NCAA Basketball: Best remaining open coaching jobs?

Dec 22, 2016; Bloomington, IN, USA; Austin Peay Governors head coach Dave Loos talked to Austin Peay Governors guard John Murry (32) during the second half of the game at Assembly Hall. The Indiana Hoosiers defeated the Austin Peay Governors 97 to 62. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 4, 2017; Dayton, OH, USA; Dayton Flyers guard Kyle Davis (3) and forward Xeyrius Williams (20) battle for the rebound against Duquesne Dukes center Darius Lewis (00) in the first half at the University of Dayton Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Duquesne Dukes

Job reportedly filled by Akron’s Keith Dambrot. Dambrot accumulated a 305-139 record with Akron and three NCAA Tournament appearances.

Duquesne had a tough time filling their open vacancy with several candidates rejecting overtures since firing Jim Ferry on March 13. Ferry compiled a 60-97 record in five seasons with the program, including going 10-22 in 2016-17.

Plain and simple, Duquesne is not an attractive job for coaches. Not that it couldn’t be. The thing is the Dukes have not been to the NCAA Tournament since 1976-77 and Ron Everhardt is the only coach in the last 35 years to have a winning record. Plus, Pittsburgh nor Western Pennsylvania is not a real basketball town/area. Basketball is probably the fourth sport in terms of importance in Western Pennsylvania behind football, hockey, and baseball.

2011-12 was the last time Duquesne has had a winning season. The Dukes best season under Ferry was in 2015-16 when they went 17-17 and reached the second round of the CBI.

Leading scorer Michael Lewis II (14.2 points) has asked for his release from the program. The Dukes do have a three-man recruiting class coming in, led by point guard Jamari Wheeler.

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