NCAA Basketball: 15 head coaches on early hot seat for 2020-21 season
By Joey Loose
11. Jerod Haase (Stanford)
This past season was certainly a step in the right direction for Haase, but what will it take to fix this program? Nearly two decades ago, Stanford was a top-level program, securing 1-seeds and impressive rosters of teams before falling off the grid the last decade-plus. Haase has already had four years with the Cardinal and the results haven’t exactly been awe-inspiring.
The former North Carolina assistant led Stanford to 20 wins this past season and likely had an NCAA Tournament team if they had played solid ball in the Pac-12 Tournament. It was the most wins for the Cardinal under Haase, and all signs point to next season being even better. Even while the offense has been a struggle more often than not, the defense really improved this season. However, these minute improvements couldn’t even get Stanford over .500, and the Pac-12 hasn’t exactly been a murderer’s row in recent years.
Haase is certainly not at the end of his rope, and another marginal improvement next season should secure his job for years to come. Nothing is guaranteed, and Stanford could easily slip and fall out of the Pac-12 race again next year, especially with the level of talent arriving at schools like Arizona State and USC. If they are to succeed, Haase will need major improvements with their offensive efficiency, though I’d certainly say his seat isn’t too hot quite yet.