Purnell, Haith may not be only candidates for UGA
Word is the Bulldogs are going to talk to Clemson’s Oliver Purnell and Miami’s Frank Haith in Detroit. That’s just who we know about right now. Surely there will be others on Damon Evans’ to-do list in Motown. They could be still waiting on Baylor’s Scott Drew, whose team plays Penn State in the NIT finals tonight. Other names that have been discussed here — Xavier’s Sean Miller and Butler’s Brad Stevens, to name two — remain possibilities.
So would you want to see Georgia get Purnell or Haith? Some of those other guys? What about an assistant coach from one of the powerhouse programs? Let us know what you think?
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233 comments Add your comment
SoCal Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:05 pm
According to a direct quote from Purnell in the Greenville New his not interested in UGA.
http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090402/SPORTS0101/90402019/1002/SPORTS
Look it up.
SoCal Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:10 pm
sorry “news he’s not interested”
dap01
April 2nd, 2009
8:10 pm
The problem with that strategy is the over estimation of UGA basketball. I love UGA but Evans was foolish to not talk to anyone except those two(who were obviously out of UGA’s league). Evans is seriously out of step if that was his strategy (or was that the search firm’s strategy).
It was a terrible approach.
KYBulldog
April 2nd, 2009
8:11 pm
Couldn’t Evans have just called these guys on the phone and saved the state $100,000? That money could fund two teaching positions that Adams has cut.
SoCal Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:12 pm
sorry
sorry “News he’s not interested”
SoCal Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:18 pm
Chip. What do you think about the article in the Greenville News?
Cliff
April 2nd, 2009
8:20 pm
Wake-up boys. Purnell’s not even interviewing… http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20090402/SPORTS0101/90402019 Besides, why would he take a step DOWN to crappy facilities and a vacuum of talent?
Spoke
April 2nd, 2009
8:22 pm
I cast my vote for Chris Collins or Steve Wojciechowski. I could get excited about an energetic young coach eager to prove himself. Plus Collins and Wojciechowski have instant name recognition and will draw media attention. Bonus: you can save a few bucks on salary!
If we are bound to go after a head coach, my vote goes to Brad Stevens, who is putting up astonishing numbers at Butler. He would also bring a youthful energy to the program.
7
April 2nd, 2009
8:26 pm
He!! no to Purnell and Haith! What a damn joke. Has Evans lost his b—– mind. No one would go watch those clowns coach. Yes, why has everyone so far been Black Coaches? Should have got Grant but more BS and the fans lose.I have nothing against Black Coaches but at least get a good one no matter to color and race.Evans better no f— it up!
hop
April 2nd, 2009
8:28 pm
of course chip, you would NEVER say evans was wrong with damon evans,but if he is not responsible for the mess at georgia,who is?
I guess we could blame adams since he hired evans,but when one is so naive to think he can get capal and anderson from establish programs, that person has got to be out of his mind.
alabama’s mall moore knew better since his school and georgia are not noted basketball programs.he was wise to focus on coach grant who could become the next great basketball coach,but our mr. evans decided to go after capel and anderson which was a huge mistake in judgement.
and not recruit coach grant.
as a result, alabama has a basketball coach and georgia is now looking for a second tier coach who will be fired just like coach felton within a few years.
so yes chip, your friend damon evans has blown this opportunity “big time” and georgia will be the ultimate loser because of his very poor judgement!
bank walker
April 2nd, 2009
8:33 pm
Clempson fan, and what do you call your area? We don’t want your coach! What has he done? What is Clempson? You are a bunch of losers, at everything. It’s freakin’ comical, you chumps come on here and try to talk your smack! CLEMPSON, YOUR DAD SHOULD HAVE CAUGHT YOU IN A RAG! Athens is leaps and bounds a better town than clempson.
Whopper Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:34 pm
The search and Damon is a joke. Tragically, this man is in charge of our athletic department (kind of, I guess) and has misread the entire national basketball landscape and UGA’s position in it. Unfortunately, the negative comments above are correct. Not a clue, not a clue.
thom
April 2nd, 2009
8:36 pm
It’s my understanding that the “marketing firm” that we have paid almost 3/4 million dollars to handle this search has been in serious negotiations with Ron Jirsa.
bulldog
April 2nd, 2009
8:36 pm
IS IT JUST ME OR HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED THAT DAMON IS DETERMINED TO HIRE A BLACK COACH.
Lash La Rue
April 2nd, 2009
8:42 pm
You got it right bulldog!?!?!? Black is beautiful.
bank walker
April 2nd, 2009
8:43 pm
I’m glad Purnell’s not interested, because the fans don’t want him! Exactly what in the he** did DE hire a search firm for? He could made a couple of phone calls and had similar results. He’s looking more and more foolish by the minute! I agree with all the other posters on here: WHY HASN’T ANY WHITE COACHES BEEN INTERVIEWED!! I mean, you throw Purnell in there, who hasn’t done Jack at clemsux and the guy from Miami, WTH!! Can we please oust Adams and his puppet, D. Evans! HIRE BOB KNIGHT!! GO DAWGS!!
PC Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:47 pm
Agree with CalDogg and bill; I want the best coach regardless of his skin color, not the best black coach (who cares if he can’t attend the Black Coaches of America convention). I don’t care if Terence Moore says it will be a step backwards and send the wrong message. BTW let’s recruit the best players regardless of their skin color (blue, green, yellow).
This “search” is becoming an embarassment to UGA. Comments re: instant credibility, elevation of the program, winning, clean program, no thugs, and better shape in 3-5 years when we need to get someone else all point to reasons to talk with Coach Knight. Hire someone who wants to be there, not just a stepping stone!
;
Steve
April 2nd, 2009
8:49 pm
Mike Brey from Notre Dame – it would rectify the mess Adams got us into with Harrick. He was Vince’s choice instead of Harrick. Big East Coach of the Year previous 2 years. Solid.
If not him, John Thompson III – great recruiter, great dad, and heard he can be had.
Both these guys have great programs, just in NIT this year, so a little under the radar. Donovan has been in the NIT the last 2 years, and I would still take him, so one year in the NIT is not that bad.
If not those 2 – Brey or Thompson III, get Gilispie – next best coach available that I know of. Perfect fit for Georgia. If not him, Bob Knight – can you say “Excitement” in the program?
.
PC Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:52 pm
Please do not talk to John Thompson III or his dad.
SoCal Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
8:55 pm
Hey what about all the asians out there that aren’t represented in NCAA BBall. I mean really this is crazy. Get a winner! If he’s black and wins Great! If he’s White and we win Great! If he’s a loser, black or white don’t talk w/ him.
dawg96
April 2nd, 2009
9:02 pm
Great hire DE.
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2009
9:12 pm
I am laughing my ass off. (sorry I don’t do the teenage girl acronyms).
I’m not sure which is better, a great hire and a chance to finally get excited about UGA basketball….or……the realization from so many folks in here, just how little they know what the hell they are talking bout.
Oh the drama today,,,,,,,,,,waaaa waa
Rich.
Jim
April 2nd, 2009
9:12 pm
This looks promising.
freshd
April 2nd, 2009
9:18 pm
what are you gonna cry about, now that evans has hired a white coach. i guess all the good old boys can take a good dip of red man. it was a joke how they hired this guy. mark fox was not a big name coach. i hope they didn’T OVERPAY THIS GUY.
Jim
April 2nd, 2009
9:25 pm
Read this profile.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/17/sports/ncaabasketball/17nevada.html
RedGADawg
April 2nd, 2009
9:31 pm
Who is FOX and why will his hire move me to buy tix, what does he know about area talent, what an average resume, less than average conference, DE failed! Hope he pays him less than Felton, as he has little or no trach record, getting to the Dance is not the goal, how hard when in a little league conference, what has a team won with a conference championship, I am not happy, sure saved me money, may increase my football donation at least conssitent value!
SoCal Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
9:35 pm
If you want to know more about Fox look at this link. Impressive.
http://www.nevadawolfpack.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=56208&SPID=4084&DB_OEM_ID=10000&ATCLID=530559&Q_SEASON=2006
Fort Worth Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
9:39 pm
They probably said the same thing about Dooley when he was first hired …
lawzoo
April 2nd, 2009
9:39 pm
See, you had no reason to worry about Purnell. he didn’t even “consider” the job.
Congrats. on getting Mark “Fair and Balanced” Fox.
hop
April 2nd, 2009
9:48 pm
what a joke of a hire, we waited months for a hire like this.
this is white guy from the west! this was definitely a reach because damon evans had nowhere else to go with so many coaches showing little or no interest.
good luch recruiting in the southeast with the likes of anthony grant and other familiar sec coaches!
AltamahaDawg
April 2nd, 2009
9:55 pm
RedGaDawg, everything you said about… easy to win at a small school, “only ” getting to the NCAA, could have easily been said about every successful Big name coach out there at some point. You recon Tn fans were familiar with thier new coach from UW-Milwaukee? How about BIlly Donavan, really big time name from Marshall? Rememebr a Guy named Tubby Smith. I’m sure you were a big follower of the great Tulsa program at the time.
lawzoo
April 2nd, 2009
9:58 pm
This is great! His name was NEVER mentioned and there are people praising Fox? and his hiring.
PC Dawg
April 2nd, 2009
10:53 pm
This is the big name proven winner we were promised after 2 months of searching? I’m sure all the recruits are thinking about the Dawgs NOW!