Don't throw hate at me, it's slow, and I'm finally starting to feel well enough to at least function at 85% so I'm just thinking of random things while watching last Night's Football game between the Ravens at Chargers, the battle of the Harbaugh brothers got me to thinking about head coaches. USF just so happens to have an opening at an important spot and at an important time.
Looks like we are in for another exciting season of CBB as it will be wide open again with some very good teams, great players, and up and coming coaches. That last statement is where USF comes in. I have 3 potential hires for USF to consider that has a chance to continue on the path that the late CAAR had started just over a year ago.
1) Current Interim HC Ben Fletcher
Pros: Fletcher was one of CAAR top assistant coaches for the last 5 seasons between Kennesaw and USF. Coach Fletcher has a familiarity with the culture here at USF, the administration, and with all the current players. Given that he was on staff already, he gets the first and best chance to impress the Administration and donors to make his case that he wants to be the Head Coach going forward, and will have a whole season to show what he is capable of doing. Seems to be genuinely liked by those who know him.
Cons: Ben Fletcher has no prior head coaching experience at any level. Ben Fletcher has no reputation as a bull dog recruiter, even though he has been a part of a decent level of talented players at Kennesaw and at USF. By having no prior experience as a Head coach, Ben Fletcher has not done anything outside of practice courts and player drills that a Head coach has to do, like interacting with administrators, donors, media, and all other ambassador like duties that the University requires of their coaches. Ben Fletcher does not have a track record to sell his vision on the future of USF hoops to prospects, administrators, or fans just yet.
2) Tom Crean
Pros: Large profile and Big reputation as a Head Coach. Known as Tom Izzo's best assistant coach that became a Head coach, Crean spent 4 seasons with the future HoF head coach at Michigan State. Been a Head coach at 3 high majors, Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia. Elite recruiter and talent evaluation that has helped Crean have a reputation of getting players to the NBA, thar includes Dwayne Wade, Steve Novak, Wesley Matthews, Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, and Anthony Edwards. Would bring instant credibility to the University of South Florida and be the highest profile head coach ever. Crean runs a high pace motion offense with lots of set plays and teaches proper fast breaking principles and pressure defense. Tom Crean Lives in Tampa or near Tampa so he would be at home. It is believed that Tom Crean has the fire in the belly again, that maybe if the right opportunity came he would get back into coaching. Crean should be extra energized to keep CAAR dreams alive for USF while being home at the same time. Should be able to entice all the top 100 level talent in the Tampa area to stay home. Would be able to raise more money for the program based on his profile alone. If he wins USF, he would not have a desire to seek a higher profile job.
Cons: 58 years old and has been out of coaching for a few years. Does the fire still burn?
3) Antoine Pettway
Pros: High Ceiling! Known as a tireless worker as a player at Alabama where he went from being a walk on an academic scholarship to earning an athletic scholarship, to being the starting PG on some exciting Crimson Tide basketball teams. Became an assistant coach on Alabama's staff starting with Anthony Grant and ending with Coach Nate Oaks for 12 years after spending 2 years as an assistant coach on the staff at Jacksonville State. Pettway quickly earned the reputation as an ACE recruiter and helped bring in and develop 8 NBA players. Pettway took over for CAAR at Kennesaw after he became the Head Coach at USF. Even after getting a late start and having to replace many of KSU best players, CAP recruited several young players including convincing a kid that was headed to Alabama to follow him. Pettway really showed his ability to recruit this past off-season by signing the #27th ranked class to play at Kennesaw. Pettway continues to prove that he is more than just a recruiter, despite having one of the youngest teams in the nation, his team just defeated a very talented #24 ranked Rutgers that features what many believe will be the #1 player that will be drafted in the upcoming NBA, Ace Bailey. Pettway and CAAR developed a strong relationship and he has dedicated this Kennesaw season in honor of CAAR. Pettway does a lot of the same things and interactions with fans that CAAR was so good at. Pettway is only 42 years old. If Pettway is successful at USF, he will likely be the Head Coach for a long time with only Alabama being able to lure him away which is not going to have an opening for years to come.
Cons: Timing. If ADMK is to get Pettway he will have to get him after the season, before his star gets too bright and large. CAAR had 1 winning season at KSU and the timing was perfect for USF, because they would not have gotten him any other time. Could the timing for USF to go shop at Kennesaw be lining up again?
Looks like we are in for another exciting season of CBB as it will be wide open again with some very good teams, great players, and up and coming coaches. That last statement is where USF comes in. I have 3 potential hires for USF to consider that has a chance to continue on the path that the late CAAR had started just over a year ago.
1) Current Interim HC Ben Fletcher
Pros: Fletcher was one of CAAR top assistant coaches for the last 5 seasons between Kennesaw and USF. Coach Fletcher has a familiarity with the culture here at USF, the administration, and with all the current players. Given that he was on staff already, he gets the first and best chance to impress the Administration and donors to make his case that he wants to be the Head Coach going forward, and will have a whole season to show what he is capable of doing. Seems to be genuinely liked by those who know him.
Cons: Ben Fletcher has no prior head coaching experience at any level. Ben Fletcher has no reputation as a bull dog recruiter, even though he has been a part of a decent level of talented players at Kennesaw and at USF. By having no prior experience as a Head coach, Ben Fletcher has not done anything outside of practice courts and player drills that a Head coach has to do, like interacting with administrators, donors, media, and all other ambassador like duties that the University requires of their coaches. Ben Fletcher does not have a track record to sell his vision on the future of USF hoops to prospects, administrators, or fans just yet.
2) Tom Crean
Pros: Large profile and Big reputation as a Head Coach. Known as Tom Izzo's best assistant coach that became a Head coach, Crean spent 4 seasons with the future HoF head coach at Michigan State. Been a Head coach at 3 high majors, Marquette, Indiana, and Georgia. Elite recruiter and talent evaluation that has helped Crean have a reputation of getting players to the NBA, thar includes Dwayne Wade, Steve Novak, Wesley Matthews, Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, and Anthony Edwards. Would bring instant credibility to the University of South Florida and be the highest profile head coach ever. Crean runs a high pace motion offense with lots of set plays and teaches proper fast breaking principles and pressure defense. Tom Crean Lives in Tampa or near Tampa so he would be at home. It is believed that Tom Crean has the fire in the belly again, that maybe if the right opportunity came he would get back into coaching. Crean should be extra energized to keep CAAR dreams alive for USF while being home at the same time. Should be able to entice all the top 100 level talent in the Tampa area to stay home. Would be able to raise more money for the program based on his profile alone. If he wins USF, he would not have a desire to seek a higher profile job.
Cons: 58 years old and has been out of coaching for a few years. Does the fire still burn?
3) Antoine Pettway
Pros: High Ceiling! Known as a tireless worker as a player at Alabama where he went from being a walk on an academic scholarship to earning an athletic scholarship, to being the starting PG on some exciting Crimson Tide basketball teams. Became an assistant coach on Alabama's staff starting with Anthony Grant and ending with Coach Nate Oaks for 12 years after spending 2 years as an assistant coach on the staff at Jacksonville State. Pettway quickly earned the reputation as an ACE recruiter and helped bring in and develop 8 NBA players. Pettway took over for CAAR at Kennesaw after he became the Head Coach at USF. Even after getting a late start and having to replace many of KSU best players, CAP recruited several young players including convincing a kid that was headed to Alabama to follow him. Pettway really showed his ability to recruit this past off-season by signing the #27th ranked class to play at Kennesaw. Pettway continues to prove that he is more than just a recruiter, despite having one of the youngest teams in the nation, his team just defeated a very talented #24 ranked Rutgers that features what many believe will be the #1 player that will be drafted in the upcoming NBA, Ace Bailey. Pettway and CAAR developed a strong relationship and he has dedicated this Kennesaw season in honor of CAAR. Pettway does a lot of the same things and interactions with fans that CAAR was so good at. Pettway is only 42 years old. If Pettway is successful at USF, he will likely be the Head Coach for a long time with only Alabama being able to lure him away which is not going to have an opening for years to come.
Cons: Timing. If ADMK is to get Pettway he will have to get him after the season, before his star gets too bright and large. CAAR had 1 winning season at KSU and the timing was perfect for USF, because they would not have gotten him any other time. Could the timing for USF to go shop at Kennesaw be lining up again?
