Getting the Cooley and Coen talk out of the way

BC should have hired Bill Coen or Ed Cooley when they fired Al Skinner. BC also should have hired Bill Coen or Ed Cooley when they fired Steve Donahue. Now for the third time in just over a decade, BC has a chance to hire either of the former Skinner assistants. While there are numerous reasons why it won't happen again, I still need to address both and advocate why I think both are better than 90% of the names being floated this time around.

The case for either

While much has changed and the future looks more promising than the last decade, BC remains a unique job. A coach who is familiar with the institutional challenges and strengths has a huge head start on most candidates. Due to their previous time at BC, both coaches know what can work at BC and understand how to recruit and coach at BC.

Both have accomplished enough since they've left to prove that they are their own men and not just two guys who were in the right place at the right time with Skinner. Now the fact a decade later neither are at some basketball power would lead some skeptics to say "BC didn't miss out on anything with those two." I would argue the opposite. Both have improved their respective programs and done it through multiple recruiting cycles to show that it wasn't a fluke. The fact that both stayed in the region is a bonus as they wouldn't have to rebuild recruiting connections nor even make difficult decisions about uprooting families.

Some fans will argue that both are limited and neither would take BC to the next level. While I am optimistic about both, I understand this concern. But my belief is that even if neither ever win the ACC or get us to a Final Four, they both would provide stability and credibility and leave BC in a better place than we are now.

The case against 

As soon as I post this, Providence fans will immediately start saying that BC can't afford Cooley and he will never leave. I know that BC can afford him because we have much more money than Providence athletics. In fact any school that didn't play football this fall is seeing their athletic revenue in freefall. Cooley makes more than Christian did, so BC would have to pay him more than we've ever paid a basketball coach. It can be done. Will it? I don't know. BC is talking big about budgets. Would Ed leave? I don't know. Villanova showed that you can win a National Championship from the Big East. Would the chance to go to the ACC make a difference? It doesn't hurt to ask.

Aside from the Cooley will never leave crowd, there are those Cooley critics who think he is all about recruiting and will never get the most out of his rosters. I understand that, but still think his track record and fit will be better than most of our candidates.

With Bill Coen, the question is not whether he would take the job. He would. The question is can he win at BC. His Northeastern record is pretty good, but not dominant. He also works the transfer market hard for his talent. That sort of strategy is harder to pull off in the ACC. But my belief remains that he is better than most of the names floated and better than nearly all of the guys who only have mid-major experience.

Will it matter?
BC didn't hire these guys before, so odds are not great they get hired this time. But if I am Pat Kraft, after I talk to the big names, I don't go further down the list than these two. BC needs to get to respectability first and both Cooley and Coen can provide that type of basketball.

Why the same old names are unlikely hires

I don't know if BC will fire Jim Christian. I think they should, but the point of these coaching profiles is "where does BC go from here?" and "who is the right guy for the program?" Part 4: Last year's candidates.


Last year when it looked like Jim Christian might be fired, you saw multiple names floated, but three that seemed rather relevant and obvious were Northeastern coach Bill Coen, St. Bonaventure coach Mark Schmidt and former Ohio State coach Thad Matta. As speculation kicks in on the BC job again, all three are being floated again. This is in part because the ties to BC (Coen and Schmidt) or Jarmond (Matta) are so obvious. However, I don't think any of these guys will be on Jarmond's short list. If he wanted to hire them, he could have done so a year ago.

Because of their ties to BC, Martin Jarmond heard "Schmidt" and "Coen" a lot last year. They've been long-time head coaches, so they have an established track record. BC and Jarmond would know what they are getting and know what the potential obstacles would be (mainly recruiting at an ACC level). And more importantly, money and availability wouldn't have been an issue with either last year. But Jarmond didn't pull the trigger. Partially to get other things in place at BC and also -- whether fair or not --  the perception that neither was a difference maker. Last year at this time both were near the top of their respective conferences. While still having winning seasons this year, both teams have taken a slight step back, which only reinforces that they are pretty good coaches, but not great.

Matta is a bit more complicated. Like the other two, he was there for the taking last year. But it didn't happen. Who knows if there was serious interest then...or now? As I said last year, Matta had the Georgia job until he slept on it and decided he didn't want to come back. If you read up on him, he says he is happier than ever, but his health remains a concern. Jarmond worked with Matta for a long time, so he probably has a good feel for what the coach can or cannot do at this stage of his career. My guess is that more time away from the action and grind of the game doesn't make BC more appealing to Matta nor for Jarmond to bet his basketball program on a guy whose heart might not be in it.

BC-centric takeaways from Tourney Teams

While we dream of even being near a bubble, there are still plenty of BC-related storylines and takeaways from the NCAA Tournament teams. Hindsight on these things is always 20/20, but overall I still believe BC's future is bright.

Coen and Cooley

Both of Al Skinner's former assistants made the Tournament. As much as I love Al and wish we had hired one of his proteges, I understand why we passed on both guys twice. Steve Donahue turned out to be the wrong coach, but he wasn't the wrong hire. I didn't love the Christian hire last year, but Coen's uneven track record at Northeastern didn't help his candidacy. Cooley's resume was arguably better than Christian's but I can rationalize Christian over Cooley. In the end, I am happy for both and don't think there success speaks to BC's mistakes. BC might not be better off right now, but I don't think there is anything either are doing at their current school that Christian cannot do at BC.

Notre Dame

The Irish just won the ACC Tournament and secured a 3 seed with a Massachusetts-heavy roster. As frustrating as that might be to BC fans, it gives me hope. There is more than enough local talent for us to compete in the ACC. We just need to identify the right kids and get them to commit. We haven't recruited well locally since the JOB days. Despite ruffling a few feathers, I think Christian will change that. 

The Big East vs the ACC

The smaller, refocused Big East earned six selections from a ten-team conference. The mighty ACC also got six. As the teams were announced, I was convinced that Mike Tranghese was still on the committee. But it seems it was just a good year for the old basketball schools. Good for them. As much as they screwed up the conference, I never begrudged their demands. It was the UConns and West Virginias of the world that always upset me. In most years the ACC will lead the nation and our former home when it comes to tournament teams.

Power 5 prevailed
When it came to the bubble, the committee went with bigger schools and traditional powers over the mid majors. That's great news for BC. One season doesn't always set a precedent, but it is good for BC that the benefit of the doubt seems to be shifting to the Power 5 teams.

BC basketball's influence spreads all over New England

UMass-Lowell hired former BC assistant Pat Duquette as their new coach. I am happy for Pat as he was another in a long-line of quality Al Skinner assistants. Duquette getting the job was a reminder that while the local media might not always pay attention to BC sports, the other New England Athletic Departments do. And hiring yet another BC assistant shows that people in college athletics appreciate our approach to basketball.

Of all the college sports, men's college basketball might be the most exploitative of the student athletes. It starts before they even step on campus with the corrupt AAU circuit and then continues as men's hoops has an intensive travel schedule that really makes it hard to be a student and it all wraps up with a multi-billion dollar tournament that underwrites the NCAA. BC has done basketball the right way for a long time, but really became a program to emulate under Skinner and continues now under Donahue. Other ADs recognize that and so you now find BC guys leading Providence, Northeastern, BU, UMass-Lowell, and Bryant. (It should also be noted that former BC coach Jim O'Brien is at Emerson.)

Ironically while his former assistants flourish, Al Skinner was passed over for another local job. UMass-Lowell hinted at what might have been the problem -- "our discussions with Al didn’t go quite in a direction that would work as well for Al." I can only speculate on what was said, but it reads like Al wants to do things his way. I applaud him for demanding his way when he returns. One day soon an AD is going to let Skinner do things his way and won't regret it. Just ask all of Al's guys who are now leading New England basketball.

Interviewing with BC helps one's wallet and other links

Although their mentor was fired by Boston College, both Ed Cooley and Bill Coen received serious consideration for the Men's Basketball opening. Neither got the job but both got good raises from their current employers (Coen at Northeastern and Cooley at Fairfield). Both guys owe Gene a thank you as the BC process raised their profiles and their market values.

HD highlighted Herzy's contributions to "Lift of Life." Herzy will also be part of the V Foundation Fundraiser later this month in Sarasota.

While the men's basketball team hopes for transfers, the women's team is getting them. This should help our depth.

Here is HD's post spring power rankings. Not surprising, we are in the middle of the pack.

This has been in other places, but it is worth noting that Fedex will no longer sponsor the Orange Bowl. I don't think of it as a big deal...inevitably some other sponsor will fill the void. The ROI is always tough to justify on these events, but for companies without an established brand, the exposure from naming rights is huge.

Nearing a conclusion?

The Globe, the Herald and WEEI are all speculating that BC is close to a decision on its new head basketball coach. I have always felt Gene would make his decision before heading to Detroit for the Frozen Four. That leaves Tuesday or Wednesday. Now Gene has never stated that was his timeline, but I doubt he wants this to linger for too long.

Most think Steve Donahue will be the coach. I've heard everything but have no confirmation on who will get the job. If the football searches have taught us anything, it is that BC will let each finalist/camp think they are getting the job. We almost lead them on and engaged up to the very end.

I know many feel the finalist are low rent and BC should have done better. I disagree. I think all the guys mentioned can succeed at BC. I know I've hedged a bit in this space, but if I had to guess right now (late Monday night) I would still say Cooley or Coen will get the job. No slight against Donahue, it is just my hunch. We will see what happens.

No Pearl and predictions

As expected Bruce Pearl is not coming to BC. Gene had to have the conversation but too many factors were lined up against Pearl coming back to the Heights. This way saved face and gets Gene off the hook.

So far three guys have formally interviewed for the position (Donahue, Cooley and Mooney). Thankfully Tommy Amaker did not and will stay at Harvard. Bill Coen will interview Monday. Now there is supposedly an under the radar candidate whose name has not been leaked. (I am not buying that by the way. These things never stay quiet for long.) Of the three that interviewed, I think you can cross off Mooney. Supposedly it is "not a good fit at this time" for either side. This is second hand gossip, but I guess Mooney didn't express enough passion for the opportunity nor have the same ideas when it came to running a program.

Donahue is very enthused about BC and the opportunity. The question surrounding his candidacy is staff. Will he bring his Ivy Leaguers? Will he keep some of Skinner's guys? Can he find assistants that have competed and recruited at the ACC level?

Cooley exceeded expectations in the interview and would be willing to sell the school. He would also be a relatively seamless transition. Gene and Ed get along. But can you fire Skinner only to replace him with one of his long time assistants? Does Gene care about the hypocrisy? Will Cooley give the program a shot in the arm?

Coen is well liked and has the media (Katz and Bob Ryan) in his corner. But he is yet to interview. We will know more next week.

My prediciton
Despite the growing Donahue whispers, I still think it will be Cooley or Coen. I also think Pat Duquette will remain on with Cooley or Coen. If forced to pick between Cooley or Coen, I would say Cooely, only because he has interviewed and interviewed well.

Stay tuned...

Women win ACC Tourney opener and other links

The women's basketball team didn't waste any time with Virginia Tech Thursday [Fixed]. They took an early lead and never looked back. The girls take on Florida State on Friday.

Bill Coen credits Al Skinner for much of his coaching success.

Ayla Brown is thinking about her life after basketball.