Propose a Coach...

[RGV Pony]

Bob Hoffman.

[OldPony]

Diamond M- I respectfully disagree re Doherty. He got the royal screw job from Dean and Roy. All knew that Guthrie had left the cupboard as bare as it can get at UNC. MD's problem was that he worked the guys like he had seen Smith and Williams do but without their rep, the players revolted. He had recruited extremely well. He left much more talent at UNC than Roy did at KU. He may be one of the few coaches with the kind of credentials (ie played in a big time program, was an assistant in another, and coached a middle program to an NIT, and coached a big time program-albeit he was fired)that we could get to talk to us. He is going to get a job somewhere but it may be somewhere like SMU. He just might have the loyalty to stay if treated right because of what he has gone through this year. He may be the gamble we have to take. Tubbs is an even bigger gamble but he is probably the only other candidate I see right now who may be willing to come to SMU who has anything tangible.

[LA_Mustang]

If and when the job becomes open, Jimmy Tubbs should be our first choice. As HF said, he will bring in Dallas talent and there is plenty to go after these days. BTW, the guy can coach too!

[OldPony]

LA- That is opinion only. J Tubbs is a HUGE gamble. He has never been a head coach in college. He has never had to compete with less talent. He MIGHT help recruiting but selling SMU vs all the Big 12 schools is still damned hard. You might note that I also have him as a top 2 choice but I know what a gamble that would be. The hyperbole on this board is amazing.

[Mike Damone]

what on his resume makes him a prime candidate?

Well, being named National Coach of the Year in 2001 isn't a bad thing to have on your resume.

Also, signing the number 1 recruiting class in the nation the next year wasn't too shabby.

[LA_Mustang]

OP, your right, hiring Tubbs would be a gamble but you have to be realistic about who we can get. Those throwing around names like Larry Eustachy, Matt Doherty, and Mike Jarvis are kidding themselves. No way in hell a proven, quality head coach is coming into this situation.

The reason I think Tubbs would have a chance of succeeding here is because he is highly respected by all in the DISD, FWISD, and the surrounding schools. He could get inner city kids to come to SMU. He can sell to these kids that he is running the show and they will play exciting basketball while getting to play close to home. He would get athletes and they would get up and down the court. That was a hallmark of his Kimball teams back in the 80s and 90s. They would also get after you on the defensive end as well. Jimmy Tubbs can coach! Besides all of that, SMU hiring a black head coach (who is VERY qualified based on his resume, not his race) would be an enormously positive step on many levels for our university.

[Hoop Fan]

I'm with ya LA. Its almost as if Shumate didn't count as a minority coach because he didn't really reach out to Dallas at all. Hiring Jimmy Tubbs is the right move all the way around. I think about it this way: SMU can always go out and find a random assistant at a major program who wants a head job. It happens all the time. Utep did it last year, TCU the year before that. But how often can you hire an assistant from a major program (OU) who not only knows your university well and has bridges already built, but is also a ringer of a recruiter in your backyard? Now, throw in the fact that he is a minority and there is NO DOWNSIDE to giving him a shot. None. Only problem is the window for Tubbs is closing, we cant wait to recycle another coach because Jimmy isn't all that young anymore. Everybody we hire is going to be a risk. I like the upside that Tubbs could bring. He could concievably land two monster recruits in our backyard and take us to the promise land, ie Sweet 16. Dreaming? Youre damn right. Thats what this program needs, a dream.

[SMULLET]

With the turmoil down in Lubbock, I think it's pretty clear that the next coach for SMU is Bob Knight. I mean he would be a perfect choice. He's expressed his love for our fair city many-a-time, and he would love our fan support. I think its probably 50-50 between SMU and Ohio State.

[SMULLET]

Oh yeah, if Knight says no, I say we ask Q. Ross.

[MrMustang1965]

Originally posted by SMULLET:
With the turmoil down in Lubbock, I think it's pretty clear that the next coach for SMU is Bob Knight. I mean he would be a perfect choice. He's expressed his love for our fair city many-a-time, and he would love our fan support. I think its probably 50-50 between SMU and Ohio State.

Humorous post.

Bobby Knight 'owns' Lubbock, my friend. Every friggin' TV commercial has him on it, just about. And that silliness with the chancellor went away very quick. When Knight leaves TT it will be by his choice, not the university's or anyone else's.

[PG]

To those who want Jimmy Tubbs here: he is NOT head coach material. I don't mean any disrespect to the man because he did some great things for SMU basketball, but he would not make a good head coach. He lacks the communication and organizational skills it takes to be a head coach on and off the court. He was great with relationships among his players and within the DISD community, but he more of a "buddy" to them. I don't think he could lead a team, especially in a situation like we're in now. He was a very good recruiter and a decent teacher. It's not like he's had the same impact at OU. He hasn't brought in a single DISD player (yet) and lost out on Jeremis Smith to GA Tech. If you really want to go the SMU assistant route, Coleman Crawford would be a much better choice.

[OldPony]

I have little doubt we could get Eustacy but what did he really prove other than if you get drunk and chase college girls when your 40, there are small minds who won't approve. He is a pariah to most ADs but IF he were a better coach he would get some offers. He just isn't that good.
Matt Doherty got a lot of blame that wasn't fair. He is also having a difficult time right now and might apreciate a good school with the patience to build a program the right way. His door isn't being beaten down right now. Will he come- Maybe.
Jarvis got what he deserved anbd isn't a fit in anyway for SMU.
Tubbs-Who knows but he is a gamble and we can probably get him with a 3 year contract. It could pay off but it could also be the longet 3 years ever. I have pointed out that he was ineffective recruiting Dallas under Shu. Teaming wioth Dement, he was able to bring in 3 -4 quality players from the metro area. At OU, I don't believe he has been successful to date in getting anyone of note but that has only been a couple of years. Can he do the things a head coach needs to do? I don't know and neither does anyone else for sure.
This is exactly what I am talking about if and when Dement is let go though. We will need to get lucky to find a coach. We won't find a proven coach unless you call someone like a Doherty "proven" and he may wait for a better opportunity. Anyone but Tubbs puts us back to square one in building Dallas recruiting ties.
I really hope to see this team put it together and start playing as well as they should (ie win a few close ones that they have been losing)and go win the WAC tourney. Then maybe this discussion would not have to take place in 45 days. Wouldn't it be ironic if we fire Dement and he comes back to recruit the area without restrictions.

[Hoop Fan]

I recognize that Tubbs might not be the most polished organization man, nor is he gonna be a media darling. Dement is the former, not the latter either. But what you do is surround him with the help he needs. What Tubbs would bring is this: good recruiter, good player relationships (ie the guys will bust their asses for him), good father figure and more exciting style of play. The style of college basketball has changed significantly over the last 20 years. You know why guys like Bill Self, Kelvin Sampson, Tubby Smith, Tom Izzo and Paul Hewitt are the stars of coaching this generation? Because they can ALL relate to players. Yes, they demand respect, but at the root of it they are all about player relationships. It is not their supreme organizational skills that makes them what they are.

[EastStang]

The 76's fired another coach yesterday, the Nets earlier, and the Knicks before that. Plenty of NBA leftovers out there to pick from. Look at what Leonard Hamilton is doing for Fla. State after stinking with the Wizards (or more aptly getting on MJ's bad side). Even a mediocre NBA coach would command some respect for kids because they've been to the show and can tell the kids, "you want to go to the show, this is what you have to do, I know, I was there". A school in a large metro area, will attract some decent candidates.

[Pony_Fan]

I don't know why any coach would want to be a NBA coach - college you have a good schedule, not as many games, spirit (at most schools), and usually a better chance to stay put for a while.

That Lawrence Frank story is pretty amazing - 8-0 with the Nets w/ NO NBA playing exp. at 34 yrs old.