Gottfried to UCLA Is In The Rumor Mill

The rumor mill for coaching changes is already cranking up for the offseason, and on that State fans might find interesting is this: per multiple sources, UCLA head coach Ben Howland has been notified that he will be terminated, and one of the names already being floated around is NC State head coach Mark Gottfried:

UCLA Set To Fire Howland

UCLA is set to fire men’s basketball head coach Ben Howland on Sunday, reports Yahoo! Sports and Rivals.com.

Howland’s job status with the team was at risk when the team lost 83-63 to No. 11 seed Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Friday.

When asked about his job security after the loss, Howland didn’t have much to say.

“I have no comment. Anything in reference to any questions concerning my job status, I just want to talk about the fact that I am so proud of these kids,” he said.

So where does the Gottfried connection come in? Andy Glockner, the college basketball writer for SI.com:

glockner-tweet

Glockner did add a few minutes later that he doubted it was going to happen, but at the same time, he did take the time to share what he’d heard, so we may assume it come from at least semi-credible sources:

glockner-tweet-02

Make of it what you will, but given the fact that Gottfried has taken a near-dead NC State program to the NCAA’s two years running and has incoming recruits to the program that should set it up for sustained success, it’s easy to see why his name would be in the mix, especially at a school where he was once an assistant coach.  Time will tell what may or may not come of this.

ACC & Other Mark Gottfried NC State NCS Basketball

159 Responses to Gottfried to UCLA Is In The Rumor Mill

  1. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 11:48 AM #

    “”I think at the end of the day, you had a team that had a good year but didn’t have a great year,” Gottfried said. “It was good but not where I wanted it to be.”

    And that’s pretty much exactly what many of us have said.

    And for the record before someone goes putting words in my mouth, I will take a “good” year over anything we’ve seen the past 30 years.

  2. SaccoV 03/24/2013 at 11:52 AM #

    What is God’s name is the bull fertilizer about Gott’s ‘personal’ issues? I understand if a specific reference is made to behavior/instances in Tuscaloosa, but I read on one post yesterday that ‘Gott isn’t living with his family’ and then today that ‘if Gott leaves then he is confirming the administration’s feelings about him’ … I’ve never read such vague speculation in my life, and I’ve taught high school English for years. Wolfpup44, please drop your troll nuggets elsewhere.

    The season was disappointing overall, but I think two years is hardly an ample window of time to judge how good this program can be. Being a reformed HWSNBN-apologist, I feel 50 times more positive in our program after Gott’s first two years than after two years of Baldie McHerb or Sid. I think if offered, Gott will leave, and I wouldn’t blame him if he did. UCLA is one of those jobs, and anyone would be honored to coach the same team as John Wooden.

  3. BJD95 03/24/2013 at 11:57 AM #

    Pretty hilarious! Anybody who STILL thinks Lowe “needed more time” can be safely and completely ignored. Especially if concurrently taking potshots at MG’s character.

    Lowe’s character issues went well beyond just private behavior (although he had those too, they are by and large nobody’s business). Plus he sucked at his job. In short, just about the worst person possible to lead your program.

    Thanks for the much needed laugh this morning, though.

  4. BJD95 03/24/2013 at 11:59 AM #

    As far as any rumors about private, personal issues – unless coeds, employees, or the newspaper are involved…it’s none of anyone’s business. Period, full stop.

  5. GApack04 03/24/2013 at 12:00 PM #

    Put me in the group of people around here who doesn’t think that much of Gott’s coaching….but he is leaps and bounds better than Sid. I definitely want him to stick around and would not look forward to another coaching search. His recruiting has been lights out and I feel like he does have a better feel of how to build a recruiting class. I am guessing that UCLA will look for a type of coach that is the opposite of Howland. That means that they will look for someone ironically enough like Gott….recruits well and identifies with players better than Howland did. The monetary reasons that were listed above probably mean that he stays in Raleigh.

  6. packalum44 03/24/2013 at 12:06 PM #

    We really missed out on Shaka. You have to remember though, he was a nobody two years ago who happened to make a magical run. There were multiple questions…

    Was his 1 year of success just dumb luck? Could he recruit? He was in his early 30s for Pete’s sake!

    It wasn’t that we couldn’t seriously outbid VCU. We can and always will have that ability. Its that we had NO idea that he’d be worth over 2 million from day 1. VCU didn’t match our bid but they came close enough that $ was less of an issue.

    Our job had question marks itself, though mostly irrational. In short, we both underestimated each other…

    Shaka has proven he’s worth alot of money. In hindsight, we could have made an offer too good to refuse. But there was so much risk, it didn’t make sense at the time.

    I think Shaka is offered 2-3 million a year at UCLA and he kills it on the recruiting trail and wins big. Son of a bitch.

  7. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 12:10 PM #

    Shaka and Stevens are the two young hot names, and it has been that way for a couple of years now. Shaka will leave for a giant job, and UCLA certainly qualifies as such. He has just been holding out. Stevens may never leave Butler, unless schools like IU or Duke come calling. He could very well develop Butler into a Duke.

  8. DrWuffette1day 03/24/2013 at 12:16 PM #

    VCU is a premier program in college basketball (sarcasm). Santa Claus could have been our coach too.

    I feel very fortunate that we got Gott.

    Shaka is a good coach (no sarcasm here) but he hasn’t gone anywhere either. I don’t see any recruiting wars. He’s not a great coach. Has he won a NC? How does he get into the NCAAT? We both know the answers.

    Until he decides he wants to compete at a major Div 1 college or wins a NC….not a factor.

    Any other speculation is just silly in my view.

  9. mak4dpak 03/24/2013 at 12:17 PM #

    Maybe I am wrong, but I think Gott is staying, with unfinished business. The season is on Lowe’s players that came out of the gate sluggish, and waiting til the second half to show up. Do these players really need coaching to make them realize that? They are veterans, and Gott can’t play for them. As for this so called Doerner, if you pull for the pack, the man’s name is Doeren. Dave Doeren to be exact. And from what I heard, he was offered more money elsewhere, but came to State. Everyone don’t consider coaching at State a dead end job. Go Pack!

  10. GApack04 03/24/2013 at 12:17 PM #

    The biggest issue at UCLA is the AD. What do you do with someone who is wildly successful in the non-revenue sports but struggles in Football and Basketball. Sure Howland had a lot of success early on, but those weren’t his guys and his style of basketball is the polar opposite of what you think of when you think of UCLA. Shaka would be an amazing hire for them, but I’m not sure their AD can finish the deal.

  11. DrWuffette1day 03/24/2013 at 12:23 PM #

    In game coaching style is unconventional. I really don’t see UCLA going that way.

    Guess I’m turned off with the similar Lowe tatics. Either way and bottom line, it doesn’t suggest player confidence.

    Shaka is going to have to prove himself at a major Div 1 college where the regular compeition faced is stiffer. I am suspicious of him because he has not moved up to another school. Why?

  12. redcanine 03/24/2013 at 12:32 PM #

    Shaka has Spike Lee in the stands, cheering as if he were in MSG. He’s even wearing a VCU uniform. Smart isn’t gonna get that kind of support from Nicholson or Eastwood in Hollywood. 😉

    Stephens is the one that gets on my nerves. I’m so happy Butler lost. I’d love to see him have the opportunity to fail at UCLA.

  13. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 12:35 PM #

    VCU moved into the Atlantic 10 this year, which is much more competitive than the CAA. Five NCAA teams – VCU, Saint Louis, Temple, LaSalle and Butler. Not a bad league, and VCU finished second. Finished the year ranked. Won an NCAA game in convincing fashion. A Final Four appearance. Not really sure what isn’t to like there as he is only 35.

  14. SaccoV 03/24/2013 at 12:47 PM #

    Stevens and Smart are two very likely candidates for the UCLA job. But, if UCLA does rid themselves of Howland, the whole entire candidate pool is open because of the prestige. Other than the very entrenched, older candidates (K, Roy, etc), I would think everyone from Tom Crean to Andy Enfield is on that list. Also, in regards to Smart, it has already been well-documented that we missed on him because he didn’t want to come. I’m glad he didn’t because I look forward to meeting him in a first round game and beating his brains out!

  15. packalum44 03/24/2013 at 12:52 PM #

    ^ Shaka’s only been hireable since the year we got Gott!! That was 2 year ago!! He’s holding out for a really good job and serious $$! Could have had a hell of a job here but Gary Williams in part gave him last minute jitters. There were multiple reasons but Gary DID NOT help matters.

    Also LA is NOT as expensive as people think (I mean its more than Faison) but try living in Manhattan or DC!!! Both much much more pricey (also San Fran and Boston). If Shaka lived near UCLA it would be quite affordable on 2-3 million a year!!

    If a coach in his 30s is worried about cost of living you DON’T want to hire them anyway. Similar to Gregg Marshall, what a pussy! Yow’s bean flicker is bigger than Marshall’s d…

    Gregg Marshall personifies the mid-major best-practice paradigm.

    This paradigm, relies on developing and maximizing 2/3 star talent, creating synergy (strategic recruiting who will mesh together), slowing down the game and playing hard defense (2/3 stars have 5 star HEARTS).

    In effect these characteristics minimize the RAW talent gap when playing BCS schoosl while IRONICALLY using a talent ADVANTAGE over their mid-major counterparts. They beat up on lesser schools in their own conference b/c they are able to attract better talent and since they both employ similar strategies, all else equal, superior coaching and talent win.

    Hence you get the high floow/low ceiling. Reminds me of Herb. He would have been a great mid-major coach had some pathetic BCS school never offered him a job in which we witnessed Peter’s Principle take effect.

    Here’s the problem for a place like State and similar schools…..its very very very hard to hand pick which players come. Creating synergy (getting the right guys who will mesh well) AND talent is near fucking impossible except for the ELITES!!! Think about it dudes…….you offer 3-5 talented guys at each position each year and just fucking PRAY that ONE takes the offer!! Whether the final product meshes well is out of your control!

    Roy Williams is one lucky bastard. Last year’s team was incredibly cohesive, in terms of the raw talent and skills in how they complimented one another. As an example, their front court alone consisted of TWO lottery picks with DIFFERENT skills sets. A TALL shot blocker athletic freak WITH offensive skills and a TALL wide body smart athletic white guy WITH great offensive and defensive skills. Not to mention the most talented scoring athletic big SF in the country and a TALL and quick lottery pick pass first but can still shoot PG!!! Gott MIGHT get that kind of team once or twice in the next 20 years!!

  16. TMD11 03/24/2013 at 12:56 PM #

    A program with solid players (Michigan and Duke for example this year) beat the Shaka Smart style easily and convincingly.
    Smart may have success in the ATL 10, but would probably have been in the bottom of the ACC coaching every team but Duke and Miami.
    Success at one institution doesn’t always translate into success somewhere else…too many factors involved.

    We didn’t want Smart – neither does UCLA now.
    But Brad Stevens – YES.

    We have a fantastic coaching staff…but a not so fantastic player (or two) that may be creating a problem on this team.
    I believe most will agree on that.

  17. packalum44 03/24/2013 at 12:56 PM #

    ^ Shaka’s only been hireable since the year we got Gott!! That was 2 year ago!! He’s holding out for a really good job and serious $$! Could have had a hell of a job here but Gary Williams in part gave him last minute jitters. There were multiple reasons but Gary DID NOT help matters.

    Also LA is NOT as expensive as people think (I mean its more than Faison) but try living in Manhattan or DC!!! Both much much more pricey (also San Fran and Boston). If Shaka lived near UCLA it would be quite affordable on 2-3 million a year!!

    If a coach in his 30s is worried about cost of living you DON’T want to hire them anyway. Similar to Gregg Marshall, what a pussy! Yow’s bean flicker is bigger than Marshall’s d…

    Gregg Marshall personifies the mid-major best-practice paradigm.

    This paradigm, relies on developing and maximizing 2/3 star talent, creating synergy (strategic recruiting who will mesh together), slowing down the game and playing hard defense (2/3 stars have 5 star HEARTS).

    In effect these characteristics minimize the RAW talent gap when playing BCS schoosl while IRONICALLY using a talent ADVANTAGE over their mid-major counterparts. They beat up on lesser schools in their own conference b/c they are able to attract better talent and since they both employ similar strategies, all else equal, superior coaching and talent win.

    Hence you get the high floow/low ceiling. Reminds me of Herb. He would have been a great mid-major coach had some pathetic BCS school never offered him a job in which we witnessed Peter’s Principle take effect.

    Here’s the problem for a place like State and similar schools…..its very very very hard to hand pick which players come. Creating synergy (getting the right guys who will mesh well) AND talent is near fucking impossible except for the ELITES!!! Think about it dudes…….you offer 3-5 talented guys at each position each year and just fucking PRAY that ONE takes the offer!! Whether the final product meshes well is out of your control!

    Roy Williams is one lucky bastard. Last year’s team was incredibly cohesive, in terms of the raw talent and skills in how they complimented one another. As an example, their front court alone consisted of TWO lottery picks with DIFFERENT skills sets. A TALL shot blocker athletic freak WITH offensive skills and a TALL wide body smart athletic white guy WITH great offensive and defensive skills. Not to mention the most talented scoring athletic and big SF in the country and a TALL and quick lottery pick pass-first but can still shoot and drive PG!!! Gott MIGHT get that kind of team once or twice in the next 20 years!! UNC has them once every 2-3 years!

  18. Pack Mentality 03/24/2013 at 1:07 PM #

    Unless someone lays out issues that Gott has that are being alluded to the alluded to nonsense is nothing but BS. Quit being vague about it you ignorant troll pricks, and say what it is you are referring to.

  19. MP 03/24/2013 at 1:13 PM #

    Well surprise, surprise… Was there any doubt that this thread would draw in Mr. A and his smoke & mirrors act?

    I will repeat my question from a couple of weeks ago: What is the ‘potential issue’ that you can’t stop referring to?

  20. TMD11 03/24/2013 at 1:14 PM #

    Per John Wooden (ironically enough) – 90% of the game and success comes from ‘above the shoulders’, and the other 10% from below.

    Much of our problems this year emanated from that truth…
    Another testament to that is the simple comment by Leslie (and Purvis too?) regarding how NCSU players weren’t motivated to play hard and win in the NCAA Tournament (potentially trying to blame the coach?). This is beyond the comprehension of most who know sports. Did they NEED to be motivated to win, to go out and represent NCSU to the best of their ability, and to represent themselves in the grandest of all stages in NCAA Basketball…?

    Are you serious…?

  21. vtpackfan 03/24/2013 at 1:20 PM #

    The headline story and its implications not too rah-rah about.

    The we should have helped supported TOB more is upstanding. The we should have given Lowe more time was AMAZING! The poster doesn’t even realize that our former HC may be doing time soon.

    None of it tops the character flaws of our coach. They are straight from rival school message boards and paired up with the “higher ups” at our school. I love all the Wolfpack fans and their “higher ups” chatter. Everyone one knows that we don’t have a monkey service AD Dept and School Administration anymore. The “higher ups” innuendo was questionable before, but now is about as substantive as a N&O smack talk forum.

  22. MISTA WOLF 03/24/2013 at 1:21 PM #

    Lets remember Shaka inherited a good program from coach Anthony Grant who inherited the program from Jeff Capel. The VCU program has been solid now for 8 to 10 years. I’m not sold on Shaka like some are but I guess time will only tell. Capel flamed out and is now back on the bench at Duke I believe and Grant and the Tide play Maryland Tuesday for a trip to MSG.

  23. rdjennin 03/24/2013 at 1:23 PM #

    I’m a pretty pessimistic fan, but y’all are dogcrap crazy. Seriously, Mark Gottfried has done a good job. Look at last year’s team and this year’s team. Yes we got in 3 highly rated recruits. The problem is they don’t have a place on this team. Look at what we lost, Alex Johnson, CJ Williams, and DeShawn Painter. Those guys were not McDonald’s all americans, but they played important supporting roles on the team last year. Something we lacked this year, because our freshman aren’t really playing in a manner that they should be utilized.

    We lost 1st round, yeah that sucks, everyone is disapointed but seriously, I’m very happy with where we are and am ready to see next year. Will we be as good next year, no, but we are sure better off than basically every year between V and MG except for like 3 or 4 years.

    UCLA takes Shaka Smart.

  24. tjfoose1 03/24/2013 at 1:40 PM #

    A lot of what is going right with NC State has to a lot do with Gott’s relationships in the media and in the coaching community. If he goes, a lot of that goes too. So if/when he leaves, he will not be leaving the program as it is. The program drops the day he resigns.

    Those relationships are also why Gott will be higher on UCLA’s list than many think.

    Thankfully, NC ain’t a bad place to live, while the Cali politicians continue to make their state less and less attractive. Heck, even Bill Maher is threatening to leave because of the punitive taxes.

  25. triadwolf 03/24/2013 at 1:40 PM #

    “Did they NEED to be motivated to win, to go out and represent NCSU to the best of their ability, and to represent themselves in the grandest of all stages in NCAA Basketball…?

    Are you serious…?”

    This x100!

    If you can’t get yourself motivated for a NCAA tourney game, what are you going to do for an 82 game NBA season?

    Bad habits are hard to break, especially when the coach looks down his bench doesn’t see a viable post player. Many have criticized Gott for not benching CJ more, but those people would have crucified him for doing just that if we lost a game(s) as a result. In the end the coaches job is to win as many game as possible, not to change the make-up/character of a player.

    I will not be surprised to see CJ back next year as his stock has really slipped and would have been much worse if not for a weak draft. Perhaps the NBA feedback and some humility will be the formula for CJ to put in the work he needs to reach his potential.

    As for Gott leaving, timing has a big impact on these decisions and my gut says that perhaps the timing isn’t quite right for him to leave just yet for many of the reasons already mentioned (unfinished business, just settled down, some loyalty Yow, etc.).

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