Few to Arizona

[dc_x]

AOL Fanhouse is reporting that Few to Arizona is a done deal - http://ncaatournament.fanhouse.com/2009/04/01/is-mark-few-next-arizona-coach/

If true, it's interesting. After all the jobs Few has turned down, he is now going to inherit a mess at Arizona. I think he may be disheartened after this past season. That Gonzaga team was probably the most talented ever and they still couldn't compete with the best teams in the country. Maybe that proved to Few that he can't win a national title at Gonzaga.

[xuwin]

Time to start the Miller to Gonzaga thread then. :)

[XU05and07]

Time to start the Miller to Gonzaga thread then. :)

That would be a step down...the conference, the location, yadda yadda yadda

(adding to the sarcasm)

[Snipe]

Gonzaga is a stepping stone program.

[XU05and07]

Mick Cronin to Gonzaga...Miller to Cincinnati...Drunkard to Xavier (everyone's perfect nightmare)


Andy Kennedy to divorce court

[powerofX]

AOL Fanhouse is reporting that Few to Arizona is a done deal - http://ncaatournament.fanhouse.com/2009/04/01/is-mark-few-next-arizona-coach/

If true, it's interesting. After all the jobs Few has turned down, he is now going to inherit a mess at Arizona. I think he may be disheartened after this past season. That Gonzaga team was probably the most talented ever and they still couldn't compete with the best teams in the country. Maybe that proved to Few that he can't win a national title at Gonzaga.

If true...with Calipari to UK, that leaves the BCS and XU. Interesting position to be in. I don't see Memphis or Gonzaga being the teams of the last 5 years, regardless of who they bring in. Meanwhile on Victory Parkway - we could be top 10 next year.

[GoMuskies]

Butler should be awesome next year.

[XUOWNSUC]

If true...with Calipari to UK, that leaves the BCS and XU. Interesting position to be in. I don't see Memphis or Gonzaga being the teams of the last 5 years, regardless of who they bring in. Meanwhile on Victory Parkway - we could be top 10 next year.


This worries me a bit. I kind of liked having great programs at Memphis and Gonzaga. I always thought that we could ban together if the BCS schools tried any BS. Now it is just us.

[dc_x]

If true...with Calipari to UK, that leaves the BCS and XU. Interesting position to be in. I don't see Memphis or Gonzaga being the teams of the last 5 years, regardless of who they bring in. Meanwhile on Victory Parkway - we could be top 10 next year.

Everyone said the same thing when Monson left Gonzaga and they turned out ok.

[GoMuskies]

John Stockton to Gonzaga. Mailman as head assistant.

[Cincy Muskie]

This better not be another damn April Fools joke. Few to Arizona is good news if true. Now if Floyd is indeed the choice for Memphis, does Dixon entertain USC? I would think not.

[XU05and07]

John Stockton to Gonzaga. Mailman as head assistant.

Now wouldn't that be a change...Malone with the assist

[xnatic03]

I really don't know if Dixon would want to be crosstown rivals with Howland. I think Dixon's got it pretty good at Pitt. They have a new arena and plenty of East Coast talent. I guess we'll see how it all plays out.

[powerofX]

Everyone said the same thing when Monson left Gonzaga and they turned out ok.

I actually thought Few was the brains behind Monson. Gonzaga won't suck...they will be at the top of the WCC but not undefeated. They can win a game or two in the tourney but not compete for final 4. I see them more as Butler vs. Memphis with Calipari which is what they were (or at least what the media made them to be).

[boozehound]

I really don't know if Dixon would want to be crosstown rivals with Howland. I think Dixon's got it pretty good at Pitt. They have a new arena and plenty of East Coast talent. I guess we'll see how it all plays out.

I would think that Dixon would have to really want to go to back to Cali if he took USC. I just don't see how USC is a better job than Pitt, other than location.

[XU05and07]

I would think that Dixon would have to really want to go to back to Cali if he took USC. I just don't see how USC is a better job than Pitt, other than location.

the chicks...
http://www.americasbestonline.net/hawaiibeach6.jpg
USC Cheerleaders

http://cache.gettyimages.com/xc/50895092.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF1939847EC77F5F8D1CE5BB390A666863E2D A40A659CEC4C8CB6
Pittsburgh Cheerleaders

[AviatorX]

I heard that Few actually declined?

[GoMuskies]

In the rush to be first, it seems like 75% of the reports of these big coaching announcements turn out to be wrong.

[STL_XUfan]

I mean when your source is known by their own admission as "the totally unofficial UofA website" how can you go wrong. I only hope that news sources start publishing reports that they find on this website.

[XU05and07]

I mean when your source is known by their own admission as "the totally unofficial UofA website" how can you go wrong. I only hope that news sources start publishing reports that they find on this website.

Reports from this website would be...

"Miller's name is in every job"

"We are not a midmajor"

"Snipe is playing his way into a political advisor"

"Xavier doesn't sell authentic mesh shorts"

"The Shadow is lame"

"Dustin Dow only writes about fashion"

"Onions!!!"

"Will Brad Redford by the starting PG"

"Is Kyryl coming?"

"Jimmy Binnie is a Traffic Cone"

"It's Z-avier...not Eggs-avier...it's not Eggs-ylophone"

"The Reds Suck...The Bengals Suck...and UC Sucks most"

"Q"

"Glow's Women" - with good reason

"We graduate our players"

"Rep Whores"

[OX09]

"Rep Whores"

Some could mistake Mark Few as a rep whore if he takes this job. But honestly, he has nothing on us.

[XUglow]

"Glow's Women" - with good reason


You mean gals like Gemma?

http://www.stlukeswriterspress.com/gemma1.jpg

[bobbyboucher]

I was tempted to wait because I really did not want to post such a bland post right after glow... anyway it's pretty quiet here in Tucson and people are starting to get a little worried. They felt that Coach Cal was #1 and Livengood did not get it done. They are afraid he will stike out with Pitino (he did), Izzo (he will) and Few (he did) and be left with Theus or Bill Grier from San Diego. With WSU open they are going to go after a rising coach on the west as well so UofA should move fast. The money should be over 2 mil a year so that will help. Plus Wildcat Basketball is King here. Per dc and other sources Capel is now the top target

[wkrq59]

Mick Cronin to Gonzaga...Miller to Cincinnati...Drunkard to Xavier (everyone's perfect nightmare)
Andy Kennedy to divorce court

Remember, his wife is suing the cabbie for loss of consortium!. Or is it loss of concubining?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Everyone said the same thing when Monson left Gonzaga and they turned out ok.

Exactly. If Few does leave Gonzaga isn't hurting too bad IMO. I think they could roll on without too much of a problem a, very similar to us.

[dc_x]

Latest report is that Few turned the job down. Arizona's target is now Jeff Capel.

http://www.krem.com/topstories/stories/krem2_040109_few.924b764d.html

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/137385

[xufan02]

USC's Tim Floyd is on campus right now, and will be annouced tomorrow at a press conference.

[MD Muskie]

USC's Tim Floyd is on campus right now, and will be annouced tomorrow at a press conference.

now if we start writing stuff like this then we are no better than all those blogs from the big 6 schools who always say the coach is on the campus and a press conference is set for whenever.

[AZWildcat]

now if we start writing stuff like this then we are no better than all those blogs from the big 6 schools who always say the coach is on the campus and a press conference is set for whenever.

According to KVOA in Tucson, Floyd has indeed been flown in. It has been rumored for a while that Floyd was interested in the job. The only reason I came here to pass the info on is because Jamie Dixon is rumored to be interested in the USC job if it ever opened up. Which of course might lead Sean Miller to bounce to Pitt if that job opened up.

[Juice]

Tim Floyd is kind of a coaching whore.

[GuyFawkes38]

According to KVOA in Tucson, Floyd has indeed been flown in. It has been rumored for a while that Floyd was interested in the job. The only reason I came here to pass the info on is because Jamie Dixon is rumored to be interested in the USC job if it ever opened up. Which of course might lead Sean Miller to bounce to Pitt if that job opened up.

Didn't he turn down that job a few years ago. That's a lateral move at best.

[AZWildcat]

Didn't he turn down that job a few years ago.

Jamie Dixon or Tim Floyd? I heard Jamie Dixon turned down the Arizona STATE job after almost taking it.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Didn't he turn down that job a few years ago. That's a lateral move at best.


Jamie Dixon or Tim Floyd? I heard Jamie Dixon turned down the Arizona STATE job after almost taking it.

Ya Guy which did you mean? That is most definitely not a lateral move for Tim Floyd. I think it could be argued either way for Dixon.

[waggy]

Floyd's no dummy. The Arizona job is better if just for the fact there is less bullshit to deal with around the program. LA has more hangers on than you can even believe. Tucson has it's BS too, but nowhere near the scale of LA.

[GuyFawkes38]

Ya Guy which did you mean? That is most definitely not a lateral move for Tim Floyd. I think it could be argued either way for Dixon.

I was referring to Dixon turning down the USC job.

[bobbyboucher]

Reports in Tucson is that it is Floyd.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4035206&campaign=rss&source=NCBHeadlines

[AZWildcat]

I was referring to Dixon turning down the USC job.

Never heard that one.

"Get Dixon Now" threads are already popping up on SC boards though.

[GuyFawkes38]

Never heard that one.

"Get Dixon Now" threads are already popping up on SC boards though.

What happened to Dixon and the Arizona job? Which side lacked interest?

[Xman95]

Reports in Tucson is that it is Floyd.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=4035206&campaign=rss&source=NCBHeadlines

Dirty-up a program, then bolt before you get stuck in the crap. Nice.

[AZWildcat]

What happened to Dixon and the Arizona job? Which side lacked interest?

From what I understand, Dixon considered the job, but didn't take the offer. Don't know how true that is though. I'm sure details about all the candidates for the Arizona job and what really happened behind the scenes will leak out slowly over the next several months.

[GuyFawkes38]

From what I understand, Dixon considered the job, but didn't take the offer. Don't know how true that is though. I'm sure details about all the candidates for the Arizona job and what really happened behind the scenes will leak out slowly over the next several months.

This is what I don't get. Arizona is a much, much better job. And yeah, there's that who "going back home" thing. But Tuscon is LA East. I'm sure he would spend a lot of time in LA recruiting and contacting donors.

[GuyFawkes38]

Also, from the sound of it, Dixon is still close to Howland.

I don't think it's that big of a deal to compete against your mentor in the same conference. But if Dixon would have fight Howland for every good recruit in LA. It would be brutal.

[AZWildcat]

Floyd leaves Tucson. Stutus unkown.

[xsteve1]

Floyd leaves Tucson. Stutus unkown.

I'm trying to figure out why Arizona would have interest in Floyd. Capel would be a much better hire IMO.

[GuyFawkes38]

I'm trying to figure out why Arizona would have interest in Floyd. Capel would be a much better hire IMO.

Yeah, Floyd seems like an odd choice.

[GoMuskies]

In the rush to be first, it seems like 75% of the reports of these big coaching announcements turn out to be wrong.

I would like to reiterate...

[XU 87]

I would like to reiterate...

And you are correct. Floyd turned down the job.

On another note, UC coach Mick Cronin is in the running for the IUPUI-Ft. Wayne job. Cronin claims this program is one of the nation's hidden gems.

[STL_XUfan]

I don't understand why these possibilities are being made so public. It might just be me, but I figured when you are a school like AZ you want to keep all of these talks quiet for 2 reasons.

1. You don't want to be publicly rejected (like it has been twice)
2. you don't want to be seen hiring your second choice. (or third/fifth/sixth/32nd)

Every time a coach says no AZ loses credibility and on top of that, most of this exercise of musical coaches seems like a giant ego massage of the coaches. What coach is going to leave his current joint (especially a great job) to be known as the 5th coach AZ wanted.

[xuab]

Here's a quote (http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/268537) from Arizona's AD back in November about the search,

"If there's a perception there that the coach that's selected, if that person is perceived not to be the first choice, that's a major issue," he said.

Well, I guess he was right about that....

[waggy]

This whole Arizona fiasco is probably as much on Olson as it is the AD. I know some Arizona fans, and Lute was god. My perception is that Lutes popularity was such that the AD probably couldn't really develop an exit strategy, and Lute didn't know if he wanted to retire or not. He left and came back a couple of times. They really needed to put something in place before he retired, and they didn't get it done, and it looks to me he was part of the problem. The fan base would have accepted whoever Lute would have blessed as his successor.

[GuyFawkes38]

Simply put, I'm awesome.

Here is me from October:


I think the program might decline. I can't imagine the state of Arizona is filled with a lot of Bball talent. Olson had to recruit nationally to build the school into a powerhouse. Most of the talent in that part of the country lies in Los Angeles, where Arizona will struggle to recruit against UCLA, USC, Cal, Stanford, and Arizona State.

And from the same thread:


As for whether it's an attractive job, I don't know. On the one hand, like I said above, I don't think Arizona has a strong recruiting base instate and a coach must recruit in L.A. and countrywide to succeed. That's not easy (especially when UCLA and USC are actually in the city). And the expectations will be high.

I was blasted for the above statements. Looks like I was right (really, I'm not trying to brag).

[vee4xu]

Self vindication must be so fulfulling, eh Guy?

[XU 87]

Russ Pennell, Zona's interim coach, made some interesting comments about the job which may explain why some of these coaches are turning it down. He said that Zona really hasn't recruited in the past three years and it's going to take some time to rebuild the program. And I think Zona may or will lose some of their top players either to graduation or to the NBA.

So you're a new coach taking over for a legend and the program needs a few years to rebuild. Mick Cronin has learned how impatient fans are and what short memories they have. And I suspect Floyd and some of the others are thinking the same thing when looking at this job. In short, why leave a good secure job to follow a legend and take a chance at a job that needs rebuilding?

[Juice]

Russ Pennell, Zona's interim coach, made some interesting comments about the job which may explain why some of these coaches are turning it down. He said that Zona really hasn't recruited in the past three years and it's going to take some time to rebuild the program. And I think Zona may or will lose some of their top players either to graduation or to the NBA.

So you're a new coach taking over for a legend and the program needs a few years to rebuild. Mick Cronin has learned how impatient fans are and what short memories they have. And I suspect Floyd and some of the others are thinking the same thing when looking at this job. In short, why leave a good secure job to follow a legend and take a chance at a job that needs rebuilding?

Abdul Gaddy, who played in the McDonald's All American game last night, was committed (or verballed) to Arizona but changed to Washington after Lute quit.

Arizona is going to be on IU type levels for the next couple of years.

[XU 87]

Abdul Gaddy, who played in the McDonald's All American game last night, was committed (or verballed) to Arizona but changed to Washington after Lute quit.

Arizona is going to be on IU type levels for the next couple of years.

And that's why it's going to be tough for them to get a "name" coach, among other reasons.

[xavierj]

Mick Cronin would take the job in a second if they want him and I am serious.

[Jumpy]

Two observations, neither of which pertain to this topic.

1) Guy Fawkes is Alan Cutler.

2) 56 posts in this thread prove, like wrestling, that men love soap operas.