An update of sorts

There is a rumor flying around coaching circles that Derek Kellogg to UMass is a done deal. And I promise you when it comes to gossip, college coaches are worse than junior high girls, old ladies and newspaper reporters of all genders.

Once a rumor gets started, they all hear it and spread it. It may turn out to be true. But as of right now I don't think it is. Derek still feels like the front runner, but I don't believe it enough to run a story.

Believe it or not. When reporters use unnamed sources, they need to be pretty credible for us to go with it.

I spoke to Dave Gibbs' AAU coach tonight, too late to get it into Tuesday's Gazette, but he said Gibbs is obviously waiting to see who UMass hires before making a decision. He said he's particularly fond of assistant coach Adam Ginsburg. So wherever Ginsburg lands could be significant. Ginsburg could end up with Travis or even back at UMass if the new coach doesn't have a full staff already.

...Two weeks til Lansing, just kidding...

Kellogg interviews

Former UMass point guard and Springfield native Derek Kellogg interviewed with athletic director John McCutcheon and associate athletic director Tim Kenney Friday in Pittsburgh, which is the site of a major AAU Tournament. More about this in Saturday's Gazette.

...five days until 34...

Barbee says he's not a candidate

Tony Barbee says he's not the next UMass coach. He released this statement today: 

"I have not been contacted by UMass, and I am not a candidate for their
opening. I am extremely excited about
our team returning for next season and the future of the UTEP
basketball program."

...Six days til Lost... 

Consultative committee

UMass announced who was on the consultative committee that would be searching for TraviS Ford's replacement.

Here's the release:  

The University of Massachusetts has announced the
consultative committee which will be involved in the search for a new head
men's basketball coach at UMass. Director of Athletics John McCutcheon will
oversee and chair the committee which features members of the university
community in various areas. The committee consists of Carol Barr, John Dubach,
Tim Kenney, Ron Nathan, Elaine Sortino, Esther Terry and Glenn Wong.

Wong is UMass' Athletic Faculty Representative and a professor in the Sport
Management Program.

...six days til Lost returns...

Greetings from my couch

 Day one of Coach Watch '08 is in the books with no huge news. I got a chuckle out of several of the responses from people who entered the blog contest, including the guy who suggested me as a candidate, a suggestion that isn't any less accurate than some of the suggestions that made it to my inbox.

I'll post some of them tomorrow.

Anyway I'll say this with confidence. UMass is not going to hire a coach who has been fired before. One of the interesting trends in coaching right now is that second chances are becoming much harder to come by. It's easier to energize your fan base with the hot young guy than anyone who has gotten canned before, so guys with considerable success in their past - Mike Jarvis, Pete Gillen etc. - have a hard time getting back in. 

That said I don't think UMass should hire either of those guys.

 If you want to read Travis Ford's remarks from his press conference at Stillwater today click here. I was amused by the following line: 

The Oklahoma State basketball program is a program I've always followed.

To listen to Travis, you'd think he was a fan of every team in America and admired every coach to pace the sidelines. His quotes from today sound an awful lot like his opening quotes at UMass with Coach Iba substituted for Coach Leaman.

That's all for now. I'm going to bed. Plenty more tomorrow.

...six days til Mike Fetterer's and Dan Markowski's birthday...