College basketball has finally caught up with college football on coaching carousel insanity.
I dunno if this is all that insane. Is USC a better job than SMU? Sure, but I don't think it's as simple as that.
- Andy Enfield was clearly on something of a hot seat after three rough years.
- SMU has been a "mid-major" in basketball terms for most of its history, and we know how difficult it is just getting to the tournament.
- SMU is no longer going to be that, since they're joining the ACC.
- It will be easier to make the tournament in the ACC than the Big Ten.
- SMU has deep pockets and a willingness to spend.
- DFW is only growing and SMU is perfectly situated to capitalize on that growth.
So it makes sense. On the same token, Musselman going to USC makes sense for a number of reasons too. USC has to be a lot easier to recruit to. Deep pockets and a willingness to spend, the Big Ten is more stable than the SEC.
But also, Calipari's at a different place in his career than Musselman. Calipari's always going to be best fit in the 'wild west' that is the SEC, and his current employers - like USC with Enfield - have been talking of moving on from him for awhile. So Arkansas is as much a lifeboat for Calipari as it is a great fit. He'll be able to continue the bandit program ways, he's gotten some massive promises regarding NIL, and for as much money as Kentucky coal puts into Big Blue Nation, there's a whole lot more money behind Arkansas in the form of Tyson and Walmart - and the Tyson money looks like it's planning to get real active in NIL real quick.
I agree with Holic that Nate Oats is the most logical choice, I just don't know if Kentucky is going to come at this logically. They're going to swing for the fences first. That means calling Brad Stevens (and getting a no), calling Jay Wright (and getting a no), calling Scott Drew (and getting a no). Billy Donovan is an obvious choice but I don't know if he leaves Chicago in time for Kentucky to get him.
Once those first few calls get immediate "no" answers, then you'll see Kentucky settle in for realistic choices. Oats is the best option but I don't know if he says yes. The Trilly Discord has him as a "not involved" and I don't know if Kentucky will want to pay up to get him. He has a massive contract extension and a big NIL pool, not to mention the lights aren't as bright at Bama so he won't get any side looks if he doesn't go to a Final Four every 2-3 years. Kentucky is
different.
I thought Petes put up a pretty solid list on Twitter:
TJ Otzelberger, Milwaukee Bucks Legend Mark Pope and Brad Underwood are all good choices who would likely say yes.
I'll add one more: Chris Beard. It's funny that Chris Beard was actually courted by Arkansas first, rebuffed them and then Calipari vacated a job I think he'd be more likely to take. Jerome Tang is another name that will surface, but his buyout with Kansas State is rough and I don't think Kentucky will see it as worth it to buy it out to get him - KSU took a BIG step back this season and I'd be a little worried ponying up the cash unless he's a sure thing.
The buyout at Ole Miss is probably high, but Chris Beard is also more of a sure thing whereas Tang is still somewhat unknown.
Count me among the people that believe Kentucky will go for Chris Beard, then Ole Miss will go for Bryce Drew. Bryce got a raw deal at Vanderbilt. That winless SEC season was not as big a deal as they acted.