What is Brandin Knight's best asset as an Assistant? I was under the impression

[Pete108K11]

Jim Calhoun gives a ton of credit to George Blaney for making him a better coach. There are a lot of other examples, but you are either moving forward or going backwards. JD is going backwards and would greatly benefit from a veteran #1 and a good, aggressive asst. who can recruit. The program is stale.

Hire Monty Williams

 

[eastcoasthoops]

I think Regan should go. I don't really believe I've heard a whole lot good about him and have heard his personality isn't the greatest. Maybe that's wrong, I don't know him personally, but that's just what I've heard. I know he recruits locally to the degree his position allows him to do so, and his brother is now a Judge but it's probably time to move on. I think he wanted bumped up when Smoke was hired, he even told a couple people he would be. It's pretty telling that he wasnt, IMO. As Matt said a few weeks ago, that position is usually used as a stepping stone for guys like Richards, but Regan has been there for awhile and has blocked anyone else from getting the position.

I think Barton is going to move on. He's been rumored to be doing so for the last two years. I would guess he might be ready to move on himself. He has done a decent job the last few years recruiting juco and 5th year guys but the ceiling should be higher than that. I think he should be replaced, at least his position is a recruiting one even if he isn't technically the top assistant. Replacing Regan does nothing to help recruiting bc he cant really recruit off campus.

I had the great "fortune" of running into Regan at the airport last year. Stuck in TSA with him right behind me. I offered a quick quip about being a Pitt fan and wished him luck on the road. He was less than engaging. Not that a 20 second interaction while waiting insufferably in line should be the defining factor of someone's character…but as I was jamming my laptop back in my briefcase, all I could think was that this guy has the personality of wet toast. How does he connect with kids?

 

[heybandguy]

I don't mind the idea of a veteran on the bench either. Maybe BK's standards are everything he conveyed and demonstrated as a player during his junior and senior years - but it doesn't seem like he is succeeding getting those qualities or developing that skill set out of the current back court group. If he goes he goes, but I think there might be too much sentimentality for JD to part with him, unless his hand is forced.

 

[Piranha]

Jim Calhoun gives a ton of credit to George Blaney for making him a better coach. There are a lot of other examples, but you are either moving forward or going backwards. JD is going backwards and would greatly benefit from a veteran #1 and a good, agressive asst. who can recruit. The program is stale.

Hire Monty Williams

He is an incredible person, and role model. His wife passed away, and in the midst of it provided an awesome message on forgiveness.

 

[cabe23]

When you say there are rumors about Barton leaving, is that actual rumors, or posting on this site? Agree about Regan.

He was up for a couple jobs the last few offseasons so more like informed speculation.

 

[KiwiJeff]

He was up for a couple jobs the last few offseasons so more like informed speculation.

Oh ok, thanks.

 

[BigZeke]

My guess is that Barton and Regan go. An experienced coach (with prior head coaching on his resume) with recent ACC recruiting contacts is hired as Assistant Head. Knight and Williamson stay and Richards is promoted to replace Regan.

Knight has been on the staff when we were good, Barton was not. Knight clearly knows more about basketball than either Barton or Williamson, I know Bob Prince and Mike Lange were fired. I do not expect the same to happen with Brandin Knight. Without Knight and Krauser even with Howland and Dixon, Pitt would be Duquesne before Everhart and Ferry.

Maybe he has not been the best recruiter but who made the decision to concentrate on Rowan, Herron and Diallo and ignore Gibbs and Powell? Was that Knight's decision?

Brandin Knight is a Pitt icon. I can not envision him being fired.

Pretty simple actually - you hire a Gaudio-type as Associate HC, promote Richards and leave BK the Lead Assistant in title. The new hire simply must have East Coast / Philly / DC / NY ties. The jury is definitely out on the Smoke hire. To this Pitt fan it made absolutely zero sense. Guess time will tell.