The Daily Stampede - USF Basketball Coaching Search: Who Will Replace Stan Heath?Meanwhile, in Tampa...https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50067/v5-fav.png2014-03-31T14:39:38-04:00http://www.thedailystampede.com/rss/stream/53023452014-03-31T14:39:38-04:002014-03-31T14:39:38-04:00Orlando Antigua Hired As USF Basketball Coach
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<figcaption>Holding up a trophy, like we hope he does here at USF someday. | Joe Robbins</figcaption>
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<p>The former Harlem Globetrotter, Pitt Panther, and John Calipari assistant joins the Bulls.</p> <p>USF got a new head coach, but he's going to be busy for a few more days... he's got a Final Four to try and win.</p>
<p>Orlando Antigua has been announced as the ninth head coach in USF men's basketball history. Full text of the press release from USF below.</p>
<p><b><i>Antigua To Lead USF Men's Basketball Program<br></i></b></p>
<p><b><i>Kentucky assistant helped lead Wildcats to three of last four Final Fours</i></b><br><br><i>TAMPA, MARCH 31, 2014 - University of South Florida Director of Athletics Mark Harlan announced today the hiring of nationally honored University of Kentucky assistant coach and Dominican National Team head coach Orlando Antigua to lead the USF men's basketball program. Antigua, who helped lead the Wildcats to their third Final Four appearance in the last four years on Sunday, becomes the ninth head coach in USF men's basketball program history.</i></p>
<p><i>"I said from the beginning of this search, we were looking for a great leader, a great communicator, a proven record of being able to recruit and develop players, and someone who will represent USF with exceptional energy and integrity," Harlan said. "We have found all of that and more in Orlando Antigua. He has tremendous passion and a unique and exciting background that includes being a key participant in one of the most successful recent runs in the college game. His work as the head coach of the Dominican National Team is also extremely impressive. Orlando's incredible personal story is a powerful testament to his drive and determination that will serve our program well." </i></p>
<p><i>The school will hold a formal press conference to introduce Antiqua on Tuesday in the Sun Dome Arena Club. Details on the press conference, which will be streamed live on GoUSFBulls.com, will be forthcoming.</i></p>
<p><i>"I would like to thank President Genshaft and Mark Harlan for this tremendous opportunity," Antigua said. "I have been preparing for the challenge of leading a program my entire life and I have a deep belief and passion that USF basketball can thrive and is ideally positioned in a community as rich and diverse as the Tampa Bay area. I look forward to renewing my strong connections in the state of Florida and can't wait to begin working towards our future success."</i></p>
<p><i>Antigua has worked as an assistant coach under John Calipari for the last six seasons, spending one season with Calipari at Memphis (2008-09) and the last five at Kentucky (2009-14). He also worked for five seasons under Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon (2003-08) and has been a part of teams that have made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and reached the Sweet Sixteen seven times.</i></p>
<p><i>Named the top assistant coach in the nation under 40 by ESPN.com in 2012, Antigua is widely recognized as one of the premier recruiters in the nation. He has been instrumental in assembling five-straight No. 1 ranked recruiting classes at Kentucky. The 2014 class currently stands at No. 2. Kentucky's 2013-14 team became the first to reach a Final Four with an all-freshmen starting lineup since Michigan in 1992.</i></p>
<p><i>In his first season as a Kentucky assistant, Antigua helped the Wildcats assemble a No. 1 ranked recruiting class that saw three of those recruits drafted in the first round of the 2010 NBA Draft. He was subsequently named to Yahoo! Sports list of the top 10 college basketball recruiters. The Wildcats had a record six players selected in the 2012 NBA Draft, including the first two picks in Anthony Davis (No. 1) and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (No. 2). Kentucky's 2013 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the nation while featuring a record six McDonald's All-Americans and is considered one of the top classes ever assembled.</i></p>
<p><i>During his five seasons at Kentucky, the Wildcats made three NCAA Final Four appearances (2011, 2012 & 2014), reached four NCAA Elite Eights and won the 2012 NCAA National Championship. Kentucky won two SEC regular season (2010 & 2012) and two SEC Tournament titles (2010 & 2011) and compiled a 151-36 (.807) record while reaching the post-season every year.</i></p>
<p><i>In his one season at Memphis, Antigua helped the Tigers to a post a 33-4 record and reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen after winning Conference USA regular season and tournament titles.</i></p>
<p><i>Prior to joining Calipari at Memphis, Antigua spent five seasons on Jamie Dixon's staff at his alma mater, Pittsburgh. He served as Director of Basketball Operations from 2003-05 and as an assistant coach from 2006-08. He helped lead the Panthers to a 132-40 (.767) record, with a mark of 55-27 (.670) in Big East play. Pitt recorded five straight 20-win seasons, winning 10 or more league games each year, and made five NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the Sweet Sixteen in 2004 and 2007.</i></p>
<p><i>A four-year lettermen and two-time team captain as a player at Pittsburgh (1991-95), Antigua ranks in the top 15 on the Panthers' career charts in three-pointers made (117 treys), blocked shots (78) and career three-point percentage (38.6). A 1992 Big East Conference All-Rookie Team selection, Antigua helped lead the Panthers to an 18-16 record and an NIT berth as a freshman under coach Paul Evans. The following year, the Panthers went 17-11 and earned an NCAA Tournament bid.</i></p>
<p><i>In 1994, Antigua was named the United States Basketball Writers' Association Most Courageous Athlete, an honor presented annually to the college basketball player who displays courage on and off the court. Antigua graduated from Pittsburgh with a bachelor's degree in social sciences in December 1995.</i></p>
<p><i>After graduation, Antigua was selected to play for the world-renowned Harlem Globetrotters, becoming the first player of Latin American descent to play for the squad. Nicknamed "Hurricane" for his dazzling moves, the 6-7 Antigua played with the Globetrotters for seven years until 2002. He represented the squad in 49 different countries, meeting luminaries such as Nelson Mandela and Muhammad Ali and appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman and Regis and Kathy Lee.<br><br>Antigua also played in the Puerto Rico Superior Basketball League for eight seasons and was twice a member of the Dominican Republic National Team (1994-95 and 1997-98). Because of his dedication to the community, Antigua was named one of the nation's top 100 most influential Hispanic Americans by Hispanic Business magazine.<br>Born in the Dominican Republic but raised in The Bronx borough of New York City, Antigua attended St. Raymond's High School where he played a major role in the team's New York Catholic League championship run. As a senior, he earned McDonald's All-America and Parade magazine All-America second-team honors and was also named All-New York City.<br><br>Fluent in Spanish, Antigua and his wife, Dana, have a daughter, Olivia, and Antigua has son, Orlando Anthony, who is currently serving in the Marine Corps and is based in North Carolina.</i></p>
<p>He's a guy that clearly can recruit and has learned from one of the best coaches in America. You can't help but be excited for USF. Welcome Coach Antigua to Tampa!</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/31/5567452/orlando-antigua-hired-as-usf-mens-basketball-coachCollin Sherwin2014-03-31T12:18:15-04:002014-03-31T12:18:15-04:00Orlando Antigua or Eric Musselman: Poll Time!!
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<figcaption>Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Last day of a great month for us... YUMMY DELICIOUS CLICKBAIT BELOW!!</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24508832/eric-musselman-orlando-antigua-now-front-runners-at-south-florida">This Gary Parrish report says we're down to two guys</a>, which is the same thing we've been hearing too. So take your pick:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.ukathletics.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/orlando_antigua_446198.html">Orlando Antigua: Assistant Coach, University of Kentucky</a></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesundevils.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30300&ATCLID=207911336">Eric Musselman: Assistant Coach, Arizona State University</a></p>
<p>Need more info on them: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2014/3/22/5537506/more-usf-coaching-candidates/in/5302345">Check this out.</a> <a href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2014/3/28/5556212/whos-left-on-the-coaching-carousel-and-how-will-usf-fans-react-to-them/in/5302345" target="_blank">And this too</a>.</p>
<p>Normally we're against polls and hacky things like this, but we're very interested in the unscientific and visceral reaction here: So help us out, and make your case in the comments below.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/31/5566838/who-should-usf-hire-orlando-antigua-or-eric-musselmanCollin Sherwin2014-03-31T07:15:01-04:002014-03-31T07:15:01-04:00Chucky Atkins Thinks Eric Musselman A Great Choice
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<figcaption><a href='http://www.thesundevils.com/PhotoAlbum.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30300&PALBID=876374'>TheSunDevils.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>The former USF star has known Musselman since his early days as a pro.</p> <p>A report from CBS Sports has been <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/basketball/college/report-arizona-state-assistant-next-up-for-usf/2172702" style="background-color: #ffffff;">confirmed in other circles</a>, and the latest candidate for the USF men's basketball coaching job is Eric Musselman. And one USF legend thinks he could be a great fit on Fowler Avenue.</p>
<p>"I played against Eric in the CBA and then he was my coach in the NBA as well," says Chucky Atkins, the 11-year NBA vet and former USF point guard with his number #12 retired at the Sun Dome. Musselman was an assistant with the Orlando Magic during Atkins' rookie NBA season in 1999.</p>
<p>"I think he'd make a great coach from a few standpoints. First he has great coaching experience on all levels. In these times, kids want to know how you can help them get to the next level. If you talk about that and getting an education, you can really open up some doors."</p>
<p>"He's familiar with the Tampa area and Central Florida, and that's one of the things USF has to get better at... keeping kids instate and keeping kids in the area," said Atkins, who is currently head coach of his other alma mater, Evans High School in Orlando. "The area is so full of talent, and we need to get after some of it."</p>
<p>"I know him and what type of guy he is. I think he'd be a tremendous asset for USF. He's a very knowledgeable, no nonsense guy that will hold players accountable. That's what we're looking for right now."</p>
<p>When asked about what kind of system he could put together with the talent currently on the USF roster, Atkins said "the Musselman I know believes in pressure and getting up and down the court. (In Orlando) we got into guys and put pressure both offensively and defensively. Kids want to get up and down and give themselves a chance to look good. He can help them do that."</p>
<p>Atkins also thinks USF is in a prime position to build a program for the future. "The weather's good, the facilities are great now, it's a great conference. Kids are gonna come here if they can get a coach that can help them now and in the future."</p>
<p>Musselman has as diverse and deep a resume as anyone you'll find in basketball, ranging from the CBA to three years as a head coach in the NBA, back to the NBA's Development League, and for the last two years learning from Herb Sendek at Arizona State. Throw in some international head coaching experience for the Venezuelan and Dominican Republic national teams, and Musselman brings a wealth of basketball experience to the table.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/31/5564948/chucky-atkins-thinks-eric-musselman-would-be-a-great-choice-for-usfCollin Sherwin2014-03-29T10:25:48-04:002014-03-29T10:25:48-04:00Who's Lying? USF & Dave Rice Disagree On "Offer"
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<figcaption>Ethan Miller</figcaption>
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<p>Well this got weird. And someone is full of it.</p> <p>Let's get you up to speed on the latest chapter of the drama of the USF coaching search. Because last night it went full soap opera.</p>
<p>First came <a href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv-s-rice-offered-head-coaching-job-south-florida" target="_blank">this report from the Las Vegas Review Journal</a> which said Rice had a six-year, $1.3 million per year offer to coach the Bulls. That <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/25104784/dave-rice-confirms-head-coaching-offer-at-south-florida" target="_blank">report was then confirmed by KVVU Fox 5 in Vegas</a>, which said Rice directly confirmed he had an offer from USF to be the coach when he landed at McCarran Airport.</p>
<p>Obviously this isn't good for a university that already had to jettison one coach with a contract offer due to his lack of a college degree. If Rice says no, USF has publicly been spurned by another target, and the next guy is the third choice for the job at best. And I'm not the only one that thought so:</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Pure speculation: After Masiello fiasco, have to think <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USF&amp;src=hash">#USF</a> confident UNLV&#39;s Dave Rice would take job before offering it.</p>&mdash; Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJohnstonTBO/statuses/449663570419384321">March 28, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>For whatever reason, the Bulls began to push back through the two USF everyday newspaper beat reporters: Joey Knight of the Tampa Bay Times and Joey Johnston of the Tampa Tribune.</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>Meantime back in Tampa, NO OFFER has been made by <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USF&amp;src=hash">#USF</a> to UNLV&#39;s Dave Rice, the <a href="https://twitter.com/TB_Times">@TB_Times</a> has learned</p>&mdash; Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/449735379919581184">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p>UNLV coach Dave Rice to <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USF&amp;src=hash">#USF</a>? Not tonight. No offer yet, says source in Tampa. Meanwhile in Vegas, AD says she will meet w/president Sat.</p>&mdash; Joey Johnston (@JJohnstonTBO) <a href="https://twitter.com/JJohnstonTBO/statuses/449753475791216640">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>I know both Joey's, and both are experienced and professional reporters that are very good at what they do. Neither of them would write the above unless they were talking to someone that would be authorized to speak for USF, or someone that would have direct knowledge of the situation. This isn't taking an off-handed comment from a low-level staffer: these leaks came from the top or someone in a position to know. And when both write something like that within about an hour of each other, it would seem to be part of a coordinated plan to push back.</p>
<p>However UNLV Ad Tina Kunzer-Murphy then directly refuted what the Joey's were told:</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>UNLV ad Tina Kunzer-Murphy on Rice: &#39;Dave does have a solid offer from South Florida. I really think that tomorrow we’ll have it resolved.&#39;</p>&mdash; Matt Youmans (@mattyoumans247) <a href="https://twitter.com/mattyoumans247/statuses/449753421864660992">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>So basically someone is full of it. It's either Dave Rice or whomever the source is to the Joey's. So who do you believe? Most public opinion seems to be leaning this way:</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If USF has NOT offered Dave Rice, why did it take so long for that info to get out?</p>&mdash; Geoff Grammer (@GeoffGrammer) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffGrammer/statuses/449735694013837313">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If USF hadn&#39;t offered Rice, I think they&#39;d have said so when reports of the Rice offer was out hours ago. ... Sounds like backpedaling.</p>&mdash; Geoff Grammer (@GeoffGrammer) <a href="https://twitter.com/GeoffGrammer/statuses/449740031553314816">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>I don't know Dave Rice, but a well-known and respected basketball coach is telling the media and his bosses in Vegas he's got an offer to coach USF. If he doesn't, he's being pretty brazen in his lying here. Rice is willing to talk and be attributed in the media, and USF isn't.</p>
<p><span><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A bit earlier tonight, we were told no offer to Rice. As of 11:30, <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USF&amp;src=hash">#USF</a> officials won&#39;t confirm the <a href="https://twitter.com/FOX5Vegas">@FOX5Vegas</a> (&amp; other) reports of offer</p>&mdash; Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/449750339412316160">March 29, 2014</a></blockquote></span></p>
<p><span><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></span></p>
<p>It's going to be on USF to show they didn't get totally played here and leveraged by Rice for a better deal and <a href="https://twitter.com/edgraney/status/449686767403139073" target="_blank">some more commitment from UNLV for his program</a>. Because right now, that's certainly what it looks like.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/29/5560614/someones-lying-usf-dave-rice-disagree-on-whether-he-has-a-job-offerCollin Sherwin2014-03-28T22:04:51-04:002014-03-28T22:04:51-04:00Reports: UNLV's Dave Rice Has Offer to Coach USF
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<figcaption>Josh Holmberg-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Rice is in his third year at his alma mater, and missed the NCAA's for the first time this year</p> <p>According to reports, UNLV head coach <a target="_blank" href="http://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/unlv-s-rice-offered-head-coaching-job-south-florida">Dave Rice has an offer in hand to be the new head coach at USF</a>. Rice was in Tampa yesterday, will meet with his athletic director Tina Kunzer-Murphy this evening, then make a decision as to where he'll coach next year. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/25104784/dave-rice-confirms-head-coaching-offer-at-south-florida?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">Rice confirmed this account to Fox 5 in Vegas</a>.</p>
<p>If Rice ends up here, there's still a lot of questions. Rice has been at UNLV, his alma mater (he was a member of the '90 NCAA title team) as head coach for three years, and has won at least 20 games each season. But the Rebels missed the NCAA's for the first time in his tenure in 2014, and issues with the team have been <a target="_blank" href="http://vegasseven.com/2014/03/28/five-reasons-unlv-takes-keep-dave-rice/#sthash.hjUabho5.uxfs">pretty public the last few months</a>. And keep in mind a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mwcconnection.com/2014/2/12/5403580/UNLV-rashad-vaughn-basketball-recruiting">monster recruiting class is scheduled to head to the Thomas & Mack Center next season</a>.</p>
<p>The rumor is Rice doesn't really want the cash for himself, but wants some long-term job security and more cash for his program.</p>
<p><span></span></p>
<blockquote data-partner="tweetdeck" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Source confirms that if UNLV extends Dave Rice, he will likely stay. He wants extra $$ put back into the program, not for his pockets.</p>
— edgraney (@edgraney) <a href="https://twitter.com/edgraney/statuses/449686767403139073">March 28, 2014</a>
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<p>I lived in Vegas briefly and can vouch the Rebels don't get the financial support you would think as the only game in town. They're always having money problems, and some massive cuts to the university from the state a few years ago means there isn't much appetite for huge institutional support for sports.</p>
<p>This seems like Rice is gettin' all Marc Summers up in here, Double Daring his employer and alma mater to take the physical challenge. I guess the question becomes is... how bad does UNLV want Rice to stay, and vice versa?</p>
<p>If he does stick it out in Vegas, congrats USF!! You've been used as leverage yet again!! Get excited for the press conference for the (at minimum) third choice guy for this job!!</p>
<p>If he's heading back to Vegas to say goodbye to his team in person, then we can start to evaluate the hire on the merits over the next day or two. But if it's just to get more money, facilities, and charter flights for his current job... the Bulls simply got outflanked here.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/28/5559472/reports-unlvs-dave-rice-has-offer-to-coach-usfCollin Sherwin2014-03-28T07:16:01-04:002014-03-28T07:16:01-04:00The Coaching Carousel. Who Can Win The Presser?
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<figcaption>Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Taking the coaching guessing game to the next level: Who can best win the press conference for the Bulls?</p> <p>MasielloGate <a target="_blank" href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2014/3/27/5552622/why-you-cant-hire-steve-masiello-and-why-i-am-stupid">is gone but not forgotten</a>. And as part of the aftermath, winning the press conference and getting the fans and donors re-engaged becomes even more of a priority for the new coach that everyone will know was the second choice at best. There's still some coaches on the board that can help USF get an early boost of fan support. We'll rate the contenders, and how we project the reaction will be with what's left of the fan base.</p>
<p>It is also our belief that at this point winning the press conference and the rollout is beyond crucial since there's so much apathy around the program. Bringing in a solid but unknown coach that want's to slowly build a program the traditional way is much less likely to work here than most places. That's because what fans are left aren't going to be patient because they've been told to be patient for over two decades now. And with the exception of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2012/3/17/2880315/live-from-nashville-the-house-money-tour-2012-is-adding-new-dates">The Glorious Dentist Chair of 2012</a> (which I guess now ends up in the annals of history as a statistical outlier of many standard deviations), the payoff has simply never come. Since the Dentist Chair, USF is 24-39 against competition that's gotten easier each season.</p>
<p>By the time a quality-but-no-name-or-sizzle coach comes in, does a complete teardown, then starts to put together a second or third solid recruiting class (difficult because it's hard to recruit in front of empty seats), the fans will have checked out on this team again. We still won't haven't sold any luxury suites in the Sun Dome, much less its naming rights. You figure out the rest later, but getting some passion and enthusiasm back in the building is the first priority.</p>
<p><b>Derek Kellogg: Head Coach, University of Massachusetts.</b></p>
<p>Kellogg is very similar to Masiello, but he's got more experience and comes from a better league. The Minutemen were a six seed in the dance this year despite finishing fifth in what was a loaded A-10. They play a fun and exciting style, and he's shown the ability to develop players like Raphiael Putney. You could argue he should have been a choice over Masiello in the first place with his ability to recruit Florida (two Florida guys on his roster currently).</p>
<p>He's also a John Calipari disciple having spent eight seasons in Memphis doing a whole lot of winning. He returned to his alma mater UMass six years ago, so he can take full credit for the rebirth of what was a barren program in Amherst. If you want the guy that's as close to Masiello as possible, but with a diploma, it's probably Kellogg. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2014/3/22/5537506/more-usf-coaching-candidates">We've written previously about Kellogg here.</a></p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: Solid fist pump, lots of high fives exchanged. This guy is good. Maybe losing Masiello was a blessing??</i></p>
<p><b>Orlando Antigua: Assistant Coach, University of Kentucky.</b></p>
<p>Antigua might be the best young assistant in America today, and we know he can recruit because he's been at the side of the NBA Prep School Headmaster John Calipari since 2008 at Memphis and now UK. Prior to joining the NBADLNCAA's Wildcats, Antigua played at Pitt from 1991-95, and after a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters was an assistant for the Panthers under Jamie Dixon.</p>
<p>As far as character... <a target="_blank" href="http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/9893531/kentucky-assistant-coach-orlando-antigua-creates-best-recruiting-classes-ever-espn-magazine">well, read this</a>. He's a special guy with an incredible story. Plus if you watched Calipari-coached games from up close (which I have several times), Antigua isn't just the recruiting guy: he's calling out opposing plays and does game scout and X's and O's often. Cal doesn't get nearly enough credit as a game coach as he should, so Antigua will have learned from a good one.</p>
<p>The downside is of course he's never been a head coach before. But if anyone in America is qualified for this job that hasn't, it's Antigua.</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: We're sure as hell get some talent in the door, and we're immediately interesting. We know he can sell. Can he be the head guy? Let's take a chance and find out. Let's do this!</i></p>
<p><b>Shaka Smart: Head Coach, Virginia Commonwealth University.</b></p>
<p>OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH PLEASE OH WAIT yeah this isn't happening we just don't have the money.</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2014/3/21/5534966/buzz-williams-to-marquette-shaka-smart-to-tampa">We've already offered to go streaking in a Speedo</a>. Whatever else it takes, just let us know. </i></p>
<p><b>Mike White: Head Coach, Louisiana Tech University.</b></p>
<p>Born in Dunedin, White has been to the NIT the last two years in his three seasons with the Bulldogs. He did win 29 games in Ruston, Louisiana this year which is absolutely an accomplishment because, well, Ruston. Also brother to Danny White (former USF AD candidate, AD at Buffalo), son to Kevin White (AD at Duke), and brother to Brian White (Assoc AD at La Tech).</p>
<p>White played four seasons at Ole Miss from 95-99, and was an assistant in Oxford from 2004-11. Downsides are he's never actually gotten to an NCAA Tournament as a coach (granted he's only been a head coach for three seasons), and he's clearly being groomed for bigger things. USF is a stepping stone job for him (as it might be for any of these candidates), but he'd only be able to go somewhere better if he won here. Would fans be ok with hiring a guy that's likely to dip out of town after any level of success? And what's his relationship with Skip Holtz (ok, I'm kidding... sort of).</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: Quite mixed. Some people are on board, but it's certainly not the splashiest name in the book either. Could go either way, but absolutely not a total win.</i></p>
<p><b>Bob Hoffman: Head Coach, Mercer University.</b></p>
<p>Look, I LOVED watching that Mercer-Duke game. The Bears played absolutely fearlessly, and were clearly well-coached. But I don't see how a 56-year-old coach* that has had great success this season (they did beat Dunk City on the road to win the A-Sun tourney) but not before gets the fans juiced. Despite being NCAA darlings the last two seasons, the A-Sun isn't a mid-major but a low-minor.</p>
<p>Hoffman is clearly an honest and engaging guy and he's easy to root for. But can he recruit at the level necessary to win in the AAC? <a target="_blank" href="http://www.macon.com/2014/03/26/3014539/hoffman-plans-to-stick-with-mercer.html" style="background-color: #ffffff;">Hoffman also said he interviewed with USF on Monday</a>, but hasn't heard from the Bulls as of close of business yesterday.</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: These press conferences are going to be great. We got a nice guy. But he can win here and recruit at this level? This probably doesn't end well. No Mr. Ticket Sales Guy, I won't need anymore seats next year. </i></p>
<p><b>Craig Neal: Head Coach, University of New Mexico.</b></p>
<p>"Noodles" has only been the head coach at The Pit for one season, but he's got a long resume. Undergrad at Georgia Tech (All-ACC his senior year), then several years as a journeyman in the NBA, CBA, and Europe. After joining the Toronto Raptors as a scout and then assistant coach, Neal went to Iowa to work for Steve Alford in 2004 then followed him to New Mexico, where he took over as the head coach when Alford went to UCLA last season.</p>
<p>This <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24503563/new-mexicos-craig-neal-emerges-as-legitimate-target-at-south-florida">report from Gary Parrish could be totally legit</a> as Neal is certainly connected to Mark Harlan via his old boss Alford. But it could all be a leverage play too as Neal had great success in Albuquerque this season, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.abqjournal.com/366784/sports/neal-has-extra-125k-in-reach.html">but his boss is refusing to renegotiate his contract</a>. Yes USF in theory could offer more money, but is USF a better job? The Pit is one of the cathedrals of college basketball, and having a rabid fan base as the only game in town is a lot different than being part of the back pages in Tampa. The Mountain West is a good hoops league too (maybe just a notch below the AAC), but it's a lot easier to win 20+ games at New Mexico than it is at USF right now.</p>
<p>Plus he's only been there one season, and does USF want a guy that's willing to pull the ripcord so soon?</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: Yeah, ok, maybe, but I'm certainly not overwhelmed. You'll need to show me something. And soon.</i></p>
<p><b>John Pelphrey: Assistant Coach, University of Florida.</b></p>
<p>The team that just fired a former Arkansas head coach can't replace him with the guy who replaced the guy you just fired in Fayetteville. Sometimes it's that simple. The optics are awful, and Pelphrey got run out of Arky on a rail. After getting to the NCAA's his first season (mostly with Stan Heath's recruits), Pelphrey went 16-32 in conference at a school that ranks just behind UK and UF in terms of basketball history in the SEC.</p>
<p>He did turn South Alabama around before getting to the Razorbacks, but again, this just can't happen. By all accounts Pelphrey is a good coach, and I remember being impressed seeing him in the Sun Dome with USA many years ago when he was considered a rising star in the profession. He should get another shot to be the head guy somewhere. But it can't be here, now.</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: When the hell are we ever going to learn??</i></p>
<p><b>Ben Howland: TV Analyst, Fox Sports.</b></p>
<p>Everything we're hearing is this will never, ever happen. Let's just leave it at that.</p>
<p><i>Projected Reaction: N/A</i></p>
<p>* We said Hoffman was 60 at first because we heard that somewhere on TV. Oops. Corrected.</p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/28/5556212/whos-left-on-the-coaching-carousel-and-how-will-usf-fans-react-to-themCollin Sherwin2014-03-27T07:20:24-04:002014-03-27T07:20:24-04:00Why You Can't Hire Masiello, And Why I Am Stupid
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KudwM3BVBCGK2Yg6T2yxbK1ATOw=/1x0:998x665/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30741101/20120303_pjc_aa6_283.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>What do Masiello and I have in common? We both screwed up.</p> <p>I was at a bunch of USF practices yesterday. I dropped in on women's basketball getting ready for their WNIT game tonight against George Washington, saw baseball getting ready for Cinci this weekend, and softball before they head to Rutgers. I also had a meeting with our volleyball team about their golf tournament on April 11th at Feather Sound, my 12th year on their fundraising committee ($150 per player, $600 per foursome, email me if you want to join us).</p>
<p>All anyone wanted to talk about was Steve Masiello. How could this happen? How could we USF it again? Was it even our fault in the first place? Who will end up being the new coach? I made some compulsory jokes with a few of our coaches that I'd need to see their diplomas or else I'd be writing about them extensively, and everyone could tell I hadn't slept in forever (finding out about stomach punch coaching moves at 12:30am isn't good for the Circadian clock with which I struggle anyway).</p>
<p>I live in South Tampa so as per usual when I head to USF I took I-275 North, exited on Fowler Ave., and made a left at the Sun Dome entrance. I parked at the Sun Dome, headed to the volleyball meeting, then wandered through the facilities of the Southeast quadrant of campus until I drove home. I didn't see one kid walking to class. I didn't meet one professor, and I didn't see anyone studying. Like so many alumni, the athletics side of the institution is now where I focus the overwhelming majority of my attention.</p>
<p>It's so easy to get lost in the bubble of teams and wins and losses that you forget why we're playing the damn games in the first place: student-athletes (and with the teams I saw yesterday, those words are almost always in the correct order) playing to represent an academic institution. Learning is why we are there are Bulls to cheer for in the first place. Degrees matter.</p>
<p>USF made the right decision in not hiring Steve Masiello. He perpetrated a fraud by representing that he had accomplished the overriding goal of being an undergraduate student. It doesn't make him a bad person: I know lots of people that say they've graduated from college when they haven't, and I think many people would be shocked at how often this happens. I won't call them out publicly but there are a lot of USF "alumni" that don't actually have the degree, and this is a more common problem than you think. But in 2014, it's astonishing he moved that far forward in his career in such a public profession without ever being caught.</p>
<p>In my case at one point I had to get a letter saying I had completed all of USF's coursework, but didn't actually have the diploma because I had a transcript glitch and I didn't pay copious amounts of parking tickets (which in a way makes me the full embodiment of the USF experience: U Stay Forever, nowhere to park and late for class). I also walked across the stage at commencement still owing a paper for a class I had an incomplete in... one that I ended up not writing because I was working beyond full-time, and ended up taking a CLEP test instead to get the credit needed.</p>
<p>But I did get it done, if for no other reason than I knew eventually someone would check. How can you hand over $6 million to someone that doesn't think anyone would ever look??</p>
<p>Could USF have bent the rules to make Masiello their coach? Possibly. He played four years of college basketball and was an All-SEC Academic selection, so he's most likely very close to being a college graduate. But should they? Absolutely not. A degree is the overriding reason people attend the University of South Florida. It has value to those who have earned it, and allowing someone to perpetrate a similarly accredited credential they've haven't acquired for 14 years without penalty devalues it to those (like myself) that went back and made sure all the i's were dotted and t's were crossed.</p>
<p>USF absolutely did the right thing here. There are still problems with the way the situation was handled, but the people that should be thoroughly embarrassed are The University of Louisville and Manhattan College. USF did a much better job vetting one of their highest-profile staff members than both schools. Should we have done more vetting before we handed him a contract? Probably. But it appears the contract had language which made it contingent on Masiello having the degree he said he did. This wasn't a problem with his background: it was a problem with his resume. And as we've learned with a football coach to our east, you should pay a significant price for lying on those. Like living in Oviedo and having to deal with heathen fans.</p>
<p>There are certainly issues with the way the Bulls handled the situation. They let their fans think this was done due to media reports from everywhere, then saw <a href="http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/usf-deal-with-coach-falls-through-20140326/" target="_blank">the carpet get pulled out from underneath them via a story published at 12:30am</a>. And I know for a fact they knew about this far earlier in the day but just let it hang in the air as a done deal. It's a 24-hour-a-day media cycle nowadays, one in which the Bulls fully and readily participate in many ways, i.e. official Twitter accounts are sending out updates every half-inning and media timeout, alerts for 3pm press conferences going out at 12 p.m, etc. I also often get attaboys or corrections on things I write in real time from the school, as does everyone that covers the Bulls.</p>
<p>Letting us and other outlets write what a home run it was to bring Masiello to Tampa and how there would be excitement in the air, then letting it sit there all day as not a peep telling us to settle down or "hey, this isn't a done deal" came from the Selmon Center was wrong. I understand the need for discretion in a coaching search, but letting all of those things percolate all day and acting like things weren't happening around them was completely the wrong approach.</p>
<p>And speaking of wrong approaches, <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.voodoofive.com/2014/3/26/5548466/steve-masiello-signs-a-contract-usf-reneges-wont-be-the-basketball" target="_blank">I wrote this yesterday</a>, and I went too far. Call it hubris, overreach, the $4 sangrias at Ceviche on Tapas Tuesday, or just having almost two decades of watching USF fuck it up over and over under my belt. But I went in too hard without enough information. This is the first time in over four years of writing here that I've had to apologize for something I've written. USF and Eastman & Beaudine clearly made mistakes here, but not to the extent I wrote yesterday. I turned it up to 11 when only a 5-6 was needed. I'm sorry. I took the word "renege" out of the headline with a correction at the bottom, but left the rest as is as a testament to my stupidity.</p>
<p>Whomever the new coach is now starts behind the eight ball, as does Mark Harlan. This was a major botch that happened on Harlan's second day on the job and on the first major hire of his career. And everyone now knows that the new coach isn't the first choice, which limits his impact and cache. <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/basketball/college/blame-for-masiello-mess-falls-on-many/2172123">Plus not everyone in the local media is as reflective about this as I am</a>, so you're even further behind than before in terms of perception.</p>
<p>But there's only one way out of this, and that's to nail this hire. As far as who is left on the coaching carousel that can do it, we'll get to that later today.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.tampabay.com/sports/basketball/college/blame-for-masiello-mess-falls-on-many/2172123" target="_blank"></a></p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/27/5552622/why-you-cant-hire-steve-masiello-and-why-i-am-stupidCollin Sherwin2014-03-26T13:21:24-04:002014-03-26T13:21:24-04:00USF Statement on Masiello Offer Retraction
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<img alt="Manhattan coach Steve Masiello will not coach at USF. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/2SfRIjP0LRvxGLsqUqlnY_Se_GY=/0x200:2667x1978/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30707167/20130110_kkt_aw8_125.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Manhattan coach Steve Masiello will not coach at USF. | Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Steve Masiello didn't graduate from Kentucky; his resume said he did. </p> <p>USF released a statement about just after noon about retracting the coaching offer to Steve Masiello. As has been reported by over 100 news outlets (thanks Google News!), Masiello didn't graduate from the University of Kentucky, as he had stated on his resume and as had been published on the athletic websites of his previous two jobs, Louisville and Manhattan. Tampa Bay Times' Joey Knight tweeted USF's statement earlier.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Statement from <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23USF&src=hash">#USF</a>: During the search for a new men's basketball coach, an agreement in principle was reached by USF and...Steve Masiello..</p>
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/448856239997325312">March 26, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The agreement was pending a verification of credentials. Through the verification process it was determined the candidate's credentials...</p>
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/448856443454644226">March 26, 2014</a>
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<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>could not be substantiated and therefore he did not meet the requirements for the position. The national search continues and USF...</p>
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/448856587390570496">March 26, 2014</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>looks forward to introducing a new coach at the appropriate time.</p>
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TBTimes_Bulls/statuses/448856692315267072">March 26, 2014</a>
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USF back to square one, unless squares can be negative numbers. <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/successors-to-stan-some-possible-targets-for-usf-job/2170240" target="new">Knight also posted a list of potential coaching candidates. </a></p>
https://www.thedailystampede.com/2014/3/26/5549968/usf-statement-on-retracting-job-offer-to-masiello-Manhattan-coaching-USF-basketballAndrew P.