West Virginia Basketball: Pros and cons of reported head coaching candidates

Two head coaches currently out of work – John Beilein and Chris Mack

If the current D-I head coaches aren’t available, there’s a top-tier caliber coach on the sidelines with past experience with the Mountaineers. Coach Beilein won at least 89 games at four different spots, including a pair of Final Four appearances during his time at Michigan. He spent five years from 2002-07 at West Virginia, making the Big Dance twice.

Beilein’s stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA went bad, including allegations of improper racial comments. That likely won’t hurt him, considering that no one believes the 70-year-old man is a long-term option. The bigger question is can he handle the same NIL/transfer portal era that seemingly has run off other coaches like him?

Among the top coaches that are “free agents” is Mack, who had a stellar decade of work at both Xavier and Louisville. But the final two years with the Cardinals went awry and he wasn’t able to survive the heavy pressure at the end. Still, he’s a career 68% winner in 13 years and nine NCAA Tournament appearances.

Mack also would have the kind of cache to help keep the roster together since he hasn’t been out of the game for too long. He’d be a better long-term option than Beilein and definitely more accomplished than the others recently named but has he been able to brush off the final days of the Louisville stint?