I mean, yes and no, right?
There were clear candidates last year — just like there are this year, and just like there are every year. In today’s landscape, the major publications actually do a pretty good job of identifying the top coaching candidates. Will some of them miss? Of course. Will there be an under-the-radar guy who breaks through? Absolutely. Every job comes with its own unique challenges.
Last cycle, the top five names were Ben McCollum, Darian DeVries, Will Wade, Ryan Odom, and Niko Medved. In my opinion, there was a noticeable drop-off from Odom to Medved.
Here’s how they’ve performed YTD:
- McCollum – 19–7 (Iowa)
- Wade – 19–8 (NC State)
- DeVries – 17–9 (Indiana)
- Odom – 23–3 (Virginia)
- Medved – 12–14 (Minnesota)
Syracuse doesn’t need to get cute here. They don’t need to hunt for some hidden gem just to prove they’re the smartest people in the room. They don’t need a search committee trying to “leave no stone unturned.” They just need to be smart and hire one of the best coaches available. If they overthink this and miss, it could set the program back even further. But if they land one of the top coaches on the market, the perception — and momentum — shifts immediately if they struggle like a Medved there is still upside in that Syracuse is spending like a serious program should. This isn’t the football program, where you might have to take a flyer on someone no one else is targeting. Syracuse basketball is still a brand a diminishing brand but still a brand.
