College Basketball: Five mid-major coaches with decisions to make
In college basketball, it is not easy to be the head coach at a mid-major school. Let’s take a look at five coaches who have important decisions to make.
The life of a coach at a mid-major school tends to be a relatively short one that ends in one of two ways: either they get fired or they move up to the power conference schools.
Those who are fortunate enough to have the leverage to make their own choices have difficult decisions of whether to stay or go. Some quality coaches made the jump this offseason, most notably Will Wade (VCU to LSU) and Archie Miller (Dayton to Indiana). Looking back a few years further would also include coaches Andy Enfield (Florida Gulf Coast to USC) and Shaka Smart (VCU to Texas).
There are several reasons as to why coaches from the mid-major level opt to move up. They range from higher pay (if playing Family Feud this would be the #1 answer) all the way down to going a place with more resources to have a consistent program.
Whether these coaches in their new surroundings succeed or fail falls on these key points:
- Recruiting
- Incoming players buying into new coach and system
- Support and patience from administration and fans
- Regular and postseason success
Every year there will be the new “hot names” and coaching changes are always inevitable. Here are five coaches who could have the option to make the move after this season, as well as the pros and cons of doing so.