Steve Pikiell, Rutgers: The former UConn player and assistant coach might be at the top of the list, were it not for the contract extension — and $5 million buyout — he agreed to earlier this season. Pikiell still might be a viable candidate as he bleeds Husky blue and might welcome the challenge to make his alma mater right again.
⏩ 4. Jim Calhoun: The legendary, Hall of Fame coach is slated to lead the University of St. Joseph Division III program next year, but would leave that in a heartbeat to return to the helm of the program he guided to three national titles. Indications are that university officials higher up than AD Dave Benedict have inquired about Calhoun’s interest, and he would likely work for a relatively cheap sum (say, $1 million) for a few years while bringing in a coachin-waiting like, perhaps, Glen Miller, Tom Moore, Donyell Marshall or Scott Burrell.
⏩ 5. Geno Auriemma, UConn women: Don’t think for a minute the interest wasn’t there on UConn’s end. But there is almost no chance he’d switch over to head the men’s program. Imagine how Calhoun would feel.
⏩ 6. Billy Donovan, Oklahoma City Thunder: His job appears to be in jeopardy with the Thunder, and the native New Yorker who starred at Providence boasts a pair of national titles at Florida. Likely a longshot, however.
⏩ 7. Ed Cooley, Providence: Former Fairfield head coach has Friars on verge of unprecedented fifth straight NCAA tourney bid. But the Providence native bleeds Friar black and white and would seem unlikely.
⏩ 8. Frank Martin, South Carolina: A source close to Martin said that Martin’s upset his program hasn’t made the commitment to basketball that seemed warranted after a Final Four run and may be looking to leave.
⏩ 9. Rick Pitino: Perhaps the greatest X’s and O’s coach of his generation, he’s dying to get back into the game. But with an ongoing NCAA investigation into the program, it’s a virtual certainty UConn wouldn’t take on Pitino’s baggage. And, again, imagine how Calhoun would feel.
⏩ 10. Thad Matta: The former Ohio State head man hasn’t been contacted by UConn to this point and will likely land at Ole Miss or Pitt.
⏩ 11. Baker Dunleavy, Quinnipiac: A source at UConn said that Benedict likes the first-year Bobcat coach, but this isn’t happening.