Baldwin’s Final Four (OU job)
Trying to figure out who athletic director Joe Castiglione will hire to replace Jeff Capel as OU’s next men’s basketball coach is a guessing game.
If Castiglione wants a coach with a long track record none of my four candidates will be in the running. I could also make counter arguments why none of the four would take the job.
Nonetheless, here is my Final Four to fill the vacancy and a reason why they might not be interested:
BUZZ WILLIAMS: Marquette’s coach is believed to be Castiglione’s top choice. Williams played at Oklahoma City University, recruits well in Texas and OU probably would be willing to pay enough to entice Williams to Oklahoma. Williams holds all the cards. He can stay at Marquette or take one of several different jobs.
Why he might not be interested: One rumor is Williams’ dream job is Texas. Take the OU job and that might not be a possibility once Rick Barnes retires. Williams might be able to go from Fayetteville to Austin but it’s doubtful he could go from Norman to Austin.
TAD BOYLE: OU certainly could pay more money than Colorado. Playing in the revamped Big 12 would also seem to be more attractive than the Buffaloes moving to the Pac 10.
Why he might not take the job: Boyle has Colorado ties. He might view the move to the Pac 10 as an easier path to making the NCAA Tournament after getting burned this season.
BRAD STEVENS: The 34-year-old Butler coach is on a lot of athletic director’s wish lists. He took the Bulldogs to the Final Four last season and has them in the Sweet 16 this season. Lost in the last few seconds of chaos in Butler’s second-round win over Pitt is Stevens drew up a genuis game-ending play, the Bulldogs scoring on a layup with 1.4 seconds left. A layup! If Shelvin Mack doesn’t foul, and Pitt misses a desperation 3-pointer, Stevens’ brilliantly devised play would have received much more publicity.
Why he might not take the job: One rumor is Stevens is happy where he’s at and might stay at Butler until Tom Crean leaves Indiana.
CHRIS MACK: He has only two years head coaching experience but he’s 41 and spent years under the late Skip Prosser at Wake Forest and Xavier. Mack is another mid major coach receiving a lot of attention because of the NCAA Tournament.
Why he might not take the job: Mack has spent nearly 20 years at his alma mater as a player, assistant coach and head coach. Maybe he’s like OSU football coach Mike Gundy. Mack might view Xavier as his dream job.
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