I'm looking at some of the names that are being discussed, and remembering the last time OSU was in the market for a coach. I'm typing this post in an attempt to temper my own expectations and minimize the chances of being disappointed in 2-3 weeks. With that in mind, let's get to the candidates.
Self: Not gonna happen. It would take a perfect storm to get him to leave KU for OSU, and I think the conditions were much better when Sean and Ford were hired, and it did not happen. There are so many stumbling blocks in the way that I don't see any way he ends up being the guy.
Dixon: Sounds great. I think the fans would get on board immediately and he is a proven winner. But, I keep going back to the fact that it is very rare for a coach to switch from one P-5 job to another, unless he is getting fired from the first job. I think it is also likely that TCU opens up, and that would seem to be a more logical landing spot for Dixon if he does switch.
Buzz: Similar to Dixon. Just seems unlikely.
Doug: I don't think it is going to happen unless we get down to plan H or I. It would be too much of a high risk/high reward hire and I don't think the powers that be are willing to take the risk.
That leaves us with guys like Beard/Underwood. I think realistically, this is the type of hire we end up with. Maybe not as exciting as the guys listed above, but they also seem to be much better fits than Ford was when he was hired (for multiple reasons). Both are guys that have a good chance to be successful at OSU, and I think they could have success almost immediately. The big question with them will be how long it takes the OSU fans to get on board with basketball and be excited about it again.
Self: Not gonna happen. It would take a perfect storm to get him to leave KU for OSU, and I think the conditions were much better when Sean and Ford were hired, and it did not happen. There are so many stumbling blocks in the way that I don't see any way he ends up being the guy.
Dixon: Sounds great. I think the fans would get on board immediately and he is a proven winner. But, I keep going back to the fact that it is very rare for a coach to switch from one P-5 job to another, unless he is getting fired from the first job. I think it is also likely that TCU opens up, and that would seem to be a more logical landing spot for Dixon if he does switch.
Buzz: Similar to Dixon. Just seems unlikely.
Doug: I don't think it is going to happen unless we get down to plan H or I. It would be too much of a high risk/high reward hire and I don't think the powers that be are willing to take the risk.
That leaves us with guys like Beard/Underwood. I think realistically, this is the type of hire we end up with. Maybe not as exciting as the guys listed above, but they also seem to be much better fits than Ford was when he was hired (for multiple reasons). Both are guys that have a good chance to be successful at OSU, and I think they could have success almost immediately. The big question with them will be how long it takes the OSU fans to get on board with basketball and be excited about it again.
