By
Denny O'Brien
©2007 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.
With the announcement that
Ricky Stokes won’t return as East Carolina’s basketball coach, Mack
McCarthy was appointed as the acting one.
Acting should be the
operative word.
Though McCarthy has a
solid won-loss record and several postseason appearances as a Division I
coach, he likely isn’t the long term answer to ECU’s abysmal hoops
history. At 52 and several years removed from his last head gig, it’s
tough to imagine him keeping pace with many of the game’s younger, more
relentless recruiters.
At this stage, Holland
can’t afford not to conduct a comprehensive national search. If he
doesn’t, he will face the constant questioning and second-guessing he
has since the day Stokes was hired.
To a lesser degree, the
same occurred when he removed the interim tag from baseball coach Billy
Godwin’s title.
But that’s what happens
when interims or assistants are promoted from within. If done so without
exhausting all other options, a segment of the constituency is likely to
be reluctant to jump on board with the new hire.
While ECU isn’t exactly a
basketball Mecca, there should be no shortage of interest. It likely
will attract its share of ambitious up-and-comers, and perhaps even a
few veterans intrigued by the challenge.
Whichever route Holland
goes, this could be his final opportunity to make a positive impact on
Pirate hoops. A bad hire will make for a difficult recovery, one that
perhaps will take longer than Holland intends to run ECU’s athletics
department.
Many – including me – have
said Holland would be the ultimate answer to the Pirates basketball
problems.
Holland's experience as
one of the nation’s best hoops coaches and his impeccable reputation
within basketball circles qualify him as the ultimate professional to
direct such a search.
Now’s his chance to
confirm that assumption. Here are a few names that could do it:
Brad Brownell, Wright
State: He should be Holland’s first call. Brownell built UNC-Wilmington
into an NCAA Tournament regular and turned Wright State around in one
year. His teams have a reputation for solid fundamentals, and he has a
knack for building a system to suit his talent.
Though some might think
Brownell is poised for a step up, sources close to him say he is
interested in one day returning to North Carolina. He had no desire to
leave Wilmington but essentially was forced to do so by an uncooperative
AD.
Brownell doesn’t make
much, and ECU should easily be able to top his salary. His knowledge of
the terrain and experience recruiting the region make him a slam dunk.
Joe Dooley, Kansas
(assistant): Ole Dooles is still a favorite among the ECU faithful
and for good reason. His tenure produced the most stable period in
recent memory, with the Pirates consistently finishing in the top half
of the CAA standings.
Dooley’s firing by former
ECU AD Mike Hamrick was an enormous mistake that ultimately sent the
program into a downward spiral. Recruiting and overall fundamentals took
a nosedive when Dooley left, and neither has recovered. His experience
recruiting and teaching at a major program like Kansas would make for a
significant upgrade.
Chances are Dooley would
answer if called. That he pursued the Wilmington opening last year is
confirmation of that.
Chris Collins, Duke
(assistant): Not many assistants hail from two lines of coaching
royalty. As a member of Mike Krzyzewski’s staff, Collins coached under
one of the best mentors in college basketball history. As the son of
Doug Collins, a former NBA coach and current television analyst, he
brings solid pro heritage.
Collins is ready for a
head job, but he isn’t first in line for Duke. He will have to take a
smaller job at a school with a less reputable tradition.
Though all Krzyzewski
disciples haven’t panned out, there’s no reason to believe that Collins
won’t. He’s an outstanding recruiter and competent teacher, and his
energy and passion for the game are matched by few.
Kevin Willard,
Louisville (assistant): A member of perhaps the nation’s most
successful coaching tree, this Rick Pitino protégé is next in line to
take over a program. A noted recruiter and solid X's and O's guy, he
reminds Pitino of a younger Billy Donovan.
Willard has been with
Pitino since his Celtics days, and he no doubt will take that pressing,
up-tempo style wherever he lands. That system should ignite interest in
any fan base, and attract its share of versatile athletes.
