Russ Pennell job prospects?

[HooverDam]

So I'm sitting here watching the UA-SC game and my brain got to wondering, what do UA fans think Pennells job prospects for next year are like? Do you think he's doing a decent job at UA? On the one hand he has 2 potential NBA 1st round picks on the team (Budinger, Hill) so perhaps he should be doing better. On the other there was a ton of turmoil and distractions, so considering all of that perhaps he's doing well. I wonder of Pennell would want to go back to being an assistant or if he'd have a chance getting a Head Coaching gig somewhere. NAU has been struggling badly this year, maybe they'd fire their coach and be interested in Pennell? Or maybe he could land a job in a mid major type conference like the Missouri Valley or something.

Anyway, your thoughts?

EDIT: Never mind, either Russ Pennell is not a very good coach, or Jamelle Horn is the stupidest player in America.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

EDIT: Never mind, either Russ Pennell is not a very good coach, or Jamelle Horn is the stupidest player in America.

Right on both counts. Although Pennell is HC in name only, Dunlap runs the team.

Neither will be at Arizona next season, Dunlap will get a mid-major or DII gig while Pennell probably goes back to the AAU circuit.

 

[Chaplin]

I don't think Mao is giving Pennell enough credit. He took on a horrible situation. The team may be losing, but they're losing because they just don't have enough quality personnel on the team--they've played hard and there haven't been any real locker room problems. I'd say he's done a great job trying to weather the storm that is the 08/09 season.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I agree, it does not fall solely on Pennell but he still is not a good coach. Good coaches don't become unemployed and fall into AAU coaching and radio analysis. And while the talent on the team isn't Arizona-caliber, he was still gifted the best big man in the Pac-10 and two solid perimeter guys who will be making good money professionally somewhere next year. That's enough to be competitive in a very down conference if you are a competent head coach.

Playing hard? Okay. Have you ever watched Chase Budinger play?

 

[Gaddabout]

I agree, it does not fall solely on Pennell but he still is not a good coach. Good coaches don't become unemployed and fall into AAU coaching and radio analysis. And while the talent on the team isn't Arizona-caliber, he was still gifted the best big man in the Pac-10 and two solid perimeter guys who will be making good money professionally somewhere next year. That's enough to be competitive in a very down conference if you are a competent head coach.

Playing hard? Okay. Have you ever watched Chase Budinger play?

Pennell hitched his star to Rob Evans and failed to do any networking beyond that. That's why he was unemployed.

The man is a decent X's and O's guy, and is adept at recruiting a certain kind of player. I can see him behind a nice lifetime assistant at a decent program. But he likes Arizona, and he will do something else, I think, rather than move.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Pennell hitched his star to Rob Evans and failed to do any networking beyond that. That's why he was unemployed.

Evans also decided he was going to take Tony Benford's advice over Pennell's which either says something about Evans or Pennell (probably RE). Regardless, it doesn't say much about his ability to be a HC when he was never given a HC opportunity in all his years working under Evans and Eddie Sutton.

The man is a decent X's and O's guy, and is adept at recruiting a certain kind of player. I can see him behind a nice lifetime assistant at a decent program. But he likes Arizona, and he will do something else, I think, rather than move.

Granted he's a good assistant, not a good head man especially at a place like Arizona. He'll never get the elite recruits that the UA job demands (that was Reggie Geary that locked up most of the once-heralded 2009 class) and is not a big enough personality or x's and o's wizard to overcome that and his recruiting. Arizona needs somebody with a high ceiling and that is not Pennell.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Per Seth Davis...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/seth_davis/01/21/mailbag/index.html

You might think these should be days of unfettered glee in the great state of Arizona, what with the Cardinals bound for the Super Bowl and all. But as your interim 'Bag man dips into this week's mail, he discovers some grains of discontent in the desert sand. And it's not just because uber jerk Anquan Boldin is going to the Super Bowl, too, though that is a travesty of epic proportions. It's because of the state of Arizona basketball.

Arizona State may be off to its best start in eons, but fans of the Arizona Wildcats, who followed a pretty good nonconference season with a 2-4 start in Pac-10 play, are greatly unsettled. Besides being confronted by the specter of possibly missing out on the NCAA tournament for the first time in 24 years (the longest active streak in the country), the school is also facing the task of replacing Lute Olson at a time when the program is going to be emptied of its talent with no recruits on their way. (The Wildcats' two best players, junior forwards Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, are likely to be turn pro after this season, and all of the high school seniors who committed to Olson signed elsewhere after he retired.) When they envision their immediate future, Arizona fans steal a glance to what's happening at Indiana right now, and it is not a pretty sight.

Here's a sampling of the desert distress that landed in my inbox this week:

How does Jamelle Horne foul in a tie game for the second time this season? What on earth is going on in the Arizona huddle?
--Chari Bayan, Syracuse, N.Y.

What are the chances the Arizona Wildcats can lure a top coach (i.e. Dixon, Few, Pitino) to take over the basketball program?
--Greg Wise, Chandler, Ariz.

Seth, UofA alumni such as myself are very concerned about the deterioration of Wildcat basketball over the last three years, now capped with Lute's abrupt retirement. Now we are facing widespread recruiting defections. What are the chances we hire an "A" coach and get the ship righted? I will be honest when I say most of us believe our NCAA tourney streak is done this year and deservedly so.
--Doug Latimer, Pasadena, Calif.

I touched on the play Horne made in yesterday's Hoop Thoughts, but for those who didn't read the column this week (shame on you), I'll recap: With Arizona's game at USC last Saturday tied at 64 with 1.2 seconds left, Horne, a 6-foot-6 sophomore forward, inexplicably fouled USC point guard Daniel Hackett near half court. That allowed Hackett to go to the free-throw line and hand the Wildcats a crushing 65-64 defeat. Remarkably, Horne is the same player who fouled UAB guard Paul Delaney at the buzzer when the score was tied back on Nov. 18, which led to a one-point defeat. In this case, it did not appear that Horne intentionally fouled Hackett, but rather that he just lost control of himself as he was trying to play defense. Either way, it was inexcusable.

It is easy to blame interim coach Russ Pennell for the foul-ups, but I still contend it is also the responsibility of the players to know basic things like time and score. Maybe I feel a sense of fellowship with Pennell because I know how hard it is to work under an interim tag on the Mailbag until Grant Wahl returns from his sabbatical. The fact is, Pennell was placed in a very difficult situation that I frankly don't believe he was prepared for, and he has managed about as well as could be expected. To be honest, I still don't understand why Olson's top assistant, Mike Dunlap, turned down the interim job in the first place -- especially since he also agreed to remain as an assistant to Pennell. That made absolutely no sense.

As for the next coach in Tucson, Greg has thrown out some pretty good names, but out of those three, only Few strikes me as realistic. I really believe Louisville will be Rick Pitino's last coaching job. He has moved around too many times in his life, he has plenty of money, and he has a good quality of life that includes living next to the family of his late brother-in-law Billy Minardi. Jamie Dixon is an understandably popular choice, and I would imagine if Arizona could hire him they'd do it lickety split. But even though Dixon is from California and his wife is from Hawaii, he is in a great situation at Pittsburgh, where he has built phenomenal recruiting inroads into New York, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. Also, when Arizona State tried to hire him two years ago, Dixon renegotiated his contract with Pittsburgh, and I'm told his buyout is extremely expensive.
We're still two months away from Arizona's search kicking into high gear, but besides Mark Few and Dixon, the names I'm hearing come up most often are Reggie Theus, Lon Kruger and Tubby Smith. And here's a pair of sleepers for you I just heard this week: Oliver Purnell and Frank Haith. So stay tuned, Arizona fans, and don't lose hope. In the meantime, enjoy the Super Bowl, even if Boldin plays in it.

That last part bugs me. Am I just myopic or is this guy just out of touch?

I mean Reggie Theus, Lon Kruger, and Frank Haith? WTF? Sounds like superficial journalism to me as Theus is the one who put his name out there for the job and there is no indication anyone in Tucson is interested. And Kruger doesn't have interest on either side.

Would he dare name these type of candidates at say Kentucky and Kansas?

If Indiana can get Tom Crean then we should be able to do AT LEAST as good right?

Somebody in the know help me out here.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Kruger would go to Arizona in a nano-second, but we'll have to hear a lot of no's before his name comes up.

Theus, Purnell, and Haith would be complete and utter trainwrecks. Thankfully Arizona isn't interested in any of them, we'd have to hear dozens of no's before calling any of those guys.

Assuming they don't get one of the big 5 (Pitino, Cal, Dixon, Izzo, Few) if they cough up 2+ million a year, they'll get one of the second tier guys to come. That group includes Drew, Capel, Bennett, and maybe Kruger or Turgeon.

EDIT - Seriously, do NOT worry about someone like Frank Haith being Arizona's next head coach. Jim Livengood wouldn't make it out of Tucson alive if he announced that name at a press conference. If it came down to someone like Haith he'd hire an alumni like Pastner to save face.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Finest - the best way to predict behavior is to try to put yourself in that person's (in this case Jim Livengood) shoes and by examining said person's past decisions. Look at his track record of hiring major sports coaches forgetting KO who was Steve Kerr and Lute orchestrated. His two football hires have been Mackovic and Stoops and JL would've hired Kelvin Sampson (we complain now, our program would've been infinitely worse had we hired that scumbag) had Lute gone through with retirement after Bobbi died.

What do they all have in common? Ties to the Texas recruiting market.

There's some who believe that the Arizona schools somewhat recruit themselves to the segment of SoCal kids who want to get away from home. It's an easy trip across the desert for their folks and you don't have the academic restrictions of the Bay Area schools so any good athlete with a pulse can likely get in. These people believe that harvesting Texas along with California is the best way to become a true power. I truly think Livengood is one of those people. I personally don't see it but whatever. So my theory is that if one of the top 5 guys all of whom can recruit nationally are not available then you'll see Livengood go after a guy with Texas connections which leaves Capel, Drew, and Turgeon. Of those three I'd personally prefer Capel because he has the most upside but all I think would win at Arizona albeit at different levels.

Just my opinion of course.

 

[Gaddabout]

Kruger would go to Arizona in a nano-second, but we'll have to hear a lot of no's before his name comes up.

Theus, Purnell, and Haith would be complete and utter trainwrecks. Thankfully Arizona isn't interested in any of them, we'd have to hear dozens of no's before calling any of those guys.

A lot of 'no's? I imagine UA calling Kruger for an interview only after they've been turned down by Steve Fisher, and only then after they've checked into raising Adolph Rupp from the dead. Or something like that.

I'm convinced the only reason Reggie Theus' name comes up in every coaching search is because he's pulling a Herm Edwards and sending his resume' to every college basketball writer on the planet. All you have to do is recall any moment he spent in front of a mic as an analyst to realize the guy shouldn't be coaching. (Back when I was a columnist and ASU fired Bruce Snyder, the next day I receive a press release from Herm Edwards publicly announcing his interest in the ASU job. Mind you, he probably had to look on a map to find Tempe, but he was convinced he was the right man for the job. Any head coaching job. He just wanted a head coaching job. Did he mention he worked under Monte Kiffin? Did he mention he was Tony Dungy's favorite? Only a few thousand times.)

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Yeah, pimping himself out publicly to the UA job within 24 hours of getting canned from Sacramento didn't win him any friends in Tucson. I think he's got next to no chance although Livengood has historically been a mark for such seedy salesmen which is why I'm holding out for Calipari.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Watched Bedlam on ESPN tonight and I'm firmly on the Capel bandwagon despite his Dukie roots. Arizona could easily get him too.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Watched Bedlam on ESPN tonight and I'm firmly on the Capel bandwagon despite his Dukie roots. Arizona could easily get him too.

Elaborate. Blake Griffin certainly looks like future NBA All Pro.

 

[Lefty]

If they can't persuade Dixon, Pitino, Izzo, Callipari or Few, then I wouldn't mind Capel. I also like Wright from Villanova.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Elaborate. Blake Griffin certainly looks like future NBA All Pro.

Capel makes relative chump change at Oklahoma and Sooner fans don't care about hoops. Sampson would have left for Arizona the minute Lute retired and bolted to Indiana without much thought. Even Billy Tubbs bolted for more money.

And yes, Blake Griffin is most likely the best player in the country.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If they can't persuade Dixon, Pitino, Izzo, Callipari or Few, then I wouldn't mind Capel. I also like Wright from Villanova.

I'll take Capel over Few. Mark Few is just not competitive enough for me and his teams don't play defense.

Izzo ain't happening, nor is Jay Wright. Dixon, Calipari, and Pitino are going to cost over $2.5 million which I think Arizona can get to but whether they want to is another story.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

Ive been thinking about this for a few weeks.

Capel would be a very good hire in my opinion. He isnt going to bring a legacy with him nor is he widely considered one of the best coaches in the country.

However:

1. He can recruit
2. He runs an uptempo style of play
3. He never coached under K, which makes his system still more of his own
4. He has proven he can win at a big time university
5. Recent history of success
6. He wouldnt cost as much
7. Id take him over Few instantly
8. One of the best young coaches in the game
9. He would accept the job
10. Capel WOULD win the press conference

Here is my list:

1. Cal
2. Pitino
3. Dixon
4. Capel

Those are my top 4 realistic coaches. I dont think Izzo comes either. Capel would be a good hire and could build his own legacy here.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Greg Hansen = officially off the deep end.

http://www.azstarnet.com/sports/279233

 

[Gaddabout]

Wow. Hansen needs an MRI. Or an intervention. Maybe both.

 

[Lefty]

Chase would of gone to the NBA if KO was still coaching. Hansen doesn't know much. In November of 2007 he said Stoops and Livengood were going to be fired before that year was up.

 

[Renz]

No way Gaddy plays for O'Neill.

 

[HooverDam]

Can anyone post the gist of the article? I really hate that they make you register to read a freakin' newspaper.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Can anyone post the gist of the article? I really hate that they make you register to read a freakin' newspaper.

It's a puff piece where he imagines the once-possible reality of Kevin O'Neill coaching UofA this year and the idiotic notion that Arizona would be a top 15 team were he still the coach.

I really can't fathom how somebody could be a sportswriter in a small city like Tucson for twenty years and still not have the sources to tell him that had KO been retained as Arizona's coach the 'Cats would have probably six or seven marginally talented scholarship players and probably be battling Oregon for last place in the Pac-10.

 

[ozzfloyd]

Pennell should be able to parlay what has been a decent season as interim into a nice mid-major head coaching position. I wish him well and wouldn't min him staying on at UA in an assistant coach position, just don't even dream of giving him the gig here. Even if the man wins the title (yeah right).

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Should somebody be promoted to HC from the current staff (and the odds of that happening are extremely slim considering it would take an Elite 8 run or Livengood whiffing on his first thirty candidates) it will be Mike Dunlap. Russ Pennell is head coach in name only. Dunlap draws the plays, scouts the opposition, runs the practices, and teaches the scheme. He's the guy in charge.