Didn't he essentially burn a ton of recruiting bridges in Indiana while he was coaching IU? I never really heard details, just that was the rap on him and he did seem to mostly be recruiting the east coast and south his last couple of years there. I think success at a place like Evansville absolutely begins with strong in-state recruiting, as well as across the river.
Two potential Butler implications with Lickliter getting canned: 1). We still haven't gotten official word whether Jay Shunnar is being retained or what Oden/Diebler's new role is going to be on staff so I'm curious if Crone would be in play for his old DOBO job. 2). Sounds like Crean is favorite and couldn't see new AD going with another Butler related hire but Rags would seem like an obvious fit for Evansville job.
https://www.indystar.com/story/spor...iter-butlers-david-ragland-target/9663239002/ Sent from my iPhone using Butler Hoops mobile app
He could be a target, but whoever the coach there is will have a hard time getting a legit staff in place for at least this season. Plus I think Evansville's HC comp is around $300k, so unless you REALLY believe what the AD is selling (they haven't been to the tourney since 1999, and the NIT since 1994), this isn't great timing for the new coach. It's not Brad Stevens/Chris Holtmann levels of difficulty, but it certainly isn't ideal. The Ford Center is a good selling point for coaches and players, but with USI making the jump to D1, it'll be interesting to see how that dynamic impacts UE.
Based on the recent past one would have to be extremely confident to take the Evansville job or be desperate for a job. It appears to be the end of the road gig
Yeah, I think there's some potential with Evansville regarding the Ford Center, and the MVC isn't as top heavy as it used to be to try to make March Madness. That being said, they have pretty low student interest, and USI joining the OVC only presents greater competition for recruits. I think it speaks to more of what Crean is thought of as a head coach right now, than UE making a surprising splash hire. He rode the coat tails of Wade at Marquette and recruited well for a while at IU, but that was about it. Never been very impressed with his X's and O's on a basketball court. Brad Stevens always coached him under the table, when both had a week to both prepare for the Crossroads Classic. Would like to keep Ragland around, but at least our recruits are locked in like Turnbull and Simas now. If it's not UE this year, it might be USI calling in a few years anyways.
A big question for any candidate is whether the university will still be there in a few years. Some serious financial problems down there.
Ultimately Ragland can do whatever he wants, but I think he can land a better job in a better situation if he holds out another year or two. Not to mention, does Evansville's new AD really want to go with another Butler guy?
I think Marty Simmons did a pretty respectable job during his 11 seasons at UE especially given a lack of resources compared to the rest of the MVC. Sent from my iPhone using Butler Hoops
Interesting. Wonder who their lead candidate is. Is he currently employed or on the open market? I’ve heard there’s Fife interest.
His teams always played hard. Also landed two of the Aces' all-time best players Colt Ryan and D.J. Balentine. That program could do a lot worse, and it did.
So what is Fife going to be doing next season? The carousel is slowing down and he doesn’t have a seat. Sent from my iPhone, so it’s probably not written all that well
Must’ve missed that. I’d heard he was in the mix but that’s likely just a rumor that has no basis in reality.
