Dan Wolken of the Memphis Commercial Appeal analyzed seven myths regarding the Memphis Tigers’ search for a new men’s basketball coach in a story posted Sunday on the newspaper’s Web site. The story looks at several theories regarding the coaching vacancy that have materialized since it became available last Tuesday.
And Miner fans can take solace (or disappointment) in knowing that current UTEP head coach Tony Barbee is not part of Wolken’s analysis.
Surprisingly, though, New Mexico State coach Reggie Theus is.
“Theus might be a good hire, but he would be a risky hire. The former NBA player and sitcom star was only at New Mexico State for three years, not long enough to prove if he could build a program. And he went to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 with a roster of mostly transfers and players with off-court baggage that most other programs wouldn't touch,” Wolken wrote.
Theus told the paper that he hasn’t been contacted by Memphis regarding the job. And Wolken draws the conclusion that the Aggie coach was never a candidate.
Wolken goes on to dismiss a move to pluck a coach from the NBA, calling it a “weird idea, if not downright awful,” as it would take more than NBA credentials to recruit the caliber of players that Memphis has come to expect.
Several other big names, however, are on the list and include ringing endorsements, even if some have a slim chance of getting hired.
Cincinatti’s Andy Kennedy: “Kennedy has a ton of upside as a coach, and he knows how to recruit the Memphis area.”
UMass’ Derek Kellogg: “It would take a good offer (something in the $1.4-$1.5 million range), but Kellogg would relish the chance to take over a program where he can recruit the kinds of players he recruited here for eight years under Calipari.”
Former UTEP, Texas A&M, Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie: “The appearance of trading coaches with Kentucky would be odd, if not off-putting to some. But let's face it. If Calipari had gone anywhere else, who's the best, most accomplished coach available?” And regarding the fact that Memphis’ former coach is at Gillispie’s most recent former school? “Wouldn’t it be a heck of a story if the two parties who got wrecked by Kentucky join forces, both with something to prove? Now that’s a ‘Wow’ hire.”
So while the rumors may persist, it doesn’t look like anybody, not even the people with the closest look at the Memphis program, see Tony Barbee heading back to the River City.
However, no one has dispelled the notion of Barbee going back under the wing of his former boss at Kentucky. I suppose it sounds like a dream to be on a stage as grand as Rupp Arena. But the money sure doesn't sound as enticing. Barbee's salary, according to a September 2007 El Paso Times story, is $357,457 annually. The salary of former Kentucky assistant Jeremy Cox was $160,000, according to the Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader's salary database. It seems the only reason Barbee would leave for Kentucky is if he isn't enjoying the rigors of being a head coach.
But the process still has time to play out. Stay tuned.
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