PoppyHart
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Piggybacking on the Billy Donovan thread, I thought it would be interesting to discuss the impact of a 2014 National Championship on the coaches most likely to win this year.
I am assuming that the teams currently seeded in the top-4 by Joseph Lunardini are those most likely to raise that bland but meaningful trophy.
Also, I'd note that not everything happens in a vacuum, so FF appearances by other coaches would impact the discussion.
#1 seeds
J. Boeheim - A 2nd title and 5th Final Four, when coupled with the lifetime achievement award, would most likely bump him up to a consensus #2 among active coaches, behind only K.
S. Miller - Welcome to the big boy club. A deserved validation for the success at Xavier and now U of A. But still down toward the bottom of active 1-time winners due to lack of FFs and career achievements. Would join Tubby Smith as only active championship coach with only 1 appearance.
B. Donovan - Likely hurdles Self, JB, Roy, Izzo, etc... with a 3rd title and 4th championhip game in 15 years. HOF induction fast-tracked
G. Marshall - Becomes hottest commodity in town and the new poster child for the little guy ahead of Shaka Smart, Few, etc... Pick of the litter with any major openings after repeat appearances. A notch above Tubby.
#2 seeds
J. Wright - Universal validation for one of the good guys w/ 2nd trip to the FF. Positions himself for future career jump should he want to leave suburban Philly. But still well below Self, Cal, JB, Izzo and other 1 time winners.
S. Fisher - Major accomplishment and HOF-worthy achievement after 2nd title and 4th title game. Joins the grouping of Donovan, Pitino, and Roy as 2-time winners.
K - Regardless of outcome, Coach K will still be the undisputed king of the active coaching universe, but a 5th ring and 12th FF would make the comparison to Wooden even tighter.
Self - 2nd title and 3rd title game moves him solidly into top-8, and likely as high as 4th or 5th at age 51.
#3 seeds
Hoiberg - See S. Miller
G. McDermott - Would ride his son into a goldmine. Much of what what said about G. Marshall would apply.
Izzo - Would move neck and neck with Pitino at the 2 spot after 7th FF and 2nd championship.
Beilein - Fast riser would get similar validation as J. Wright after back to back appearances. Still at bottom of pack of 1-time winners.
#4 seeds
Cronin - See Miller and Hoiberg
B. Ryan - Another career validation, along the lines of S. Fisher. Coupled with the 4 Division III titles, the HOF could be calling.
Calipari - Semantics aside, a 5th FF and 2nd title would move him somewhere between 3rd and 5th among active coaches. Ahead of Donovan, Roy and Self. Below K and Pitino. In discussion with Izzo and JB but with an extra ring.
T. Bennett - See Miller and Hoiberg.
Questions? Comments? Quips?
I am assuming that the teams currently seeded in the top-4 by Joseph Lunardini are those most likely to raise that bland but meaningful trophy.
Also, I'd note that not everything happens in a vacuum, so FF appearances by other coaches would impact the discussion.
#1 seeds
J. Boeheim - A 2nd title and 5th Final Four, when coupled with the lifetime achievement award, would most likely bump him up to a consensus #2 among active coaches, behind only K.
S. Miller - Welcome to the big boy club. A deserved validation for the success at Xavier and now U of A. But still down toward the bottom of active 1-time winners due to lack of FFs and career achievements. Would join Tubby Smith as only active championship coach with only 1 appearance.
B. Donovan - Likely hurdles Self, JB, Roy, Izzo, etc... with a 3rd title and 4th championhip game in 15 years. HOF induction fast-tracked
G. Marshall - Becomes hottest commodity in town and the new poster child for the little guy ahead of Shaka Smart, Few, etc... Pick of the litter with any major openings after repeat appearances. A notch above Tubby.
#2 seeds
J. Wright - Universal validation for one of the good guys w/ 2nd trip to the FF. Positions himself for future career jump should he want to leave suburban Philly. But still well below Self, Cal, JB, Izzo and other 1 time winners.
S. Fisher - Major accomplishment and HOF-worthy achievement after 2nd title and 4th title game. Joins the grouping of Donovan, Pitino, and Roy as 2-time winners.
K - Regardless of outcome, Coach K will still be the undisputed king of the active coaching universe, but a 5th ring and 12th FF would make the comparison to Wooden even tighter.
Self - 2nd title and 3rd title game moves him solidly into top-8, and likely as high as 4th or 5th at age 51.
#3 seeds
Hoiberg - See S. Miller
G. McDermott - Would ride his son into a goldmine. Much of what what said about G. Marshall would apply.
Izzo - Would move neck and neck with Pitino at the 2 spot after 7th FF and 2nd championship.
Beilein - Fast riser would get similar validation as J. Wright after back to back appearances. Still at bottom of pack of 1-time winners.
#4 seeds
Cronin - See Miller and Hoiberg
B. Ryan - Another career validation, along the lines of S. Fisher. Coupled with the 4 Division III titles, the HOF could be calling.
Calipari - Semantics aside, a 5th FF and 2nd title would move him somewhere between 3rd and 5th among active coaches. Ahead of Donovan, Roy and Self. Below K and Pitino. In discussion with Izzo and JB but with an extra ring.
T. Bennett - See Miller and Hoiberg.
Questions? Comments? Quips?