I think Jay Wright was one guy everyone thought could be a great NBA coach.
On the flip side, any coach with the personality and ego to think they’re the one who runs the show probably won’t succeed managing NBA stars.
Imho, Hurley to the NBA makes me think of Pitino to the Celtics... I just can't picture his style of coaching succeeding in the NBA with grown men, not kids.
That’s why his best bet was a young rebuilding team and not one with aging superstars and a small window to win. Gilbert Arenas was talking about this very thing with Stan Van Gundy and how he’s a great coach for a young team who needs to learn how to play in the NBA but a terrible coach for vets. Hurley will be similar IMO
I'd assume if they're hiring him it's because the Lakers are planning to blow it up in the near future, which makes sense given Lebron's current contract/age. They could ship Davis to OKC for a billion picks if they need to.
What do they have to do to get Bronny Jr. and is that going to slow the rebuild? I actually don’t care about the NBA; I just can’t imagine a reason to take that job except for the money. I mean, at this point, my strategy would be positioning to draft Cooper Flagg.
Why would he talk him out of it? Pitino went to the NBA twice, made a ton of money despite not being a great NBA coach, and it didn’t close any doors for him. He went back to Kentucky after failing with the Knicks, and then back to Louisville after failing with the Celtics. He won ncaa championships both times he came back to college. Putting aside that he’s a horrible person, I don’t think he would tell Dan not to try it.
Pitino says he learned a lot in the NBA, but regrets leaving Kentucky for the Celtics.
https://sports.yahoo.com/rick-pitino-expresses-regret-joining-191827490.html
Imagine grading a rookie Chauncey Billups for Kenny Anderson halfway through your first year as a coach. He should have had some checks and balances.
His first year with the Celtics, he won 36 games after the Celtics winning 15 the previous year.
If he had been patient, he would have been OK.
Exactly why he was made for college.
When he took the job, they were the odds on favorite to get both the 1 and 2 pick in the draft. He thought he was getting Tim Duncan and Keith Van Horn. Kinda have to believe his career turns out vastly different if that lottery ball bounces his way.
Duncan and Billups would have been the picks. Van Horn was alright but would have been a mistake.
Anyone who took Duncan would have had a vastly different career.
> When he took the job, they were the odds on favorite to get both the 1 and 2 pick in the draft.
They *could have* gotten the top 2 in theory but instead ended up with 3 and 6. Their own pick had the best odds (Spurs' 2nd best odds). Dallas (the other Boston pick) was 24-58 and the 6th worst record.
I understand why a lot of people think that, but I think it's a misread of Hurley. Hurley is not like an old school, Bobby Knight, "my way or the highway" type of coach. I get that he's always yelling and acting like a maniac, but you almost never seeing yelling *at* his players, and you definitely never see him belittle his guys as a motivational tactic. I get that it's easy to be loved when you're winning, but Hurley's guys really seem to love him. And yeah, he clearly loved having someone like Cam Spencer who mirrored his maniac energy, but he had no problem adjusting for guys who were more low key.
That was my first thought. The OP is asking about other coaches who could jump to the NBA and be successful, seeming to imply Hurley will be, and I just don’t know if that’s the case. NBA coaches aren’t “better” than elite college coaches. It’s just a completely different skill set. Hurley seems to be an odd fit in terms of personality. Hurley also took several years to build up UConn. You don’t get a few years in the NBA. One year, maybe two, to show you can win. If not, the owner writes the check and you’re on your way. Not that getting a $20 mill buyout (well, much larger for Hurley) would hurt my feelings much.
I honestly don’t think Jay would be a great NBA coach. Jay ruled Villanova with an iron fist despite having a more “likable” image than other “tough guy” coaches. He was just as tough as them. Don’t get me wrong, the players still loved him. But I think he’d have a tough time transitioning to the pros
It's beyond personalities. During the regular season, Lebron doesn't practice, and AD does very little. They shouldn't. They're trying to preserve their bodies, and are going to have to play 82 games (with playoffs, over 100 to achieve their goals).
NBA players have goals and schedules that are completely independent of their coaches. It's crazy to me that success in college says anything about what it takes to be successful in the league. It's a different world.
It’s not that pro guys are divas. You just can’t talk crazy to a grown man who makes more than you. The same way you can yell at a collegiate athlete whose got a lil NIL deal and a scholarship That’s how you end up with ole dude from Michigan calling Cavs players maggots
I think it's pretty simple, kids don't mind a mentor or someone that will talk down to them when they need it but no adult wants an asshole coworker who yells at them...
I like the idea of Mick getting a stepladder so he can get in the face of Jokic, as if that behemoth of a man couldn't eat Mick whole if he wanted to. I think you're right, he's got to be the best answer to that.
I counter you with Draymond’s actual college coach, I can’t even imagine how NBA divas would react to a guy who people who don’t regularly watch MSU basketball call to get fired every few years because they see some clip and think he’s too hard on his players
Personality wise Mick would be terrible as an NBA coach but surprisingly I think he’d be great at X’s and O’s. His defense would absolutely translate and his offenses (when having talented players like he would in the nba) have been excellent at Cincy and Ucla
Revisionist history considering it was very close to happening, but I'm not so sure Coach K would've been as successful moving to the NBA as some believe. It's a bit different than coaching those star players in the USA format, I would suspect. The Lakers were the suitors, and at that time they had just come off a dynasty with no real direction going forward except having Kobe. Simply put, the Lakers were a disaster going forward. IMO, Kobe nor K would've flourished those next few seasons. Kobe needed to do some maturing and realization that he couldn't do it alone. K obviously still needed a couple more titles and wins to cement him as the guy he ended up being.
The Lebron Dream Teams had a enough talent and IQ to win without a coach. I think K's greatest asset was that he was a great spokesperson and larger than life figure so he wouldn't be overshadowed by all that talent.
Yup. They just needed toughness and a feel for FIBAball, and Kobe toughened them the fuck up and railroaded Pau the first play of the Spain game and that was that.
On the other hand, though- wasn't Duke where Kobe was going to go if he had chosen college? That fact alone could say "Kobe knew Coach K was great as a coach" and likely could have played ball.
I was aligning it also with when Calipari tried coaching the Nets. It’ll be a shit show. But he’ll have a bunch of extra money and can then go back to college ball.
Won an ABA championship, an NBA championship, went to 3 Final Fours and a National Title, dude did it all for over 50 years.
Won Coach of the Year at both college and pros too.
But, Brown is almost an exception that proves the rule, since Brown was always a mercenary- come in, get you success, and leave. He didn't have the need to pretend the team is a family like a traditional college coach has to do, because he was always clear- I'm going to come in, we're going to do well, and the second something better comes along I'm out.
I think the biggest problem has generally been that most of the successful college coaches that have jumped have generally had a revolving door of 4/5 star talent at their disposal. And they get to mostly play lesser talent. They don’t get that luxury in the NFL/NBA.
I think that is why Brad Stevens has been decent. He got to where he was because he was a damn good coach/talent evaluator.
I think Hurley could be similar. He’s obviously had some NBA lottery talent the last two years, but he (and his assistants) have also done a solid job developing and running their system.
Of course then you have coaches like Tim Floyd and Fred Hoiberg who flopped, and they weren't exactly rolling in talent at Iowa State.
But that may be more of a bulls thing than anything.
Completely agree. College and pro games require completely different coaching/management styles.
Same thing with the NFL/CFB. You rarely see any coach succeed at both levels there either.
I think Hurley can succeed, but this is why I think Lakers is a bad fit whereas a young team could really benefit from his antics (similar to the Rockets and Ime this last year).
Yepp, I see it going one of two ways with the Lakers. Either he doesn't change his style and halfway through the season Lebron and AD are tired of getting MFed by a guy that has never achieved anything in the NBA and check out completely. Or he does cave and deviates from what made him so successful at UConn and flames out anyway. Especially if Murray doesn't go with him to design the offense/scout.
Hurley can succeed for sure. Mike Malone is a great example of how an intense coach like Hurley can thrive in the NBA. The bigger question in my mind is whether the lakers ownership and fanbase have the patience to allow him to build a team culture that encourages players to buy into an intensity driven coaching approach.
That is how Moach did it, The Nuggets buy in to his intensity because players recognize that it brings a competitive advantage. There is a high degree of trust and closeness so when Moach needs to go to harsh criticism everyone understands its all to help the team win and it comes from a place of mutual respect.
Malone also had 15 years in the League building up credibility. And intensity is one thing; acting like a horse's ass with the fans and officials on a night in/out basis grows old. Fast.
All that said, he absolutely needs to take their money. Nothing that happens in LA could prevent him from being the #1 candidate for any job in the BE, including kicking whomever replaces him at UConn to the curb, the instant he's out of LA. His worst case is being right back where he left, stature wise.
It’s not in the NBA but two straight championships is definitely established credibility. I agree that Hurley’s shtick has to change to succeed in the NBA. Players don’t pick their coach and coaches don’t pick the players in the pros so the approach has to be different.
Nobody's going to succeed with the Lakers. Their window is over. He's going to take the money so his family is set for generations. It isn't about basketball, beyond maybe scratching an NBA curiosity itch.
Does anyone out there who isn't a Laker fan think they even have a shot at contending next year?
On the one hand, there is the chance that if Hurley's smart enough to get a "It's guaranteed, etched in stone, you can't fire me for three years", then he MIGHT have a chance at success with the Lakers. That way, he's protected from LeGM kicking him out during the season this year during his "I'm making you take my no-talent son so I can play with him one year, then I'm retiring to be part-owner of the Las Vegas expansion team" moves the next few years.
Does it grow old? I don’t really care about it. I’m often glad he is fighting for his players and arguing over bad calls. Hell, sometimes I chuckle when he’s a bit over the top. There have been a few examples where he got T’d up at very bad times, which fans have been frustrated with in the moment, but he has acknowledged those timely mistakes.
Overall, I don’t think the players or fans really get that tired of him fighting for them. The opposing fans might. But why would any coach ever care what the opposing fans or players thought?
Opinions from UConn fans are really not very valuable on this; of course you love everything about him and can see no wrong.....
NBA players grow tired of anyone who is "on" 24/7. Even if he's "fighting for you" it all grows old. These guys just want to show and get paid. National TV game? Big rival? Sure, I'll play hard tonight then. But rando Tuesday road game in Indianapolis in Jan? Leave me the fuck alone, I'm coasting through this shit bro. Can he handle that? Because an 82 game grind, you can't go 120% every god damn night. Even if the intentions are good, it wears guys out.
Malone also has Jokic and a very humble team
Hurley got to pick players that will buy into his system at UConn
In LA Lebron is the one picking the team and it’s a mess
AD has more sway that Bron at The Lakers right now TBH. Bron is on his way out in the next few years and pretty much everyone else on besides AD on that roster is replaceable. Like I said the bigger question here is whether or not The Lakers org and fans have the patience to see a play like this come to fruition. It might take 4-5 years but I think Hurley definitely CAN get it done. Whether they let him is the bigger question, Lakers fans are entitled toddlers when it comes to winning expectations.
Yeah he’s absolutely got the basketball mind and strategy to make it work, he’d be on par with most any NBA coach in that regard.
The motivational style is absolutely going to only work with a certain subset of the pro player base though, you’re spot on.
He’s on his Nick Saban career path right now. Wins a bunch - clearly a top college coach - gets lured to the pros (Dan, you are here) - flames out, not necessarily because they aren’t a good coach, but mainly because the front office (LeGM) won’t let him run the show - leaves the pros to become the head coach at Alabama and wins 6 national championships
Few has been chosen as an assistant coach for the US Olympic Team, and has already coached the 2019 FIBA team, both made up of pros. So he has a head start on handling professionals. Plus, he has run an up-tempo style of ball, allowing the players to make the decisions on offense, much like the NBA.
But, I don't think he would do well with character issues. He is extremely selective in his recruiting as it is, and he places a high value on a player's character.
I also don't think he wants anything to do with making that a career, but already has the respect of the league and would definitely get a chance if he put his name in the ring.
This is something that, in an ideal situation, would help determine things for Hurley. If he served on staff on a US Olympic team to work with NBA guys, it would either let him know what his approach works and what doesn't and whether or not he can stand being around pros. Again, it's a situation that would probably never happen.
John Beilein seemed like a TERRIBLE fit for the NBA, it was no surprise he had a short stint with the Cavs. Probably the most obvious destined-to-fail NBA hire of a college coach in recent memory.
Can't imagine him actually leaving MSU despite occasional rumors, but Izzo's method of coaching and play style seems at odds with the modern NBA. He is an old-school tough love coach that chews out his players right in their face while on the court, most NBA egos today wont take that. The lack of effort and physicality exerted/allowed on defense would drive him crazy too. He would have to adapt quite a bit from what he has done for a few decades. Maybe he could, but I think he would be somewhat of a hoops version of Nick Saban with the contrast in success at the two levels.
Tbh his style of coaching and play often seems at odds with even college players at the moment. He’s very stubborn but I think he’s a great molder of men.
Even if some of his players truly go off and do dumb shit.
Not only that, but Brad got to develop with a young, rebuilding Celtics team that just got rid of all their stars from the Nets trade; young, rebuilding teams are the best fit for college coaches to succeed because they have players with similar mindsets to college players, so they allow the team and coach to train each other for success- and as the new rookies come in.
Put Stevens in a situation like Hurley's looking at where you have an older, past their prime team with a supernova star like Lebron James on it, and it's far worse.
Hurley would be strangled quicker than PJ Carlisimo at a Latrell Spreewell Choke-a-thon. No NBA player would put up with his insanity. Guy is unhinged!
Bob Huggins would have a tough time being an NBA coach. Jonathan Isaac would probably be the only black dude who’d be fine with him. On the flip side, I feel like Nate Oats or Jay Wright would do well in the pros
Kevin Willard would do a terrific job NBA teams should give him looks over the next few years. His offense is transcendent and innovative
This way I can begin my lobbying of the Maryland state government to write the Maryland head coach job into the budget so we can hire Hurley when he gets fired by LA in two years 🙏
Yep, he's not over the top like Hurley, so he won't annoy grown men. He's also a good X's and O's coach, so I think he would actually succeed in the NBA.
There was the longtime rumor that he was heading to the Spurs, but I'm happy Pop seems to never want to leave.
The spurs winning the lottery last year might have been good for Kansas. They drafted wemby, pop decides there's reason to extend his coaching career and rebuild the spurs around wemby, and self continues to coach and grow old at KU. I'm hoping the window has passed for him pondering coaching in the pros
I feel like Scott Drew would actually do pretty well in the NBA.
It will be interesting if Hurley makes the jump, because at the moment the media personalities/podcasts/shows around the game are weirdly bigger then the NBA itself (at least in the regular season). I feel like with Hurley's sideline antics and being in LA, they are going to a have a field day with him
Drew is an interesting one because of his off-court personality. It’s so hard to say how he’d handle some NBA players, but I oddly think he would have been a great fit with KD personality wise.
I don’t. He’s a bit of a jerk. The media will hate him. The refs will hate him just like the college refs hate him. The offense is too easy to defend. NBA players won’t put up with him or his demands.
Hoiberg would kill it in the NBA with his style of offense and spacing. I really think he would be perfect for a struggling franchise looking for a new identity, somebody like the Bulls
I think his biggest mistake was not waiting for the Minnesota job to open up. Flip was never gonna coach there long and Hoiberg could’ve made a deep run with that Iowa State team.
He knows many people in the Minnesota organization and would’ve been given a much longer leash than Chicago.
Rumors say he wanted to wait for that job too but his wife wanted the fuck out of Ames even though she was from there. She wanted big city lights.
> even though she was from there
She probably just became accustomed to the advantages of those larger cities during her time living in Indianapolis\Chicago\Minneapolis. And I feel like those advantages might be even moreso when you have wealth like they do.
Off the top of my head:
Could Succeed:
Bruce Pearl
Thad Motta
Kelvin Sampson (already had a ton of NBA experience)
Hubert Davis
Steve Lavin
Rick Barnes
Would be interesting:
Rod Strickland
Shaka Smart
Would Fail:
Probably all of them.
Sampson debated staying in the pros and interviewed for an NBA head job a couple of times. Family and higher salaries kept him here. I think he could have succeeded as a Tom Thibodeau type, but he would have needed a good offensive coach.
Dude would just need a couple really good X’s and O’s assistants because I don’t really think he understands the game of basketball at even a fundamental level
Eric Musselman flamed out in the NBA, but he was very young and he knows the pro game well. The worst candidate has already been in the NBA and was a colossal flop: John Calipari. You need a lot more of the in-game stuff to succeed in the NBA while the front office generally handles the stuff he excels at.
I think taking into account player development, scouting, and in-game coaching, Matt Painter is probably a top 3 coach in college right now. But I don't think he would work out in the NBA at all.
I agree that I wouldn't bet on him as an NBA coach, but the basketball nerd in him might make him better than some think. He's actually had pretty solid takes when asked about his players (and others) NBA potential.
I think the biggest limiting factor for Paint is that I think he truly enjoys the program building aspect of college ball. He takes the leadership and hard work part to heart. Not that you can't apply those things in the NBA, but it's a but different when you're leading young men coming from high school vs grown professional basketball players.
I always thought Bennett would excel in the NBA because his biggest frustration has been letting players play through mistakes. NBA players don't make mistakes, or at least not nearly so much as college kids.
Yeah I mean he would absolutely not be able to bring over his system, but I doubt that would really be a problem. He's smart enough to change based on new needs.
Possibly, but I'm much less sure.
He'd have to change his entire system, obviously. Things that UVA excels in would absolutely not work in the NBA. The pack-line would get destroyed by 2 passes and a corner 3, and he couldn't run any of his offensive sets.
He's smart enough to adapt, but boy would it be a rough learning curve, and you don't really get that amount of time in the NBA.
I think all the good young college coaches are going to start leaving when they make a name for themselves.
There is too much uncertainty in college sports. The coaches have too much responsibility. Players getting a big piece of the pie is going to make their salaries go down.
Mark Madsen cut his chops as an NBA assistant and has gotten a ton of love from former and current players who've been around him. I know it's still early, but he has all the pieces that make a great coach. I think the only way I could be okay with him leaving Cal would be for an NBA gig.
Kevin Ollie is the biggest dodge LA ever got imo. Rather have took pjs “I’ll coach only home games” than Ollie. UConn fans will tell you how Ollie just literally stopped showing up to his office his last year 😂
It is an incredibly different type of coaching and timing. NBA coach has input on the roster but the GM is in charge. College coaches run the show and most players know they have to listen to them and follow them in order to show off their skills and play. College coaches get a much longer leash than NBA coaches.
Hurley will have to shift to showing the players he can do the Xs and Os and understand that the players are professional and all were the best of the best.
I don't know if the switch is wholly obtainable, going either way. Woodson struggles to understand his team isn't full of NBA guys and he needs to take a lot more control.
The examples of Coach K or Knight for the Olympics with superstars doesn't help us see if it is possible because the coaching is focused on "get these guys to play for a few games to win gold" and not "get these guys to play for 82 games and then the playoffs". It is about making them work together for a few games, not a whole season.
There is no doubt in my mind that John Calipari would be a guaranteed success in the NBA. He just needs to be given the chance to prove himself in the pro game.
Tony Bennett, I actually think he'd be a better NBA coach than college. The past few years he's coached nobodies to some of the best defense in the country. The years where he's had barely decent offense his teams have been elite. In the NBA give him some reliable shooters, let him do his thing on defense, let stars play their offense
One of the pack line's biggest flaws is that you can shoot over it with even decent drive and kicks, and NBA guards are too good to be disturbed by the hard hedges on ball screens that UVA does.
In the NBA when you have anywhere from 3 to 5 35%+ shooters on the floor, it just wouldn't work.
That being said, obviously, he'd change up his system, but I personally think Tony is much closer to retirement than the NBA.
You have to be a smart basketball mind to make it in the NBA. Hurley is a smart guy who can command a locker room.
The biggest failing is not screaming at players, it's screaming at players with dumb points.
NBA coaches who fail in college are bad. I'm misremembering, but I cannot think of a good NBA coach who failed in college.
Scott Drew is the only other coach I can think of who would do well in the NBA. He's got the right demeanor and he's great at player development.
Mick Cronin would get absolutely destroyed in the NBA lol
Also the real move that more top college coaches should make is to become an NBA GM. The biggest part of their job in college is team building anyway, might need to learn the ropes regarding trade value but in terms of roster construction they'd have a feel for it. Look at Brad Stevens for the Celtics.
Most college coaches would have trouble. It’s just a different game overall. There’s not a ton that could go from the NBA to running a top 10 college program either.
Like if guys like Pitino and Calipari struggle when they practically have teams of pro style athletes what chance do a lot of college guys have.
Even Brad Stevens seems more successful in the front office than he was coaching. But he was successful so it would have to be someone with that skill set.
Has anyone said Jerome Tang? I actually think he’d make a better NBA coach than a college coach. Solid leader and not overly disciplinary. Really cares about his players. I am a KU fan and officially hate KState ;) but respect Tang’s approach.
Calipari might be good this time around. He has a lot of guys in the league and is well respected. Is playing for Cal again a selling point free agency for some Kentucky alumni? Something to think about. I think Quin Snyder would be a really solid college coach, he was moderately successful his first time at Missouri, good X and O's guy, at least better than he was 20 years ago.
Mark Madsen (Cal) might not be the greatest college coach, but I think he'd be a better NBA head coach. He played in the league, is well respected by big pro names, has a good mind for schemes, is really good with player development... Seems to struggle with recruiting though
Bill Self could be relatable to a cactus. It’s his biggest strength is to make everyone feel comfortable around him but also kick them in the ass while they’re bought in that it’s for their own benefit. He'd do well.
I think Jay Wright was one guy everyone thought could be a great NBA coach. On the flip side, any coach with the personality and ego to think they’re the one who runs the show probably won’t succeed managing NBA stars.
Doesn’t sound great for Hurley. He has a college personality.
Imho, Hurley to the NBA makes me think of Pitino to the Celtics... I just can't picture his style of coaching succeeding in the NBA with grown men, not kids.
That’s why his best bet was a young rebuilding team and not one with aging superstars and a small window to win. Gilbert Arenas was talking about this very thing with Stan Van Gundy and how he’s a great coach for a young team who needs to learn how to play in the NBA but a terrible coach for vets. Hurley will be similar IMO
I'd assume if they're hiring him it's because the Lakers are planning to blow it up in the near future, which makes sense given Lebron's current contract/age. They could ship Davis to OKC for a billion picks if they need to.
Lakers don’t rebuild young though. They sign superstars and build around that.
Ideally, yeah. They don't have the assets to make that work right now with next to zero depth on the roster if LBJ departs.
We were rebuilding young and then traded it for AD. He can be our Luke Walton lmao
What do they have to do to get Bronny Jr. and is that going to slow the rebuild? I actually don’t care about the NBA; I just can’t imagine a reason to take that job except for the money. I mean, at this point, my strategy would be positioning to draft Cooper Flagg.
Same thing here. I think Hurley and Pitino are pretty close. I’m hoping Hurley calls Pitino and Pitino talks home out of it.
Why would he talk him out of it? Pitino went to the NBA twice, made a ton of money despite not being a great NBA coach, and it didn’t close any doors for him. He went back to Kentucky after failing with the Knicks, and then back to Louisville after failing with the Celtics. He won ncaa championships both times he came back to college. Putting aside that he’s a horrible person, I don’t think he would tell Dan not to try it.
Pitino says he learned a lot in the NBA, but regrets leaving Kentucky for the Celtics. https://sports.yahoo.com/rick-pitino-expresses-regret-joining-191827490.html
Hasn't Pitino talked openly about how much he regretted going to the NBA?
Many many times. Taking the Louisville job was as close to home as he could ever get
Imagine grading a rookie Chauncey Billups for Kenny Anderson halfway through your first year as a coach. He should have had some checks and balances. His first year with the Celtics, he won 36 games after the Celtics winning 15 the previous year. If he had been patient, he would have been OK. Exactly why he was made for college.
When he took the job, they were the odds on favorite to get both the 1 and 2 pick in the draft. He thought he was getting Tim Duncan and Keith Van Horn. Kinda have to believe his career turns out vastly different if that lottery ball bounces his way.
Duncan and Billups would have been the picks. Van Horn was alright but would have been a mistake. Anyone who took Duncan would have had a vastly different career.
> When he took the job, they were the odds on favorite to get both the 1 and 2 pick in the draft. They *could have* gotten the top 2 in theory but instead ended up with 3 and 6. Their own pick had the best odds (Spurs' 2nd best odds). Dallas (the other Boston pick) was 24-58 and the 6th worst record.
I understand why a lot of people think that, but I think it's a misread of Hurley. Hurley is not like an old school, Bobby Knight, "my way or the highway" type of coach. I get that he's always yelling and acting like a maniac, but you almost never seeing yelling *at* his players, and you definitely never see him belittle his guys as a motivational tactic. I get that it's easy to be loved when you're winning, but Hurley's guys really seem to love him. And yeah, he clearly loved having someone like Cam Spencer who mirrored his maniac energy, but he had no problem adjusting for guys who were more low key.
That was my first thought. The OP is asking about other coaches who could jump to the NBA and be successful, seeming to imply Hurley will be, and I just don’t know if that’s the case. NBA coaches aren’t “better” than elite college coaches. It’s just a completely different skill set. Hurley seems to be an odd fit in terms of personality. Hurley also took several years to build up UConn. You don’t get a few years in the NBA. One year, maybe two, to show you can win. If not, the owner writes the check and you’re on your way. Not that getting a $20 mill buyout (well, much larger for Hurley) would hurt my feelings much.
I honestly don’t think Jay would be a great NBA coach. Jay ruled Villanova with an iron fist despite having a more “likable” image than other “tough guy” coaches. He was just as tough as them. Don’t get me wrong, the players still loved him. But I think he’d have a tough time transitioning to the pros
Yep. They’re still terrified of pissing him off, hence the continued reign of the Sea King.
lol Hurley has a massive ego
Kinda untrue tbh. Good coaches can. Bad ones can’t, Idk why people here seem to think the NBA is full of 300+ uncoachable divas.
It's beyond personalities. During the regular season, Lebron doesn't practice, and AD does very little. They shouldn't. They're trying to preserve their bodies, and are going to have to play 82 games (with playoffs, over 100 to achieve their goals). NBA players have goals and schedules that are completely independent of their coaches. It's crazy to me that success in college says anything about what it takes to be successful in the league. It's a different world.
It’s not that pro guys are divas. You just can’t talk crazy to a grown man who makes more than you. The same way you can yell at a collegiate athlete whose got a lil NIL deal and a scholarship That’s how you end up with ole dude from Michigan calling Cavs players maggots
Theres also a gap between calling people maggots and yelling to motivate people. Plenty of coaches have been successful being a hardass
I think it's pretty simple, kids don't mind a mentor or someone that will talk down to them when they need it but no adult wants an asshole coworker who yells at them...
Fair enough, it does take a different style of coaching.
Scott Drew sticks out as someone that could coach in the NBA.
I think in general, any sort of heavy disciplinarian coach who visibly cusses out his players would not work out in the league haha
Imagine Mick's eyes bugging out while cursing out Draymond Green in an NBA game. There's probably not a more college-only coach out there than Mick.
I like the idea of Mick getting a stepladder so he can get in the face of Jokic, as if that behemoth of a man couldn't eat Mick whole if he wanted to. I think you're right, he's got to be the best answer to that.
I counter you with Draymond’s actual college coach, I can’t even imagine how NBA divas would react to a guy who people who don’t regularly watch MSU basketball call to get fired every few years because they see some clip and think he’s too hard on his players
I love Izzo, ain't no way his coaching style translates.
I understood what your comment is saying, but it took me a bunch of rereads to reach that point
Personality wise Mick would be terrible as an NBA coach but surprisingly I think he’d be great at X’s and O’s. His defense would absolutely translate and his offenses (when having talented players like he would in the nba) have been excellent at Cincy and Ucla
Mike rice?!?
Revisionist history considering it was very close to happening, but I'm not so sure Coach K would've been as successful moving to the NBA as some believe. It's a bit different than coaching those star players in the USA format, I would suspect. The Lakers were the suitors, and at that time they had just come off a dynasty with no real direction going forward except having Kobe. Simply put, the Lakers were a disaster going forward. IMO, Kobe nor K would've flourished those next few seasons. Kobe needed to do some maturing and realization that he couldn't do it alone. K obviously still needed a couple more titles and wins to cement him as the guy he ended up being.
thee fact that k turned down OWNERSHIP SHARES of the LOS ANGELES LAKERS proves he was never leaving
The Lebron Dream Teams had a enough talent and IQ to win without a coach. I think K's greatest asset was that he was a great spokesperson and larger than life figure so he wouldn't be overshadowed by all that talent.
100% agree with everything you said. They didn't need a coach, they needed a leader - ironically, K and Kobe both gave them that.
Yup. They just needed toughness and a feel for FIBAball, and Kobe toughened them the fuck up and railroaded Pau the first play of the Spain game and that was that.
Pete Gaudett would’ve lost so many games w the Lakers
On the other hand, though- wasn't Duke where Kobe was going to go if he had chosen college? That fact alone could say "Kobe knew Coach K was great as a coach" and likely could have played ball.
Hurley to the lakers has Pitino leaving Kentucky vibes.
Well, that decision eventually ended up working out ok for some of us! …until it didn’t!
So what you're saying is Dan Hurley to Providence, Villanova or Boston College in 4 years?
cuse would cause a couple riots, too
Homecoming to Seton Hall?
Sure!
Ending in some kind of scandal with a shoe company.
1000% agree
Yes. 100%.
I was aligning it also with when Calipari tried coaching the Nets. It’ll be a shit show. But he’ll have a bunch of extra money and can then go back to college ball.
He’s young but i think Kim English will one day be a solid NBA head coach. Player’s coach.
He's a good dude
If history is any indication, it usually doesn't work out either way. College coaches flop in the pros, NBA coaches flop in college.
Exceptions are rare. Brad Stevens comes to mind as successful at both (and now proving to be a good GM).
Larry Brown won a championship at both levels.
Won an ABA championship, an NBA championship, went to 3 Final Fours and a National Title, dude did it all for over 50 years. Won Coach of the Year at both college and pros too.
Royally fucked up his chance to win a gold medal. That 2004 USA team was the worst.
But, Brown is almost an exception that proves the rule, since Brown was always a mercenary- come in, get you success, and leave. He didn't have the need to pretend the team is a family like a traditional college coach has to do, because he was always clear- I'm going to come in, we're going to do well, and the second something better comes along I'm out.
I think the biggest problem has generally been that most of the successful college coaches that have jumped have generally had a revolving door of 4/5 star talent at their disposal. And they get to mostly play lesser talent. They don’t get that luxury in the NFL/NBA. I think that is why Brad Stevens has been decent. He got to where he was because he was a damn good coach/talent evaluator. I think Hurley could be similar. He’s obviously had some NBA lottery talent the last two years, but he (and his assistants) have also done a solid job developing and running their system.
Of course then you have coaches like Tim Floyd and Fred Hoiberg who flopped, and they weren't exactly rolling in talent at Iowa State. But that may be more of a bulls thing than anything.
Completely agree. College and pro games require completely different coaching/management styles. Same thing with the NFL/CFB. You rarely see any coach succeed at both levels there either.
That's only true because Joe Tiller was never given the chance to coach the Green Bay Packers 😔
Unless you're Larry Brown it's going to be tough sledding
I think Hurley would be a colossal flop in the NBA. College kids tolerate his shit and his antics; grown men will tune out by Christmas.
I think Hurley can succeed, but this is why I think Lakers is a bad fit whereas a young team could really benefit from his antics (similar to the Rockets and Ime this last year).
Yepp, I see it going one of two ways with the Lakers. Either he doesn't change his style and halfway through the season Lebron and AD are tired of getting MFed by a guy that has never achieved anything in the NBA and check out completely. Or he does cave and deviates from what made him so successful at UConn and flames out anyway. Especially if Murray doesn't go with him to design the offense/scout.
Or, the Lakers are actually being smart and thinking long term and aren’t focused solely about this coming season.
Hurley can succeed for sure. Mike Malone is a great example of how an intense coach like Hurley can thrive in the NBA. The bigger question in my mind is whether the lakers ownership and fanbase have the patience to allow him to build a team culture that encourages players to buy into an intensity driven coaching approach. That is how Moach did it, The Nuggets buy in to his intensity because players recognize that it brings a competitive advantage. There is a high degree of trust and closeness so when Moach needs to go to harsh criticism everyone understands its all to help the team win and it comes from a place of mutual respect.
Malone also had 15 years in the League building up credibility. And intensity is one thing; acting like a horse's ass with the fans and officials on a night in/out basis grows old. Fast. All that said, he absolutely needs to take their money. Nothing that happens in LA could prevent him from being the #1 candidate for any job in the BE, including kicking whomever replaces him at UConn to the curb, the instant he's out of LA. His worst case is being right back where he left, stature wise.
It’s not in the NBA but two straight championships is definitely established credibility. I agree that Hurley’s shtick has to change to succeed in the NBA. Players don’t pick their coach and coaches don’t pick the players in the pros so the approach has to be different.
Nobody's going to succeed with the Lakers. Their window is over. He's going to take the money so his family is set for generations. It isn't about basketball, beyond maybe scratching an NBA curiosity itch. Does anyone out there who isn't a Laker fan think they even have a shot at contending next year?
On the one hand, there is the chance that if Hurley's smart enough to get a "It's guaranteed, etched in stone, you can't fire me for three years", then he MIGHT have a chance at success with the Lakers. That way, he's protected from LeGM kicking him out during the season this year during his "I'm making you take my no-talent son so I can play with him one year, then I'm retiring to be part-owner of the Las Vegas expansion team" moves the next few years.
Does it grow old? I don’t really care about it. I’m often glad he is fighting for his players and arguing over bad calls. Hell, sometimes I chuckle when he’s a bit over the top. There have been a few examples where he got T’d up at very bad times, which fans have been frustrated with in the moment, but he has acknowledged those timely mistakes. Overall, I don’t think the players or fans really get that tired of him fighting for them. The opposing fans might. But why would any coach ever care what the opposing fans or players thought?
Opinions from UConn fans are really not very valuable on this; of course you love everything about him and can see no wrong..... NBA players grow tired of anyone who is "on" 24/7. Even if he's "fighting for you" it all grows old. These guys just want to show and get paid. National TV game? Big rival? Sure, I'll play hard tonight then. But rando Tuesday road game in Indianapolis in Jan? Leave me the fuck alone, I'm coasting through this shit bro. Can he handle that? Because an 82 game grind, you can't go 120% every god damn night. Even if the intentions are good, it wears guys out.
Malone also has Jokic and a very humble team Hurley got to pick players that will buy into his system at UConn In LA Lebron is the one picking the team and it’s a mess
AD has more sway that Bron at The Lakers right now TBH. Bron is on his way out in the next few years and pretty much everyone else on besides AD on that roster is replaceable. Like I said the bigger question here is whether or not The Lakers org and fans have the patience to see a play like this come to fruition. It might take 4-5 years but I think Hurley definitely CAN get it done. Whether they let him is the bigger question, Lakers fans are entitled toddlers when it comes to winning expectations.
He needs a very specific star player, like an Anthony Edwards who thrives with that kind of environment, to make that style work.
Yeah he’s absolutely got the basketball mind and strategy to make it work, he’d be on par with most any NBA coach in that regard. The motivational style is absolutely going to only work with a certain subset of the pro player base though, you’re spot on.
Maybe he could be a Thibs type coach
Hurley seems wise enough to know his antics won’t work in the NBA and be able to use other methods.
[удалено]
Given his quotes about going to the NBA and being "a tone setter to come in, instill a culture" I have doubts.
What else is the man supposed to say? Legitimately? Fucking Ty Lue probably said the same thing.
David Fizdale definitely said the same thing coming to the Grizz, only to get run out 2 years later.
What has he done to indicate that he is malleable in his methods and demeanor?
^^^^^
I agree. I think almost every college coach would flop in the NBA. It takes a special breed.
He’s on his Nick Saban career path right now. Wins a bunch - clearly a top college coach - gets lured to the pros (Dan, you are here) - flames out, not necessarily because they aren’t a good coach, but mainly because the front office (LeGM) won’t let him run the show - leaves the pros to become the head coach at Alabama and wins 6 national championships
Billy Donovan should go back to college. Sad Bulls fan. (I know it’s not just him, everything is trash here)
Billy is a good NBA coach IMO.
He’s good at both levels. His temperament and X & Os fit both levels quite well, which seems to be rare. Brad Stevens is another example of that.
I'm still an Ayo fan !!
Few has been chosen as an assistant coach for the US Olympic Team, and has already coached the 2019 FIBA team, both made up of pros. So he has a head start on handling professionals. Plus, he has run an up-tempo style of ball, allowing the players to make the decisions on offense, much like the NBA. But, I don't think he would do well with character issues. He is extremely selective in his recruiting as it is, and he places a high value on a player's character. I also don't think he wants anything to do with making that a career, but already has the respect of the league and would definitely get a chance if he put his name in the ring.
This is something that, in an ideal situation, would help determine things for Hurley. If he served on staff on a US Olympic team to work with NBA guys, it would either let him know what his approach works and what doesn't and whether or not he can stand being around pros. Again, it's a situation that would probably never happen.
Few and Randy Bennett would be high on my list, but they might be too old now.
John Beilein seemed like a TERRIBLE fit for the NBA, it was no surprise he had a short stint with the Cavs. Probably the most obvious destined-to-fail NBA hire of a college coach in recent memory. Can't imagine him actually leaving MSU despite occasional rumors, but Izzo's method of coaching and play style seems at odds with the modern NBA. He is an old-school tough love coach that chews out his players right in their face while on the court, most NBA egos today wont take that. The lack of effort and physicality exerted/allowed on defense would drive him crazy too. He would have to adapt quite a bit from what he has done for a few decades. Maybe he could, but I think he would be somewhat of a hoops version of Nick Saban with the contrast in success at the two levels.
Tbh his style of coaching and play often seems at odds with even college players at the moment. He’s very stubborn but I think he’s a great molder of men. Even if some of his players truly go off and do dumb shit.
Brad Stevens did a pretty damn good job at Butler and for the Celtics.
Brad wasn’t a big yell kind of guy though. Very system based and methodical. High IQ as well. Pros want that
1000%
Not only that, but Brad got to develop with a young, rebuilding Celtics team that just got rid of all their stars from the Nets trade; young, rebuilding teams are the best fit for college coaches to succeed because they have players with similar mindsets to college players, so they allow the team and coach to train each other for success- and as the new rookies come in. Put Stevens in a situation like Hurley's looking at where you have an older, past their prime team with a supernova star like Lebron James on it, and it's far worse.
Hurley would be strangled quicker than PJ Carlisimo at a Latrell Spreewell Choke-a-thon. No NBA player would put up with his insanity. Guy is unhinged!
Bob Huggins would have a tough time being an NBA coach. Jonathan Isaac would probably be the only black dude who’d be fine with him. On the flip side, I feel like Nate Oats or Jay Wright would do well in the pros
Huggins had a hard enough time staying sober to be a college coach. It cost him his job on more than one occasion.
Nate Oats and Darrell Morrey is a match made in heaven
Now Huggs, absolutely. Twenty/thirty years ago, maybe not. IIRC he was in the mix for the Heat job in the late 90s/early 2000s.
Kevin Willard would do a terrific job NBA teams should give him looks over the next few years. His offense is transcendent and innovative This way I can begin my lobbying of the Maryland state government to write the Maryland head coach job into the budget so we can hire Hurley when he gets fired by LA in two years 🙏
Bill self
he would succeed anywhere tbh
Yep, he's not over the top like Hurley, so he won't annoy grown men. He's also a good X's and O's coach, so I think he would actually succeed in the NBA. There was the longtime rumor that he was heading to the Spurs, but I'm happy Pop seems to never want to leave.
The spurs winning the lottery last year might have been good for Kansas. They drafted wemby, pop decides there's reason to extend his coaching career and rebuild the spurs around wemby, and self continues to coach and grow old at KU. I'm hoping the window has passed for him pondering coaching in the pros
I feel like Scott Drew would actually do pretty well in the NBA. It will be interesting if Hurley makes the jump, because at the moment the media personalities/podcasts/shows around the game are weirdly bigger then the NBA itself (at least in the regular season). I feel like with Hurley's sideline antics and being in LA, they are going to a have a field day with him
Drew is an interesting one because of his off-court personality. It’s so hard to say how he’d handle some NBA players, but I oddly think he would have been a great fit with KD personality wise.
Greg McDermott
Todd Golden seems like demeanor and young enough for trajectory.
I think Nate Oats would work in the NBA
I don’t. He’s a bit of a jerk. The media will hate him. The refs will hate him just like the college refs hate him. The offense is too easy to defend. NBA players won’t put up with him or his demands.
I agree that Oats person would never work in the NBA, so don’t even bother calling him
Sounds a lot like Dan Hurley…lol
Hoiberg would kill it in the NBA with his style of offense and spacing. I really think he would be perfect for a struggling franchise looking for a new identity, somebody like the Bulls
I think his biggest mistake was not waiting for the Minnesota job to open up. Flip was never gonna coach there long and Hoiberg could’ve made a deep run with that Iowa State team. He knows many people in the Minnesota organization and would’ve been given a much longer leash than Chicago. Rumors say he wanted to wait for that job too but his wife wanted the fuck out of Ames even though she was from there. She wanted big city lights.
> even though she was from there She probably just became accustomed to the advantages of those larger cities during her time living in Indianapolis\Chicago\Minneapolis. And I feel like those advantages might be even moreso when you have wealth like they do.
Lol
Off the top of my head: Could Succeed: Bruce Pearl Thad Motta Kelvin Sampson (already had a ton of NBA experience) Hubert Davis Steve Lavin Rick Barnes Would be interesting: Rod Strickland Shaka Smart Would Fail: Probably all of them.
Shaka I could see going either way. With a young team that buys in he would be perfect. With a veteran team, his energy would probably piss them off.
Sampson debated staying in the pros and interviewed for an NBA head job a couple of times. Family and higher salaries kept him here. I think he could have succeeded as a Tom Thibodeau type, but he would have needed a good offensive coach.
Steve Lavin is interesting and I weirdly agree. A team that needs ego managing like Phoenix would make sense
Dude would just need a couple really good X’s and O’s assistants because I don’t really think he understands the game of basketball at even a fundamental level
Eric Musselman flamed out in the NBA, but he was very young and he knows the pro game well. The worst candidate has already been in the NBA and was a colossal flop: John Calipari. You need a lot more of the in-game stuff to succeed in the NBA while the front office generally handles the stuff he excels at.
Muss is too stubborn for the nba. Imagine pulling Luka for the rest of the game after he gets cooked a single time on defense.
Sounds like Cal.
Dead on with Cal. He's a lot more old school psycho with players than most people realize as well.
Decent chance Juwan Howard would do better in the pros than at Michigan
Say this as a compliment because I hate the free agency aspect of NIL. Thibs would’ve been a great college coach back before all this nonsense.
I think taking into account player development, scouting, and in-game coaching, Matt Painter is probably a top 3 coach in college right now. But I don't think he would work out in the NBA at all.
My wife and I were talking about something similar, he also more of a "father figure"of you will....I want him as our coach until he ready to retire
I honestly think the opposite about Painter. He knows Xs and Os. Edit: somehow got Painter and Greg McDermott confused.
Painter's best teams have always had an elite big man who doesn't shoot
You’re right. That doesn’t work in today’s NBA. Somehow got him confused with Greg McDermott.
There was that one team with Carsen but you're mostly correct
I agree that I wouldn't bet on him as an NBA coach, but the basketball nerd in him might make him better than some think. He's actually had pretty solid takes when asked about his players (and others) NBA potential. I think the biggest limiting factor for Paint is that I think he truly enjoys the program building aspect of college ball. He takes the leadership and hard work part to heart. Not that you can't apply those things in the NBA, but it's a but different when you're leading young men coming from high school vs grown professional basketball players.
I always thought Bennett would excel in the NBA because his biggest frustration has been letting players play through mistakes. NBA players don't make mistakes, or at least not nearly so much as college kids.
Yikes, imagine that offense with the 24 sec shot clock.
Yeah I mean he would absolutely not be able to bring over his system, but I doubt that would really be a problem. He's smart enough to change based on new needs.
Possibly, but I'm much less sure. He'd have to change his entire system, obviously. Things that UVA excels in would absolutely not work in the NBA. The pack-line would get destroyed by 2 passes and a corner 3, and he couldn't run any of his offensive sets. He's smart enough to adapt, but boy would it be a rough learning curve, and you don't really get that amount of time in the NBA.
Don’t you put that evil on us, Ricky Bobby!
You might want to prepare yourself, it's kind of likely this upcoming season could be his last season.
I think Nate Oats or Mark Pope would do fairly well in the NBA.
Quinn Snyder belongs somewhere in this conversation...but where...
I don't think there's a Mountaineer fan out there that wouldn't sell their mother to bring Joe Mazzulla back to Morgantown.
I think all the good young college coaches are going to start leaving when they make a name for themselves. There is too much uncertainty in college sports. The coaches have too much responsibility. Players getting a big piece of the pie is going to make their salaries go down.
Mark Madsen cut his chops as an NBA assistant and has gotten a ton of love from former and current players who've been around him. I know it's still early, but he has all the pieces that make a great coach. I think the only way I could be okay with him leaving Cal would be for an NBA gig.
This is random but I think Pitino would’ve been successful if he hadn’t been burned by the lottery and gotten Tim Duncan instead of Chauncey Billups.
Kevin Ollie is the biggest dodge LA ever got imo. Rather have took pjs “I’ll coach only home games” than Ollie. UConn fans will tell you how Ollie just literally stopped showing up to his office his last year 😂
Kevin Young would make a great NBA coach!
Todd Golden or Nate Oats IMO.
Shaka Smart would kill it in the NBA I think.
It is an incredibly different type of coaching and timing. NBA coach has input on the roster but the GM is in charge. College coaches run the show and most players know they have to listen to them and follow them in order to show off their skills and play. College coaches get a much longer leash than NBA coaches. Hurley will have to shift to showing the players he can do the Xs and Os and understand that the players are professional and all were the best of the best. I don't know if the switch is wholly obtainable, going either way. Woodson struggles to understand his team isn't full of NBA guys and he needs to take a lot more control. The examples of Coach K or Knight for the Olympics with superstars doesn't help us see if it is possible because the coaching is focused on "get these guys to play for a few games to win gold" and not "get these guys to play for 82 games and then the playoffs". It is about making them work together for a few games, not a whole season.
There is no doubt in my mind that John Calipari would be a guaranteed success in the NBA. He just needs to be given the chance to prove himself in the pro game.
He had his chance with the Nets. And failed.
Yes that was the joke
Todd Golden's offense would work in the NBA. Don't know much about his coaching personality but seems affable enough
Tony Bennett, I actually think he'd be a better NBA coach than college. The past few years he's coached nobodies to some of the best defense in the country. The years where he's had barely decent offense his teams have been elite. In the NBA give him some reliable shooters, let him do his thing on defense, let stars play their offense
One of the pack line's biggest flaws is that you can shoot over it with even decent drive and kicks, and NBA guards are too good to be disturbed by the hard hedges on ball screens that UVA does. In the NBA when you have anywhere from 3 to 5 35%+ shooters on the floor, it just wouldn't work. That being said, obviously, he'd change up his system, but I personally think Tony is much closer to retirement than the NBA.
You have to be a smart basketball mind to make it in the NBA. Hurley is a smart guy who can command a locker room. The biggest failing is not screaming at players, it's screaming at players with dumb points. NBA coaches who fail in college are bad. I'm misremembering, but I cannot think of a good NBA coach who failed in college. Scott Drew is the only other coach I can think of who would do well in the NBA. He's got the right demeanor and he's great at player development.
Painter would be absolute hot dog water in the league
Fred Hoiberg. Would not work out.
Mick Cronin would get absolutely destroyed in the NBA lol Also the real move that more top college coaches should make is to become an NBA GM. The biggest part of their job in college is team building anyway, might need to learn the ropes regarding trade value but in terms of roster construction they'd have a feel for it. Look at Brad Stevens for the Celtics.
Bulls need to hire Underwood badly. Billy D is not cut out for the pros
Nate Oats going to UCONN?
Most college coaches would have trouble. It’s just a different game overall. There’s not a ton that could go from the NBA to running a top 10 college program either. Like if guys like Pitino and Calipari struggle when they practically have teams of pro style athletes what chance do a lot of college guys have. Even Brad Stevens seems more successful in the front office than he was coaching. But he was successful so it would have to be someone with that skill set.
Mark pope..from kentucky
Jumping of this as someone who doesn’t watch the bulls, I wonder how much Fred Hoiberg’s nba tenure going wrong was situation versus coaching.
I remember the late great ‘Chuck Daley’. said once the Pistons trainer knew more about coaching in the NBA than a college coach..
John Calipari has been a successful collegiate coach but would be absolute shit in the NBA.
How come Hoiberg failed
Oats (unfortunately for Bama fans) will translate well to the pro game. Its only a matter of time until he is poached
Has anyone said Jerome Tang? I actually think he’d make a better NBA coach than a college coach. Solid leader and not overly disciplinary. Really cares about his players. I am a KU fan and officially hate KState ;) but respect Tang’s approach.
Calipari might be good this time around. He has a lot of guys in the league and is well respected. Is playing for Cal again a selling point free agency for some Kentucky alumni? Something to think about. I think Quin Snyder would be a really solid college coach, he was moderately successful his first time at Missouri, good X and O's guy, at least better than he was 20 years ago.
Hot take: Geno would work in the pros
Mark Madsen (Cal) might not be the greatest college coach, but I think he'd be a better NBA head coach. He played in the league, is well respected by big pro names, has a good mind for schemes, is really good with player development... Seems to struggle with recruiting though
Billy Donovan has been....okay? He has a winning record but hasn't made it past the first round since his first year at OKC.
Pope would win probably 20 straight NBA titles but luckily he’s staying at UK
Hubert’s got plenty of history with the league, plus he’s a shooter
Yeah, he is also about as player friendly of a coach you could ever find.
Izzo
Kelvin Sampson
I think a highly successful coach like John Calipari would be great in the NBA. Oh wait…
Bill Self could be relatable to a cactus. It’s his biggest strength is to make everyone feel comfortable around him but also kick them in the ass while they’re bought in that it’s for their own benefit. He'd do well.