I believe there are only two great options Iowa has here. One is bringing in a top tier coach with national appeal. Someone like Bill, Self, Roy Williams, Tom Izzo, etc. The only coach that we would have a shot at in this category would be Bruce Pearl. Yes, I think the fanbase would be as giddy with Pearl as any other coach in the nation and there would be immediate excitment and home sell outs. Unfortunatly, I think this is unlikely to happen.
The second coach would be below this tier. Maybe a coach who is a great recruiter only or a coach who is great with X's on O's but would tkae some time with recruiting the right players. Blue chippers these days committ to top tier caoches, not the university itself. This coach would have a hard time binging in blue chips but every once in awhile would have a shot because of connections. The only coach in this tier who I believe can right this ship is Todd Lickliter. Any lateral move would mean another step backwards before a step forward. Coach has invested three years here and the players have invested three years in his system/
If Lickliter's young team next year shows progress, a .500 or so team. Everyone returning the following year except Cole and Iowa has a NCAA calibur team. As the wins come, so will the fans.
If Lick is replaced by anyone other than Pearl, I would support the program and coach. I'm not saying he wouldn't suceed in the future, but would need more than 2 years to get hi stype of player and get his system installed.
The second coach would be below this tier. Maybe a coach who is a great recruiter only or a coach who is great with X's on O's but would tkae some time with recruiting the right players. Blue chippers these days committ to top tier caoches, not the university itself. This coach would have a hard time binging in blue chips but every once in awhile would have a shot because of connections. The only coach in this tier who I believe can right this ship is Todd Lickliter. Any lateral move would mean another step backwards before a step forward. Coach has invested three years here and the players have invested three years in his system/
If Lickliter's young team next year shows progress, a .500 or so team. Everyone returning the following year except Cole and Iowa has a NCAA calibur team. As the wins come, so will the fans.
If Lick is replaced by anyone other than Pearl, I would support the program and coach. I'm not saying he wouldn't suceed in the future, but would need more than 2 years to get hi stype of player and get his system installed.