Who should replace Coach Few?
by ZagsFanatic on Mar 3, 2010 2:18 PM PST
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PrintWith all of the talk about Ernie Kent inevitably getting canned in a few weeks the rumors that Mark Few will be unable to avoid the obvious benefits of the UO job are soon to start flying. These benefits include:
1. New state-of-the-art facilities
2. A HUGE paycheck (likely courtesy of Nike)
3. A new challenge
4. Close proximity to his father
There is no reason to believe that Few will jump ship this year, he has turned down some amazing opportunities in the past and has demonstrated a remarkable allegiance to Gonzaga and the "simple life." Few will likely never have the success or job security that he enjoys at GU in any other program but I don't think any of us could blame him if he left after this or any future year. He would be leaving the program in great shape with an extremely talented young team and at this point I'm not sure how much this program depends on Coach Few to continue this amazing run.
Lately I have been thinking about who would be best suited to take Spike's reins and I am curious to know what all of you think. As far as I am concerned these are the most obvious candidates but I would love to see some comments about coaches outside of this list that you think would fit in well here. Please keep the wish list realistic which means I don't want to see Coach K, Boeheim, Roy or Gary Williams or anyone else who is currently coaching at a basketball powerhouse. Here is the obvious list:
Bill Grier- He was in line for this position before heading to USD. After some remarkable success at USD in the beginning of his tenure the program has taken some hits but there is no reason to believe he wouldn't be extended the offer and he would be crazy not to take it.
Leon Rice- It is hard for us fans to really understand the role that the Assistant Coaches play in practice, in games and in recruiting but Leon Rice has been around the longest (11 years) and has the Associate title.
Tommy Lloyd- Tommy has been with the program for 9 years and is looking pretty good right now after bringing Elias to Spokane
Ray Giacoletti- Ray has only been at GU for 3 years but he was quite successful at EWU and was a COY finalist at Utah in 2005. The bottom fell out after Bogut left for the NBA and he was run out of SLC. Coach Giacoletti could be the key to stealing some high level Australian talent from SMC. He and Grier are the only coaches on the list that have head coaching experience.
Disagreements? Opinions? Other candidates? Take the poll and leave comments below, we have some downtime before the game on Sunday so lets get the opinions flying.
This post does not reflect the views of the blog authors or SB Nation.
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I don't even think there's a reason to think about it. I struggle to see why Few would ever leave.
The only two reasons would be –
1. Money
2. Challenge
He’s got the perfect set-up at GU. He can recruit well, make the tournament every year, and beat up on the WCC to pad his coaching profile. He’s got some pretty clear coaching deficiencies and being in the WCC masks those. On top of that, he’s treated like a god around Spokane and gets to control the program in aspects – like media coverage – which he wouldn’t get at a bigger program.
Grier? No thanks.
I hope it would be Rice. Isn’t Giacoletti planning on leaving soon, anyways? I remember an article where he mentioned wanting to make the leap back to HC.
Here's that article, in case anyone wants to read it...
http://www.pjstar.com/sports/x1437800870/Giacoletti-getting-back-into-the-game
"I was a head coach for 10 years,’’ Giacoletti said. "I’d like another opportunity. Before that time comes, there couldn’t be a better place right now than working for a friend in a place that’s pretty unique and special. Most times in your career, you don’t have a chance to learn or get new ideas. I feel blessed to have that chance now.
"After three years, I’m ready again. I’m pretty honest with myself. I knew I needed to take a step back, get myself right and energized.’’
So he’s not saying he’s leaving, but it sounds to me more likely that not…
Leon Rice
IF Mark Few was to leave…and he might, I would not even consider Bill Grier. He abandoned the program for greener pastures. Or at least, hoping to create greener pastures in San Diego. So, for that reason he would be out.
Leon Rice has therefore, IMO moved up just behind Few on the #2 line, lol, and should get the job over Tommy & Ray. No need to look outside the program.
I remember hearing Few say something to the effect that he would stay IF there were still the opportunity to improve. If we get whacked out in the WCC or NCAA Tourney early, and do not improve to perhaps the Elite 8, maybe he looks at it as time to look elsewhere. Just speculation on my part.
I personally hope he does not leave and think the future looks very bright right here.
Its gonna be gLoRiOUS!!~
I think Grier is good
and he left for greener pastures but for good reason he was an assistant at GU for 13 years wouldn’t you want a head coaching job at D1 instead of waiting for Few to leave if he ever does.
Grier was the one originally supposed to succeed Few.
Word is Billy had a long discussion with Mark when the USD job was offered. I imagine the focus of the conversation was “I want that shot at a HC position. Should I stay?”. Grier ended up leaving, and I think that was really telling.
The Few Weaknesses
I always hear about Few’s deficiencies. His main one being he cannot finish. Either regular games or in the tournament. But I want to know what people think he brings to GU. In my opinion, he brings a lot of consistency to the program. Evidence of the string of WCC titles he brings to Spokane. Then there is always the subject of recruiting. He is bashed for not bringing in the blue chip or ESPN top 100 recruits. Gonzaga is a tough sell. It is in the middle of Eastern Washington. Competition in conference is not as fierce. Yes GU plays anyone anywhere, but it would be nice to be the team people come from anywhere and at anytime to play.Also some guys like the idea of going up against Duke or Syracuse or Kansas for a place atop the conference. Conference games simply are not as big number wise. Going east or to the even to the PAC 10 offers more media coverage and a bigger audience. This all translates into NBA potential as well as ego. Most top recruits have big egos that need to be fed. If Gonzaga made the elite 8 or even a Final Four this recruiting situation may change. After all is said and done though Few has taken a lot of guys ranked in 80’s range to the sweet sixteen, and I do not think for a second that Few will be satisfied until he gets a Final Four. Then of course we will probably hear he blew it and needs to be fired anyway.
by Zagfan10 on Mar 3, 2010 11:47 PM PST reply actions 1 recs
well said
If anything Few has overachieved! all someone has to do is turn on ESPN, watch a Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Syracuse game to understand those basketball venues are hard to beat. The fact of the matter is we don’t get the best recruits, never have! So, the fact that we compete this hard year in and year out speaks volumes for this coaching staff and there evaluation of talent! And I disagree with soundpound completely, I see guys that are very motivated on the floor!
1 more thing: Why would Gary Bell Jr, Nick Johnson, Kyle Wiltjer, and Kyle Draginis even think of coming to Gonzaga if there was any way possible Few was leaving? He’s not leaving, and thus he will continue to do what no other coach has done with a school the size of Gonzaga’s.
by montanazag on Mar 4, 2010 9:47 AM PST up reply actions 1 recs
It's easy to rag on the coach...
When you are a fan and have over-hyped expectations. I am as guilty as the next. I just know that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
If Few chooses to leave, that is his right and he is in GU’s hall of fame.
If you think it is hard to get top recruits to come to Spokane and GU, think about how difficult it will be to get a top tier coach to come here with the recruiting chips stacked against you. Difficult to think you could get a guy that has any success to stick around as long as Few has. Some up and coming young coach might take us farther than Few has, but he would be gone shortly after. Keep Few as long as we can!
by GU.AmericasTeam on Mar 4, 2010 10:29 AM PST up reply actions
I thought about it
The poll is based an a VERY theoretical (and hopefully far-fetched) assumption that Few were to leave. I wasn’t interested in knowing whether people wanted Few to leave, but who they think would be the best replacement. Having the nobody option would be irrelevant to the discussion and would throw off the results.
BOOO To all of this leave stuff......FEW will stay
Few talked about one of the most important things he learned from his dad being a long time pastor at the same church is loyalty—- I believe he will stay until they scrape him off the court
I wish.....list
To me perfect fit for this progam….Lute Olson. Amazing at player development…great coach, know how to win…has been out of the game….but too bad just not possible…
From the current staff I would give the nod to Ray Giacoletti…I happened to sit next to Leon Rice on flight back from Seattle in Nov…..I mentioned how my hope for this year would be a greater level of toughness…he said that is exactly what Ray brought to the team…He also said that he (Ray) will be a great HC someday soon…
I think Tommy is a great recruiter…Look at Vasquez…he got him to the USA….He got Harris, …but beyond that…he is not a HC….not yet..
JMHO
I like Bruce Pearl, Mike Davis, Mike Anderson and Tommy Lloyd!
I just don’t think Coach Few is going anywhere. Thats OK too!
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