How about another Ben?

[Chairman Moe]

Ben Jacobson of No Iowa, that is. Has a very similar "profile" to that of Ben Howland when he came here in 1999. Jacobson has a few more years at NI than Howland had at No Arizona, but both were in a competitive mid-major conference, and had teams succeed in the NCAAT. No Iowa defeated UNC this season, so at least he knows how to beat teams in our league!

Seriously, though, this may be the better hire for us, than to try to pry away someone such as G Marshall or A Miller, whose sights are probably set on OSU and NC State, if either of those jobs comes open in the next couple of years. If you compare "Bens", Jacobson doesn't seem too different given his record and experience. One cannot predict when the next "great" coach comes along, but I think this wouldn't be that bad a choice. And he's already had success coaching a team called the "Panthers" . . . he'd fit right in! Wonder if he's interested?

 

[iMissTheOldDayss]

He was real successful against Texas A & M the other night up 12 with 40 seconds left

 

[Chairman Moe]

He was real successful against Texas A & M the other night up 12 with 40 seconds left

Was it he, his players or a combo of both that created that collapse? For his overall record, I don't think you can hang that one 0:44 second period totally on him. It will always be remembered, but I'm sure that it won't happen again to one of his coached teams

 

[drunkinoakland]

Ben Jacobson of No Iowa, that is. Has a very similar "profile" to that of Ben Howland when he came here in 1999. Jacobson has a few more years at NI than Howland had at No Arizona, but both were in a competitive mid-major conference, and had teams succeed in the NCAAT. No Iowa defeated UNC this season, so at least he knows how to beat teams in our league!

Seriously, though, this may be the better hire for us, than to try to pry away someone such as G Marshall or A Miller, whose sights are probably set on OSU and NC State, if either of those jobs comes open in the next couple of years. If you compare "Bens", Jacobson doesn't seem too different given his record and experience. One cannot predict when the next "great" coach comes along, but I think this wouldn't be that bad a choice. And he's already had success coaching a team called the "Panthers" . . . he'd fit right in! Wonder if he's interested?

He is Homer Drew. A lifer at UNI like Drew was at Valpo.

 

[Chairman Moe]

He is Homer Drew. A lifer at UNI like Drew was at Valpo.

But unlike the Drews (Homer and now Bryce) having connections to Valpo, Jacobson is from North Dakota, not Northern Iowa.

You may be right, though - maybe that is his lifetime school. Just saying that if we were to pursue him, I don't think it would be a "bad choice" . . .

 

[magadog]

Jacobson must have Dixon's agent because he has a 10 year contract too,

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

He was real successful against Texas A & M the other night up 12 with 40 seconds left

Yea let's take one snapshot of this guys career and then damn him to eternity for the rest of his life......good call

 

[QuitCallingMeWanny]

as an aside I like Larry Krystowiak and I sure as hell won't begrudge cause he lost to Gonzaga

 

[9nationalchampionships]

How about Willard……

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

He was real successful against Texas A & M the other night up 12 with 40 seconds left

Yea. I'm SURE he told his kids to keep inbounding the ball into the corner. And his best player at inbounding got hurt right before the collapse started. That's his fault too.

Some of the posts on this board are so myopic it's hard to take some of it seriously on any level.

 

[Chairman Moe]

Yea. I'm SURE he told his kids to keep inbounding the ball into the corner. And his best player at inbounding got hurt right before the collapse started. That's his fault too.

Some of the posts on this board are so myopic it's hard to take some of it seriously on any level.

But just think, King, if for some reason we were to hire Jacobson, that incident would be brought up in a heartbeat if he were to "screw up" in a "perceived" coaching error . . .

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

But just think, King, if for some reason we were to hire Jacobson, that incident would be brought up in a heartbeat if he were to "screw up" in a "perceived" coaching error . . .

No kidding. But you're giving some WAY too much credit. It likely won't take more than 15 minutes post the announcement of who it is.

I've read enough here in just the last 72 hours that no matter who is hired someone will be hammering away at something in pretty short order.

 

[Chairman Moe]

No kidding. But you're giving some WAY too much credit. It likely won't take more than 15 minutes post the announcement of who it is.

I've read enough here in just the last 72 hours that no matter who is hired someone will be hammering away at something in pretty short order.

Yeah, I should know that the general tenor of this board is to find the flaws first and beat them to death.

I am guessing, that SB will have Jamie's replacement hired and named by tomorrow. I am sure there was a short list of names already in place before JD made it "official", and if candidate "A" or "B" is willing to negotiate, it shouldn't take more than 48 hours to seal a deal. After all, the new Pitt coach will want to hit the ground running by hiring a staff, contacting the new recruits (hopefully going to their homes); moving, etc.

 

[King Of All Message Boards]

Yeah, I should know that the general tenor of this board is to find the flaws first and beat them to death.

I am guessing, that SB will have Jamie's replacement hired and named by tomorrow. I am sure there was a short list of names already in place before JD made it "official", and if candidate "A" or "B" is willing to negotiate, it shouldn't take more than 48 hours to seal a deal. After all, the new Pitt coach will want to hit the ground running by hiring a staff, contacting the new recruits (hopefully going to their homes); moving, etc.

Yea the further we get away from the craziness of the last 2 days the more it appears the wheels were in motion - in all directions - for more than just 2 or 3 days.

 

[martingale]

I probably will get blasted for this but if we are going to hire a Ben, I would prefer the original, Ben Howland. I also think Howland will listen because Pitt is a better job than MSU and Pittsburgh > Starkville, MS.

Howland has some baggage but I think Howland is more of a sure thing in delivering wins at Pitt than any other possible candidate.

 

[Chairman Moe]

I probably will get blasted for this but if we are going to hire a Ben, I would prefer the original, Ben Howland. I also think Howland will listen because Pitt is a better job than MSU and Pittsburgh > Starkville, MS.

Howland has some baggage but I think Howland is more of a sure thing in delivering wins at Pitt than any other possible candidate.

All I think back on is the Johnny Majors II era, when we brought him back to coach football after he left for TN. Majors was gone for 15 years and came back at age 58; Ben Howland has been gone for 13 years and would come back at . . . . wait for it . . . age 58! Majors had four losing records. I have forgotten how JM did at recruiting but given his record I doubt it was good. Ben H didn't fare very well last year at MSU; gotta wonder if his passion to recruit is still there . . .

 

[frydaze]

Ben Jacobson of No Iowa, that is. Has a very similar "profile" to that of Ben Howland when he came here in 1999. Jacobson has a few more years at NI than Howland had at No Arizona, but both were in a competitive mid-major conference, and had teams succeed in the NCAAT. No Iowa defeated UNC this season, so at least he knows how to beat teams in our league!

Seriously, though, this may be the better hire for us, than to try to pry away someone such as G Marshall or A Miller, whose sights are probably set on OSU and NC State, if either of those jobs comes open in the next couple of years. If you compare "Bens", Jacobson doesn't seem too different given his record and experience. One cannot predict when the next "great" coach comes along, but I think this wouldn't be that bad a choice. And he's already had success coaching a team called the "Panthers" . . . he'd fit right in! Wonder if he's interested?

Ben Jacobsen would not consider coming to Pitt.

He has made it clear he's a Midwest guy (originally from North Dakota) and by every account he's very happy at UNI and for him it's not about the size of the office or the contract, but rather feeling comfortable.

If Jacobsen leaves UNI one day, it will be either to Minnesota (that job will likely be open a year from now (when Pitino gets fired there) or the Iowa job. Wisconsin would have been another possibility had they not retained the interim guy as permanent head coach so they are off the table right now.

 

[Black Panther]

All I think back on is the Johnny Majors II era, when we brought him back to coach football after he left for TN. Majors was gone for 15 years and came back at age 58; Ben Howland has been gone for 13 years and would come back at . . . . wait for it . . . age 58! Majors had four losing records. I have forgotten how JM did at recruiting but given his record I doubt it was good. Ben H didn't fare very well last year at MSU; gotta wonder if his passion to recruit is still there . . .

The difference is the football program was in shambles as far as talent/depth and just about everything else.Remember begging for walk ons? The basketball program is in much better shape at this time.

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

The difference is the football program was in shambles as far as talent/depth and just about everything else.Remember begging for walk ons? The basketball program is in much better shape at this time.

The other difference is that Majors at 58 had a lot more proverbial miles on him than Howland has now. Remember that Majors was forced out at Tennessee after some pretty major health issues.

 

[Chairman Moe]

The other difference is that Majors at 58 had a lot more proverbial miles on him than Howland has now. Remember that Majors was forced out at Tennessee after some pretty major health issues.

Well I guess we could all agree that a 58 yr old Howland coming back to Pitt will not want to move again until retirement or firing. He'd probably keep Knight as an assistant (guessing) which might help keep the three recruits

Still, I think a 15 yr younger version of Howland is my first preference

 

[Joe the Panther Fan]

Well I guess we could all agree that a 58 yr old Howland coming back to Pitt will not want to move again until retirement or firing. He'd probably keep Knight as an assistant (guessing) which might help keep the three recruits

Still, I think a 15 yr younger version of Howland is my first preference

For the record, I don't want Howland back. First of all, no retreads. Secondly, when you leave the way that he did you shouldn't have the chance to come back even if you want to.

 

[UPitt '89]

Ben Howland coming back is the JM2 of basketball.

No.

No retreads.

 

[KiwiJeff]

Yea let's take one snapshot of this guys career and then damn him to eternity for the rest of his life......good call

Bill bucker not pleased.

 

[DT_PITT]

Ben Jacobson of No Iowa, that is. Has a very similar "profile" to that of Ben Howland when he came here in 1999. Jacobson has a few more years at NI than Howland had at No Arizona, but both were in a competitive mid-major conference, and had teams succeed in the NCAAT. No Iowa defeated UNC this season, so at least he knows how to beat teams in our league!

Seriously, though, this may be the better hire for us, than to try to pry away someone such as G Marshall or A Miller, whose sights are probably set on OSU and NC State, if either of those jobs comes open in the next couple of years. If you compare "Bens", Jacobson doesn't seem too different given his record and experience. One cannot predict when the next "great" coach comes along, but I think this wouldn't be that bad a choice. And he's already had success coaching a team called the "Panthers" . . . he'd fit right in! Wonder if he's interested?

He's on the short list to approach, I've been told.

But who knows if anything that anyone I'm told means anything anymore.