With Missouri's hiring of Kim Anderson, all the major jobs in college basketball have been filled. It's possible new jobs could open. Tom Izzo, Billy Donovan and Fred Hoiberg are frequently mentioned in NBA circles. I'd guess Hoiberg would be the most likely to jump but nothing indicates this will happen with certainty.
THE AAC
Houston: Kelvin Sampson- Besides the obvious issues with the NCAA, Sampson has been pretty successful as a head coach. Winning at Washington State is impressive. He took Oklahoma to the Final 4 before disaster hit at Indiana. Long considered a possible coach in the NBA, his x's and o's are solid. Texas is loaded with talent so he should find talent. Houston under Guy Lewis was one of the better programs in the nation. It'll be difficult to get back to those days but Sampson is the kind of guy that can reinvigorate the program.
South Florida: Orlando Antigua- Antigua was on my list of assistants I wanted Marquette to consider. The Bulls initially hired Steve Masiello who was deal was never finalized after resume "enhancements" were discovered. I still think they hit a home run with this hire. Antigua is plugged in with many top HS programs and is an elite recruiter. Coaching acumen will be a question but he should get talent. Buy now on the Bulls.
THE ACC
Virginia Tech: Buzz Williams- Buzz has a much tougher job at Virginia Tech than he did at Marquette. We'll learn how good a coach he is. He "took" Marquette's top recruit with him and has been active with transfers and JUCO's. I don't think this is a long-term spot for him. The sledding will be much tougher, even tougher than the Big East before realignment. If he can make Virginia Tech and upper half team in the ACC, job well done.
Boston College: Jim Christian-This hire is one of the weakest of the off-season on the surface. Christian had success at Ohio and Kent State, while also having time at TCU. He doesn't have a ton of roots in this part of the country and given the rise of UMass, the continued success of UConn and the steady improvement at URI and Providence, it'll be tough sledding. What's a better job right now? Harvard or BC?
Wake Forest: Danny Manning- Here's a fascinating hire. Manning did a wonderful job at Tulsa where the program had slipped dramatically. 15 years ago, Bill Self had Tulsa knocking on the door of a Final 4 before getting the Illinois job. This is the same school that gave us Nolan Richardson and Tubby Smith, too. As for Wake Forest, Manning will try and recapture the success Dave Odom had. All he has to do is find another Tim Duncan. I think he finds success here though it'll take a little time. The conference is freaking tough.
THE A-10
No new hires
THE BIG EAST
Marquette: Steve Wojciehowski- Wojo kept his roster intact even if he lost 4 of 5 commits. I wouldn't fret about that. His style will be radically different than what Buzz did so the team is better off getting his kind of players. And the one he was able to keep is probably the best fit. He added a transfer PG in Matt Carlino that will give him a lot of back court options. He doesn't have the luxury of the Triplets and JR. Lazar Hayward that Buzz had, so expecting to match Buzz's 1st season is silly. Could be an inspired hire.
THE BIG 12
No New Hires
THE B1G
No New Hires
THE MOUNTAIN WEST
No New Hires
THE PAC 12
Washington State: Ernie Kent -Easily the most difficult job in the conference, Washington State did well to get Ernie Kent. Kent is familiar with the conference and the Pacific Northwest in general having coached at Oregon successfully for years. He also spent his last few years on the Pac-12 Network so he still has familiarity with what is new. He has a chance to succeed. Washington has struggled the last few seasons. Can he capitalize on that?
California: Cuonzo Martin- This is another odd hire. It's obvious Martin wanted out of Knoxville as he also went after the Marquette job, losing out to Wojo. Coaches can coach anywhere. Can he effectively recruit at Cal? He replaces a Bay Area legend in Mike Montgomery and Stanford looks to have turned a corner under Johnny Dawkins. He may have felt unloved in Knoxville but this isn't an easy situation he walks into. If he's successful, look for him to be a contender for the Purdue job as Matt Painter's seat could get hotter with another bad season.
SEC
Tennessee: Donnie Tyndall- Of all the hires, I think I like this one best. Tyndall did a great job at Morehead State and continued the success Larry Eustachy established at Southern Miss. Tennessee will take a dip next year losing almost all their best talent. The recruiting class was mediocre at best. Most people think the class Tyndall pulls will end up better than the one he inherited. You may not see it next year but look for him to find success at Tennessee.
Auburn: Bruce Pearl- Grand slam hire. Coupled with piles and piles of sweet Auburn cash, Pearl will be winner on the Plains. He has that nagging show cause that ends in December and his team may not compete next season but it won't take him long to produce a winner. Auburn has had success and with the right guy, can be formidable. Give AD Jay Jacobs credit. He has two dynamic coach hires in the last 18 months.
Missouri: Kim Anderson- A clear step up from Frank Haith and will have more support. Anderson is a Mizzou guy that like Bo Ryan and Tim Cluess, had success at lower levels winning the D2 title at Central Missouri this past season to go along with3 Final 4's before getting his dream job. It's not Gregg Marshall who allegedly listened to Mizzou's pitch according to Jason King of Bleacher Report but it's a "right guy". Best case scenario for Mizzou is he is their Bo Ryan. I think the SEC got the best crop of new hires.
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