Who Will it Be Now

Surprise surprise... not!  The University of Iowa, the Avenger's alma matter, fired its basketball coach.  As I write this Iowa City is all a buzz with rumor and innuendo as to whom the next coach might be.  Here is my take on some of the candidates...


Bruce Pearl - I had the honor of meeting coach Pearl on a couple of occasions while he worked as an assistant on Dr. Tom's staff.  I like Bruce Pearl but he seems to be happy at Rocky Top U.


Rick Majerus - I love this guy.  While health concerns were cited for his short lived retirement from basketball I suspect his outspoken comments about Utah's predominant religion and culture may have have contributed to his departure.  How neat would it be to have a coach who looks like the average pork chomping beer swilling  Iowan?  Not since John Kruk or Refrigerator Perry have those of us who are gravitationally challenged, have had one of our own to cheer for.  My concern is that Majerus might lack the stamina to rebuild the program.


Keno Davis - I'm not a believer.  Getting to the NCAA with dad's players only to drop a deuce in the first round does not inspire a lot of confidence.


Ben Jacobson - Jacobson is the coach at nearby Northern Iowa, has a couple of wins against the Hawkeyes under his belt and is getting ready for his second NCAA appearance with the Panthers.  Some say insanity is doing the same thing over again and again and expecting different results. I'm not so sure if going to the ranks of a mid major school as was the case with Alford and Lickliter is the way to go.


Steve Lavin - This guy brings name recognition and will immediately put butts back into the seats of Carver Hawkeye Arena.  In my mind Lavin is a bit unproven having ascended from the assistant's chair to head coach of a winning UCLA program.  On top of everything else Lavin is a west coast guy so who knows if he would even stick around.


C. Vivian Stringer - Now that you have stopped laughing hear me out.  First, coach Stringer has Iowa ties having taken the Lady Hawkeyes to final four.  Second she is the third winningest coach in Women's basketball so she knows her Xs and Os.  Third, she has coached men having scoured the intramural courts for guys to practice against her players.  Fourth, think of the recruiting possibilities.  In most urban environments it is mom and/or grandma who rules the roost.  Having a strong women to connect with mom and grandma might offer that inside advantage needed to land the next Ronny Lester or B.J. Armstrong.