I tend to favor hiring someone with head coaching experience at any level, including JUCO. At least, there is a track record of W-L, style of play, and ability to connect with players. I don't know why Hopkins wasn't more successful at Washington. Have to admit he is giving me some CDM vibes so that's one strike against him. He did go to the NCAA tournament once in his five years at UW but that doesn't really say much, given that the Pac 12 has been the worst power conference in the last decade.
If we're not interested in a bounce back guy like Hopkins or Romar, we'd better find a guy at the D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO level with a proven track record. There are guys out there who could succeed at the Beach from that level. Smitheran just needs to cast a wide net and rely on a search firm or insiders who know of these type of candidates. Read about Indiana State hiring a D2 coach (Josh Schertz) with a 10 year track record of 20+ wins a couple of years ago. In his 3rd year, this year, ISU is 28-5!
talk about hitting the same key over and over
can they really Teach?
and can they really communucate well?
and will our AD be able to discern teaching?... vs just hiring cause of connections
Tough decision
Former Mater Dei star Mike Hopkins was just fired from Washington. Not sure why his tenure didn't work with the Huskies other than not winning enough but he might be an attractive bounce back candidate that we look at. Besides being raised in SoCal, it's notable that he recruited Jason Hart to play at Syracuse when he was an assistant. My only question is whether he's willing to take a huge pay cut just to stay as a head coach or whether he'll be offered a big money assistant job in one of the power conferences where he will earn at least twice what he could make here.
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