[bigsmooth]

since this basketball coaching search has drawn interest, i thought i would start this thread. from all my sources at state, their short list is, 1. rick barnes-texas, 2. jay wright-villanova, 3. jon calipari-memphis, 4. Frank Haith-Miami, Fla. i would tend to agree with sly that barnes is not going anywhere despite the fact that wendell murphy the billionaire pig farmer from eastern north carolina who single handly built NC State's football operations center, and a huge state donor is willing to put up a 2 million offer to bring barnes here. jay wright i believe is making about $500,000, but is said to be very happy and is a true northeast guy. haith was texas' top recuiter under barnes, and is a carolina born guy, and calipari...i think his name is just out there, b/c he is a hot name. so i honestly think frank haith will be the new coach at state.

[A.G.]

I think the NC State faithful would revolt if Haith got the job. Besides, isn't there some unwritten rule amongst the ACC that coaches won't switch within the conference?

[bigsmooth]

there probably is, but other than haith, maybe jay wright b/c of the lure of cash.

[TIMSCAR20]

Jay Wright lives in "God's Country" and there is no way he would leave Philadelphia for Raleigh Smoothie I'm just bustin your stones

[bigsmooth]

OK big east honk have you joined sly's objectivity's club?????

[kel varson]

According to the news observer in Raleigh Wright and Barnes haven't shown interest.

[D Edcil]

It looks like NC State is going to have to go w/ "B" list candidates, which wouldn't be a bad idea. As for Barnes, I will take Texas oil money over NC Pig money! I can't see Haith, I agree with this whole ACC frat. thing. Plus, I am sure he will be "taken care of" by Miami money (Not saying where THAT came from. Calling Crockett and Tubbs) That leaves several options, most notably Marshall. IMHO he is still outside looking in, but getting closer!

[Sly Fox]

Frank would be a nice hire IMHO. He was an unbelievably strong recruiter at Texas under Barnes and is a really personable guy who relates well to players.

I believe the NC State folks are beginning to have reality set in that the rest of the basketball world isn't dying to head to Tobacco Road.

[A.G.]

http://www.wral.com/sports/8517353/detail.html

On to plan B!

The State fans seem to be screaming for Calipari, now.

[- bigsmooth -]

well, calipari seems to be the the choice now.
Eyes on State -- Day 9

Caulton Tudor, Staff Writer
NEWS OF THE DAY
An N.C. State delegation, led by chancellor James L. Oblinger and athletics director Lee Fowler, met Sunday with Memphis coach John Calipari. There was no known contract offer extended, but talks with Calipari are expected to continue.

BUZZ OF THE DAY

For now, there is not a well defined target beyond Calipari, but Marquette coach Tom Crean, Louisiana State's John Brady, Virginia Commonwealth's Jeff Capel and Notre Dame's Mike Brey are among those still thought be on the wide radar screen.

[bigsmooth]

that was me..more from WRAL in raleigh.
Memphis' Calipari To Succeed Sendek?
Tigers Coach Reportedly Meets With N.C. State Officials

RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina State University's search for a new head men's basketball coach now has a singular focus: Memphis Tigers coach John Calipari.

Wolfpack athletic director Lee Fowler, N.C. State Chancellor James Oblinger and other university officials returned to Raleigh on Sunday afternoon after a multi-hour meeting with Calipari.

Fowler declined comment Sunday on anything concerning the head-coaching position left vacant by Herb Sendek more than a week ago.

Obviously, the talks are heating up, and sources tell WRAL that the job is now Calipari's to turn down.

State's pursuit of Calipari has clearly rattled the tiger's cage at Memphis. Tigers athletic director R. C. Johnson canceled a weekend trip to work on a new contract for Calipari.

His current contract runs through 2010 with a base salary of $1.1 million, but State can absolutely top that since the Pack was ready to give Texas coach Rick Barnes nearly twice that amount.

Calipari is one of the winningest coaches ever at this point in his career with 341 wins and 130 losses. Only six other coaches all-time had more wins in their first 13 seasons. Calipari also has eight NCAA tournaments on his resume.

[Sly Fox]

Sounds like John is going to get a fat pay raise and stay along Beale to me.

[A.G.]

http://www.wral.com/sports/8628873/detail.html

Sources: Calipari Turns Down N.C. State Offer
Sources have confirmed to WRAL that Memphis basketball coach John Calipari has told his players that he is staying at the school, rejecting an offer from N.C. State.

WREG-TV in Memphis is reporting that Calipari met with Memphis players and staff Tuesday afternoon to announce his future plans. This comes after he and his assistant coaches visited Raleigh Monday night to discuss the deal offered by N.C. State athletic director Lee Fowler.

Calipari reportedly received an offer during the past few days to coach the Wolfpack, who are looking for a replacement for former coach Herb Sendek. On Tuesday, Memphis reportedly made a counter-offer of $1.5-$1.7 million per year to Calipari. He also has a $2.5 million annuity that will mature in 2010.

This follows an offer last week to Texas coach Rick Barnes, who has now signed a new deal with the Longhorns. Soon after getting spurned by Barnes, Fowler and school chancellor James Oblinger flew to Memphis to talk with Calipari, a meeting that reportedly lasted about two hours.

There has been no public comment yet by Calipari or by officials from Memphis and N.C. State.

[Sly Fox]

Ahem ...

[A.G.]

"The Marshall Plan?"

Although, from the Raleigh Rag:
Those with knowledge of the search say Texas coach Rick Barnes and Calipari were far and away the Pack's top two targets. Now that both have rejected NCSU's entreaties, Wolfpack athletics director Lee Fowler may next contact LSU coach John Brady, who guided the Tigers to the Final Four this year.


http://www.newsobserver.com/752/story/427817.html

[LUconn]

Dear Gregg,

You're the only one left

Love,
NCSU

[PAmedic]

Dear Gregg,

You're the only one left

Love,
NCSU

PS: can you barely squeak us into the playoffs and then lose your first round game for the next couple years? Thanks

[PAmedic]

Calipari not interested in N.C. State job

Jeff Goodman / FOXSports.com

John Calipari is staying at Memphis.

After taking a trip to N.C. State one day after Wolfpack athletic director Lee Fowler went to Memphis in an effort to lure Calipari away, the Tigers coach has decided to turn down a lucrative offer to coach in the ACC, according to sources close to the situation.
It was unclear whether Calipari had any legitimate interest in the N.C. State opening — or whether he just wanted to use it as leverage to get more money for himself and for his staff.

Calipari's base salary for the 2005-06 season was somewhere in the neighborhood of $1.2 million. According to a report in the Memphis Commercial Appeal, the school was working to increase his salary by $400,000 to $600,000.

By comparison, N.C. State had reportedly offered Calipari close to $2 million a year.

Calipari has led Memphis to the NCAA tournament in three of the past four years. The Tigers reached the Elite Eight this season before losing to UCLA. Memphis is 148-59 in Calipari's tenure in Memphis. Calipari also led UMass to the Final Four in 1996 and spent two seasons with the New Jersey Nets in the NBA.

N.C. State, meanwhile, has been turned down by a pair of coaches who were one win away from the Final Four this season. The Wolfpack had previously tried (and failed) to lure Texas coach and North Carolina native Rick Barnes to Raleigh.

[bigsmooth]

a wolfpack club honcho that i know said they have informally contacted jay wright. he said if that fails the B list search begins. some pack insiders are upset that herb left now. that is what an unreasonable fan base will get you. they could end up with someone of less caliber now. and now news that cedric simmons might leave and their top recruit has opened up his search again.....tough times could be on the horizon in raleigh.

[Sly Fox]

[bigsmooth]

well the latest rumor is the "cockroach" steve lavin. he has been contacted by NCSU AD Lee Fowler. mike montgomery from the golden state warriors has also been mentioned but has not been contacted from my sources.

[Hold My Own]

thats such a great pic!

[LUconn]

I'm hearing Lavin "doesn't want to get back into coaching right now". Come on Greg Marshall! Get in the game.

[A.G.]

Supposedly, Lavin has a solid offer on the table. He'd be nuts to turn it down, as there is no way he'd be in line for a better gig.

[LUconn]

I wouldn't want to coach there. Well actually I would in the position I'm in now (talk about an upgrade) but if I'm Lavin, he's already been crushed by the expectations at UCLA, and you have similar expecations at NSCU only it's for no reason. Add that to recruiting battles with UNC and Duke and every 6 years Wake Forest, I would definatly consider waiting for something else. Like something in the SEC.