Lawrence Frank a Front Runner For Vols Job
By Joe Dexter
Lawrence Frank is the front-runner to replace Bruce Pearl as the head coach at Tennessee, according to sources close to the situation.less than a minute ago via webAlex Kennedy
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It looks like the Tennessee Volunteer Athletic Department already has a favorite to take over the head coaching gig vacated by Bruce Pearl earlier this week. Despite the hot names of Shaka Smart, Chris Mooney, and Brad Stevens, it seems the Vols have found another spark plug they’d like taking over their basketball program that is in shambles.
According to many valued writers, including Alex Kennedy of HoopsWorld.com, former New Jersey Nets head coach and current Celtics assistant Lawrence Frank is the head candidate to replace Pearl.
Frank, who served as an assistant for three years under Kevin O’Neill in the volunteer state, has the same type of upside as Pearl once did. He brings a passion to the table that is unmatched, and a love for the game that brings recruits in the door.
But the question is, “Does he have the experience to snag talent from the likes of John Calipari and Billy Donovan?”
The quick answer would be no, because he has no experience doing it at the college level. Despite that fact, Frank is a very likable personality. His swagger and coaching style should be something that attracts young athletes to his program.
Unlike other coaches in the SEC, he can talk about the talent he’s worked with at the NBA level and he knows what it takes to get there.
Sure Billy Donovan coached Joakim Noah and Al Horford and Calipari had some really good talent at Memphis and Kentucky that made it to the NBA. Frank though coached Vince Carter and Jason Kidd in their prime. He raised the talent of a Richard Jefferson and now coaches on a staff that leads Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
If he figures out the process, recruiting won’t be an issue. The only question is if the man want’s to leave the NBA prematurely before getting another chance to lead an NBA team.
Plus you never know what to expect from Athletic Director Mike Hamilton. Hamilton, who has made some interesting hirings to say the least the last two years, could be looking to bring in a hot name to attract possible recruits. Or he could go the Derek Dooley route, hiring a lesser known name who will try and build their legacy at Tennessee.
Possible Candidates:
Beyond the hot names of Shaka Smart (VCU), Chris Mooney (Richmond) and Brad Stevens (Butler), there are some other coaches that are creating hype and could become the next leader of Tennessee’s basketball program. Here is a look at a few names.
Donnie Tyndall, Morehead State – His name is buzzing after a big win over Louisville, and he is making the rounds to media like he should be. Though he isn’t a favorite for the job, his regional success in Kentucky gives him good contacts to players that a potential Tennessee coach would recruit. Before his gig at Morehead, Tyndall was an assistant at Middle Tennessee State.
Buzz Williams, Marquette – He has his team playing at an extreme level late into the tournament. His ties to the Midwest are slim, but he has shown a strong ability to bring in junior college players from across the country into his program. A dark horse, but definitely a coach that would be interested in moving up in the coaching ranks.
Larry Brown, Charlotte Bobcats – He might 70, but this big dog still has bite. After leaving MJ’s team in December, the NBA legendary coach has been spotted talking to college coaches across the country, including Jay Wright at Villanova. Brown hasn’t been in the college coaching ranks in a long time but did win a championship with Kansas in 1968. The money could be an issue, but if nobody else in the country wants him, Tennessee could be a great fit.
Greg Kampe, Oakland University – He has been at the same program for 20+ years but if the Volunteers go with a name that you haven’t heard, he is a prime candidate. His up-tempo offensive style fits with the Volunteer recruiting class and talent and he knows how to win. Just ask Bruce Pearl.
Rick Byrd, Belmont University – If the university is looking for an alumnus to take over it’s program, than it doesn’t get better than Byrd. A resident of Knoxville, Byrd has led Nashville based Belmont to four NCAA bids. It will be hard to get Byrd convinced it’s the right career move, but he is a quiet hire that the Volunteer fan base would respect.
Joe Dexter also covers Ohio State and the Big Ten Conference for the FanSided Network. Read his Buckeyes coverage at Scarlet and Game and follow him on Twitter.