Posted by  Tony Grier, Tampa on 03/30  at  10:28 AM

Brett,

Tom Jones did a piece today mocking the coaching situation…He did mentioned former Georgetown coach John Thompson as a possible candidate…

I can see it now Georgetown comes the Sun Dome, a sell out every time they visit, ESPN’s Big Monday would televise it every time home or away, father-son story one for the ages….And I bet John would entertain the idea…His personal life is in order and the down payment on the retirement home can be made sooner than later…

It wouldn’t be like a re-tread because his son would motivate him to win games or lose his legacy during the father-son competition that it would create in the Big East…I think we should have at least asked him. Maybe we did. What do you think?

Posted by  melonie corbin, Panama City, FL on 03/30  at  08:40 AM

I think USF should look hard at Jeff Bzdelik from the Air Force.

Posted by  Wayne Jacobus, edison nj on 03/30  at  08:29 AM

Please just get it done with Heath.

Posted by  Hector Jimenez, Weston on 03/30  at  05:24 AM

Brett….is it also possible that the ex-Michigan coach, Ammacker, is being considered by Woolard?  And, why does no one consider him as a possibility here at USF?

Posted by  Stephen Blackehart, Pasadena, CA on 03/30  at  01:40 AM

Brett,
If you’re covering the story, any chance you could ask Woolard about the proposed facilities?  Frankly, I’m surprised that the best basketball conference in the NCAA would admit USF, with such a gaping hole in our competitiveness there.  Where do they practice now?

Posted by  Paul Neumann, Miami on 03/29  at  11:05 PM

I live in Miami and follow the Univ of Miami program very closely.  They are in the # 1 conf ACC, and don’t have a “practice facility”.  They practice in the arena they play in.

That is no big deal.  A few other ACC teams are the same way.

Posted by  Phil Canto, Jacksonville, FL on 03/29  at  07:49 PM

Is it just me or has this whole process become absurd? Hopefully we’ll find our coach for the next 20 yrs. But if we don’t, this ordeal should put the university’s athletic department on notice…Have we had this much trouble finding a MBB coach in the past? Or is the program in such a state to warrant these consequences?  It seemed that Paschal and Greenberg were willing to leave their respective programs after success at smaller schools.  RM certainly upgraded…

Posted by  Martin Bahl, Brandon on 03/29  at  12:39 PM

Brett: Do you think Rick Pitino told John Pelphrey and Travis Ford to stay away from USF because:

a) He thinks the USF job is lousy and advised them against it for the good of their careers
b) He doesn’t want proteges competing and recruiting against him in the same conference
c) both of the above
d) none of the above

You may have already written or blogged about that but I was wondering what you thought about it if you haven’t touched on it already.

Posted by  Claudel Olivier, Tampa on 03/29  at  12:15 PM

Brett,
Do you think if DWs top 3-5 coaching candidates have a practice facility as a stipulation it could get moved up the pecking order?  In the next ten years I might not be able to recognize my campus (2003 grad)!

Posted by  Claudel Olivier, Tampa on 03/29  at  12:05 PM

A total compensation package of 750K could land this guy.  Arkansas was paying him 775K!  Do it Doug!  Don’t let him out of that room!

Posted by  Claudel Olivier, Tampa on 03/29  at  12:03 PM

Dave, I am with you!  Ken, I cannot divulge my sources. Let’s just say kids can be very loyal (look at Bob Huggins - he recruited and did not even have a job yet).  Stephen, 3 Top 15-20 recruiting classes in a row!  Does that not sound like a recruiter?  How about Mo Pete, Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell (those were his, but you will not hear that from Izzo)?

Posted by  Brett McMurphy,  on 03/29  at  10:21 AM

Stephen, there are proposed plans to build a new basketball practice facility. But there also are plans for a new baseball, softball and soccer stadiums, new football practice fields, etc. So I’m not sure exactly where in the pecking order the hoops practice facility ranks.

Posted by  Ken Webb, Tampa on 03/29  at  10:07 AM

Claudel- who is the player Heath has in his back pocket? I agree with you that jsut seeing a true blue chipper would be great and long overdue.

Posted by  tina curry,  on 03/29  at  09:20 AM

what is the problem with USF finding a coach is it the money or area.

Posted by  Gary Stephen, Omaha, Nebraska on 03/29  at  08:25 AM

“I’m crazy enough to like a challenge”? I love this guy! That’s the perfect attitude for anyone taking over men’s basketball at USF.

Posted by  Dave Weber, USF on 03/29  at  08:04 AM

You know I’d feel better if the title was “Woolard Will Hire Heath in Atlanta.”

Posted by  Claudel Olivier, Tampa on 03/29  at  06:34 AM

When he gets to Atlanta, just get Heath in a room and don’t let him leave until you have a signed contract.  Heath has a stud ready to go wherever he ends up.  I would be happy with a decent player at this point!  Really I just want to go to games thinking we have a legitimate chance of winning.  Is 8-8 or 7-9 in the Big East with 17-20 total wins too much to ask?

Posted by  Stephen Blackehart, Pasadena, CA on 03/29  at  12:19 AM

Well I hope Heath is a heck of a recruiter. I had no idea USF had no practice facility for the basketball team. They just built that huge athletic center, right next to the SunDome, and didn’t build anything for basketball!?  How did THAT happen?
Have you heard any talk that such a facility is in the works?

Posted by  Pete Kay, AZ on 03/29  at  12:10 AM

The guy USF should bring in to rebuld this program is Lappas. He has the Big East ties (5th winninngest coach in conference history), an NIT title with Nova - put Manhattan college on the map before that - and was about to turn around Umess until he got hosed when new AD from KY brought in his guy Ford (who won with Lappas’ players).
He can build this thing - oh by the way in case anyone cares, his kids graduate too!
PS I am not his agent, just a fan