Recruiting an uphill battle

[Hillcrest1981]

So who can we get that can recruit top talent to Iowa. I don't think this is the top priority for hiring a coach but making a minority hire (african american) should be be looked at. I have always respecected Paul Hewitt at Georgia Tech. He coaches in possibly the best b-ball conference in the country but don't think he has any recruiting ties in the midwest and bringing southern players north might be too much of a challenge. Who are some other black coaches that might be considered?

 

[ibahawkeye]

So who can we get that can recruit top talent to Iowa. I don't think this is the top priority for hiring a coach but making a minority hire (african american) should be be looked at. I have always respecected Paul Hewitt at Georgia Tech. He coaches in possibly the best b-ball conference in the country but don't think he has any recruiting ties in the midwest and bringing southern players north might be too much of a challenge. Who are some other black coaches that might be considered?

I may have said this before but...

Steve Lavin.

He has recruited and coached guys like Trevor Ariza, Baron Davis and Matt Barnes. Of course Iowa isn't UCLA but I think having coached and recruited players that are currently playing in the NBA who young high school athletes recognize could be a huge advantage. The young athletes will also know who he is from being on ESPN. He can also use his success in the NCAA tourney, 4 sweet sixteens and one elite eight apperance to bring young athletes to Iowa.

 

[JHHawk]

I agree about Hewitt...he would be good,but not sure his recruiting prowess will translate to Iowa...altho he did pull Ian Shumpert out of Oak Brook,ill a few years ago. Thing is, I think the ACC had a lot to offer even chicago kids and hence the trend of kids going to duke and other ACC schools out of the midwest.

That said, I agree that recruiting has got to be the focus with this hire. Either a black coach or a coach who can convince black recruits that Iowa is a great place to attend school and play ball,must be achieved with this hire. Unless that coach can skim the very top white players off the top like Duke does. Not likely.

Again,we just need our roster to be balanced...unlike it is now.

Barbee is an Indy native,so he seems to be the most obvious black coach who is a fit. If we could get Mike Hall from Mo., I would talk to him.
Otherwise, look to assistants like Mark Montgomery of MSU or Vince Taylor of Minny.
Again, just get the best recruiter available, no matter the color.