2023 Coaching Carousel

[Wizard of Westroads]

This is a fluid situation, but I think it's way too early to conclude that a football school like Penn State is a better job than Georgetown.

I’m not saying that Penn State is a better job than Georgetown. What I’m saying is that there’s risk involved precisely because this is such a fluid situation. I would exercise caution if I were Shrewsberry not because iof what is known but because of what is unknown. Anyone here do risk assessment for a living?

There would certainly be risk in moving to Georgetown, fair enough. I think there's also risk in trying to get outgunned PSU to stay competitive in the B10 vs. Georgetown in the Big East. We do have a couple of examples where I think the coach might have thought similarly..

-Sean Miller coming back to Xavier over South Carolina
-Thad Matta declined Georgia offer
-Rick Pitino rejecting Maryland and possibly coming back to the BE

We'll see about Pitino, but I think there's enough variables in the equation that make coaching destinations a case-by-case situation. A lot of what you wrote is a long term projection. I don't think coaches look 10, or even 5 years into the future.

Shaka and Mac seem to be quite happy in the BE after leaving P5 jobs. There's a lot to be said for a basketball-centric conference, both for players and for coaches.

[kayako]

Shaka and Mac seem to be quite happy in the BE after leaving P5 jobs. There's a lot to be said for a basketball-centric conference, both for players and for coaches.

I didn't include those examples because those moves were at least somewhat involuntary, but you're right, they still serve as an example to other coaches that it's not one size fits all situation.

[EMT]

From 2 excellent sources:

Cooley is far along in negotiations with Gtown. The money has been agreed to, and he is 80/20 leaning towards going. The reasons relate to his wife and his life in a fishbowl in RI. It is supposedly not about money or NIL. If this is a $$ grab, it is still unclear that PC dips any deeper in their pockets after last year's extension.

He will have built-in excuses that are BS (President & AD that hired him are no longer here, PC can't compete for a NC). Both Cooley and Nate Leaman were consulted on the AD hire and preferred to stay in-house.

PC already has contingency plans in place but hopes they don't need them.

[kayako]

I can only remember Texas poaching from Texas Tech in recent years. Maybe this happens more frequently in football?

Georgia hired Mike White from Florida (one year ago yesterday, i believe).

Was White really poached?

[XUFan09]

From 2 excellent sources:

Cooley is far along in negotiations with Gtown. The money has been agreed to, and he is 80/20 leaning towards going. The reasons relate to his wife and his life in a fishbowl in RI. It is supposedly not about money or NIL. If this is a $$ grab, it is still unclear that PC dips any deeper in their pockets after last year's extension.

He will have built-in excuses that are BS (President & AD that hired him are no longer here, PC can't compete for a NC). Both Cooley and Nate Leaman were consulted on the AD hire and preferred to stay in-house.

PC already has contingency plans in place but hopes they don't need them.

His life being a fishbowl is interesting. I bet he's recognized everywhere he goes, but DC would definitely have relative anonymity and greater recruiting potential.

[Savannah Jay]

I can only remember Texas poaching from Texas Tech in recent years. Maybe this happens more frequently in football?

Georgia hired Mike White from Florida (one year ago yesterday, i believe).

Was White really poached?

I guess it depends on your definition of poached. He was still under contract at Florida and was hired by a conference rival.

[GoldenWarrior11]

I think Cooley is gone. He had opportunity to squash this days ago and hasn't, which means he's listening. If he's listening, he's interested. And if he's interested, Georgetown seems willing to spend more than Providence.

Georgetown turning Heel was not a turn I was expecting. But neither was UConn's Face turn.

Regardless, if this happens with Pitino coming to St. John's, the Big East TV deal goes up higher. That's something we can all get behind.

[Husky_U]

It's awkward enough when a player transfers in-conference, never mind a coach. That Hoyas @ Friars game is gonna be must-see TV.

And there goes the plans for the Cooley statue outside the Dunk.

[hoops22]

I don't think it has anything to do with living in a fish bowl. Every successful coach in the BE lives in a fish bowl. With seven NCAA appearances in the past nine years, including a Sweet Sixteen last year, Cooley will never have a stronger hand to play than he does right now. No one would be surprised to hear his name thrown around for any job that opens up. But the portal turning into the wild west, and NIL are factors every coach now takes into consideration. He likely feels his best chance for a Final Four and national championship lie elsewhere. Still, you can't help but feel bad for Providence.

Also regarding the Penn St./Georgetown debate, I think Georgetown is clearly a better job. A top 10 Georgetown will create a lot more national buzz than a top 10 Penn St. And despite the losing, the name Georgetown still has some cache to it. In fact, I think if FOX could choose to have any two schools be ranked in the top ten, and then showcased following an NFL game, I think Georgetown is one of the two teams they'd choose.

[Jasper67]

If true, I wonder how Cooley faces Bryce Hopkins and Devin Carter and tells them that he’s walking out on their last 2 years. I have my doubts that this is a done deal. I’ll ignore the speculation and wait to see what happens in the real world.