Why would Shaka and Stevens leave?

[kicker22]

Howland should have thanked UCLA for letting him coach this year. He has had about as many kids transfer out of there as Lickliter did at Iowa.

If Smart and Stevens love where they are what is the problem, don't see people questioning Mark Few for staying at Gonzaga. They are both good coaches and good people, maybe they like their fanbases that appreciate what they do and are content. Maybe they know the bigger schools will let them go after one mediocre year after the hype that surrounds them.

I am surprised Tubby lasted as long as he did, wherever he has gone not named Tulsa, it has been the same fan animosity at the end of his run.

Agreed, they're both at schools that appreciate what they have done to the program and who they are. I don't think you see that at many bigger schools. I think that they both realize that the the programs they are currently apart of actually treasure what they bring to the program rather than simply viewing them as an object that is disposable if they can't get to the next level.

 

[sportstalent]

Agreed, they're both at schools that appreciate what they have done to the program and who they are. I don't think you see that at many bigger schools. I think that they both realize that the the programs they are currently apart of actually treasure what they bring to the program rather than simply viewing them as an object that is disposable if they can't get to the next level.

Another thing to remember about the schools they are at as well, they aren't football schools, so basketball is it.

It is nice to see coaches at schools like this appreciate their environments and just enjoy being at the school and flip the bird at the money they could be getting. They stay because of the appreciation and it is far more rewarding to them to accomplish what they do.

Keep in mind when Butler does join the old Big East schools, they also truly are going to be basketball schools, just something to keep in mind as well. The competition will be better, but it will still be a basketball conference predominantly, it will help Butler get some better players. Keep in mind they have a 6-8 kid coming in that was and still may be a Top 150 kid, they can still recruit.

 

[jacknicholson]

Stevens staying is probably the most confusing. They are moving to the Big East next year and their competition is going to get exponentially more difficult. They are losing two of their best players (Clarke and Smith). Smith was the only player with any real height on the team and no incoming recruits will fill that void.

Sure they are a good mid-major team that can 'get up' for a top tiered program but those games were so few and far between. Once they hit the heart of their conference schedule they are more likely to fold than rise above the competition.

So basically Stevens is going to be facing tougher conference foes after signing a larger contract thus the added pressure to win at a school that has facilities that are pushing 100 years old (Hinkle was built in 1928 and looks like the old Field House). He should have taken the money and gone to UCLA.

Bad move on his part.

It is possible he will move after a year or two in the Big East and reality sets in. However who knows for sure. He is an excellent coach and maybe he will get better recruits, even though he does very well with the recruits he does get now.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

The answer probably isn't the same for the both of those guys. But I can see the reasons why. Both of those guys are still VERY young coaches. Just because they havn't jumped (yet) doesn't mean they won't eventually. Look at Keno Davis. He pretty much did what conventional wisdom said he should. Now he didn't take a UCLA type of job but Providence is certainly more then a step up from Drake. I would argue that job was next to impossible. A middle of the pack to lower part of it school in that league had nowhere to go but what they ended up doing really. It was just a matter of how long would he get but he wasn't going to coach out his first contract there unless he made magic happen. If Smart and Stephens are at their same jobs say 7-10 yrs from now I'll be surprised. But they both have pretty darn good things going why throw a monkey wrench in it now? Unless something drastic happens both those guys can be around for a long long time yet in the coaching world. I doubt they'll be at their same schools forever but because they are so young another 5 yrs or so wouldn't really surprise me if they are as happy as they seem to be and stay successfull