Some perspective for the "National Search" contingent ...
Spoke to a friend who is quite dialed into Kentucky and its hoops program. No, they are not firing Coach Cal (they wanted to for about 36 hours after their loss, but he has a lifetime contract ... small details).
But I asked my friend, who would be the hypothetical pick if Cal did get the ax or gets hit by a bus later today.
His answer: Chris Holtmann/Ohio State or Scott Drew/Baylor.
Holtmann was his first answer (he acknowledged they very likely cannot pry Beard from Texas). Obviously, this is a game and my friend's opinion is not gospel. But it is informative.
In five years with the Buckeyes, Holtmann has one finish within the top three of the Big 10 regular season (his first year, but those don't count I have heard), he has not reached a Sweet 16, he got beat in the first round once (Oral Roberts, March 2021) and he is boring as Fu*k.
And, hypothetically, he might get the UK gig (or at least be on the short list). If Holtmann is considered top-tier, it ain't gonna be pretty for ole SU on the national search front next year. (Drew cheats, and that fits for UK, but at least he is a legit head coach).
I've made this point a few times, but there are no plug-and-play head coaches/assistant coaches ready to go (see Louisville, see Maryland). Yes, 10 years from now, Coach X from mid-Major Y is going to be a top 10 college head coach. But those guys are HARD to find and the hit rate is going to be pretty dang low.
Yes, there will be a quick "national search" at SU, but it'll be in name only. Our national search will begin with a long-distance call to Hopkins. You know the rest.
Chris Holtmann (!!)
#Perspective