The Syracuse Orange have a new AD and Bryan Blair’s first job is going to be naming a new men’s basketball head coach.
Early names mentioned include: Bryan Hogdson, Josh Schertz, Tony Skinn, Luke Murray, Gerry McNamara, MIke Hopkins, Matt Langel. So we got the TNIAAM staff to go on record and share their thoughts about these and other coaches.
Of the coaches linked to the job, who would be your top choice and why?
Kevin: I’d roll the dice with Hogdson. If you want to bring back the crowds, get a guy who runs a fast-paced offensive system and has shown an ability to get players at two schools. Fans just don’t want 20 wins, they want a team that reminds them of the Syracuse teams of the 80s and early 90s. From his media appearances, he gets the modern landscape and for a fanbase that needs a jolt, I think he’d provide it this summer.
Dom: I’m planting my flag with Murray. Multi-year assistant under Dan Hurley for UConn, a notable basketball brand that went from missing the tournament to winning the NCAA Championship in consecutive years. Murray also has a reputation for being an offensive guru, implementing a system that has worked for UConn. He brings experience as a former assistant at multiple other schools. He’s been in the Hurley sphere of influence, which means he knows what it takes to build a winning culture. I said this to the staff when the news came out: he could be Syracuse’s version of what Miami has with Jai Lucas.
Sam: Two years ago when he was at Indiana State, I said that Josh Schertz was a top 50 coach in the country. I believed that Saint Louis hiring him over the high-majors that had openings at the time was a massive coup. He’s since proven to not just be a top 50 coach, but a top 30 or even better coach. Always known as an elite offensive mind, he’s shown that with resources, he can build a team with his offensive image that also plays elite defense. Additionally, he’s a guy who just gets it with the SLU fanbase.
Szuba: It’s unclear how interested Shertz would be in the Syracuse job. Realistically I think Hodgson is the best bet for the job and if you’re Syracuse you go get him and make sure he has everything he needs to succeed. Thanks, Lallys. Hodgson understands how modern basketball is played, has an analytics understanding thanks to Nate Oats, has the relationships to get players and having grown up in Jamestown he knows what Syracuse basketball is all about. It wouldn’t be hard to sell to bring in a wing-eating, Buffalo Bills backing coach and his Blue Collar point system to the 315.
Who’s a coach that you’d like to see Syracuse contact?
Kevin: Phil Martelli Jr. He’s in his 1st year at VCU and I don’t think he’s a top candidate, but he seems like a HC on the rise and this could be a case of getting him before he becomes the next hot mid-major guy.
Dom: If Syracuse is looking for someone with more of a track record, how about Ritchie McKay of Liberty? The team has had constant success despite switching conferences multiple times. Between two different stints with Liberty, he also served as associate head coach under Tony Bennett, when Virginia went from missing the postseason outright to winning 30 games multiple times.
Sam: A few names of guys that I straight up think can coach some ball are Casey Alexander from Belmont, Matt Braeuer from Stephen F. Austin, and Dave Smart from Pacific. Also, if Kyle Smith, one of the sharpest evaluators in the game, wants to pick up the phone, you call.
Szuba: Not sure if the TJ Otzelberger candidacy is real or not, but if there’s a chance to get him you do that. If we’re going for pie-in-the-sky candidates, that’s my pick. If Syracuse can’t get the aforementioned guys in the door this job isn’t making its way past Gerry McNamara.
*********************************************************************************************************Who’s your early favorite? Is there another HC, you’d like to see Syracuse go after?