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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Another Swing and Miss?

UPDATE: (5:47 p.m.): I never reported this story because I didn't know the particulars of what happened, but I'm sure it's legit. Kevin Scarbinsky of the Birmingham News writes in his latest column on Anthony Grant that Georgia largely missed out on Grant because the search firm it hired had rubbed Grant the wrong way a year ago during its search for LSU's next coach.

Meanwhile, various outlets are reporting that Capel and Arizona are in negotiations as of Wednesday afternoon.

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Fire up the message boards yet again... Several media outlets, including the East Valley Tribune, are reporting that Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel could land at Arizona in the next couple of days.

FOX Sports reported yesterday that Capel had returned to the top of Georgia's wishlist, but if these new reports are true, that wish won't be granted.

In other news, it appears another rumored candidate is being targeted by someone other than UGA. I've heard numerous reports (and you can read at least one HERE) that Memphis has its eyes set on USC's Tim Floyd.

15 comments:

jferg said...

DH,
Can you offer any insight at all into what's going on at UGA's headquarters? The silence is deafening doesn't even begin to tell the tale. Is it possible (for what it's worth, this is what I believe) that the UGA job, other than money, is just not a good situation for any big-time coach to come into? I mean...what can we offer from a player/recruit standpoint? Pretty much nothing...I would think pride alone would keep any decent big-name coach from coming to UGA...could be career suicide for them. My guess is that we'll have to find a Capel (before OU or VCU) or Grant before they were "Capel" and "Grant" the winners. How does Valdosta State's BBall program look? Maybe we could score UAB's coach for $2 mil.........

Can we PLEASE just talk football from now on?

David Hale said...

This is sorta what I was getting at in my post last night... Damon may not WANT to talk, but the way it LOOKS right now is really bad. He doesn't need to come out and talk individual candidates, but an update so the fans know he's in control of the situation (even if he's not) would be a good thing for him.

I agree with what you're saying, too... Truth is, Georgia needs to overspend to get a guy because the program just isn't attractive to a top-flight coach.

The resolution to this at this point is simple: Call Tubby and ask, "How much?"

It's a winner from a PR standpoint, it's a winner from a basketball standpoint, and when Tubby's ready to retire in 7-10 years, he'll leave the program in a situation where another top coach WANTS to come here.

And yes... I would LOVE to just talk football (and maybe a little Diamond Dogs) for a while.

jferg said...

Is Tubby even a possibility? He burned us once, so I don't have the warm and fuzzies about him....but it does seem he's the best option right now---and I have no doubt he could recruit a decent team within a few years...

speakin' of diamond dawgs...is your boy going to make the Cubs roster soon? I see they've got him starting out in AA ball. how long till they bring him up?

Ubiquitous GA Alum said...

Gary Parrish (CBSSports.com) says Zona wants Gonzaga's Mark Few. One source said, "This is Few's job if he wants it."

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/6271764

He also says that Memphis is looking at USC's Tim Floyd.

IMO, Cappel has zero interest in UGA. OK can match any offer we can and they happen to have a lot more going for them that we do ... but that's true for a lot of schools.

MikeInValdosta said...

Tubby, Tubby, Tubby. All for it!

I am afraid Evans has not interest in bringing back the coach Vince brought to town.

I too am tired of it. I would rather get updates on who's car got towed than the latest rumor. Just spent.

Trey said...

Is Jay Wright from Villanova available?

Anonymous said...

Tubby! Tubby! Tubby!

We'll just have to drop men's tennis. Sorry Manny.

HVL Dawg

Anonymous said...

per espn radio Capel in negotiations with Arizona. Another one bites the dust.

David Hale said...

I highly doubt it ends up being Tubby. I think Capel was a pipe dream from the beginning, too.

I don't believe Jay Wright would be available, but I also don't think Nova could match Georgia in terms of money. Still, I highly doubt it would happen.

JM said...

Mark Few????

He said two or three years ago a contract offer of 2 million would tempt him.

His name surfaced for Zona, but I think Capel is option #1.

I'd be ALL ABOUT bringing him to UGA

Anonymous said...

Wright turned down Kentucky before Gillispie was hired, no way he would come here. We have tons of money, but it was always going to take more than that to lure a big name.

RC said...

Tim Floyd and Memphis...now there's a match made in...well, let's just say they are perfect for each other.

David Hale said...

Hahaha... nice, RC. I laughed out loud.

Ubiquitous GA Alum said...

Per Parrish at CBSSports.com ...

Tim Floyd is in Tucson meeting with Zona. They were turned down by ... Mark Few (Gonzaga), John Calipari (Kentucky), Bruce Pearl (Tennessee), Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh), Tom Izzo (Michigan State) and Rick Pitino (Louisville).

In other news that is damaging to UGA ... Memphis is now in eyeing Bruce Pearl (Vols). according to Parrish ... "multiple sources have since added that if the Memphis boosters approach Pearl with a lucrative deal he would be open to considering a move to the western side of the state."

Just damn ... I'm starting to think that we just stick with our interim coach and ride it out till 2010 when the big fish are out of the water. Maybe Coach Youclan would take a 1 year gig ... :)

rbubp said...

Terrence Moore has suggested Craig Robinson, and upon looking at his record I do think he might be an ok choice out of what's left. He won at Brown and improved Oregon State from zero conference wins the year before to 7-11 his first year.

Unproven, I know...

The other thing Moore is pressing is Tubby, of course, and he would be such a great program builder. He has about 10 years left to coach, so you know he isn't going to move around much anymore, and I doubt Kentucky would come calling. Man, it would be great to have him back.