Doug Collins on the Dan Patrick Show
Chris Collins' father (current head coach of the 76'ers) was on the DP show this morning and towards the end of the interview was asked about Chris. Here is some of what he said, as best I can recall:
- DP asked if he thought the Duke job would come down to Collins and Wojo once K retires. Doug Collins said he would not recommend that his son take the job due to the enormous pressure of having to follow Coach K and all he has done, not only on the court but within the community. He also thought that K would probably coach another 7-8 years, and that Chris would instead take a job elsewhere in the interim.
- DP asked if Chris has turned down head coaching jobs, and Doug said yes. He said Chris does not want to take over a program that is down and needs to be rebuilt, but instead wants to go to a winning program whose head coach has moved on (later, DP's intern or whatever suggested UCONN as a possibility if Calhoun retires this year or next, but DP thought replacing a three-time national champion coach would be a big enough challenge in itself).
- Doug said that Chris is in a great position right now, that Coach K is like a CEO who delegates a lot of responsibility to his assistants. Said that K is "training them [Collins and Wojo] to be head coaches."
- After the interview DP continued discussing the issue and offered his opinion that Wojo is the one who has been "chosen" by K to be his replacement. He bases this on the fact that Wojo appears with K at events more often, and that it's just a gut feeling.
There was more that I didn't get to hear, but it was all interesting stuff. Here's a link to the full show
'Professional' Coaches, Aren't They
Quote:
Originally Posted by
OldPhiKap
Mike Brey is part of the family, and wouldn't have the problem of being a former player.
(Which, yes, I think would be an extra burden for JD/Tommy/Jeff/D.Hendu/Wojo/Chris).
Does anyone here really think that Duke basketball alums and ex-coaches in the profession would have a "problem" accepting another ACC job if the school/program were competitive and the money was right? I don't see how it would possibly be a problem, although the coaches may play a bit to the fans by describing "conflicting emotions." ("Loyalty" being very big with fans; paychecks being very big with coaches and their families.)
I know K wouldn't like it (he has said so many times, and I believe him), but it ain't his decision.
It seems to me that there are 12 ACC schools, each with its own niche. I have a hard time seeing them going for the same recruits any more so than Duke competing with non-ACC schools, many of whom have ex-Duke coaches and players.
And as to looking down the court at Cameron or elsewhere and seeing K in a suit, why is this a problem? It is just another challenge.
I hate to be unsentimental about this, but that's how I feel.
My main complaint, for example, about knowledgeable announcers is that many of them are so negative -- criticizing the players, teams and coaches. The game is supposed to be fun and enjoyable for the players and fans. Fun for the coaches? Nah! That's really a stretch.
sagegrouse