Dawkins/Wojo/Collins HC prospects

[Clipsfan]

^^Wojo certainly loves it at Duke, there is no question about that, but, if he does have aspirations of becoming a head coach one day, he will be taking one of these openings in the near future. Because, in my opinion, if anyone in the current Duke family is taking over the program when K leaves, it is Chris Collins. With that said, however, I don't think he takes the South Alabama job. I agree with watzone, if he tunred down Utah, then it wouldn't make much sense if Wojo signed with USA.

As for the Chris Collins possibility, Would anyone here like to see this happen? Say, after another five or six years learning from the legend? Chris is certainly passionate and devout enough to handle a head coaching job in Division I, but could he work in Durham? I think this will be an interesting question a few years down the road from now.

I've always thought that Dawkins was the heir apparent? Why are you discounting/forgetting about him?

[wojcol]

I think both of these guys will make great head coaches.

[77devil]

Because, in my opinion, if anyone in the current Duke family is taking over the program when K leaves, it is Chris Collins.

Your joking, right?

[Duke15304]

in the long run, it might be better they go and be successful at another job and then bring them back after K, but at the same time, none of our guys have been great, but i think our staff now has a chance to really be succesful

[Lord Ash]

I will say this, Coach Collins is a coach's son of a highly regarded coach, and I have faith he will be an excellent coach.

[kydevil]

in the long run, it might be better they go and be successful at another job and then bring them back after K, but at the same time, none of our guys have been great, but i think our staff now has a chance to really be succesful

I agree, I think before any assistant was to be hired they would have to go prove themselves elsewhere to show they can handle all the pressures of head coaching...

[Cameron]

I've always thought that Dawkins was the heir apparent? Why are you discounting/forgetting about him?

Because Johnny has said on numerous occassions over the years that he does not want the job. And, this has also been backed up by those very close to the program many times before.

Your joking, right?

Well, considering if Dawkins really does not want the job, and I don't think he does, then, no, I am not joking. In six or seven years from now, when Coach K steps away from the program, I think Chris would be THE choice from the Duke family. Quin has already blown that chance, and I'm not sure we'd really want Amaker or Brey taking over the reigns. Wojo is the only other truly concievable choice, but I think Chris would be the better head guy. Just my opinion.

With that said, however, we will hire a coach outside the family.

[JasonEvans]

In six or seven years from now, when Coach K steps away from the program, I think Chris would be THE choice from the Duke family. Quin has already blown that chance, and I'm not sure we'd really want Amaker or Brey taking over the reigns. Wojo is the only other truly concievable choice, but I think Chris would be the better head guy. Just my opinion.

With that said, however, we will hire a coach outside the family.

1) I think it is a little more than 6 or 7 years away. Coach K just turned 60 back in February. Lute Olsen is 72. Jim Calhoun is 64 and is nowhere near retirment. Bobby Knight is 67.

K is 105 wins behind Bobby Knight, which is 4 pretty good seasons of wins. While K may not talk about it, I think he probably would not mind retiring with the all-time win record. So, once Knight retires, figure you can start counting K down at that point. I know it is just an arbitrary number, but I suspect K will coach until he is 70.

2) I don't think Duke will confine its search to only guys who have been part of the program and coached under K. I am sure K would like it to go to someone who loves the program almost as much as he does, but I think he and whoever else is involved in the search will want to find the best person for the job-- the best person to lead Duke into the future.

3) That said, I suspect they will look first to guys who are close to the Duke program. In this regard, I'll be interested in seeing how Jeff Capel does at Oklahoma. He and Brey are the only K offspring who have big-time coaching jobs right now. I like what Capel did at ODU and his first season at Oklahoma was better than most folks expected. He needs to show some real recruiting chops, but the future looks bright for him.

4) If K is, as I suspect, closer to a decade away, then we will have a ton more info upon which to base this decision. I still think there could be a former player who could emerge as NBA careers begin to wind down. Grant Hill and Shane Battier both strike me as guys who could be remarkable coaches someday.

-Jason

[gep]

Because Johnny has said on numerous occassions over the years that he does not want the job. And, this has also been backed up by those very close to the program many times before.

Also, in another thread, some posted their thoughts that Dawkins was happy in his position, and that Dawkins would probably retire *along with* Coach K when the day comes...

[watzone]

I have never heard JD say he didn't want the job. I don't think he would be the Associate HC if he didn't. One thing is certain, we have great staff. Wojo may be the man one day and CC has matured into a fine prospect. If JD has said he doesn't want the job, I'd love to see that link.

[dukestheheat]

Patrick Yates, et. al.,

Here's my take on Dawkins as head coach for Duke and how it might play out.

First of all, I do believe that Duke's next coach (and folks, when K announces that he's retiring, I'm taking a month off of work and going on Prozac) will have head coaching experience, and I agree with you Patrick that the assistants under K, given head coaching opportunities, have not fared well (except Capel). And, head coaching experience is going to be a necessity for Duke basketball, given that this is such a high-profile job.

That said, I bet that when Dawkins leaves Duke to take a head coaching job somewhere out there, the tea leaves are then showing K tipping his hand at an imminent retirement date. In other words, he'll get Johnny out there to get that head coaching experience with the action plan in place to get him back to Duke when K finally calls it quits, and Dawkins has five years under his belt out there somewhere.

just a gut feeling, or opinion, and again, you know what they say about opinions and gut feelings.

dth.

[duke98]

Let's not forget, Jeff Capel recruited the players on the VCU team that beat us in the tournament this year. Ok, maybe we can forget the game...but don't forget the success he's had so far. If he can dig out from under the mess that Kelvin Sampson left at Oklahoma -- and someday, someone's gotta explain to me how a coach can rack up violations like that and just leave scot-free -- I expect him to be one of the top coaches in the nation ten years from now. He's the son of a coach AND has the benefit of playing for one of the greatest coaches of all time -- how can you go wrong with that combination?

Also, I think any suggestion that Jeff bears a grudge against Duke is wildly exaggerated. I was at the infamous "boo game" and unless my memory is playing tricks on me, to describe it as a "boo" is going overboard -- it was more of a collective sigh or grumble. Those were frustrating times, and the incident in question was more a combination of frustrated sounds than the outright booing you sometimes hear in, say, the Dean Dome.

[feldspar]

4) If K is, as I suspect, closer to a decade away, then we will have a ton more info upon which to base this decision. I still think there could be a former player who could emerge as NBA careers begin to wind down. Grant Hill and Shane Battier both strike me as guys who could be remarkable coaches someday.

Perhaps Grant, but I suspect it will be hard for Shane to coach the Duke team from the Oval Office.

[BlueDevilBaby]

Perhaps Grant, but I suspect it will be hard for Shane to coach the Duke team from the Oval Office.

If anybody could do it, he could.

[dukeisawesome]

If JJ doesn't start getting minutes, he might wind up coaching Duke. I am half-serious about this. While I think JJ can do well in the NBA, one never knows and its certainly conceivable he doesn't get a 2nd contract since Orlando isn't really giving him minutes.

I think the job is Dawkins though if he wants it. Wojo and Collins are likely to take head coaching jobs elsewhere IMO as it seems they both would like to be a head coach one day and it'd then be a gamble to wait it out at Duke so long.

Just noticed somebody mentioned Grant and Shane. Grant is way too laid back to be a head coach IMO. I don't think he wants the stress in any way, shape, or form. Shane is a more likely prospect, very interesting. It's usually always the guards that coach, but Shane certainly seems like he'd do a good job so who knows.

[prefan21]

I could sleep peacefully at night knowing Shane Battier would be Duke's next head coach.

[Olympic Fan]

I can't believe some of the things I'm reading on this thread. Have I been living in an alternate reality or have you guys?

In the first place, I've NEVER heard or seen quoted anything about Dawkins not wanting the job when K steps down. I have heard him say on numerous occasions that he wouldn't leave Duke for another head job. I know Georgetown wanted him very badly when they ended up hiring John Thompson III.

On the other hand, last summer during his annual meeting with the press, Coach K told reporters than if he has any input on his successor, he'd recommend Johnny D.

I thought everybody knew Johnny was K's heir apparent. Obviously, a lot could change, depending on how long K coaches (which I suspect will be as long as his health holds out), but as it now stands, it's going to be Dawkins.

[SmartDevil]

I think K's retirement is a long time away.

Agree with those who think his eventual successor MUST have a prior track record as a head coach.

Plenty of time for all the names mentioned to acquire that experience. Personally, though, I don't think Johnny wants the Duke job (and not sure he wants to be a head coach anywhere.)

I think Grant Hill and Shane Battier would probably be very capable college head coaches post-NBA but who knows if they want to do it either? They'll have a ton of non-coaching opportunities open to them.

[watzone]

I think K's retirement is a long time away.

Agree with those who think his eventual successor MUST have a prior track record as a head coach.

Plenty of time for all the names mentioned to acquire that experience. Personally, though, I don't think Johnny wants the Duke job (and not sure he wants to be a head coach anywhere.)

I think Grant Hill and Shane Battier would probably be very capable college head coaches post-NBA but who knows if they want to do it either? They'll have a ton of non-coaching opportunities open to them.

Have I earned some cred over here yet? The time was a year ago. I asked Johnny, "tell me something, do you want the head coaching job when K leaves?" Johnny said, "what do you think?" as if it were a dumb question.

Once and for all, he is the Associate Head Coach of Duke Basketball. If K goes down for any reason, Johnny takes over. Let me go further .. more personal.

Coach Gaudet took over in 95 when K had back surgery. Pete and I had met at a Sports Card show. It didn't take him long to realize how big a Duke fan I was. He was a wondeful man, kind, caring and faithful to Duke.

However, when it came time to feel the gap, Pete failed. He sat a little too still and lost the team that year. Sure, it wasn't all his fault, but it was his turn ... he was second in command and depended upon to keep the ship afloat.

He was let go and it saddened me, but I sorta understood. Coach K is not about to let that happen again. That is why he has groomed Johnny at every turn, preparing him to take the reigns should something happen.

True, JD is a family man and doesn't hit the road recruiting that much, but his kids are almost grown now and look for things to change a bit. Keep in mind though, when JD goes on a visit or gets involved, he is prepared ... a trump card of sorts. Many Duke palyers are here because of him, Gerald Henderson for one.

So, enough already unless you have some facts. It doesn't take a lot of studying to se that after Mike Brey, all coaches are from the Duke family. That will always be the case as long as K is here and Duke listens to him in retirement.

Which Dukie takes over will have Dukies around him ... it IS a family thing.

That said, I hate the who will take over threads that waste fans time. K is here, go with it. Enjoy the here and now and let things run their course knowing he is in charge and that he runs a tight ship where everybody knows their duty.

To say, Johnny Dawkins isn't the heir apparant means you are not paying attention or you haven't been around since say the late eighties. As Olympic fan more or less said, it this Bizzaro World?

Let me end this by saying I have love for Wojo and Collins too and would feel comfortable with them in any position with Duke Basketball.

[langdonfan]

Tim O'Toole and Mike Jarvis, Jr. (although I don't think Jarvis was officially an "assistant coach") both came after Mike Brey and I don't believe either was a former Duke athlete.

Speaking of assistants who didn't play for Duke, does anyone think there will be a spot on the Duke sideline for Chris Spatola (Coach K's son-in-law) when he is ready? He has said publicly he wants to be a coach when he is done serving in the Army.