Best jobs in America

An OSU fan engaged me in some dialogue about the Cowboy basketball job. How good is it? It’s an excellent question, and one of my favorite topics, discussing the status of various jobs in college football and basketball.

A couple of years ago, I ranked the best college basketball jobs in America. Here’s how I listed them:

1. Kentucky: Four UK coaches (Rupp, Hall, Pitino, Smith) have won NCAA titles.

2. Duke: Blue Devils were a power even before Krzyzewski.

3. North Carolina: Three UNC coaches (McGuire, Smith, Williams) have won NCAA titles.

4. Kansas: Great stability. Only 6 coaches since 1919.

5. Michigan State: Stole the mantle from arch-foe Michigan.

6. Indiana: Facilities need upgrade, but mighty passion.

7. Arizona: One question: great job or great coach (Lute Olson)?

8. Syracuse: Flagship school of Eastern hoops.

9. UCLA: Big winner, but lots of coaching turnover.

10. Connecticut: Same question as Arizona.

11. Louisville: Attracts quality — Denny Crum & Rick Pitino.

12. Maryland: Never became UCLA of the East, but quite strong.

13. Illinois: Strange, 3 coaches since Lou Henson.

14. Florida: Little tradition but gaining steam.

15. Texas: Lacks passion but not resources.

16. Ohio State: Texas North — should be even better.

17. Arkansas: OU beware — Hogs fell after 2 great coaches.

18. Purdue: Three Final Four coaches since ’69.

19. Oklahoma State: Same question as Connecticut.

20. Oklahoma: Two straight coaches (before Capel) have thrived.

21. Cincinnati: Is there life after Bob Huggins?

22. Villanova: Not a huge budget.

23. Utah: Under-appreciated job.

24. Stanford: Duke West and Duke Light.

25. North Carolina State: Two coaches won NCAA titles at Little Brother.

Now that I look at the list, a couple of obvious omissions prevail. First, Memphis. The Tigers are ranked No. 1 now, and it’s a long-standing power. Gene Bartow and Dana Kirk both coached Memphis to the Final Four, and John Calipari might do it this year. Memphis moves ahead of OSU and OU.  Maybe somewhere around 13-15. And Georgetown belongs on the list, too. John Thompson turned the Hoyas into a household name; Georgetown still packs a punch. I would put Georgetown somewhere around 20 or so. And the Big East is full of programs that could contend for the bottom of this top 25. Marquette, West Virginia, Pitt. Throw in the ACC, too: Boston College, Wake Forest.