Tony Bennett and Chris Beard have both heard their names speculated in connection with other coaching positions, in particular the UCLA job. Which of these coaches will still be at their current school in five years -- one, both or neither?
Medcalf: I'll say neither. They'll just have too many options. Within the next five years, Duke, North Carolina and Syracuse could all open up. Kansas could too. The domino effect that's coming will create opportunities too lucrative and intriguing for two of the top coaches in America to ignore. Now, I think we'll see both of these guys on the sidelines at their current schools next season. Five years from now, however, feels like the distant future in their profession. Whether it's a college gig or something in the NBA, which is always searching for fresh faces and approaches, Beard and Bennett will have new zip codes in five years.
Borzello: Good question. I'll say neither. I think Bennett -- and the feeling would be stronger if he can bring a national title to Charlottesville -- will either be in the NBA or at one of the true blue bloods in college basketball, more so the former. If North Carolina or Duke opened in the next couple of years, would Bennett be on the list? Outside of that, though, I think the NBA is a legitimate possibility. When talking to industry sources about college coaches making the jump, Bennett's name is generally the first one that comes up. As for Beard, I see him at Kansas or Texas or Arizona or somewhere like that, and that could be as soon as in the next 12 months. Beard is a perfect fit for Texas Tech, but at some point, one of the big boys with deeper pockets is going to come calling, and I think he would make the jump.
Gasaway: Bennett will either still be in Charlottesville or he'll have grown bored with going 65-6 or so over two-season periods at the college level and will have taken a shot at the NBA. Call that 50-50. Beard, on the other hand, will be long gone. What's the precedent for a 3-point-era coach emerging at a slightly off-map basketball program, taking it to Monday night in April and then actually staying? Jim Calhoun at UConn once upon a time, I suppose. Yes, Mark Few at Gonzaga. That's it. Those guys are the exceptions that prove the rule. Win or lose Monday, Beard can write his own ticket as the hottest coaching target in the sport since Brad Stevens eight or nine years ago. He'll be gone.
Schultz: Both. Beard has found a true home in Lubbock; he can recruit Texas hard while still "staying small" and continuing to build a national power. Bennett, meanwhile, is as classy as he is loyal. He has morphed into a demigod now that he finally has Virginia within striking distance of its first national championship. Could one or both coaches leave? Certainly. They are young and highly touted, but I'm banking on both schools paying them handsomely to stay put, even when the more traditional powers come calling. If anything, you almost have to wonder whether Bennett would ever try his hand at the NBA game.
Cronin: Neither. Texas Tech reportedly anticipates no financial restrictions in being able to retain Beard beyond this season. The success he has cultivated in Lubbock in a short period of time backed by the culture he has built in a basketball program rooted in Bob Knight principles is something the Red Raiders will continue to benefit from for the next few years -- until a program such as Kansas comes calling. While Beard's jump to a bigger program feels inevitable, I don't think it has to come in the next few years while Texas Tech's crescendo as a Big 12 power continues. But by 2022, I would expect the AP coach of the year to be at a much bigger program. As for Bennett, my money is on him continuing the great thing he has going in Charlottesville before the NBA comes calling.
All of them except for Schultz can EAD. I know we’re not a program with a ton of history, but I’m sick of everyone talking about us like we’re a program that no coach would ever wanna stay at. They state that if Kansas or Texas simply picks up the phone Beard would be gone in a heartbeat. Can’t wait for the season to be over so he can sign a contract with extension and shut these guys up.
Medcalf: I'll say neither. They'll just have too many options. Within the next five years, Duke, North Carolina and Syracuse could all open up. Kansas could too. The domino effect that's coming will create opportunities too lucrative and intriguing for two of the top coaches in America to ignore. Now, I think we'll see both of these guys on the sidelines at their current schools next season. Five years from now, however, feels like the distant future in their profession. Whether it's a college gig or something in the NBA, which is always searching for fresh faces and approaches, Beard and Bennett will have new zip codes in five years.
Borzello: Good question. I'll say neither. I think Bennett -- and the feeling would be stronger if he can bring a national title to Charlottesville -- will either be in the NBA or at one of the true blue bloods in college basketball, more so the former. If North Carolina or Duke opened in the next couple of years, would Bennett be on the list? Outside of that, though, I think the NBA is a legitimate possibility. When talking to industry sources about college coaches making the jump, Bennett's name is generally the first one that comes up. As for Beard, I see him at Kansas or Texas or Arizona or somewhere like that, and that could be as soon as in the next 12 months. Beard is a perfect fit for Texas Tech, but at some point, one of the big boys with deeper pockets is going to come calling, and I think he would make the jump.
Gasaway: Bennett will either still be in Charlottesville or he'll have grown bored with going 65-6 or so over two-season periods at the college level and will have taken a shot at the NBA. Call that 50-50. Beard, on the other hand, will be long gone. What's the precedent for a 3-point-era coach emerging at a slightly off-map basketball program, taking it to Monday night in April and then actually staying? Jim Calhoun at UConn once upon a time, I suppose. Yes, Mark Few at Gonzaga. That's it. Those guys are the exceptions that prove the rule. Win or lose Monday, Beard can write his own ticket as the hottest coaching target in the sport since Brad Stevens eight or nine years ago. He'll be gone.
Schultz: Both. Beard has found a true home in Lubbock; he can recruit Texas hard while still "staying small" and continuing to build a national power. Bennett, meanwhile, is as classy as he is loyal. He has morphed into a demigod now that he finally has Virginia within striking distance of its first national championship. Could one or both coaches leave? Certainly. They are young and highly touted, but I'm banking on both schools paying them handsomely to stay put, even when the more traditional powers come calling. If anything, you almost have to wonder whether Bennett would ever try his hand at the NBA game.
Cronin: Neither. Texas Tech reportedly anticipates no financial restrictions in being able to retain Beard beyond this season. The success he has cultivated in Lubbock in a short period of time backed by the culture he has built in a basketball program rooted in Bob Knight principles is something the Red Raiders will continue to benefit from for the next few years -- until a program such as Kansas comes calling. While Beard's jump to a bigger program feels inevitable, I don't think it has to come in the next few years while Texas Tech's crescendo as a Big 12 power continues. But by 2022, I would expect the AP coach of the year to be at a much bigger program. As for Bennett, my money is on him continuing the great thing he has going in Charlottesville before the NBA comes calling.
All of them except for Schultz can EAD. I know we’re not a program with a ton of history, but I’m sick of everyone talking about us like we’re a program that no coach would ever wanna stay at. They state that if Kansas or Texas simply picks up the phone Beard would be gone in a heartbeat. Can’t wait for the season to be over so he can sign a contract with extension and shut these guys up.
