I know that several names get bandied about often on here (in no particular order):
Brad Stevens (I can't see him leaving Boston already)
Gregg Marshall (He'd be my first call)
Billy Donovan (Not sure why he'd leave UF for IU in its present state)
Sean Miller (Again, why leave a powerhouse like 'Zona for IU at present?)
Shaka Smart (Could he win in B1G long-term?)
Tony Bennett (Would be my first call if not for the sister variable)
Jay Wright (Again, questions on his style and success in B1G long-term)
Fred Hoiberg (Can't see him leaving ISU)
Archie Miller (He should be in the second-tier discussion)
Mike Woodson (Please no)
Randy Wittman (Please no)
Steve Alford (Oh, please no)
Those are the names I have seen most often. So let's look at some names that haven't been thrown out there yet, or ones that have only been mentioned once or twice. Once again, no particular order.
Josh Pastner, Memphis (147-56): He is having his worst season by far in 2014-15, but he's proven to be a capable head coach at Memphis. Taking over for Calipari wasn't easy, and he's done well there. That said, he wouldn't be my first call of the guys on this "under-the-radar" list.
Michael White, Louisiana Tech (97-38): Has put together 3 straight 23+ win seasons. I have read several articles claiming he is considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game.
Steve Prohm, Murray State (101-27): Like White, he's had nothing but success where he is at. You wonder about the competition, but he does very well with what he has.
Bryce Drew, Valpo (92-41): You have to like the family history and coaching genealogy here. However, none of his family has ever had super high levels of success - just really solid and consistent results.
Bobby Hurley, Buffalo (39-19): In only his second season, I'm not sure this is the kind of move you make. While Buffalo was under .500 the year before he took over, they had several winning seasons prior to that. I'm not sure how much he has actually done.
Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa (193-104): This is one of those "Steady Eddies" types from a very good mid-major conference. I'd say similar to a Randy Bennett. You always wonder how those types would recruit after being at a mid-major so long, but I'd say the guy can absolutely coach.
Brian Wardle, Green Bay (94-63): Took over a program that had won 22 games apiece in 08-09 and 09-10. He won 14, 15, and 18 games in his first 3 seasons, but has two straight 23+ win seasons.
Brad Underwood, Stephen F Austin (57-7): Took over a good program and has taken them to new heights. They went 27-5 (best record in school history) before he took over. In his first year, they were 32-3 and they are 25-4 this season. That's impressive, even for a small school.
Brad Stevens (I can't see him leaving Boston already)
Gregg Marshall (He'd be my first call)
Billy Donovan (Not sure why he'd leave UF for IU in its present state)
Sean Miller (Again, why leave a powerhouse like 'Zona for IU at present?)
Shaka Smart (Could he win in B1G long-term?)
Tony Bennett (Would be my first call if not for the sister variable)
Jay Wright (Again, questions on his style and success in B1G long-term)
Fred Hoiberg (Can't see him leaving ISU)
Archie Miller (He should be in the second-tier discussion)
Mike Woodson (Please no)
Randy Wittman (Please no)
Steve Alford (Oh, please no)
Those are the names I have seen most often. So let's look at some names that haven't been thrown out there yet, or ones that have only been mentioned once or twice. Once again, no particular order.
Josh Pastner, Memphis (147-56): He is having his worst season by far in 2014-15, but he's proven to be a capable head coach at Memphis. Taking over for Calipari wasn't easy, and he's done well there. That said, he wouldn't be my first call of the guys on this "under-the-radar" list.
Michael White, Louisiana Tech (97-38): Has put together 3 straight 23+ win seasons. I have read several articles claiming he is considered one of the brightest young coaches in the game.
Steve Prohm, Murray State (101-27): Like White, he's had nothing but success where he is at. You wonder about the competition, but he does very well with what he has.
Bryce Drew, Valpo (92-41): You have to like the family history and coaching genealogy here. However, none of his family has ever had super high levels of success - just really solid and consistent results.
Bobby Hurley, Buffalo (39-19): In only his second season, I'm not sure this is the kind of move you make. While Buffalo was under .500 the year before he took over, they had several winning seasons prior to that. I'm not sure how much he has actually done.
Ben Jacobson, Northern Iowa (193-104): This is one of those "Steady Eddies" types from a very good mid-major conference. I'd say similar to a Randy Bennett. You always wonder how those types would recruit after being at a mid-major so long, but I'd say the guy can absolutely coach.
Brian Wardle, Green Bay (94-63): Took over a program that had won 22 games apiece in 08-09 and 09-10. He won 14, 15, and 18 games in his first 3 seasons, but has two straight 23+ win seasons.
Brad Underwood, Stephen F Austin (57-7): Took over a good program and has taken them to new heights. They went 27-5 (best record in school history) before he took over. In his first year, they were 32-3 and they are 25-4 this season. That's impressive, even for a small school.
