Carolina, Kansas (?), NC State(?), Charleston, etc: #SearchSZN

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Curry Hicks Sage
@CurryHicksSageMar 26, 2026

The Spaces dissected a wide swath of the current college basketball coaching carousel while repeatedly returning to a central thesis: alignment and NIL capacity now trump legacy brand in determining job quality and outcomes. The host (Curry) outlined Day 2 of UNC’s search (TJ Otzelberger and Brad Stevens out; Tommy Lloyd, Billy Donovan, Dusty May, and Mark Byington viewed as live), and weighed the $11M Lloyd buyout against reallocating dollars to roster NIL. Multiple examples (St. John’s under Rick Pitino, Nebraska’s NIL surge, Saint Louis’s alignment under Josh Schertz, and Vanderbilt’s rapid institutional push) illustrated how AD/president/booster alignment plus NIL can instantly elevate a program. Momentum around Will Wade’s likely return to LSU dominated the NC State segment (buyout drops, LSU staffing signals, rumored $14–15M roster budget), with NC State contingency chatter (Josh Schertz, Justin Gainey) and a contract lesson on buyout drop dates vs portal timing. Kansas came up amid widespread Bill Self health/retirement rumors and a Jacque Vaughn discussion. Callers ranked UNC options, debated coach-as-brand dynamics (Calipari, Kelvin Sampson), and workshopped Charleston’s candidate pool (Luke Murray, Bob Richey, Mark Prosser, Brian Earl, Dustin Kearns, others). The throughline: pick the coach who fits your institutional alignment and spend smartly on roster NIL.

Search Season Live — Coaching Carousel Deep Dive: UNC, NC State/LSU, Kansas, Charleston, and the Alignment vs. Brand Era

Opening notes and show context

  • Host: “Curry” (Search Season). Framed the show’s ongoing format and audience mix (industry folks — coaches, agents, trainers, administrators — vs. fans) and how differently they consume the content.
  • Monetization and format:
    • Audience support comes via subscriptions and direct Venmo contributions (Search Season SCN). Curry noted a recent push yielded eight new subscribers plus robust Venmo support.
    • Subscription options discussed: year-long access to back catalog; monthly options (e.g., ~$16 for a month to binge, $8 for forward-only), $3 a la carte episodes; substantial discounts for low/mid-major assistants and non–D1 head coaches via promo codes.
    • Curry described advertiser conversations that struggle to “box” the show (it’s more than just transaction scoops) and reiterated he’s not doing classic scoop journalism.
  • Product vs. presentation: Curry argued audiences value quality “takes” over presentation, citing:
    • Last year’s successful Venmo-driven “start when I hit $500” experiment (confused industry types vs. fans who got it).
    • Perception shifted once a “nice website” launched, despite content being the same.
    • Anecdote: among 30+ advisory chats before launch, one Hollywood-style producer offered the most actionable guidance (worth $1,000 in hindsight). Decks and polish mattered less than substance.
  • AI-era media view: With AI accelerating, Curry feels we’re at a point where sharp analysis outweighs “accoutrements.” Parallels drawn to college hoops: too many look the part without substance; some unheralded coaches (e.g., a high school coach friend) explain sets better than high-major peers.

Alignment and NIL > legacy brand: Case studies and philosophy

  • Core thesis: In 2024–26, alignment between president, AD, head coach, and money (NIL/donors) outweighs legacy brand value.
  • Examples:
    • Saint John’s: Historically up-and-down commuter school in Queens; with president support, Rick Pitino plus donor Mike Repole and aligned AD, they jumped quickly to Sweet 16 relevance; practice facility improvements pending. Alignment trumped historical “dump” perceptions.
    • Nebraska: Nearing a coaching change under Fred Hoiberg until NIL investment surged; pivot led to first NCAA Tournament wins and program momentum.
    • Saint Louis: Aggressive alignment to retain Josh Schertz (return from Syracuse flirtation); instant high-major-level competitiveness within the A-10, though league perception still imposes a slight recruiting headwind.
  • Open question: Is UNC still “materially” better than 20 other jobs in this landscape? A college-sports-business executive friend messaged Curry: given TV rights, budgets, and conference stability, coaches on stable footing at places like Alabama, Michigan, maybe Florida may have superior conditions today. The friend’s punchline Curry endorsed: true job quality now = alignment + budget.
  • Hiring calculus rethought: If alignment and NIL are strong, the delta between elite names and elite mid-major/ascending names narrows materially. Question posed: Is a huge buyout for a big brand coach (e.g., Tommy Lloyd) optimal vs. reallocating several million toward roster build (NIL) and hiring a superb but less “brand-name” coach (e.g., Ben McCollum, Josh Schertz)?

UNC coaching search — where things stand, who’s viable, what matters

  • Status (as relayed by Curry):
    • TJ Otzelberger: “Appears out”; the AD’s explicit statement suggests he’s not in play.
    • Brad Stevens: “Out” (never really serious, mentioned only due to volume of chatter).
    • Remaining conventional trio: Tommy Lloyd (Arizona), Dusty May (Michigan), Billy Donovan (Chicago Bulls).
    • Potential additional name: Mark Byington (“some say he’s in the mix”; generally reliable whispers, though uncertain).
  • Finances & buyouts: Tommy Lloyd’s ~$11M buyout labeled “not inconsequential.” UNC is affluent but juggling expensive obligations elsewhere; Indiana’s 2023 cycle noted as a cautionary contrast (brand didn’t deliver a gilded outcome).
  • Brand vs alignment at UNC: Curry’s evolving view — legacy brand alone won’t carry the day absent ironclad alignment and NIL commitment. If alignment and money are there, then the UNC brand still helps (especially vs. A-10 brands like Saint Louis). If not, UNC’s brand edge narrows.
  • Coaching archetypes discussed for UNC:
    • Tommy Lloyd: Praised for comprehensive excellence — recruiting (especially international), in-game adjustments, staff hiring, player motivation; “good at everything.”
    • Dusty May: Modern, system-driven winner; rapid high-major acclimation; strong fit for professionalized college model; Curry at times has him No. 1 (or 1A) with Lloyd.
    • Billy Donovan: NBA experience could be a feature, not a bug, in the current quasi-pro college era. Recruiting is more transactional/GM-driven; fewer “in-the-mud” old-college pitfalls he disliked. Age noted by some fans, but Curry emphasized his character and professionalism; potential stabilizer.
    • Josh Schertz / Ben McCollum: If Lloyd/May stay put, both are compelling schematic fits. Schertz’s regional ties (D2 in NC, Queens) and system mastery; McCollum as a Midwest analog (and now high-major), each with elite tactical chops.
    • Mark Byington: Real look reported; done more with less; seen as “able” in many ways.
    • Other names mentioned by callers/DMs:
      • Scott Drew (Baylor): Surprisingly little mention so far; struggles linked by one to NIL not fully taking off; still a strong-age target in most cycles.
      • Greg McDermott (Creighton): Floated as a plausible short-term stabilizer if UNC misses on top options.
  • Style matters at UNC: Curry stressed fit for a coach who masters practice planning, on-court identity, and imposes will. With money and brand, UNC will get players; the coach must translate talent into a coherent system quickly.
  • Carolina fan’s ranking (Widespread Manic):
    • Initially: Lloyd No. 1; Donovan No. 2; Dusty May next (later adjusted, open to Dusty above Donovan); Byington in the mix.
    • Skeptical of a “Calipari-style” approach at UNC; culture prefers multi-year development (Roy-era sensibilities) vs. one-and-done as identity, though realities have evolved.
    • Noted Hubert Davis-era retention issues and examples like Ian Jackson opting for St. John’s/Pitino as evidence that coaches-as-brands can outweigh school brands.

NC State and LSU — Will Wade’s likely return to Baton Rouge and the Wolfpack’s next move

  • Momentum to LSU:
    • Caller Wyatt (NC State fan who was highly accurate last cycle): “Not an if, a when” — pegged at 99–1% likelihood.
    • Key mechanics: Will Wade’s buyout reportedly drops from $5M to $3M on April 1. LSU AD moves signal alignment: Wade’s beloved McNeese AD hired as LSU’s “GM for basketball/associate AD.” A McNeese-to-LSU president/administration tie-in was also suggested.
    • Financial realities: LSU boosters/politics (“at the governor’s office”) behind it; numbers floated by Wyatt: $14–15M NIL target for next season; Curry tallied LSU’s outlay (buyouts, roster, salary) as a ~$30M proposition, which LSU can shoulder.
    • Loyalty optics: Callers acknowledged this likely is the only job Wade would leave NC State for; deep personal/booster ties in Louisiana. However, Wolfpack fans reasonably feel stung after they took risks to hire him.
  • Reaction and critique:
    • Wyatt’s contract design note: If buyout drop to $3M had been May 1 (not April 1), it would protect NC State through portal churn; April 1 incentivizes patience (or opportunism) that hurts the current school.
    • Handling by Wade: One caller noted he’d answered rumors with “Is the job open?” deflection, then carried on — a standard but unsatisfying handling.
  • Likely NC State candidate board if/when it opens:
    • Josh Schertz (Saint Louis): Would “answer the phone,” but per Curry, likely to move only for a clear national-title trajectory job and long-term fit.
    • Justin Gainey (Tennessee associate HC; NC State alum): Pop as a “stability” option; possibility of Lavelle Moton as top assistant; some concern about first-time HC learning curve, countered by alignment/bench strength.

Kansas — Bill Self rumors and succession chatter

  • Rumor heat:
    • Curry received “dozens” of messages at all levels about Self’s potential departure; believes the public downplaying reads like a friendly press assist to let him set terms. He’d be shocked if it doesn’t happen, but acknowledged uncertainty.
  • Succession names:
    • Jacque Vaughn: Long assumed heir apparent when he returned to Kansas, but now “not definitely true.”
    • Overlap with UNC: Some targets may intersect; Curry expects a broader field if KU moves.

Charleston — assessing the post-Kelsey/Mack era and next coach targets

  • Caller Burns (Charleston alum):
    • Strongly negative on Chris Mack’s season in charge (engagement, identity, underachieving vs. resources, early CAA exit). Cited program spending ~$5.2M and NIL at the top of the league; felt returns were below Charleston’s standard (regular season titles or NCAA bids).
    • Favorites for next HC:
      • Luke Murray (UConn associate HC): Top choice; Curry agreed Charleston is a better risk/reward job than Boston College and fits Luke beyond the “Bill Murray” stereotype (two national titles as UConn’s offensive guru). Decision calculus discussed: take a high-expectation, high-upside job (Charleston) vs. power-conference job with historical headwinds (BC).
      • Bob Richey (Furman): Top-end mid-major coach; salary and comfort noted; not sure he moves.
      • Flynn Clayman (High Point): Massive overachiever; High Point now comparable to Charleston; might be in play for jobs like Utah State.
      • Mark Prosser (Winthrop; Skip Prosser tree): CAA-style fit.
      • Brian Earl (William & Mary): Overachieving season despite record optics.
      • Geno Ford (Stony Brook): Consistent overachievement with fewer resources.
      • Speedy Claxton (Hofstra): Great coach, likely to stay in New York.
      • Dan Earl (Chattanooga): Under-the-radar strong coach.
      • Dustin Kerns (App State): Big believer, always competitive, yet to break through to NCAA.
      • MAC names: Todd Kowalczyk (Toledo), Rob Senderoff (Kent State) — straight-up good ball coaches.
    • Curry’s additional shortlists and “sicko” submissions:
      • John Coffman/Kauffman (Purdue Fort Wayne): Blind résumé pitched by “Text Pat”; long, successful run at a tough job; former Charleston assistant.
      • Brian Earl & Flynn Clayman: Curry reiterated both are on his “Search Season Coach of the Year” radar.
  • Program context per Curry:
    • Charleston is a truly attractive job (resources, NIL, family lifestyle, alignment). With their current profile, failure there indicts the fit more than the institution.

Other carousel threads and program notes

  • Vanderbilt’s rapid rise across athletics:
    • Multiple callers (including a Carolina fan in Nashville) and Curry praised Vandy’s alignment, resources, facilities (e.g., endowed coaching chair), and willingness to push real NIL money. Curry floated Vandy as a potentially national-title trajectory basketball job if they hit the right coach; institutional freedom to be “free thinkers” could enable a bold Schertz/McCollum-type hire.
  • Tennessee:
    • Justin Gainey (associate HC) rumored “HCIW” unclear; Rick Barnes’ timeline uncertain. Tennessee’s NIL muscle and wins like landing Naas Cunningham were noted.
  • Coaches-as-brands dynamic:
    • Rick Pitino, John Calipari, Kelvin Sampson elevated as archetypes whose personal brands and track records bring instant access to top talent, sometimes even at below-market player NIL (Sampson example). Calipari at Arkansas suggests coach brand can override school legacy for elite recruiting.
  • Michigan:
    • Caller Aaron (’24 alum): Dusty May has rejuvenated the program; asked who would be No. 1 if Dusty ever left. Curry’s quick list: Josh Schertz or Ben McCollum at the top; also praised Eric Olen (New Mexico).
  • Georgetown & Providence examples on alignment:
    • Caller “John” (NYC walker): Reflected on how Georgetown’s lack of internal alignment undermined otherwise solid hires; contrasted with Providence’s fully aligned model.
  • Russell Turner (UC Irvine):
    • Caller “Smitty” suggested; Michael Stern later clarified the 2019 Lewis King/Oregon “queen” comment that dogged Turner’s candidacy optics in peak-woke media cycles. Curry distinguished between performative rage and endearing sidelines “mania” in coaches, arguing true player testimony best gauges educator/coach quality.
  • CSUN Andy Newman: Michael Stern praised Newman’s work as a rising name on the West Coast.
  • Fred Hoiberg (Nebraska): Floated by a caller as a UNC long-shot name; Curry emphasized how NIL investment revived his trajectory (from 6–51 in first 57 Big Ten games to this year’s breakthrough), a case study in the power of resourcing.

Callers and viewpoints captured

  • Wyatt (NC State):
    • Wade-to-LSU odds near-certain; buyout mechanics (Wade to $3M on Apr 1; Matt McMahon owed ~80% of remaining deal); strongly urged May 1 buyout drop dates in future to protect portal continuity.
    • NC State board if Wade leaves: Hear-out Schertz; pivot to Justin Gainey as stability, with emphasis on bench/associate strength (e.g., Lavelle Moton).
  • Will Flowers (Louisville):
    • Noted Pitino publicly boosting Otzelberger for UNC (per The Athletic). Agreed LSU’s political/booster engine renders $ differences minor. Urged not to read Wade’s move as a slight to NC State; it’s LSU-specific gravity.
  • Widespread Manic (UNC):
    • Lloyd No. 1; Donovan high given NBA/college convergence; Dusty May close; Mark Byington intriguing; skeptical about Calipari at UNC. Observed UNC retention issues under Hubert Davis, e.g., Ian Jackson choosing St. John’s (coach brand effect).
  • Burns (Charleston):
    • Critical of Chris Mack’s C of C season vs. resources/expectations; extensive candidate board with mid-major standouts and high-major assistants.
  • Aaron (Michigan ’24):
    • Proud of Dusty May; asked about Schertz/McCollum succession logic.
  • “John” (NYC walker):
    • On alignment lessons (Georgetown’s dysfunction) and coaches-as-brands (Patino forcing institutional alignment at St. John’s).
  • “Text Pat”:
    • Pitched John Coffman/Kauffman (Purdue Fort Wayne) on a strong blind résumé.
  • Ryan Morris (Florida):
    • Light moment on personal fandom stakes if Todd Golden ever left; indicative of passionate fan engagement.
  • Ben (Kansas student paper editor):
    • In-press-box read that Self comments (“loves coaching but must be in the right place health-wise”) felt like an inflection point; acknowledged local media pressure dynamics around timing of any retirement story.
  • Smitty (Central NY):
    • Naval Academy’s John Perry should move up from a very challenging job; Russell Turner worth a look (pre-Michael Stern context); enjoyed long-form coach eps (Bucky McMillan, Ben McCollum) as “hike fuel.”
  • Michael Stern:
    • Fact-checked Russell Turner’s Oregon ‘19 incident; highlighted Andy Newman (CSUN) as a rising coach; floated Hoiberg as a creative UNC possibility.
  • RU Screw Podcast (producer):
    • Brief cameo on production/logistics.

Practical takeaways and watch items

  • UNC:
    • Otzelberger and Brad Stevens are out. Monitor Lloyd, May, Donovan, Byington; keep an open mind on a calculated leap for Schertz/McCollum if top names pass. Buyout vs. NIL reallocation is central to strategy.
  • NC State/LSU:
    • LSU’s administrative/booster/political alignment points strongly to Wade’s return; watch April 1 buyout inflection. NC State’s shortlist likely prioritizes cultural fit and durability (Gainey) with a “swing” call to Schertz.
  • Kansas:
    • Heavy smoke around Self; Vaughn is no longer a lock. Be ready for fast-moving succession if Self moves.
  • Charleston:
    • High-upside job with NIL and lifestyle tailwinds; look for a modern-system hire (Luke Murray and similar), but don’t sleep on elite mid-major winners or tough-job overachievers (Coffman/Kauffman, Earl, Kerns, Prosser, etc.).
  • Macro:
    • Alignment and NIL structure now outweigh legacy brand prestige; coaches with strong personal brands (Pitino, Calipari, Sampson) function as talent magnets. Schools with institutional freedom and donor unity (e.g., Vanderbilt) can vault quickly.

Closing

  • Curry emphasized candor over palace intrigue, even when it’s less sensational, and flagged personal fatigue (family illness, travel, a broken Keurig). The show’s ethos: accurate, comprehensive, professional analysis with an eye toward how jobs really function now — through alignment, modern resource allocation, and the right coach-system fit.