Ben Howland on the move?

Hard to believe this, as the coaching carousel rumor mill is going wild...but ESPN is entertaining that Ben Howland may be on the move.  Interesting to say the least.  Can anyone justify why he would even think of leaving UCLA?

got a link?

Link?

Im expecting this to be a FAR stretch, but im not an insider on ESPN so cant read. Perhaps someone can fill us in on the reasoning behind this...

http://insider.espn.go.com/ncb/features/rumors?date=20100324&action=upsell&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fncb%2ffeatures%2frumors%3fdate%3d20100324#1751

PER ESPN INSIDER:

The bizarre rumors seem to flying pretty fast this afternoon. First, it was Fran McCaffery speaking to GaTech officials.

Now, fresh from Syracuse, John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports the latest wild rumor: Ben Howland could be on the move from UCLA to DePaul. The rumor is that the Big East school is allegedly throwing huge sums of money Howland's way.

And here's the kicker: Rick Pitino is apparently the coach who would take the reins of the UCLA program if Howland leaves. These are purely speculative and we find it hard to believe Pitino would turn down St. John's only to say yes to the Bruins. Also, it has been said that AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto wants the next Blue Demons coach to keep Tracy Webster and the former Jerry Wainwright-assistants on staff; we again find it hard to believe a veteran and celebrated coach like Howland would not bring in his own guys as assistants.

...

http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/8659/theus-a-candidate-at-auburn-ucf

That's what you're referring to?

I have no freaking idea.  UCLA is golden, Westwood is a pretty nice area and while the fans expect a lot, he's given them a lot (was it 3 Final Fours in a row), so if anyone's complaining, he knows that logical fans have to have his back.  Now if St. John's has an extra few milli lying around, and can offer him 3 mill plus (I think he's making 2 mill per year)...

Ok, I just over-fantasized.  But if he's willing to leave, we can hold off interviews and send a person to LA to chat Mr. Howland up.  We will (probably) never complain about 3 Final Fours in a row.

PER ESPN INSIDER:

The bizarre rumors seem to flying pretty fast this afternoon. First, it was Fran McCaffery speaking to GaTech officials.

Now, fresh from Syracuse, John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports the latest wild rumor: Ben Howland could be on the move from UCLA to DePaul. The rumor is that the Big East school is allegedly throwing huge sums of money Howland's way.

And here's the kicker: Rick Pitino is apparently the coach who would take the reins of the UCLA program if Howland leaves. These are purely speculative and we find it hard to believe Pitino would turn down St. John's only to say yes to the Bruins. Also, it has been said that AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto wants the next Blue Demons coach to keep Tracy Webster and the former Jerry Wainwright-assistants on staff; we again find it hard to believe a veteran and celebrated coach like Howland would not bring in his own guys as assistants.

...

Thought he was a west coast guy kid?

This is a pretty crazy coaching carousel. 

Thank you Kid.

The only 'official' thing from that article that I have heard and read is that DePaul will in fact be paying top 25 money for their next coach.

Quote from: Tha Kid on March 24, 2010, 05:00:59 PM

PER ESPN INSIDER:

The bizarre rumors seem to flying pretty fast this afternoon. First, it was Fran McCaffery speaking to GaTech officials.

Now, fresh from Syracuse, John Clay of the Lexington Herald-Leader reports the latest wild rumor: Ben Howland could be on the move from UCLA to DePaul. The rumor is that the Big East school is allegedly throwing huge sums of money Howland's way.

And here's the kicker: Rick Pitino is apparently the coach who would take the reins of the UCLA program if Howland leaves. These are purely speculative and we find it hard to believe Pitino would turn down St. John's only to say yes to the Bruins. Also, it has been said that AD Jean Lenti Ponsetto wants the next Blue Demons coach to keep Tracy Webster and the former Jerry Wainwright-assistants on staff; we again find it hard to believe a veteran and celebrated coach like Howland would not bring in his own guys as assistants.

...

Thought he was a west coast guy kid?

He is.  Why would you believe some random guy from Lexington Herald about Ben Howland and UCLA?  At least let it be a report out of LA OR Chicago since it's DePaul related...

Maybe Hewitt's holding out for the Louisville job.  Jk.

Just guessing, but I think Howland has put more players in the NBA in the past 10 years than anybody, if not then he has to be close.

Just guessing, but I think Howland has put more players in the NBA in the past 10 years than anybody, if not then he has to be close.

If so then Hew aint far behind yo.

if we can get 3 mill from one alumn, cant we find some way to raise one mill more to make this a slam dunk for a big name coach?  these guys move around so much if u produce the cash theyll come

Quote from: RedDot on March 24, 2010, 05:06:11 PM

Just guessing, but I think Howland has put more players in the NBA in the past 10 years than anybody, if not then he has to be close.

If so then Hew aint far behind yo.

The thing I like about Hewitt is, of course, his NY ties.  I think his ceiling is WAY higher at St. John's than at Georgia Tech.   Im not crazy enough to say Hewitt is the better coach, but considering all of the circumstances, could Hewitt be a better hire than Howland for St. John's at this point? 

Quote from: RedDot on March 24, 2010, 05:06:11 PM

Just guessing, but I think Howland has put more players in the NBA in the past 10 years than anybody, if not then he has to be close.

If so then Hew aint far behind yo.

Division I Schools Ranked by Number of Players in NBA

                       No. Players
School                    In NBA

Duke                        14
UCLA                        14
Connecticut                 13
North Carolina              13
Arizona                     10
Florida                      9
Kansas                       9
Kentucky                     9
Georgia Tech                 7
Ohio St.                     7

I'm just thinking out loud, but considering he's had only one over .500 season in the ACC, I'm don't think the number of players he's put in the NBA is a positive stat for Hewitt.

Division I Schools Ranked by Number of Players in NBA

                       No. Players
School                    In NBA

Duke                        14
UCLA                        14
Connecticut                 13
North Carolina              13
Arizona                     10
Florida                      9
Kansas                       9
Kentucky                     9
Georgia Tech                 7
Ohio St.                     7

That doesn't speak to coaches.  Remember that 3-4 of Steve Lavin's Bruins are in the NBA - Matt Barnes, Baron Davis, Jason Kapono - is Gadzuric still in the league?  I think Ariza played under Howland, as did Ryan Hollins and some other guys who didn't make it far in the league.

I'm just thinking out loud, but considering he's had only one over .500 season in the ACC, I'm don't think the number of players he's put in the NBA is a positive stat for Hewitt.

yea which oddly goes against monaschs remarks about making the safest hire...bc if you hire hewitt, you are hoping a change of scenery somehow affects his coaching abilities...this conference is tougher to win in than the ACC

Quote from: Choz4Life on March 24, 2010, 05:11:55 PM

Quote from: RedDot on March 24, 2010, 05:06:11 PM

Just guessing, but I think Howland has put more players in the NBA in the past 10 years than anybody, if not then he has to be close.

If so then Hew aint far behind yo.

Division I Schools Ranked by Number of Players in NBA

                       No. Players
School                    In NBA

Duke                        14
UCLA                        14
Connecticut                 13
North Carolina              13
Arizona                     10
Florida                      9
Kansas                       9
Kentucky                     9
Georgia Tech                 7
Ohio St.                     7

And Hewitt will get 2 more after this season...