Never liked Digger; even though he did have some great players at ND. But if they are serious about at least contacting Monty Williams; that`s a great point in the right direction and means they are serious about bringing in someone who can really try and restore some assemblance in getting the basketball program back into being a strong contender.
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Even if he wanted to come, I wouldn't want him. They need someone who is willing to be out on the road after games, over holidays, in snowstorms recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. I don't think career NBA guys who've never coached in college have even a clue how much work it is. If people are going to throw out pipe dream names of coaches who will never, ever come to ND, then go with Billy Donovan. He knows the college game and would assemble a top college staff.
As long as we're dreaming, then call Rick Pitino. He and Bobby Knight are the two best college coaches in my lifetime. Pitino can win anywhere. He's winning at freaking Iona. He could get a UHND all-star team to win. ND is a Jesuit school. It should be about redemption. Call the man. His kid graduated from ND. ND should definitely call Junior down at Albuquerque.
Now, for realistic candidates: Bryce Drew, Grant McCasland, Tim Miles (ND is his "dream job"), Mike Rhoades, Shantay Legans, Casey Alexander, Kevin Kruger, Darian DeVries, Steve Lutz (defensive and big guy specialties) Mark Prosser, Dusty May, among others.
I like your assessment would love to see a Ricky P at the university but getting a guy like that would be like ND football bringing in Urban. But I like those names Bryce Drew; Johnny Dawkins is too behind these days.
Lou's experience being fired and picking himself up again helped him. And as someone mentioned, I think most everyone who knows basketball respects Bryce Drew as a coach a lot more than Jerry Stackhouse, who replaced him, and has done nothing. Vandy is a tough place to win big. Drfew has picked himself up at Grand Canyon. They went to the Tournament his first year. They went 23-8 last season, and they are 13-6 this season. Culturally, he would fit in well and he obviously likes ND. His college choices when he was a player came down to ND and playing for his dad, so the choice was hardly shocking. What could've been if Pat Garrity had had one other future NBA player alongside him in the Big East.
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You are one of the voices that knows his shit on this board. All good man.
I’m excited for the future it could be bright.