It’s not every year that one of the top jobs in college basketball becomes available. Programs like Duke, North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky are all working with head coaches that have been in place at least six seasons.
However, with Rick Barnes being relieved of his duties at Texas, this year’s coaching carousel has a bit more intrigue than some in year’s past.
As mentioned, the list top available jobs in college basketball starts with Texas. There are nearly unlimited resources in Austin, with the most profitable athletic department in the country. Not to mention, with quick access to both Dallas and Houston, Texas is in a position to recruit some of the most fertile urban areas there are in America for basketball talent–this is something that may have ultimately done Barnes in, as schools like Baylor, Texas A&M and SMU had all begun to beat out UT for some of the top prospects.
The next best job is likely Alabama, another AD with big bucks to spend and a conference where a place among the top three or four programs is entirely up for grabs. What ‘Bama lacks is the dynamic recruiting territory that other available jobs have. However, their brand name still carries weight in the South, and if they can begin to recruit Atlanta, Memphis and even places like Houston or Little Rock successfully, the Tide could rise again.
Rounding out our top four jobs are Arizona State and St. John’s, both of which may not be open for much longer.
Phoenix is a prime recruiting area, but any coach of the Sun Devils has to deal with Sean Miller down in Tucson. St. John’s is always an intriguing name, but at this stage of the game, there’s always the possibility that this gig is more style than substance.
