The ‘Four Letters’ Still Seeking Its Next Wizard In Westwood
Alabama fired Avery Johnson one week and the next, had already hired his replacement.
And the Crimson Tide got a good one, Nate Oats, who took tiny Buffalo to three straight March Madness appearances, including into the second round the past two years. Many in the basketball community are calling this a “home run hire.”
Meanwhile, across the country in Westwood, what’s happening at UCLA? The Bruins fired Steve Alford back in January and other that a couple of media outlets suggesting some replacements, there has been no talk or even rumors, which makes at least me wonder what the heck is going on over there with the “Four Letters?”
Many Bruins alumni that I’ve talked to want Tony Bennett, but I don’t think that’s a good fit. Ben Howland was run off campus because he played a kind of boring defense-first style. Bennett is a defense-first coach too; how long will fans put up with 55-52 games? And how exciting is that for top-line recruits, which UCLA can attract just because it’s well, UCLA?
Eric Musselman’s name has been tossed about, but I can’t see that happening because he has, out of necessity mainly, relied on transfers at Nevada. But that’s not the real reason alumni would not accept him – after a great run in 2018, he lost in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
I happen to know Musselman, by the way. Hung out with him in Manhattan Beach when I first moved to Los Angeles. I knew his dad, Bill, when I covered the CBA. Bill was intense to the point of being Bob Knight-intimidating to some, but he had a soft side to him and a good soul. Eric has, from what I’ve read, taken on his dad’s intensity and attention to detail.
Personally, I would welcome him back to L.A., tho feel some alumni would not feel he’s a good fit. Then again, who is a good fit?
UC Irvine’s Russell Turner blew his opportunity and reputation when he taunted Oregon’s Louis King by calling him “Queen.” This is something he freely talked about in his post-game press conference. Surely UCLA isn’t desperate enough to hire a coach who was dumb and immature enough to say something so stupid, especially when he knew the big school up the 405 is in the midst of a coaching search.
The Four Letters need to make a solid hire and need to do it without committing another turnover (in coaches in a few years).
Alabama was decisive in its hire. UCLA has seemingly been in hibernation, like a bear in the winter.
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