Big South Coaching Carousel Preview
Previewing every coach, where they stand, and where they might go.
We have officially hit the “preseason” of Carousel Season or as some people call it #SearchSZN and many people have been mentioning Big South coaches and potential openings so I figured, why don’t I give my thoughts.
Hot Seat Meter: How much pressure that coach has entering the off season. 1 being he’s safe to 5 meaning he needs to win A LOT.
Jump Seat Meter: How likely a coach is to leave for another job. 0 being NO CHANCE, 100 being he will leave (no one is at 100, or really even close).
(If a coach has hired than a 3.5 on Hot Seat or 30 on the Jump Seat, I will provide a “Dream Hire”, a “Realistic Hire” and my “Probable Hire”)
Disclaimer: These are simply thoughts and theories and have no ACTUAL evidence behind them as of right now. DO NOT take these takes, percentages and theroies as gospel.
Charleston Southern: Saah Nimley
Hot Seat Meter: 2.5/5
Jump Seat Meter: 5/100
This season hasn’t been pretty but that most of that can be blamed on the injuries of DJ Patrick and Alahn Sumler, hence only a 2.5 on my hot seat meter. He would need AT LEAST one more bad season before his seat even gets warm.
In true Year 1 for Saah Nimley, no reason for Saah Nimley to leave if anyone comes calling, he’s an alumni of Charleston Southern, he is a legend of the school and knows what CSU is all about, hence the 5/100 on the Jump Seat Meter.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Meter 2/5
Jump Seat Meter: 5/100
Gardner Webb: Jeremy Luther
Hot Seat Meter: 2/5
Jump Seat Meter: 5/100
Probably the best 1st year hire in the Big South on paper, he should feel very good where he is right now. A buy game win over ECU in year 1 is pretty good for cooling your seat. With GWU being around 5th as I write this, I wouldn’t say the seat is cold but it is no where near warm, hence the 2/5.
Much like Saah Nimley, year 1 at the helm at Gardner Webb and no reason to leave after being an assistant at GWU for 11 seasons before coming the head coach. Hence our 5/100 on the Jump Seat Meter.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Meter: 2/5
Jump Seat Meter: 5/100
High Point: Alan Huss
Hot Seat Meter: 1/5
Jump Seat Meter: 45/100
If you are Alan Huss, you might feel like your seat is ICY cold because there is no heat on your seat. On pace for two straight 20+ win seasons, a CBI Runner Up last season and looks to be the 1st or 2nd best team in the Big South this season. Probably the coldest or 2nd coldest seat in the Big South.
When you’ve done what Alan Huss has, you will be a hot commodity for upper MM jobs along with lower/mid High Major teams. The only reason Alan Huss isn’t higher on my Jump Seat Meter is I don’t see a no brainer spot for him to land. He will be brought up for jobs, and it’s a matter of “is that job really better than High Point?” I lean slightly towards no.
Dream Hire: John Becker - Vermont Head Coach
If you asked me if this was possible 5-6 years ago, I would have said No, Becker will get a big time job but with him not getting that job. Maybe a change of scenery would REALLY help Becker back into the High Major Carousel picture.
Realistic Dream Hire: Flynn Clayman - High Point Associate Head Coach
While not the hottest name around the program, I think Flynn is probably the most ready assistant at High Point. His only head coaching experience was during the CBI at Southern Utah where he went 2-1 with wins over North Alabama and Rice before losing to Eastern Kentucky in Double OT.
Probable Hire: Matt Brady - High Point Assistant Head Coach
This season High Point made some waves adding Matt Brady, former Marist and JMU head coach, and interim at DePaul to the bench as an assistant coach, and rightfully so. Matt Brady had been bouncing around for HM to HM staff and now after a not so amazing season at DePaul chose to join High Point. I think he believes he’s next in line and in my eyes, he likely is if Huss leaves.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Meter: 0.000001/5
Jump Seat Meter: 55/100
Reasoning:
Alan Huss is quickly becoming a person on intrest for Xavier fans as their search continues to go longer and longer. I would say keep an eye out for VCU and New Mexico BUT, I have heard the new buyout is very large and wouldn’t price them out if they wanted him, but would make them think about it.
Longwood: Griff Aldrich
Hot Seat Meter: 1/5
Jump Seat Meter: 40/100
Simply put, I don’t know if there is a much cooler seat in all of Mid Major basketball than Griff Aldrich’s seat at Longwood. 4 straight winning seasons, 2 NCAA Tournament Berths, 1 Big South Regular Season Championship and a career record of 124-92 at Longwood makes Griff Aldrich have some of the best job security, along with his somewhat recent 10 year extension.
Now much like Huss, when you have done what Griff has done you will be on radars and search boards. With Griff there will be plenty of openings that could come calling, it’s a matter of does he want the job. VT, VCU, and UVA are all either potenitally opening or are open in the case of Griff’s alma mater (UVA). I doubt UVA’s first, second or even third call if Griff. If he doesn’t get UVA maybe Griff takes VCU or VT.
Dream Hire: Rob Jones - Norfolk State Head Coach
“It’s just a Big South school.” Rob Jones after being High Point earlier this season. The Norfolk State coach has done amazing stuff at Norfolk State but seems to be hitting a wall, he should be mentioned at VCU, but if that fills. A move to Longwood wouldn’t be outrageous.
Realistic Dream Hire: Nate Dixon - Nevada Assistant Coach
Hiring from that amazing UMBC team has worked once, why not try it again. Nate Dixon one of the other assistants from the UMBC team and has since moved to Utah State with Odom where he helped Utah State have a 44-25 record and then most recently moved to Nevada.
Another name to watch: Bryce Crawford - VCU Assistant Coach
Probable Hire: Aaron Smith - Longwood Assistant Coach
A very succesful JUCO Coach before chosing to become an assistant at LA Tech and then Longwood, Aaron Smith seems to be poised for the next step up. It might be a year or two too early but Smith did very well at Jacksonville College and Panola College including 3 20+ win seasons at Jacksonville and 2 Region XIV South Zone Championships.
Update on 3/24:
Griff leaves for UVA, hires Longwood assistant Ronnie Thomas.
Presbyterian: Quinton Ferrell
Hot Seat Ranking: 1.5/5
Jump Seat Ranking: 5/100
Coming off a postseason berth last season, Quinton Ferrell has seemed to do the impossible, or now the improbable and win at Presbyterian. The seat should not be hot for the former Presbyterian great.
Much like Saah Nimley, Quinton is Presbyterian through and through, I would not be shocked if his blood is blue. One of the best dressed coaches in the Big South better start getting some new suits because I don’t he will be jumping up any time soon.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Ranking: 1/5
Jump Seat Ranking: 5/100
Radford: Darris Nichols
Hot Seat Meter: 1.5/5
Jump Seat Meter: 35/100
One of the best young coaches in all of college basketball, the Radford born stud has no reason to feel any heat especially after starting the season with 10 wins and making Radford one of the perennial contenders in the Big South year in and year out.
Originally I would have had Coach Nichols at around maybe 5-10% to leave Radford, only really seeing a move to his alma mater (WVU) but I think a few options will be open to Coach Nichols. I could see a move to Virginia Tech right down the road, and potenially a move to USF with the unfortunate passing of Amir Abdur Rahim.
Dream Hire: Mike Young - Virginia Tech Head Coach
With Mike Young on the hot seat, and having a decent chance to get fired from VT this season pending some big winning streak or ACC Tourney run. Mike Young has had success in the MM ranks, and used to be an assistant at Radford, not to mention being from Radford himself.
Realistic Dream Hire: Shane Nichols - Radford Asssistant Coach
While likely to follow Darris if he were to leave, this might be the one place that could convince Shane to stay and be the Head Coach. Also from Radford, VA was very integral to the Murray State success and had an important role in Radford’s success as of late.
Probable Hire: Donny Lind - Mount Saint Mary’s Head Coach
The former Radford assistant has had decent success in year 1 at Mount Saint Mary’s winning over Miami and competing in the NEC. It might be beneficial to move up to a higher MM program to propel his career forward.
Update on 3/24:
Darris Nichols left for La Salle, and Radford hired former NBA assistant and SMU Cheif Strategist Zach Chu.
UNC Ashevillle: Mike Morrell
Hot Seat Meter: 1/5
Jump Seat Meter: 25/100
Now in year 7 leading the Bulldogs, Mike Morrell has really put Asheville on the map with 1 tournament apperance but always being a top team in the Big South, either propelled by Drew Pember, or now Jordan Marsh. It’s clear Mike Morrell should feel little to no pressure about losing his job.
If you asked me at the start of the year, I would have said Mike Morrell’s chances of getting job elsewhere, at least for the time, had passed. At this point of the season, I think those chances have been revived and even maybe at their highest, VCU and others are likely opening, VCU is a place where Morrell was an assistant, along with Texas and with a young core could make Morrell a very hot name this SearchSZN.
Dream Hire: Nick McDevitt - Middle Tennessee Head Coach
While Nick left Asheville for MTSU, I think a move back could be in the pages for Nick. One, Nick is starting to get older, while still very young at only 45 years old, he could be looking for an easier life and maybe an easier job.At UNC Asheville he will be back home and will likely provide less stress. Secondly, Nick might want to add more to his legacy and bringing more success to UNC Asheville will create a bigger legacy for Nick.
Realistic Dream Hire: Sean Dixon - Clemson Assistant Coach
The former McDevitt asssistant has now become a big part of Coach Brownell’s success as of late at Clemson helping lead them to an Elite 8 bid last year and 47 games across his two seasons at Clemson. Along with that, he helped Asheville make the NCAA Tournament.
Probable Hire: Neil Dixon - UNC Asheville Assistant Coach
One of those, if it ain’t broken don’t fix it hires. Neil has been on staff since Mike Morrell’s second season helping lead Asheville to a NCAA Tournament and a CBI berth along with a Big South Regular Season title. Neil also went 101-34 in the Junior College ranks as a Head Coach for Louisburg.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Meter: 1/5
Jump Seat Meter: 30/100
Reasoning:
VCU has opened, Mike Morrell whom was an assistant there, will be mentioned in circles about getting the job.
I believe he won’t be #1 or #2 on their call list, but as it falls deeper down the list, he could be there guy, and he would be there a long time.
USC Upstate: Marty Richter
Hot Seat Meter: 1/5
Jump Seat Meter: 15/100
USC Upstate is likely the toughest or 2nd toughest job in the Big South and so far in year one Marty Richter is doing really well. He has a solid young core of Brit Harris, Mister Dean and others and is on pace to maybe beat the most wins by a first year coach at USC Upstate in their D1 history, Richter should feel no pressure at this moment.
I don’t see Richter moving this season, season 1 has been good for Upstate standards but I don’t know if other program will recognize how good he has been doing at Upstate. I could maybe see Drake calling him if Ben leaves, but I don’t think it happens.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Meter: 1/5
Jump Seat Meter: 16.1/100
Reasoning:
Drake has opened, much like Morrell and VCU he will mentioned, I feel Richter will be further down the list but will still be a person who could get the call, and if Drake comes calling. You take it.
Winthrop: Mark Prosser
Hot Seat Meter: 3/5
Jump Seat Meter: 15/100
Mark Prosser while having been successful at Winthrop, he has left a lot to be desired in the form of conference titles, or actually beating expectations. Winthrop in the past 3 seasons has fallen below their Preseason Kenpom Ranking and seems to be headed to do that for a 4th season. While his seat isn’t too hot, it should be getting warmer.
I do not think Mark Prosser will jump up at all this offseason, I could see a chance of maybe a lateral northeast job opening up that Prosser would at least throw his name into the ring for that job.
Update on 3/24:
Hot Seat Meter: 2/5
Jump Seat Meter: 10/100
Reasoning:
I feel Mark has cooled off his seat a little bit with making the conference title, but still hasn’t gotten an extension which is why I kept it at a 2.
Prosser will enter a prove it year, and usually those don’t work out too well but also very few coaches are this successful entering a prove it year, still don’t see him leaving this cycle.
Coaches who I’d hire:
Dream Hire: Jim Crutchfield - Nova Southeastern Coach
One of the most interesting coaches in ALL of College Basketball, Jim Crutchfield runs an offense and defense that will put people in their seats… for the start of the games, and then standing in awe watching the mad-man at work.
Crutchfield being one of the winningist coaches in all of College Basketball has dominated the D2 ranks for years, and finally broke through winning the D2 National Title in 2023.
Crutchfield would be one of my first calls if I was an AD, maybe his time to move up has passed, maybe it hasn’t but I would call him and let him decide whether his time has passed.
Dream Hire: Ben Howlett - West Liberty Head Coach
Another one of the former Crutchfield assistants, Ben Howlett made the transistion seamless at West Liberty making the tournament every season they had a chance to.
Howlett is a West Liberty alum but if you want Crutchfield and can’t land him. Ben Howlett is a 2nd call I would make.
Dream Hire: Cory Alexander - ESPN Announcer
You might be wondering why Cory is on this list, I think it’s a curveball hire who could help bankroll NIL for a place that isn’t rolling in it.
Former Hampden-Sydney Assistant, also a former Oak Hill Assistant who also trained basketball in Richmond, VA. Not flashy record wise, but could a flashy name with $$$.
Dream Hire: Jeremiah Samarrippas - Lincoln Memorial Head Coach
Final dream hire that I don’t know where they should/would land but a good hire none the less. Jeremiah comes from the Josh Schertz coaching tree has carried on with the success.
84% win percentage across his time at LMU only putting him behind the two other D2 Dream guys and LMU’s style HAS been known to transfer up to D1.