@blauds
Sources:  UMass said to be closing in on hiring UConn associate head coach Kimani Young. Nothing official yet, but barring snags it could be done in next few days.

Rhode Island fires David Cox

Becker also being mentioned for URI.

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/insider/story/_/id/33446939/college-basketball-coaching-carousel-latest-buzz-prime-candidates-analysis-top-vacancies

The Dude wrote:

https://www.al.com/sports/2022/03/georgia-fires-basketball-coach-tom-crean-after-6-26-finish.html

Georgia is in the A10 now??

This isn't an A10 firing but I was just looking at George Mason's board and there are unsubstantiated rumors(from twitter/social media!! LOL) saying that Kim English could be a coaching candidate for Missouri, who fired Cuonzo Martin a few days ago. K.English was an outstanding player for Missouri about 10 years ago so their fan base would be excited for the hire. What's interesting about Kim English is, he's been pegged as 'The Chosen One' in the coaching ranks for a few years now(he was even mentioned as a candidate for the Maryland job immediately after they fired Turgeon) but I don't think he won enough(George Mason finished 9th and lost its opening round game to Fordham!!) this year to justify a move to a BCS school at this point. This is something to watch though because if enough guys turn down the Missouri job or some boosters push for Kim English, he could get the job. I believe the current VCU coach was way below .500 at a mid-major but since he was Shaka Smart's assistant during the glory days they hired him to replace Will Wade because the boosters/alums wanted him. 

Last edited by Thomas (3/12/2022 2:22 pm)

You're right, UMass probably jumped the gun when they fired McCall, maybe the Tre Mitchell/Woodstock Academy high school coach fiasco caused UMass to take drastic actions. UMass somewhat "sold their soul" by hiring the Woodstock Academy high school coach as an assistant who brought in a bunch of his former players, once that assistant left and some of his former players transferred out, UMass decided McCall also had to leave. I'm interested to see if Fernandes and TJ Weeks will return. 

About Kim English, according to Mason's board, Kansas State could also pursue Kim English. It looks like K.English is held in high regard even though his 1st year at George Mason can be viewed as a disappointment. Keeping Oduro was a huge move for K.English, I believe Oduro put his name into the transfer portal, he also brought in 3 high impact transfers. Some Mason fans seem to think they are in a good position here because K.English didn't win enough this year to justify a BCS job in his 1st year, but he'll soon have Mason amongst the elite in the A10, which will leave them in a good situation for the next coach. 

I mentioned in another thread that Tom Crean may be a candidate for the Rhode Island and/or UMass jobs. Despite the dismal record at Georgia, he can sell the 2003 Final 4 run, Dwayne Wade and Anthony Edwards to the fans and recruits!! He may have recruited Victor Oladipo too. He'd probably have similar success to Anthony Grant and Travis Ford who also got fired from BCS schools. Cuonzo Martin is the fired BCS coach I'd want in the A10 just because of the talent he'd bring in. 

Thomas a bit of a tougher sell for Crean, what's the market for a guy coming of a 6-26 1-17 season and back to back firings? and yet, his name will at least come up.

Tom Crean with the 1st pick in the NBA draft, and Nick Claxton, and yet ends up at Georgia like his 2009 Indiana season, 1-17, amazing stuff.

Also, his McCall's UMASS team look very inspired to send off McCall a winner they had Dayotn on the ropes for 39 minutes, Crean was sent off with a 35 point playin loss!! 



 

Thomas, also KD Johnson who is starring for a great Auburn team, also Toumani Camara who left Crean after a really good year for Dayton!!

Speaking of Dayton, looking good so far vs Richmond. DaRon Holmes looks like an NBA 1st round pick, hopefully he comes back 1 more year