The worst kept secret was let out of the bag (by Phil Haddy) when Gary Barta met the media today at 230 in Iowa City. The Butler way of Hawkeye basketball under Todd Lickliter is over. The fans hated the way the system. The fans didn't show up to watch the games. The players sometimes it seemed didn't either. Was their a mutiny over the last few games and weeks? Black & gold bleeder Matt Gatens was rumored to want to transfer. The kid is a life time Hawk. If he was going to leave, there was a problem that needed attended too.
So 2.4 million later Iowa is at a point with no basketball coach again for the 2nd time in 3 years. When I was younger (I really don't remember Lute or George) I grew up with one football coach and one basketball coach. Coach Fry and Dr. Tom. My first memories of Hawkeye basketball are of Dr. Tom's first years. Roy Marble, BJ and Ed Horton. Alford then came in and gave the Hawks a couple Big Ten Tournament titles and well the most heart breaking loss since UNLV in the elite 8. Then left the cupboard bare and Lickliter was the recipient.
So what now, what does Iowa need. The "Bob Stoops" of the names thrown out is Bruce Pearl. As much as I want that, I don't see Iowa paying its top 2 coaches 7 million a year.
Who does Iowa need? A recruiter. Someone who can connect with the players. Someone who is young and fiery. Someone who will revitalize the fan base.
Bruce Pearl is probably that, but he has a great thing in Knoxville.
Who will it be? I don't know. My top 5 would be:
1-Bruce Pearl - Give him a blank check. Give Kirk Ferentz half a mil more then.
2-Keno Davis - I think he would bring a lot of fans back and he is a kin to the past.
3-Scott Drew - He's brought Baylor back for unholy depths to a 3 seed.
4-Craig Robinson - He has connections to Chicago, not a bad place to recruit.
5-Chris Collins/Steve Wojo - Only one can succeed Coach K. Why not take the other.
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