Potential Coaching Canidates???

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:50 am

Zip Watcher wrote:Did you know that the top assistant @ an SEC school, one with head coaching experience, is a BGSU alumn?

I don't think his daughter would want him taking the BG job.

bobio · Post by **bobio** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 10:16 pm

I remember watching him play at BG. He looks a little older now and a tad out of shape.

Zip Watcher · Post by **Zip Watcher** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:56 am

The funny thing about the guy is that I think if he were ever able to find himself @ a high major school, he'd be tremendous. I think he's too smart for the kids he was able to recruit in the MAC. He had to either take non-athletic kids that could grasp his system .. or take the athletic kids with little or no basketball IQ. That never worked too well. He had a nice run with UA, and I was a big fan of his system .. but he could never put it together. I think when you're at a high major, you can get a roster full of kids that have the athletic prowess and the brains to run his system .. might be a different story.

Ultimately, he is well suited to be the assistant coach in charge of offense at a school like Arkansas.

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:54 pm

1. Mark Montgomery, Assistant Michigan State University
http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-ba ... ark00.html

2. Geno Ford, Head Coach, Muskingum College
http://www.muskingum.edu/home/athletics ... coach.html

3. Kevin Williard, Assistant Coach, University of Louisville
http://uoflsports.cstv.com/sports/m-bas ... vin00.html

4. Larry Hunter, Head Coach, Western Carolina University
http://catamountsports.cstv.com/sports/ ... rry00.html

5. Dave Hoover, Retired, Former Head Coach at Canton McKinley HS
1995 - 2006
211 Wins, 59 Losses
2005 State Champions
2006 State Champions
Also won a state championship with I believe Westerville South
BG Alum

6. Cuonzo Martin, Assistant Coach, Purdue University
http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-b ... nzo00.html

7. Lewis Preston, Assistant Coach, University of Florida
http://www.gatorzone.com/billydonovan/? ... io=preston

8. Pete Gillen, currently working as an analyst on CSTV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Gillen

9. Pooh Williamson, Assistant Coach, Wichita State University
http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticle.d ... EASON=2006

10. Cameron Dollar, Assistant Coach, University of Washington
http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-bask ... ron00.html

It's the Journey... · Post by **It's the Journey...** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:51 pm

Geno Ford is the way to go. He is young, had played in the MAC (Ohio), coached in the MAC (Kent State), and is used to working on a small budget (Muskingum). One of the best things about him is his father, Gene Ford who is on staff at Muskingum after retiring from Cambridge High School. With both of them at BG we will see a return to true fundamental basketball. You know, the type our women's team is playing and winning with. I am sure many of you remember Geno playing at OU when Gary Trent was there. Those were good days for OU hoops. I had the priveledge of watching him for 4 years at Cambridge High School. Those were bad days for my Meadowbrook Colts and the rest of the ECOL. It also never hurts to have an Ohio Mr. Basketball as your head coach. He is not one to use each job as a chase for more money (who did that at BG???). Get Geno and good things will follow for BG Men's Basketball.

BGSUSynchroSk8r2006 · Post by **BGSUSynchroSk8r2006** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 9:32 pm

BGorDeath wrote:My mom watches a lot of college basketball. I think she would be a good candidate, but she wouldn't throw her name around while BG still has a coach in place. She has integrity.

Well played.

Come on guys...lot of season left.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 11:20 am

OptionQB wrote:1. Mark Montgomery, Assistant Michigan State University
http://msuspartans.cstv.com/sports/m-ba ... ark00.html

2. Geno Ford, Head Coach, Muskingum College
http://www.muskingum.edu/home/athletics ... coach.html

3. Kevin Williard, Assistant Coach, University of Louisville
http://uoflsports.cstv.com/sports/m-bas ... vin00.html

4. Larry Hunter, Head Coach, Western Carolina University
http://catamountsports.cstv.com/sports/ ... rry00.html

5. Dave Hoover, Retired, Former Head Coach at Canton McKinley HS
1995 - 2006
211 Wins, 59 Losses
2005 State Champions
2006 State Champions
Also won a state championship with I believe Westerville South
BG Alum

6. Cuonzo Martin, Assistant Coach, Purdue University
http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-b ... nzo00.html

7. Lewis Preston, Assistant Coach, University of Florida
http://www.gatorzone.com/billydonovan/? ... io=preston

8. Pete Gillen, currently working as an analyst on CSTV
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Gillen

9. Pooh Williamson, Assistant Coach, Wichita State University
http://www.goshockers.com/ViewArticle.d ... EASON=2006

10. Cameron Dollar, Assistant Coach, University of Washington
http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-bask ... ron00.html

My number one pick should the job open up is still John Groce from Ohio State. He's a dynamo recruiter and would open things up offensively. Thoughts on the list:

Montgomery: didn't get the CMU job after extensive lobbying. Not the top recruiter on MSU's staff (Dwayne Stephens is)

Ford: The best of the lot, but the most inexperienced. I'd take Josh Oppenheimer from Kent if we're going with assistants with MAC ties.

Willard: lost the Delaware job over an alcohol issue. Marvin Menzies and Steve Masiello are being credited with much of UL's recruiting. Good bloodlines with his dad Ralph Willard, who'd make a great assistant coach on a potential staff.

Hunter: Western Carolina has lost since he arrived and record at OU is good but not great.

Hoover: Extremely difficult to jump from HS to the MAC.

Martin: Got passed over for Purdue job. Boilermakers haven't exactly set the college basketball world afire.

Preston: Says plenty that Billy D would hire him at UF, but last ND assistant to get a head coaching job was Anthony Solomon and he's struggling mightily at Bonaventure. Wasn't the #1 assistant at ND and is the #3 assistant at UF.

Gillen: Does he still have the passion? Would he stay at BG more than a year or two (Matt Doherty)?

Williamson: Good coach, but the decline of Tulsa when he was there scares me.

Dollar: Awesome recruiter, but all his connections are on the West Coast. Definitely worth a look.

Here's some names to think about: Butch Pierre (LSU), Shaka Smart (Clemson), Tim Jankovich (Kansas), Mark Morefield (Baylor), Brian Dutcher (San Diego State), Chris Mack (Xavier).

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:24 pm

Montgomery is still considered by many to be a top X and O guy. Anyone with Big Ten ties still can recruit regardless of who the top recruiter is.

I like Ford a lot, but I wonder about his passion leaving Kent State when he did. Muskingum wasn't that great of a job and he could have had other looks a year or two later.

Williard's "alcohol" issue was a DUI 2-3 years ago. We've all made mistakes we're not fond of. Dad Ralph is the head guy at Holy Cross, running his own program.

Hunter is doing just fine after inheriting crap at perrenial power Western Carolina. Obviously kidding. He recruits pretty well and is taking a lot of Ohio kids with him to the Carolinas. What a novel idea recruit Ohio kids!

Hoover is an extreme darkhorse and I'm sure he's enjoying public teaching retirement just fine. I just think he's a damn good coach and he's a winner with BG ties. If you coach at that level of HS ball, you can recruit.

Martin wasn't ready for the Purdue job when Painter became available, but I think he's ready now. Purdue has a big time recruiting class coming in. Cuonzo would bring toughness to BG.

Preston is gaining valuable experience on Florida's loaded staff. National recruiter?

Gillen. He has nothing left to prove. Probably stayed at UVA a year or two too long. He's won every where he's been. Would a return to Ohio be intriguing enough?

Williamson. Gearing up for a strong NCAA run at Wichita State. Had the head job at Tulsa, but it didn't work out. Second chance?

Dollar. He's going to get a top job somewhere. Big time recruiter at UW. Played point at UCLA in the mid 90s. Basketball knowledge cannont be questioned.

JoeFalcon · Post by **JoeFalcon** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:28 am

OptionQB wrote:Montgomery is still considered by many to be a top X and O guy. Anyone with Big Ten ties still can recruit regardless of who the top recruiter is.

I like Ford a lot, but I wonder about his passion leaving Kent State when he did. Muskingum wasn't that great of a job and he could have had other looks a year or two later.

Williard's "alcohol" issue was a DUI 2-3 years ago. We've all made mistakes we're not fond of. Dad Ralph is the head guy at Holy Cross, running his own program.

Hunter is doing just fine after inheriting crap at perrenial power Western Carolina. Obviously kidding. He recruits pretty well and is taking a lot of Ohio kids with him to the Carolinas. What a novel idea recruit Ohio kids!

Hoover is an extreme darkhorse and I'm sure he's enjoying public teaching retirement just fine. I just think he's a damn good coach and he's a winner with BG ties. If you coach at that level of HS ball, you can recruit.

Martin wasn't ready for the Purdue job when Painter became available, but I think he's ready now. Purdue has a big time recruiting class coming in. Cuonzo would bring toughness to BG.

Preston is gaining valuable experience on Florida's loaded staff. National recruiter?

Gillen. He has nothing left to prove. Probably stayed at UVA a year or two too long. He's won every where he's been. Would a return to Ohio be intriguing enough?

Williamson. Gearing up for a strong NCAA run at Wichita State. Had the head job at Tulsa, but it didn't work out. Second chance?

Dollar. He's going to get a top job somewhere. Big time recruiter at UW. Played point at UCLA in the mid 90s. Basketball knowledge cannont be questioned.

Ah, another coaching junkie to talk hoops with! You know your stuff, Option. Here's some additional thoughts on the names:

Montgomery: I still worry that CMU didn't want him. I'm sure he's a good coach, but I worry that Izzo's last two yes-men haven't met expectations by any stretch (Brian Gregory at Dayton/Doug Wokick at Tulsa) after Crean and Heath did well. No deal for me.

Willard is not unredeemable, but again, we'd be accpeting someone rejected by Delaware. Having his dad leave HC to help him run the program would be his biggest selling point.

Hunter is recruiting well, but he clearly isn't a difference-maker in terms of turning a team around immediately. Unfortunately, that's what we need at this point. Another two years of losing would be unnacceptable.

Hoover is surely a great coach. It would either be a home run or a 3 pitch strikeout, but I'd give him an interview and gauge his thoughts about the type of staff he'd bring in and what his philisophy would be. It would be an interesting hire.

Martin is OK, but the Purdue program has been down and was only above average before that. I want someone who is used to winning.

Preston is a guy I'd consider, but I don't know if he's ready to run his own program just yet given his relatively narrow responsibilities.

I'd take a flyer on Gillen on the condition he retain LaMonta or bring in a young guy to take over should he ever depart, which given his age might not even be an issue.

Williamson was only the interim coach at Tulsa and watched that program fall hard and fast, but his Witchita State experience is nice. I just don't know if we can afford to take that kind of a chance.

Dollar is a rising star, but loyalty would be a question given the fact he has no Midwest ties whatsoever.

Still, I think John Groce has the total package and would be the best fit should the need arise.

OptionQB · Post by **OptionQB** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 8:46 pm

Groce reportedly turned down a package in upwards of $250,000 at Ball State a year ago and God knows it'll be a cold day in hell before we offer anyone that type of money.

Globetrotter · Post by **Globetrotter** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 11:33 am

Bump. Thanks for all of Dan's hardowork and passion.

Who is Next? I would love to hear some insight from the those in the know about coaches....Option and more

falconfroelich · Post by **falconfroelich** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:03 pm

Maybe BG can pick up Tommy Amaker if he gets fired from Michigan.

Jacobs4Heisman · Post by **Jacobs4Heisman** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 12:39 pm

falconfroelich wrote:Maybe BG can pick up Tommy Amaker if he gets fired from Michigan.

Yuck, yuck, yuck. I can't stand watching Michigan play basketball. Amaker hasn't been recruiting well, and his offensive philosophy and gameplanning is *gulp* worse than ours.

In any event, BG doesn't currently have an opening at head coach.

transfer2BGSU · Post by **transfer2BGSU** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:02 pm

falconfroelich wrote:Maybe BG can pick up Tommy Amaker if he gets fired from Michigan.

Why would we want to pick up a mediocre Big 10 coach?

Keep Dan for three more years rather than selecting Amaker.

hammb · Post by **hammb** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 2:06 pm

Jacobs4Heisman wrote:
In any event, BG doesn't currently have an opening at head coach.

I haven't seen Dan's contract, but Brandon's is worded that he is the coach through the last game of the season. Since our season is done, I'm guessing that Dan is "technically" no longer our coach...and thus we DO have an opening.

I still would rather re-up Dan than hire Amaker.