Last NC State Thoughts

So this is my last comment until State hires a coach. I think part of the problem now that Calipari has turned the Wolfpack down is that a number of potential candidates are not only taken by new positions at other schools, but some have also re-upped their deals to stay put. I am speaking of coaches at mid-majors schools have been talked about a few weeks back, decided they either did not like the jobs available or simply were passed over, and have signed contract extensions. Coaches on this list include Dana Altman (Creighton), Rob Jeter (Wisc-Mil), Tom Pecora (Hofstra), Mark Fox (Nevada), Jaime Dixon (Pitt), & Jay Wright (Villanova). It is quite possible that some of these guys would have been interested in the NC State job had they known it was going to become available.

Another group are those already hired to new jobs, such as Kelvin Sampson (IU), Greg McDermott (Iowa St), Mick Cronin (Cincy), and Mike Anderson (Mizzou). It is possible that all of these candidates would have chosen to be the head coach at NC State over their new job, with the exception of Kelvin Sampson (though I personally do not see Indiana's situation being too much better at this point).

The final guy that fits in this group is Andy Kennedy, the former interim coach at Cincinnati who is now the head coach at Ole Miss. He played at NC State, so his candidacy would have been a no-brainer. But, Kennedy took the head job at Ole Miss ten days before Sendek left State.

The point here is the candidate pool could have been much deeper had people known Sendek was leaving. While it is true that Herb was not popular, I admire the administration itself for not giving in to the fans and just firing the guy. But, the somewhat late departure in terms of the coaching carousel has limited the options for State following Barnes and Calipari declining. Had Sendek left earlier or simply been fired, coaches would have been lining up for the job. Not necessarily the Barnes and Caliparis of the world, but certainly the Andy Kennedys, Mike Andersons, and maybe even Jaime Dixon.

FYI: I finally saw Billy Gillispie's name mentioned as a candidate (on PackPride.com). About dang time. Dear NC State: Hire John Brady and you will win fans; hire Billy Gillispie and you will win games and fans. Not a tough decision.