Search Update
With Jeff Van Gundy out of the picture and Reggie Theus scheduled to interview for the basketball position today, there will be a lot of focus on the former Sacramento Kings coach. He was mentioned to us as soon as Tim Floyd resigned as a candidate.
But it is important to note it is still early in this search and a lot of things are happening behind the scenes. So it's a little early to anoint someone as the next coach.
Scott, What is going on behind the scenes? I understand that part of the motivation for your post is because of the LA Times article today about Theus. Your comment is that it is premature to think that he is the main or only candidate under consideration. So, if there are other candidates still under consideration or something else is going on, why not let your loyal blog followers know?
People only mention his New Mexico turn around- 6-24 the year before he arrived (2004-05), 16-14 record first year, 25-9 in his last season, winning the Western Athletic Conference Tournament and going to NCAA tournament.
Theus was also the lead recruiter as assistant coach for Louisville under Pitino who raves about him.
He went to the finals as head coach of ABA Las Vegas Lobos, (no recruiting edge in ABA) and was summer league coach for Larry Bown's Sixers and the Denver Nuggets. NBA coaches hire guys that know the game for development leagues and Larry Brown is a good judge.
He was a coach with Cal State LA and Pat Barrett's AAU Southern Cal All Stars and he resides in LA (attended Inglewood.)
At Sacramento he came in 5th in the Western Conference (which is tremendous for that talentless team) and an improvement by 5 games from the prior season. The Maloofs still fired him and wound up coming in 15th, dead last in the West.
Theus is 1 of only 7 players in NBA history to score at least 19,000 pts and 6,000 assists, joining John Havlicek, Oscar Robertson, John Stockton, Gary Payton, Clyde Drexler and Jerry West. He retired ranked 22nd on the NBA’s all-time career points and 11th on assists. So he wasn't just a scorer.He was also an All-Star twice.
That sounds like someone who can coach, recruit, develop talent, administrate and win.
Sounds like Theus should be the guy. And, he should be more affordable.
Thanks for the info timmay, it does sound as if this could be THE guy.
And being African-American I would think would be a selling point for high school athletes inasmuch as they would probably relate better to a black coach than a white one.
finally ended, the Dixon Watch has hmmm?
great confusion i sense.
declined, Van Gundertaker has.
recommend Obi-Wan Lavin, the Jedi Counsel does.
Yoda,
Your shtick was mildly amusing six months ago, but a hundred repetitions of crap like "great confusion I sense" and "meditate on this I will" have laid bare your complete lack of imagination and intelligence. Since you are just a stupid little bRuin this is just what we expected, but I suggest you stop embarrassing yourself. Steve Lavin? I ask you, isn't that the most idiotic recommendation ever made on this board? Only you bRuins could have hired that clown.
Now run along little boy, it's time to leave the basement, your mommie just microwaved you some yummy Hot Pockets! Oh, and wait until they cool off or you'll burn your tongue again.