The Saga Continues: #SearchSZN

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Curry Hicks Sage
@CurryHicksSageMar 17, 2026

The Spaces unpacked the current college basketball coaching carousel with a heavy focus on Providence, Butler, Boston College, Dartmouth, and how NIL and institutional dynamics shape hires. Host Curry dissected Providence AD Steve Napolillo’s press availability—reading it as a profile that mirrors USF’s Brian Hodgson—while noting confusion about a viable second candidate and later that Providence wants a sitting college head coach (which would narrow the pool). A long Butler segment traced Thad Matta’s unexpected retirement after public signals he’d return, weighing causes from NIL/resources to a late change-of-heart, and canvassed candidates (John Groce, Travis Steele, Ronald Nored, Matt Langel, Joe Gallo, Ben Jacobson, Luke Murray, Kevin Hovde) through the lens of Butler’s resource constraints and cultural fit. The Boston College discussion highlighted stark NIL limits (15% revenue-share model), the likelihood of Eric Konkol, and why Eric Olen (New Mexico) is an unlikely fit despite interest. A Dartmouth segment explained why the job is so hard and listed creative candidate lanes (Landry Kosmalski, Dave Klatsky, Brett MacConnell, a D2 option), urging out-of-the-box thinking. Threaded through were Syracuse–Providence dynamics (Boeheim influence, donor factions, Hodgson leverage), bracket sidebars (possible Dusty May vs. Josh Schertz), and how modern PR, relationships, and NIL realities drive search outcomes.

Search Season Twitter Space Summary and Notes

Session context and participants

  • Host: Widely known as Curry Hicks Sage (host of the Search Season Twitter Spaces and related newsletter/site; repeatedly referenced subscriptions and a promo code “Curry” for CoachingTies.com). Tone mixed: informal, candid, with meta-commentary on sourcing, rumors, and NIL dynamics.
  • Call-in contributors and roles (as identified by the host):
    • Kyle (Butler fan; engaged with Butler situation throughout).
    • Aaron Ferguson (sportswriter at the IndyStar; experience covering Thad Matta and regional coaches).
    • “Sad Butler fan” (Butler supporter; offered detailed program perspective).
    • Yuli (ties to BC, Butler, Syracuse; provided candidate perspectives).
    • Ben Hook (Kansas student beat writer; led Dartmouth discussion; Vermont/Upper Valley perspective).
    • BC Film Room (Boston College-focused contributor; bracket and BC search questions).
    • Justin (listener; asked about Brian Hodgson’s rapid rise in the rumor mill).
    • Several others were referenced but could not connect/unmute (e.g., “Bobby/Robbie Night,” “Bob 36999,” “Pete Trilon”).

Note on tone/housekeeping: The host began with light personal anecdotes (family illness, kids, a lost remote triggering endless Conan reruns, and a bracket link snafu), and repeated monetization plugs (monthly subs okay, yearly better; discounts for young/broke coaches via DM/email). He also emphasized his rigor about accuracy and consequences for intentionally misleading sourcing.

Providence head coach search: where it stands and what the press conference signaled

  • AD availability: Steve Napolillo held an unusually timed post-season media availability mid-search. The host later acknowledged, via listener feedback, this is an annual “state of program” access point at Providence, which clarifies the optics but still makes wording crucial during an active search.
  • Language pointing to archetype: The AD’s public descriptors—three years as a head coach, CEO traits, NIL fluency, hiring, fundraising, adaptability to the modern landscape—read (to the host) as strongly aligned with Brian Hodgson’s profile.
  • The name ecosystem:
    • Brian Hodgson (USF): Rising momentum; host repeatedly noted how much the descriptor set fits his public image: program CEO, NIL strategist, strong recruiter/talent evaluator, modern delegation, momentum on floor (long win streak), and a public persona comfortable in the spotlight.
    • Jay Larrañaga: Early-cycle chatter from “legit sources,” with a mid-major head coach telling the host Larrañaga still had an edge; host is openly skeptical of rumor chains and warned sources about misleading him. Broader community skepticism remains over whether it was real signal vs. telephone.
    • Phil Martelli Jr. (VCU): Won the A‑10 in Year 1. The host initially disliked the VCU hire on “process” grounds (VCU as a grinder’s prize) but credited Martelli Jr.’s Year‑1 poise and result. Familiarity with region/state and short-list plausibility acknowledged.
    • Other rumored names surfacing in the cycle at various points: God Shammgod (as a rumor artifact), Tony Skinn, Jerry McNamara (less press relative to Hodgson), Jared Calhoun (Utah State), Eric Olen (New Mexico), Luke Murray (UConn assistant), Kevin Hovde (Columbia, as discussed by callers), Ronald Nored, Ben Jacobson, and more.
  • Important constraint clarified: Napolillo indicated the profile must be a sitting college head coach or a coach with prior college head-coaching experience (implication: assistants with no HC track record would be disfavored).
  • Why Providence vs. Syracuse matters to Hodgson’s leverage:
    • Providence framing: Basketball-first institution, no football, high Big East identity, fewer non-hoops power centers or legacy figures; higher floor, arguably lower ceiling than Syracuse, but cleaner runway for a coach who wants to put his stamp on a program.
    • Syracuse dynamics: Donor factions (notably Lally in football donor circles reportedly backing Hodgson), Boeheim’s enduring gravitational pull and potential to make a successor’s day-to-day difficult if the hire isn’t “one of his.” The outgoing AD is on the NCAA selection committee; USF’s favorable placement in Buffalo and a winnable path were noted as “interesting” circumstances for a Western NY-native candidate whose leverage could spike with wins. Jerry McNamara’s candidacy presumed weaker if Syracuse underperforms.
  • Host’s current read: Leans that Hodgson could still end up at Syracuse while leveraging Providence to raise Syracuse’s NIL/commitment level (a local Syracuse media piece floated a Hodgson “need” in the 10–14M NIL range; rumors put Providence around low double-figures and Syracuse in high-single digits). He keeps Providence very much alive, however, particularly given the desire for a clean break from the Boeheim era and Providence’s institutional alignment around hoops.
  • Potential Providence backups if Hodgson chooses Syracuse: Eric Olen (New Mexico; strong basketball mind, adaptable, tournament-level in MWC), Phil Martelli Jr., Jared Calhoun (if not locked into Cincinnati), Tony Skinn; assistants such as Luke Murray would be complicated by Providence’s stated head-coach experience preference.

Butler: Thad Matta’s retirement, how it turned, and a first-draft candidate map

  • What changed and when:
    • Jeff Goodman reported late Friday that Matta would be back, citing the AD. By Monday morning, Matta retired. Multiple speakers (Kyle; Aaron Ferguson) described broad surprise within the athletic department; some staff and players learned minutes before the release.
    • Host’s sourcing suggested NIL/resource dissatisfaction was a key factor, with the possibility the AD conveyed “we expect him back” publicly before Matta himself had formally committed. Another trusted voice told the host this was Matta’s own judgment “for the good of the program.”
    • Matta reportedly will remain at Butler in a “special assistant” capacity to the President/AD, signaling no scorched-earth ending and likely financial/contractual smoothing.
  • Program realities and investment gap (from Butler fans on the call):
    • NIL within Big East context: callers cited roughly ~$6M for next season; still bottom‑cluster relative to UConn/Marquette/Creighton/Providence/St. John’s/Villanova.
    • Infrastructure: lack of a dedicated basketball facility, no real nutrition center, and a very small shared weight room (described as ~1,000 sq ft). Meanwhile, the university has invested in business school, residence hall, a hotel, and campus expansion—fans want more direct reinvestment into men’s basketball.
  • Candidate landscape (compiled from host, Norlander’s list, and callers):
    • With high-major blemishes but strong recent mid-major success: John Groce (Akron; 3 straight MAC titles), Travis Steele (Miami-OH; impressive rebuild; persistent rumor about father-in-law NIL support deemed overstated by host’s sourcing; one source claimed Steele hasn’t even tapped it). The host’s general philosophy: Butler is a “hard high-major” right now; hiring someone thriving with clear advantages at a mid-major doesn’t always translate.
    • Butler/Brad-tree type: Ronald Nored (Butler alum; coaching rep in NBA), Luke Murray (UConn assistant; “brains behind” offense per reputation; intimate Big East scouting knowledge), Kevin Hovde (discussed as “Columbia guy”; linked by callers to Florida’s offense last year), Michael Shrewsberry (Notre Dame; significant Butler/Brad Stevens ties; might prefer a “parachute” if ND doesn’t resource basketball; caller cited Butler NIL possibly higher than ND’s current level).
    • Non-Butler outsiders with “do more with less” cred: Matt Langel (Colgate; adaptable, scheme-agnostic teams, deep Northeast ties), Joe Gallo (Merrimack; unique zone system; “system advantage” route for a resource-challenged Big East job), Rob Senderoff (Kent State; constant winning, “not exactly Butler Way” personality but results-driven), Bob Richey (Furman), Ben Jacobson (Northern Iowa; long tenure, solid coach, but questions about fit and arc), Mark Schmidt (St. Bonaventure; serial overachiever at a brutally tough job; questions around portal-era roster continuity at a place with limited NIL), Bryce Drew (Grand Canyon; massive resource edge vs league; Vanderbilt 0–18 SEC season lingers for the host), Scott Cross (regional fit questioned).
  • Strategic approaches debated:
    • “System edge” hire (e.g., Gallo’s zone) to compensate for talent gaps vs. “Adaptable, get-the-most-out-of-who-you-have” (e.g., Langel), with several callers preferring adaptable coaches who have won in low-resource contexts.
    • Big East macro: The league was a 3‑bid league this year despite several heavy NIL spenders; Seton Hall is the example of “doing more with less” yet missing the tournament—an existential caution for Butler absent major investment.

Syracuse: dynamics shaping selection and why Hodgson’s stock surged

  • Donor/legacy politics: The host relayed informed views that Boeheim remains a potent behind-the-scenes force; basketball donors often align with him, while some football donors (e.g., Lally) back Hodgson. Even with leverage to choose a non-“Boeheim tree” candidate, there’s perceived risk that Boeheim could make life miserable for a successor who isn’t “his guy.”
  • Committee optics and bracket: The outgoing Syracuse AD (still in seat until June 1) sits on the NCAA committee; USF drew Buffalo with a favorable first-round matchup—cited as “interesting,” both for proximity and potential PR leverage if USF wins.
  • Why Hodgson rose fast:
    • Host’s explanation to Justin: It’s a mix of real on-court success (A‑Sun title game at Ark. State; lightning run at USF), a relentless PR/relation-building engine (media engagement, fans, agents, online personas), and a modern CEO profile. He’s cultivated advocates at many levels; in an ultra-competitive job market, public momentum matters. The host frames this not as a pejorative but as shrewd career strategy.
    • Field-of-68 and other platforms amplify; even pop culture nodes (e.g., Rico Bosco enthusiasm) demonstrate his ability to generate buzz.
  • If Hodgson chooses Syracuse, likely backups and spillover:
    • Providence: Olen, Martelli Jr., Calhoun (if not to Cincinnati), Skinn, others with prior HC experience rise in probability.
    • If Will Wade-to-LSU rumors materialize (which were floated), NC State could open, complicating the overall carousel and option set for Hodgson/others.

Boston College: a resource ceiling problem shaping their pool

  • Reported NIL framework: Multiple candidates reportedly were told they’d get ~15% of Rev Share as roster NIL, with little appetite to encourage incremental donor-driven NIL. Translation: BC sits at or near the ACC bottom and is signaling it will stay there.
  • Eric Olen (New Mexico): Host believes BC’s Olen interview buzz stemmed primarily from unique family medical logistics in Boston, not fit/interest; absent real investment, Olen has too good a runway at New Mexico to move. The host argued BC could have seized this rare circumstance—make a competitive NIL move to middle-of-league, hire a long-term program builder—but there’s no sign of that urgency.
  • Candidates mentioned: Eric Konkol (Tulsa) was cited by multiple sources as the name most often repeated; James Jones (Yale) came up as a quality option but less consistently; a “high-profile assistant” rumor exists (no names shared); Mark Schmidt (BC alum) was debated as a more sensible basketball upgrade than a middling option, even if his system has portal-era continuity challenges.
  • Institutional context: University leadership (longtime president leaving), limited urgency, hockey primacy, and willingness to accept an uncertain ACC future without major investment—all paint a grim picture for a transformative hoops hire.

Dartmouth: why it’s so hard, and who’s actually in the frame

  • Job difficulty factors (Ben Hook, host):
    • Recruiting base sparse; academic profile at/near the hardest end of Ivy admissions; facilities/arena profile underwhelming; low-pressure job but extremely low ceiling.
    • AD Mike Harrity drew extensive criticism from multiple contacts (host relayed a “barrage of DMs”). One nuance: Harrity was reportedly eager to change directions for years but had to wait for results to dip.
    • Compensation: Private school, but range discussed was roughly 280–320k with modest camp/summer upside; Hanover real estate is expensive (callers pegged a 4BR at $1M+).
  • Candidates credibly discussed by the host:
    • Landry Kosmalski (Campbell assistant; ex‑Swarthmore head coach who took them to D‑III title game; elite high-academic track record; joined John Andrzejek at Campbell after a Florida defensive-coordinator stint).
    • Dave Klatsky (Florida assistant; former NYU head coach; massive turnaround there). Practical counter: giving up Florida and possible deep runs vs. a hard Ivy rebuild is a tough sell.
    • Brett MacConnell (Stanford assistant; formerly Princeton’s top assistant during their 2023 run; strong high-academic profile).
    • Others the host would interview at Dartmouth given structural constraints: Kingsley at Yale (James Jones’s top lieutenant; the Yale job someday?), a top New England prep school coach, or even an “interesting European” profile—because Dartmouth likely must operate very differently to win.
  • Other names floated by Ben: “Chris Sanna” at Saint Anselm (mid-30s, former Vermont assistant; widely praised regionally). The host affirmed repeated positive tips about Saint Anselm’s coach.
  • Women’s hoops aside: Dartmouth tried an extreme slow-tempo, defense-first approach; offense wasn’t efficient enough to yield results—illustrating that “get weird” is required, but execution must be complete.

Broader coaching market notes and crosscurrents

  • Eric Olen (New Mexico): Viewed by host as one of the most complete modern coaches—sane, adaptable, detail-driven; strong fit for many open P5s (Providence, Cincinnati) if they engage seriously. Geography not binding (grew up in the South, heavily West since), but family health logistics explain BC interview. Ongoing success at UNM (and a one-possession MWC title-game miss) suggests he can wait for the right move.
  • Jared Calhoun (Utah State): Two consecutive NCAA bids across different contexts (Youngstown State success, D‑II pedigree, now USU) make him a prime Cincinnati target; any Providence rumors would be major ripple effects.
  • Phil Martelli Jr. (VCU): Two NCAA tournaments in two different jobs over two years = high utility; very plausible for multiple openings.
  • Tony Skinn (George Mason): Repeated 20+ win seasons; no NCAA bid yet; still belongs in interview rooms this cycle.
  • Joe Gallo (Merrimack): System differentiator; viable “edge” hire for low-resource high-majors.
  • Matt Langel (Colgate): Sustained winning, adaptable schematics, non‑sleazy recruiting (Temple credentials during an era of clean coaching), and national networks (Under-18 team ties with Anthony Grant/Nate Oats assistants); more plug‑and‑play than people assume.
  • Rob Senderoff (Kent State): Perennial winning; under-considered in many cycles.
  • Ben Jacobson (UNI): Quality coach; long tenure; fit/timing questions.
  • Ronald Nored: Butler alum; plausible given institutional lean, but caller skepticism that he’s the best solution for Butler’s current constraints.
  • Michael Shrewsberry (Notre Dame): A real Butler tie; if Butler NIL outstrips ND’s short-term men’s hoops commitment, it becomes interesting, especially if he projects risk at ND in Year 4.
  • Luke Murray (UConn assistant): Top-tier offensive reputation; Big East scouting mastery; Butler could be a pragmatic “first chair” landing, but Providence’s head-coach-experience filter hurts him there.
  • Kevin Hovde (as discussed by callers): Touted by callers for offensive acumen and assistant experience; also invoked as “Columbia guy,” with debate over the wisdom of a 1-year D‑I to Big East jump.
  • Bryce Drew (Grand Canyon): Success amid huge resource edge; 0–18 SEC at Vanderbilt remains a scarlet line for the host; one caller thinks he’s happy where he is.
  • Chris Mack: Mentioned as a “does he move again?” archetype, no traction discussed.
  • Scott Cross: The host likes him for Georgia Tech; one listener suggested as a Butler name (host skeptical due to regional roots).

NIL and league context highlights that shaped multiple debates

  • Big East: Six programs (UConn, Marquette, Creighton, Providence, St. John’s, Villanova) are spending at or near the top; league still only got 3 bids this year. Seton Hall example: overachieved vs. budget, still missed.
  • Butler: Callers cited ~6M for next season; still bottom-tier vs. league haves; institutional facility gaps were emphasized.
  • Notre Dame: Callers and host believe ND men’s hoops NIL lags vs. football/women’s hoops; Butler might out-resource ND in the very near term.
  • Syracuse: Rumored high-single-digit NIL; chatter positioned Hodgson push to 10–14M level (from local content), with Providence rumored near 10–11.
  • Boston College: Reportedly locks NIL to ~15% of Rev Share and projects little further fundraising appetite; this posture suppresses candidate quality and long-term upside.

Tournament notes relevant to search narratives

  • Buffalo pod: A potential USF multi-win weekend would supercharge Hodgson’s leverage, especially against a likely Duke steamroll of other ACC reps.
  • Michigan vs Saint Louis: BC Film Room noted STL’s variance and Michigan’s vulnerability to hot shooting runs; STL’s size was flagged as a tough matchup for “giant-killing.”
  • A Search Season “hall-of-fame” Round of 32: Dusty May vs. Josh Schertz (host’s favorites, both early Search Season guests). Dusty’s tie to Mike White (now at Georgia) adds emotional complexity in that pod.

Media/rumor meta

  • The “anatomy of a rumor”: one credible float becomes telephone; examples include Frank Martin-to-FIU and early Larrañaga-to-Providence chatter.
  • The host warned about being intentionally misled; he distinguishes honest mistakes from deliberate “curveballs.”
  • He acknowledged that field-of-68/Goodman coverage can integrate into candidate PR arcs; he’s not derisive—just realistic about how modern candidacies are sold.

Quick plugs mentioned by the host

  • Subscriptions: Encouraged monthly/yearly subs to his site (referenced as curryxsage.com), with discounts for young coaches via DM/email; night-to-night access for long-form interviews (e.g., Will Wade, Dusty May, Josh Schertz, others).
  • CoachingTies.com: Networking database for coaching trees/connections; promo code “Curry” for 10% off.

Key takeaways and watch items

  • Providence vs. Syracuse appears to revolve around Brian Hodgson’s leverage. Syracuse’s internal politics (Boeheim legacy, donor factions) vs. Providence’s clean runway and Big East identity are the core trade-offs. If Hodgson picks Syracuse, Providence’s next-most-coherent targets are experienced head coaches like Eric Olen, Phil Martelli Jr., Tony Skinn, or Jared Calhoun (if he isn’t Cincinnati-bound); assistants without prior HC experience would clash with Providence’s stated criteria.
  • Butler’s Matta exit looks like a late reversal driven by resource/NIL realities and a mutual face-saving “special assistant” arrangement. The candidate discussion split along two viable theories: (1) a system-differentiator (e.g., Gallo) or (2) an adaptable winner in low-resource settings (e.g., Langel). Groce/Steele/Nored/Jacobson/Shrewsberry/Murray/Hovde/Schmidt/Drew were all unpacked with pros/cons for the current Butler moment.
  • Boston College’s NIL posture remains the limiting factor; absent investment, an “Olen coup” is unlikely. Eric Konkol reads as most likely, with the host arguing Mark Schmidt would be a more substantively competitive basketball choice than a nondescript “safe” hire.
  • Dartmouth will likely hire a high-academic-fluent builder (Kosmalski/Klatsky/MacConnell tier) who accepts a very tough ceiling; the host urged Dartmouth to interview unconventional candidates (elite NE prep, international angles) because standard approaches usually fail there.
  • Macro market: If Will Wade-to-LSU or other SEC/ACC dominos fall, the carousel reshapes quickly (e.g., NC State). Eric Olen and Jared Calhoun loom as the few “under‑48, recent tournament” head coaches who fit multiple open P5s. Luke Murray’s Big East expertise could be undervalued for a job like Butler if they relax the “ex-head coach” requirement.