Coaching search continues
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| Several names on short list for LSU basketball coaching vacancy
Joe Alleva, LSU director of athletics, is working alongside Senior Associate Athletic Director Eddie Nunez and others to find the next Tigers’ head basketball coach.
By BEN LOVE
Tiger Rag Editor
There isn’t a whole lot we know for sure yet.
The one thing we do know is that athletic administrators Joe Alleva, Eddie Nunez and the other members of the search committee are hard at work trying to fill the void left by former LSU men’s basketball coach Trent Johnson.
Tiger Rag reported over the weekend, citing a source close to the program, that the top three candidates in the early going were Johnny Jones, Jamie Dixon and Reggie Theus — and probably in that order.
All three remain viable candidates as of Tuesday morning.
But several additional names have surfaced recently which deserve to be added to the list of serious candidates for the job.
Josh Pastner, Memphis’ 34-year-old skipper, is one of college basketball’s most celebrated up-and-coming coaches. He has compiled a 75-29 (.721) record leading the Tigers, a run which includes a Conference USA title this past season. Pastner served as an assistant under Lute Olson at Arizona (where he also played on the 1997 national championship team) as well as John Calipari at Memphis.
Several sources familiar with his situation have confirmed to Tiger Rag that Pastner has reached out to LSU in the past 24 hours to gauge their interest and inquire about the job.
Steve Prohm, 37, just finished his first season as the head coach of the Murray State Racers, who went a remarkable 31-2 last season, including a 15-1 mark in league play to win the Ohio Valley Conference regular-season title. Prohm has a strong connection to Louisiana, having served as an assistant under Billy Kennedy at Centenary from 1998-99 along with stints as an assistant at Southeastern (1999-2005) and Tulane (2005-06).
At this time Tiger Rag has not learned of any interest or contact attempts from the Prohm camp.
LSU is also rumored to be considering a few “long-shot” candidates, coaches who are more national names at this point, but people that the Tigers may make tell them “no” before moving on.
On that list are Shaka Smart (VCU), who recently turned down a lot of money to be the Illinois coach, and Tony Bennett (Virginia), who has some Baton Rouge connections through his wife.
While it’s still premature to tab any concrete favorites, consider Dixon, Jones, Pastner, Theus and possibly Prohm the current leaders in the clubhouse.
For more on the LSU basketball coaching search, CLICK HERE to view Derek Ponamsky’s Tuesday morning report. (You will have to sign up for the Tiger Rag-BBI bundle to view this report.)
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Editor Ben Love is Tiger Rag’s lead reporter on LSU men’s basketball. Reach him at ben@tigerrag.com.
We need a Louisiana coach who can recruit the Louisiana basketball talent and keep it at home. With one or two outside the state blue chippers, like a Rudy Macklin for example, we contend for SEC and National titles in College Basketball. In the current atmosphere of “one and done” players, it is not that hard to compete if you recruit your home talent. Calipari will get caught again for recruiting violations, and Kentucky will move on to the next dirty recruiter like they always have. From the Racist Colonel Adolph Rupp, to Dirty Joe B. Hall, to Eddie Sutton, and now Coach Cal. Just a matter of time.
Dunno what yall are high on. Josh Pastner has not contacted LSU about its coaching position. He would not leave the crown jewel of CUSA…and soon a big time member of the Big East conference for the dumpster fire that is LSU’s basketball program.
Whose the recist here?!
Hey LSU! If you want Pastner you can have him. Who do I call to give my recommendation ? Just remember these phrases “Winning is Hard” “It’s a Personal Matter” and “He’s got tendinitis” lmao good luck!
Don’t get your hopes up about Josh Pastner. He’s got one of the best jobs in college basketball - a rich basketball tradition, 17,000 + fans at every home game, the FedEx Forum, a basketball focused city, and a talent hotbed providing a strong pipeline.
No, the only job Pastner would leave Memphis for this early in his tenure is Arizona.
Good luck in your search.
LSU, do you know what Josh is making here at Memphis? Why would he go to a smaller program for less pay??? Forget it, he’s out of your league…
You’ve got to be kidding. No way Jamie Dixon even remotely considers this job.
You might want to check those “several sources familiar with his situation” as they’ve made you guys at Tiger Rag look like fools!
Chris,
Actually I think Tiger Rag looks quite good on this whole situation.
My sources were yesterday and still today are correct on this one.
There was contact from Pastner’s side on Monday. I stand by what I reported.
Ben Love
Tiger Rag Editor
Condrey, you are like Arky fans that just didn’t see Petrino’s eventual demise forthcoming.
Pastner knows Memphis takes a big hit when joining the Big East, in falling down the rung, and knows UK & Louisville & UNC will always dominate the region in recruiting.
LSU has football money to build a monster, and is in a relatively weak SEC Hoops West, one for the taking. Has talent locally, and in nearby Houston and Dallas.
For being a hoops school, Memphis surprisingly close to par with football school LSU Hoops. In Titles, Final Four appearances, Elite 8s, Sweet 16s, Conference titles, All-Americans, etc..
Memphis Hoops is Maryland Hoops(until Gary Williams won them a title), it’s VT Football..that school that’s always been real good, with lots of history, players and coaches, but with no national hardware! 8 straight missed FTs? It’s just not meant to be.
First, let me understand which statement you are standing by, In your article you write “Pastner has reached out to LSU in the past 24 hours to gauge their interest ” and in your rebuttal to me you write “There was contact from Pastner’s side on Monday.” If it was the first then I give you this quote from the Commercial Appeal “No one’s reached out to me nor have I talked to anyone with LSU,” Pastner said this afternoon.” Since your sources are unnamed I believe Coach Pastner. If it’s Pastner “side” well, just who or what is his side. Is it his agent whos’ job it is to look for more money for his client by looking into possible positions, in turn making more money for himself? If so this could have been done without Pastners’ knowledge. Adding Pastners’ name to your story was at best a way to start rumors, but I might have been wrong in my earlier statement. “several sources familiar with his situation” might not be the ones making you foolish.
Forget the Pasnter talk. I just got it from a reliable souce - Bruce Pearl has agreed in princial to take the LSU job. Will be announced Friday. Bet on it.
Bruce Pearl would be good for LSU basketball. Tennessee would hate it.
Think attendance is bad now, just wait until you hire Johnny Jones is hired. I can’t think of a worse candidate out there.