DePaul Basketball: 8 candidates to watch for potential HC opening
By Joey Loose
Ritchie McKay
It’s important to remember that DePaul is still a Big East job. The program is trending in a terrible direction and hasn’t been competitive in the conference in recent memory, but they are still in a power conference. You’re not going to get other power conference coaches to consider leaving their posts for this situation, but there’s certainly the chance to lure a few of the good mid-major coaches.
It’s a strange name to consider, but McKay is originally from Indianapolis even if he’s never really worked in Chicago or the Big East. Though currently entrenched at Liberty, McKay was previously head coach at Portland State, Colorado State, Oregon State, and New Mexico, and had a long stint as an aide to Tony Bennett. He’s got more experience than anyone else that will be considered today and is already in his ninth season with the Flames; perhaps he wants a new challenge?
Liberty has won at least 20 games in each of the last seven seasons and have made a couple trips to the Big Dance. McKay got his new challenge when the Flames transitioned to Conference USA this past offseason. Would he even consider leaving for a position like DePaul when he can be successful at Liberty for as long as he pleases? He’s got a history of bouncing between jobs, perhaps he’s up for one more shot at the power conference level?