As we await word on John Brannen's fate (but most believe the parting of ways with JB is inevitable), figured it cannot hurt to throw around some potential realistic replacements should he be replaced.
I will start with a name that makes sense to me on many levels, as I see it: Archie Miller
Case For:
- Had success at Dayton (2 A-10 titles, four straight NCAA Tournament appearances including an Elite Eight)
- Coached at IU during a brutal (good) stretch for the Big Ten, where he likely would have coached in the 2020 NCAA Tournament (canceled) and landed some 4- and 5-star recruits
- Knows Cincy/SW Ohio and the region very well (ex: OSU transfer Jordan Siebert from Princeton HS shined at Dayton, Logan Duncomb from Moeller is committed to IU for 2021), his prior staffs were heavily influenced by area guys
- Played in the ACC and has assistant coaching experience in the ACC, Pac-12 and Big Ten
- Is not an assistant coach / has ample head coaching experience (and not from a one-bid league like the Horizon or Big South)
- Would assemble a coaching staff suitable for the AAC
- Would have a chip on his shoulder to prove he's still got it / would be hungry to win
- Because he is available, if he has interest it would not take long for him to consider and accept if offered
- UC seems like a good middle ground between UD/A-10 and IU/Big Ten, particularly without the pressure from a place like IU (just wants to coach like Cronin did, not be Mr. PR)
- Already has existing relationships with high school recruits (and coaches) and kids that are or could be in the transfer portal
- Has coached guys that are in the NBA
- Comes from a basketball family (dad was a very successful high school coach) and obviously his brother is Sean
- No NCAA violations or investigations
- Seems well-liked by national media
- 42 years old (not too old, not too young)
- Is a straight-shooter when he talks and is not going to just throw out lots of buzz words to win a press conference
- Had zero opt-outs this season at IU
- Understands the Xavier rivalry from his UD coaching days (plus obviously Sean coached at X)
Case Against:
- Did not have a successful tenure at IU and lost the fan base by the end (granted that is bigger than him; it has been a 20-year struggle at IU)
- His IU teams struggled offensively, particularly shooting the 3 and also from the FT line
- Has a defensive reputation but might need to move on from the pack line defense
- Does not enjoy the "PR" aspect of coaching and does not have a big personality
- Pittsburgh Steelers fan
I will start with a name that makes sense to me on many levels, as I see it: Archie Miller
Case For:
- Had success at Dayton (2 A-10 titles, four straight NCAA Tournament appearances including an Elite Eight)
- Coached at IU during a brutal (good) stretch for the Big Ten, where he likely would have coached in the 2020 NCAA Tournament (canceled) and landed some 4- and 5-star recruits
- Knows Cincy/SW Ohio and the region very well (ex: OSU transfer Jordan Siebert from Princeton HS shined at Dayton, Logan Duncomb from Moeller is committed to IU for 2021), his prior staffs were heavily influenced by area guys
- Played in the ACC and has assistant coaching experience in the ACC, Pac-12 and Big Ten
- Is not an assistant coach / has ample head coaching experience (and not from a one-bid league like the Horizon or Big South)
- Would assemble a coaching staff suitable for the AAC
- Would have a chip on his shoulder to prove he's still got it / would be hungry to win
- Because he is available, if he has interest it would not take long for him to consider and accept if offered
- UC seems like a good middle ground between UD/A-10 and IU/Big Ten, particularly without the pressure from a place like IU (just wants to coach like Cronin did, not be Mr. PR)
- Already has existing relationships with high school recruits (and coaches) and kids that are or could be in the transfer portal
- Has coached guys that are in the NBA
- Comes from a basketball family (dad was a very successful high school coach) and obviously his brother is Sean
- No NCAA violations or investigations
- Seems well-liked by national media
- 42 years old (not too old, not too young)
- Is a straight-shooter when he talks and is not going to just throw out lots of buzz words to win a press conference
- Had zero opt-outs this season at IU
- Understands the Xavier rivalry from his UD coaching days (plus obviously Sean coached at X)
Case Against:
- Did not have a successful tenure at IU and lost the fan base by the end (granted that is bigger than him; it has been a 20-year struggle at IU)
- His IU teams struggled offensively, particularly shooting the 3 and also from the FT line
- Has a defensive reputation but might need to move on from the pack line defense
- Does not enjoy the "PR" aspect of coaching and does not have a big personality
- Pittsburgh Steelers fan
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