Ratto on UA's coaching opening

[MaoTosiFanClub]

sparing the history and money argument, is there any real chance that pitino leaves louisville for UA? Louisville is a program in great shape right now. BigEast regular and tourney champs.... just wondering.

Arizona has comparable money and tradition to UL so there's nothing there, it would be a lateral if not worse move for Pitino. The reason Pitino is rumored is because...

1. He never stays anywhere too long, he likes building more than maintaining
2. He wouldn't take a paycut at Arizona
3. Zona might be wiling to name his son coach-in-waiting which UL as of now has refused to do
4. Arizona has some ties due to the horse racing thing and CM Newton
5. Didn't deny interest at presser last weekend

That being said, I have always doubted it happens. Arizona should go big after Capel, Few, and maybe Gillispie depending on what comes out during the vetting process of his time in Lexington. I'm pretty confident all would win big at Arizona. Not Lute or Pitino or Calipari big, probably more like Monty at Stanford.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Not really, most people thought UK would be a factor during this offseason's searches as early as January. And even if not, Arizona should've had a Plan B lined up just in case Memphis won the NC.

Yes that is true, but with as much time as UA had to court Cal even if it was through back channels if Cal left JL without saying yes it was a disaster for JL. Now im sure Cal knew UK was going to offer a ton of money so that has to be figured into it, but like it or not JL had his shot at Cal and obviously UK opening up ruined everything JL had been working for, because Cal was target A.

Arizona was out once UK started throwing around that kind of cash. We have money but that's more than 'Bama just paid for Saban. And I've been firm in suggesting that Calipari was the only one of the Big Four (Cal, Pitino, Izzo, Dixon) that was realistic and him bolting for UK within 48 hours confirms that. If we can land a Few or Capel we'll be fine but after that it gets pretty dicey.

Yeah, UA was done as soon as UK opened up in my opinion. Not a single coach would be able to turn down UK and 6 mil a year to go to any other program unless they were offerering at least 3/4 of that money.

sparing the history and money argument, is there any real chance that pitino leaves louisville for UA? Louisville is a program in great shape right now. BigEast regular and tourney champs.... just wondering.

I think there is a chance, but only a slight one. Cal was by far the most important candidate and he is long gone now. Pitino has so much invested into Lousiville not to mention a brand new arena. Sure UA is a factor, but not as big of a factor as they were for Calipari.

My hope is that JL can convince Capel to come to town, otherwise JL will never be able to show his face in Tucson again. Few could be a nice hire, but he needs a very strong recruiter next to him and Pastner is going to UK with Cal so...

 

[DWKB]

Well how do Cat fans feel about Mike Anderson? 40 Mins of Hell is up tempo, just the opposite side of the ball.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

At this point I strongly consider this coaching search a failure based on where it was headed for the past 4 months and where it is right now.

Mike Anderson wouldnt be a bad hire and UA could definitely do much worse, but striking out on your top two candidates, even if one was stolen away by UK, is the worst thing that could have possibly happened.

Again, Pitino is still in play, but im not expecting him to come to Tucson.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Well how do Cat fans feel about Mike Anderson? 40 Mins of Hell is up tempo, just the opposite side of the ball.

At this point I'd take him, sure as hell better than a guy who just finished in fifth place of the Mountain West. If Arizona hires Lon Kruger I won't give another dime to that university as long as Jim Livengood is the AD and/or Robert Shelton is the President.

 

[Dback Jon]

Mike Anderson is going to Memphis, or staying in Missouri...

 

[Dback Jon]

Oh - and I really would consider Louisville a better program than Arizona. Not by much, but Arizona would be a step back, IMHO.

Louisville has a better tradition, in a stronger conference, and has as deep pockets, if not deeper.

And no way in heck does Tom Jurich let Pitino go to Arizona

 

[DWKB]

Washington State head coach Tony Bennett to Virginia is now being reported.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Tony Bennet is leaving WSU for Virginia... Ive heard some news about Capel moving up the list and if you put 2 and 2 together Capel has to be very high on Livengood's list right now.

Many people expected Capel to at least get offered the UVA job, not sure if he was or not but at this point (im ignoring Pitino) Capel would be hands down the best choice right now.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Pitino to Arizona just got the kiss of death - Gambo and Ash are reporting it's a done deal.

 

[Lefty]

Pitino to Arizona just got the kiss of death - Gambo and Ash are reporting it's a done deal.

Found this on one of the UofA's boards.
http://louisville.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=923&fid=1241

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Found this on one of the UofA's boards.
http://louisville.rivals.com/forum.asp?sid=923&fid=1241

So we have the flagship home of ASU and a radio station in Kentucky making a prediction on the future of UofA and Louisville sports? Sorry if I won't take that info with a mountain of salt.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Some things seem to be turning and perhaps Pitino isnt such a long shot. Still say its not as likely as Cal would have been, but I did a lot of digging tonight and talked to someone who lead me along a trail that definitely leads to Pitino.

Not saying UA lands him, but UA is making a strong push for Pitino, especially in the next few days. Livengood is pulling some cards in his favor and hopefully they play out like we want them to.

 

[Hazzard29]

Anyone think Izzo is still a possibility? Would winning or losing the championship this season with MSU effect whether or not he would come to UofA?

Id still much rather have Pitino... but Izzo wouldnt be a bad consolation prize.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I never bought into the Izzo or Pitino rumors although I'm sure they were in contact at one point or another with Arizona most likely to leverage a new contract with MSU and UL. I always thought Calipari was going to leave Memphis after this year (a suspicion that was confirmed when he had his 2009 class sign LOI's that featured an addendum letting them out to follow him) and thought if Dixon had no issues playing Howland then he was an option but never Izzo or Pitino. Arizona is a lateral move if not worse nor does it make sense personally for those two guys. That's not the case with Cal and Dixon.

Gambo and Ash are reporting Capel is an option and I named him months ago as someone who fits. What people needs to realize is that when these premiere openings come up teams rarely get their first choice unless they have an alumni or deep connection in place. Crean was Indiana's fifth or sixth choice, Gillispie was UK's fifth or sixth, even Calipari came third on Kentucky's list this week after Pitino and Donovan said no. That being said, there are still terrific coaches available that would be willing to come to Arizona and with all it's amenities win multiple championships. Livengood just needs to focus on them and stop chasing his own tail with the bigger name guys.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Spoke to a booster this evening and unless he's pulling an April Fool's joke or Livengood is intentionally leading people then you might as well close McKale Center and turn it into a classroom because Arizona Athletics are officially dead. Should know in a day or two.

Now excuse me while I prepare the torches, pitchforks, tar, and feathers for a possible assault on Jim Livengood's home tomorrow evening.

 

[Lefty]

Spoke to a booster this evening and unless he's pulling an April Fool's joke or Livengood is intentionally leading people then you might as well close McKale Center and turn it into a classroom because Arizona Athletics are officially dead. Should know in a day or two.

Now excuse me while I prepare the torches, pitchforks, tar, and feathers for a possible assault on Jim Livengood's home tomorrow evening.

I'm hearing it's Few. If that is true, I will be happy.

 

[Chaplin]

Spoke to a booster this evening and unless he's pulling an April Fool's joke or Livengood is intentionally leading people then you might as well close McKale Center and turn it into a classroom because Arizona Athletics are officially dead. Should know in a day or two.

Now excuse me while I prepare the torches, pitchforks, tar, and feathers for a possible assault on Jim Livengood's home tomorrow evening.

+1

Livengood is living up to his reputation.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm hearing it's Few. If that is true, I will be happy.

I heard Mark Fox or Scott Drew. Drew's probably impossible at this point with the NIT final on Thursday. If it's Fox we're screwed. At that point I recommend putting all the money into academics and make our degrees as valuable as UCLA or Berkeley.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'm hearing it's Few. If that is true, I will be happy.

I will say that Lefty has better sources than me being in Tucson and knowing people in the AD. I get my info mostly through boosters. One e-mailed me earlier today that we're screwed (they used a different word though) and mentioned Fox and Drew.

And Few would be a coup, would prefer Capel, but we'd win for a long time under Few.

 

[Lefty]

I will say that Lefty has better sources than me being in Tucson and knowing people in the AD. I get my info mostly through boosters. One e-mailed me earlier today that we're screwed (they used a different word though) and mentioned Fox and Drew.

And Few would be a coup, would prefer Capel, but we'd win for a long time under Few.

Livengood has kept this hiring tight lipped. I think no one really knows, it's all speculation but I will be very happy with Few or Capel. Also, I hope Livengood surprises everyone and announces Pitino as the coach. Maybe he struck a deal with Rick and told him his son could replace him when he retires. I can hope.

KTAR has Few, Pitino, Capel and Floyd as the finalists. I'm happy with all of them except Floyd. He might be a great recruiter but I just don't like him and believe he is not what Livengood is looking for.

 

[Renz]

Capel or Few would be great if Pitino is off the board. This is the first I've heard Floyd's name.

Really, I'd be okay with just about every name I've heard other than Kruger or Theus. I don't know who Fox is.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Really, I'd be okay with just about every name I've heard other than Kruger or Theus. I don't know who Fox is.

You would not be happy with him.

Calipari is slobbering all over Arizona at his press conference, seems pretty safe to say he was coming here until a top 5 program with bottomless pockets like Kentucky got involved.

We'll see if JL pulled one out of his hat in the next day or so.

 

[Lefty]

You would not be happy with him.

Calipari is slobbering all over Arizona at his press conference, seems pretty safe to say he was coming here until a top 5 program with bottomless pockets like Kentucky got involved.

We'll see if JL pulled one out of his hat in the next day or so.

I am now hearing it could be Pearl.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I am now hearing it could be Pearl.

Anything less than Capel, Few, and Pearl in that order is a disaster.