Dawning Sun Devil, Smoky Friar?: #SearchSZN

The Spaces unpacked a busy night on the college basketball coaching carousel. The host, Curry Hicks Sage, centered the discussion on Providence College’s search: credible sourcing indicates Rick Pitino is actively urging Billy Donovan to return to college at his alma mater, while Herb Sendek (Santa Clara) remains the most logical and attainable option given Providence’s budget constraints. A Rick Pitino tweet lauding Herb Sendek (and notably omitting Billy Donovan) was read as ‘socializing’ Sendek’s candidacy, though Donovan remains a compelling legacy swing. Elsewhere, Arizona State’s parameters are murky if Bobby Hurley departs, with long-shot names like Randy Bennett and practical targets like Eric Olen floated. Mid-major stock-watch highlighted Scott Cross (Troy) and Bob Richey (Furman), while UNCG’s dismissal of Mike Jones drew sharp industry pushback. Callers drove hypotheticals: SMU’s wealth could trigger a high-major chain; Oklahoma’s Porter Moser may hinge on the SEC tourney amid a new arena; Memphis buzz on Penny Hardaway was split. Broader themes included the emerging GM/coach divide (framed by the St. Bonaventure Woge–Schmidt saga), AD hiring biases (BC deliberations), and blue-blood watch (Self’s health, Barnes retirement chatter, Hubert Davis stability). The show closed with rapid-fire names for Oregon State and St. Bonaventure and a reminder that March outcomes may swing several decisions.

Search Season Live — Coaching Carousel Deep Dive and Rumor Audit

Context and Format of the Session

• Host: “Sage” (widely known online as Curry Hicks Sage; UMass alum/fan media figure). Conducted a free‑form Twitter Spaces on March 9 during Championship Week, blending reporting, sourced rumor‑checking, and interactive Q&A.
• Housekeeping: Reiterated subscription model (archive access, coach of the year ballot for subscribers) and noted recent growth in sign‑ups after shortening the free replay window. Emphasized independence (avoiding corporate sponsorship) and pitched the value of “Search Season Coach of the Year” visibility for coaches.
• Tone: Informal and self‑aware; shows of fatigue and humor interludes (e.g., a caller from Nigeria) punctuated a primarily substantive discussion.

Providence (PC) Head Coach Watch: Donovan fascination, Sendek signal, and process dynamics

• What triggered renewed Billy Donovan talk:

  • Sage built a speculative case (clearly labeled as such) that Providence has at least asked the question of whether Billy Donovan might return to college and to his alma mater. Factors he laid out:
    • His age (60), recent family losses, legacy considerations, and emotional ties to Providence.
    • Mike Tranghese’s advisory presence and his deep PC/Big East relationships with Donovan and Rick Pitino.
    • Providence’s reported budget constraints after recent buyout expenditures, which could favor a uniquely resourced/wealth‑independent candidate like Donovan over a costly buyout of a sitting college head coach.
    • The search’s pace felt “ahead of schedule,” implying a candidate not still coaching; Billy’s NBA calendar could accommodate a later formal start.
  • New information Sage says he vetted: Rick Pitino has been actively encouraging Billy Donovan to take the PC job. Sage stressed this does not mean Donovan is reciprocating interest.

• Rick Pitino’s tweet and the Herb Sendek breadcrumb:

  • Pitino tweeted a nostalgic PC staff roll call that conspicuously highlighted Herb Sendek’s resume and omitted Donovan’s, which many read as purposeful signaling.
  • A parody/rumor account pushed “Herb Sendek to PC is done.” Dick Vitale briefly replied favorably to the idea. Sage’s read: Sendek is a real, logical candidate; “done” is not credible.

• Why Sendek is logical but not inevitable:

  • Positives: Proven high‑major record (NC State, Arizona State), strong rebuild at Santa Clara (player development, NBA placements, fundraising acumen), and a pathway to control the WCC post‑Gonzaga’s exit.
  • Barriers: Age (mid‑60s), lifestyle fit (Santa Clara is a comfortable, well‑funded situation), and cross‑country upheaval late‑career. PC fandom likely respects Sendek, but a move’s practicality remains questionable.

• Other names, constraints, and odds (as characterized live by Sage):

  • Jared Calhoun (Utah State): high buyout (~$5M) is misaligned with PC’s reported spend posture.
  • Joe Gallo (Merrimack): fits certain PC profile elements, but momentum felt tepid relative to Sendek rumor.
  • Bryan Hodgson (Arkansas State) linked more to Syracuse or Pitt (via relationships) than to PC.
  • “Shirts/Schertz” (Josh Schertz, Indiana State): splash candidate tier, but money/process feel mismatched unless donor mood shifts.
  • Sage’s informal odds snapshot at one point (not a prediction): Sendek ~3:1; Donovan ~5:1; Gallo ~4:1; “other” longer shots spread across a large field.

• Process notes:

  • Sage repeatedly emphasized separating validated facts from inference. He believes the search is savvy (Tranghese’s involvement, Pitino’s influence, and smoke‑screening), and PC has motivation to “nail it.”
  • View from guest “Divine Fryers” (PC voice): “Possible but not probable” for Donovan; Sendek rumor is real (even if not ‘done’); agreed PC will be exhaustive after last year’s rushed cycle.

Arizona State (ASU): Bobby Hurley status and target tiers

• Conflicting signals: Field of 68 suggested Hurley’s tenure may be ending; Adam Zagoria indicated “not over.” Sage’s view: dignity optics and timing are likely in play; on‑court miracle (e.g., a run) would complicate decisive action.
• Parameters still unclear: Some sources say ASU will “spend big,” others say status quo.
• Names and feasibility discussed:
  • Randy Bennett (Saint Mary’s): Tempe native; elite, understated builder; unlikely to move at this stage, but the local connection is real.
  • Greg McDermott (Creighton): Golf/real estate ties to Arizona; Sage doubts it leads to a move; succession plan (Huss) at Creighton seems baked in.
  • Eric Olen (New Mexico per host’s commentary): Seen by Sage as smart, sane, high‑value. He added a (self‑qualified) note about past ties with ASU leadership from school days. (Note: Olen’s current program is UC San Diego; the “New Mexico” reference was repeated by the host.)
  • Later in the show: A caller suggested Mark Madsen (Cal) as a strong ASU cultural/fit option. Sage endorsed the concept based on coaching quality and program shape at Cal.

UNC Greensboro (UNCG) dismissal and SoCon context

• Decision: UNCG dismissed head coach Mike Jones after four seasons (three 20‑win years; 15‑19 this season at 9‑9 in SoCon; semifinal run in conference tournament).
• Sage’s reaction (strongly critical):
  • Coaches around the league messaged him expressing surprise and disapproval.
  • SoCon is ultra‑competitive with limited NIL disparities (Furman/Bob Richey, ETSU/Brooke Savage, Chattanooga/Dan Earl, etc.); sustained 20‑win seasons have meaningful value.
  • AD Brian Mackin (bio: ex‑UAB AD, banking background) was lampooned for “LinkedIn‑speak” and what Sage views as a process lacking basketball acumen. Implicit warning: beware non‑descript high‑major assistants with shallow track records.

CAA tournament window and mid‑major mobility

• Game window: Hofstra vs. Towson produced late‑game drama.
• Speedy Claxton (Hofstra): Talented, but Sage argued job fit matters. As a Hofstra alum with a flexible roster pipeline, his next‑step options may be limited. Fit schools mentioned: Rhode Island (if open) more than BC; skeptical of immediate high‑major jump.
• Pat Skerry (Towson): “Mr. Massachusetts” profile (Tufts alum, deep New England ties; ex‑PC assistant) and consistent grinder. Could slot for URI if it opens, but Sage doubts BC/URI pull the trigger absent a tournament bid.
• King Rice (Monmouth): Once buzzy; long tenure with mixed recent results.

SMU and high‑major chain‑reaction thought exercise

• Prompt from guest (Scott Hughes): If another Enfield‑style cascade hits, what could it look like?
• Hypothetical scenarios floated live:
  • If SMU (ACC-bound, rich donor base) makes a change, Josh Schertz (Indiana State) could be lured with resource promises (coach comp + NIL). Enfield/Schertz share an agent; that can smooth or complicate timing.
  • Buzz Williams to Kansas State (stylistic fit); Tony Skinn to Maryland or Georgetown (DC roots; familiarity with Willard at Maryland); Ed Cooley to Boston College (Boston base, wave the buyout).
  • Note: These were framed as “naked speculation,” not reporting.

Oklahoma, Memphis, LSU, Tennessee, UNC, Kansas — Big‑Brand Watchlist

• Oklahoma (Porter Moser):

  • Status: Outcome‑dependent in Big 12 tourney; one source told Sage “it depends how things go in Nashville this week.”
  • Infrastructure: New ~8,000‑seat arena/entertainment district moving forward; should raise job’s appeal.
  • NIL: Currently lagging but could change; OU’s ceiling should be Sweet 16 territory with periodic lottery‑level talent.
  • Names: Sage likes Scott Cross (Troy) as a culture/production fit; caller agreed. If retained, Moser may get a larger NIL budget, but Sage questioned medium‑term ceiling in the SEC.

• Memphis (Penny Hardaway):

  • Conflicting intel: One high‑level source told Sage the job will open; others insisted Penny will be retained with a staff overhaul.
  • A caller claimed new AD (“Rad”) wants tight media control; Sage noted Memphis is historically a “leaky” ecosystem with many plugged‑in stakeholders. Conclusion: truly 50/50; watch the next week.

• LSU: The domino to watch. Sage said there’s chatter that it’s “Will Wade’s job to lose.” If LSU moves, it could trigger significant high‑major movement (e.g., NC State/Maryland/Georgetown/Kansas State sequences) depending on who jumps where.

• Tennessee (Rick Barnes): Retirement chatter surfaces annually; nothing concrete. If it opened, Sage repeatedly flagged Josh Schertz as a compelling fit. Mentioned rumor of Justin Gainey succession, but doubts Danny White would allow a late “coach‑in‑waiting” handoff.

• North Carolina (Hubert Davis): Strong regular season stabilized prior hot‑seat talk. An early ACC + NCAA faceplant would raise noise, but Sage expects at least one more year even in a rough finish.

• Kansas (Bill Self): Health scares sparked early‑season retirement chatter among coaches/insiders, which then cooled. Some say it could still be in play; Sage admits Kansas is a “black box” for him. Outside names (e.g., Jacque Vaughn, even a stray Todd Golden mention) surfaced on the rumor mill, but no firm reporting.

Boston College — If it opens, what profile?

• Billy Donovan to BC: Sage dismissed outright; BC’s structural constraints make mega‑hires implausible regardless of sentimental ties.
• Luke Murray (UConn) to BC: Unlikely; he’s well‑compensated and BC is not the place to learn on the job with limited resources.
• Broad view: If BC moves on, Sage argued they should go radically “out of the box” (e.g., a European‑experienced coach) or embrace a disciplined program‑builder. He’s skeptical BC will authorize a relentless promoter/marketer archetype.

St. Bonaventure and the “Woj–Schmidt” GM model debate

• Coaching transition context: Mark Schmidt’s exit and alumni influence (notably ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski) triggered a broader conversation on GM‑like oversight in college hoops.
• Sage’s synthesis:
  • Perception among many coaches: resistance to a non‑coach (reporter/alum) exerting roster/NIL control.
  • His bottom line: In NIL era, overpaying a coach at a resource‑challenged program is untenable; some form of GM/ops split may be necessary at select schools if roles are clearly defined and respected.
• Names circulating for SBU (as discussed live):
  • David Vanterpool (Wizards assistant).
  • Damon (D‑II) head coach (referred to on air as a Bonnies alum and friend of the program).
  • A caller’s wildcard: Griff Aldrich (independently wealthy; Longwood résumé). Sage found the concept sensible financially, but questioned cultural fit (Bonaventure’s Franciscan/Catholic identity vs. Aldrich’s profile).

Additional Market Notes and Mid‑Major Boards

• Bob Richey (Furman): Back in the NCAA; praised for high‑level offensive scheme. Viewed as ready for an upper‑tier opportunity (ACC/Power job depending on fit and NIL).
• Scott Cross (Troy): Back‑to‑back Sun Belt titles with comparatively little money; Sage believes he’s done enough to merit serious Power‑level attention (Georgia Tech mention surfaced earlier; Oklahoma later).
• SoCon parity: Spotlighted Dan Earl (Chattanooga), Brooke Savage (ETSU), and the league’s balance given limited NIL disparities.
• High Point/Big South: Flagged extreme NIL/facility asymmetry making HPU overwhelmingly advantaged.
• Pacific Northwest openings:
  • Oregon State: Regional head coaches Jase Coburn (Portland State) and Chris Victor (Seattle U) cited; assistant names included RJ Barsh (Gonzaga staff) and Justin Joyner (Saint Mary’s/now with Dusty May). OSU job perceived as relatively more workable post‑Pac‑12 due to reduced peer resource gaps.
  • San Diego hired JR Blunt (Iowa State assistant) the day of the show — used as a window into how assistants’ trees (Medved, Otzelberger, Bennett, May) are being tracked.
• Wake Forest (Steve Forbes): A caller flagged a decommit; Sage said internal signals point to Forbes returning. Wake’s donors like him, resources are modest (ACC peers have 2–3x NIL), and a 13‑win ACC season recently missed the NCAA — underscoring league perception issues.
• Shaka Smart to Pitt (hypothetical from a caller): Sage liked the cultural fit and suggested Shaka is ready to evolve his recruiting/portal approach.
• Mark Few (Gonzaga): Retirement was raised. Consensus (on air): succession feels internally set, making it a low‑drama transition should it happen.
• Tad Boyle (Colorado): Caller wondered about retirement; Sage noted a young, ambitious AD and floated (speculative) links to Eric Olen if that ever opened, while stressing Colorado is a tough Big 12 job without a resource surge.
• Speedy Claxton (Hofstra): Strong coaching, but path to the right next job is scenario‑dependent; URI mentioned as a sensible next step if it opens.
• Pat Hodgson to Syracuse: A caller asserted he’s the front‑runner; Sage was non‑committal.
• Butler: Caller posited final two were John Groce and Travis Steele; Sage’s take — Steele may be better served riding Miami (OH) momentum with a long security extension and NIL build rather than jumping to a tough Big East job.

Subscriber Engagement and Awards

• “Search Season Coach of the Year” ballot launched for subscribers (32 names cited during the show: e.g., Schertz, Eric Olen, John Shulman, Mike Magpayo, Joe Gallo, Scott Cross, Brooke Savage). Sage emphasized the signaling/buzz value of this specific award during the carousel.

Notable Callers and Their Angles

• Adam (Memphis): Claimed Pat Hodgson is a lock for Syracuse; floated Jim Larrañaga/BC speculation (host disagreed). Posed Butler finalists (Groce/Steele).
• Divine Fryers (PC voice): Validated Sendek’s plausibility; sees Donovan as “possible, not probable”; highlighted CAA chaos and Pat Skerry’s New England fit.
• Scott Hughes (parity account): Spurred the chain‑reaction exercise at the high‑major level.
• Texas Hook’em 22 (returning “MVP” from last cycle): Gave Texas booster temperature (Sean Miller now trusted; more NIL coming), slammed Chris Beard’s conduct, and asked about OU/OSU/KU/UNC; pushed Oregon State topic.
• Brandon (NYC transplant from WV/OH): Offered a MAC/Akron–Duquesne–Butler carousel thought; light banter on NYC quality of life.
• Gabriel (West Coast correspondent): Asked about Lamar and Air Force; offered Oregon State assistant names before dropping.
• Tyler: Posed Griff Aldrich to St. Bonaventure idea — host endorsed the logic if culture fit is managed.
• MBJ: Pitched Shaka Smart to Pitt — host liked it.
• Justin: Asked about Wake’s decommit and LSU’s potential to explode the carousel — host agreed LSU is a prime domino.
• Wisconsin Gator: Asked about Donovan to PC/BC and Luke Murray at BC — host said PC is a real long‑shot possibility; BC is unrealistic for both.

Key Takeaways and Likelihood Snapshots (as characterized during the session)

• Providence:
  • Most plausible non‑splash: Herb Sendek (real smoke, not “done”).
  • Dream swing: Billy Donovan (Rick Pitino pushing; still unlikely but thinkable).
  • Other chatter: Joe Gallo; Jared Calhoun’s buyout likely prohibitive; Hodgson fits elsewhere better.
• Arizona State: Hurley status unsettled; if open, expect calls to Randy Bennett; creative fits could include Mark Madsen; McDermott talk viewed skeptically by host.
• UNCG: Firing panned by coaches and host; SoCon’s grind was underappreciated.
• SMU: If they move quickly again, they can buy a top mid‑major (Schertz) and support with ACC‑level NIL.
• Oklahoma: Conference tourney will drive outcome; Scott Cross named as a prime cultural fit if they part with Moser.
• Memphis: Truly 50/50 based on conflicting credible inputs; could resolve quickly post‑season.
• LSU: If it opens and Wade returns, expect a multi‑job cascade.
• UNC/Kansas/Tennessee: Watchlists more than imminent moves; Barnes retirement chatter appears every year; Self’s status uncertain longer‑term; Hubert stabilized the heat.

Bright Spots, Low‑Majors, and Fit‑First Lessons

• Coaching quality clusters matter: Richey (Furman), Cross (Troy), Schertz (Indiana State), Magpayo (Fordham), Senderoff (Kent State) were repeatedly praised.
• Fit is king: BC, Wake, and Oklahoma examples underscored that resources, NIL strategy, and institutional appetite determine whether a proven coach can translate.
• The GM model is coming in some form: The Woj–Schmidt saga is a preview; the programs that clearly divide roster/ops from coaching and empower both sides will find edges as NIL professionalizes.

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Note: This summary reflects what was said on the recording, distinguishing verified facts from host‑labeled speculation. Names and linkages mentioned by participants are captured as presented in the discussion, not as independent confirmations.