The threads calling for a new coach often contain a “this is who we need” component, most often identifying either a big name coach or a mid major coach perceived to be on the rise.
I would argue that Larry Glass, who quit during the 68-69 season, was the last successful Cats’ coach, though if someone wanted to say the only successful one was Dutch Lonborg, who was before my time, they could probably persuade me.
In the 53 years since Glass left, they have had 8 head coaches. Three had at least some high profile success: Tex Winter, Bill Foster and Kevin O’Neill. Two were internal promotions without previous head coaching experience: Brad Snyder and Rich Falk. The other three were basically one-offs: Ricky Byrdsong had limited success at a mid major (Detroit Mercy), Bill Carmody some success at an Ivy (Princeton), and Chris Collins was an assistant at a very high profile program.
While hardly a huge sample, it looks to me that the one strategy NU has not invested in is hiring a hot mid major coach: Byrdsong had only one winning season out of six at Detroit Mercy, and that was 15-12. Maybe that is the way to go this time.
As a side note, I think the only NU former players currently active in coaching are Pat Baldwin and Tevaras Hardy, though Rex Walters was an NBA assistant last year. None were terribly successful.
I would argue that Larry Glass, who quit during the 68-69 season, was the last successful Cats’ coach, though if someone wanted to say the only successful one was Dutch Lonborg, who was before my time, they could probably persuade me.
In the 53 years since Glass left, they have had 8 head coaches. Three had at least some high profile success: Tex Winter, Bill Foster and Kevin O’Neill. Two were internal promotions without previous head coaching experience: Brad Snyder and Rich Falk. The other three were basically one-offs: Ricky Byrdsong had limited success at a mid major (Detroit Mercy), Bill Carmody some success at an Ivy (Princeton), and Chris Collins was an assistant at a very high profile program.
While hardly a huge sample, it looks to me that the one strategy NU has not invested in is hiring a hot mid major coach: Byrdsong had only one winning season out of six at Detroit Mercy, and that was 15-12. Maybe that is the way to go this time.
As a side note, I think the only NU former players currently active in coaching are Pat Baldwin and Tevaras Hardy, though Rex Walters was an NBA assistant last year. None were terribly successful.