socaltownie;842300564 said:

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I simply don't have (and none of us do) a clue what is motivating Shaka Smart. Maybe he is holding out for UNC (plausible). Maybe returning home to Ohio and getting the job eventually at tOSU is what he wants. Maybe he simply LOVES Richmond. We know he is a cerebral guy who has an intellectual for a wife and a very young child. While perhaps a fantasy land, I could absolutely see a guy who graduated from Kenyon and who has done academic work on social movements and history being attracted to a place like Cal. I know that sounds like a bunch of BS and wishful thinking but it isn't a stretch. It really depends on how he sees his life unfolding.

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Agreed. And, as I posted earlier, his wife mentioned recently that she sat with Jack Clark at a VCU basketball game and she quoted him in her blog.

In other words, Shaka has been hanging out with Jack Clark recently. It was posted a week before the NCAA tournament, so it wasn't in San Diego. It was likely Richmond. It is rugby season, but Cal has no games back east. Why was Jack Clark hanging out with Shaka Smart and attending a VCU game, sitting with Maya Smart? Exactly.

socaltownie;842300564 said:

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I simply don't have (and none of us do) a clue what is motivating Shaka Smart. Maybe he is holding out for UNC (plausible). Maybe returning home to Ohio and getting the job eventually at tOSU is what he wants. Maybe he simply LOVES Richmond. We know he is a cerebral guy who has an intellectual for a wife and a very young child. While perhaps a fantasy land, I could absolutely see a guy who graduated from Kenyon and who has done academic work on social movements and history being attracted to a place like Cal. I know that sounds like a bunch of BS and wishful thinking but it isn't a stretch. It really depends on how he sees his life unfolding.

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Smart is actually from Madison, WI.

tsubamoto2001;842300589 said:

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Smart is actually from Madison, WI.

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Yeah but he went to Kenyon and went to grad school, I believe, in Western Penn. You are correct he was born and went to HS in Madison.

ducky23;842300483 said:

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The utah coach inherited one of the worst teams in Pac-12 history and in short time had them within a few wins of the tournament.

If he came to Cal, it would be a much easier turnaround

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ESPN reporting that Krytstowiak has agreed in principle to a five year extension.

NYCGOBEARS;842300604 said:

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ESPN reporting that Krytstowiak has agreed in principle to a five year extension.

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What the hell is going in Salt Lake, a guy gets another 5 years for this?

201112 Utah 625 315 11th
201213 Utah 1518 513 10th
201314 Utah 2112 99 T8th NIT First Round

Strykur;842300667 said:

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What the hell is going in Salt Lake, a guy gets another 5 years for this?

2011–12 Utah 6–25 3–15 11th
2012–13 Utah 15–18 5–13 10th
2013–14 Utah 21–12 9–9 T–8th NIT First Round

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He inherited a mess. I think he had 5 or 6 defections or washouts that first year.
He deserved P12 coach of the year IMO, as he turned that crap into a very respectable team.
They will be a top 3-4 team next year in the league...wanna make a bet on it?

Too bad we couldn't get K, the Utes are going to be fierce.

socaliganbear;842300694 said:

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Too bad we couldn't get K, the Utes are going to be fierce.

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Agree 100%. Remember this post this time next year. They will do well.
If Special K is off the market, I'm all in for TD.

calumnus;842300579 said:

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Agreed. And, as I posted earlier, his wife mentioned recently that she sat with Jack Clark at a VCU basketball game and she quoted him in her blog.

In other words, Shaka has been hanging out with Jack Clark recently. It was posted a week before the NCAA tournament, so it wasn't in San Diego. It was likely Richmond. It is rugby season, but Cal has no games back east. Why was Jack Clark hanging out with Shaka Smart and attending a VCU game, sitting with Maya Smart? Exactly.

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Mind blown. Shaka to Cal as new MBB HC with Clark as new AD. Sounds great but I think Todd Bozeman making a triumphant return to Cal is about as likely.

BeggarEd;842300707 said:

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Mind blown. Shaka to Cal as new MBB HC with Clark as new AD. Sounds great but I think Todd Bozeman making a triumphant return to Cal is about as likely.

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Ha-ha! Nice line! :p

tsubamoto2001;842300589 said:

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Smart is actually from Madison, WI.

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THE BERKELEY OF THE MIDWEST. YES!

I wish. I really do wish.

Strykur;842300667 said:

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What the hell is going in Salt Lake, a guy gets another 5 years for this?

201112 Utah 625 315 11th
201213 Utah 1518 513 10th
201314 Utah 2112 99 T8th NIT First Round

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Yes. Note the sharp turnaround after completely revamping the roster. Very impressive.

Strykur;842300667 said:

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What the hell is going in Salt Lake, a guy gets another 5 years for this?

201112 Utah 625 315 11th
201213 Utah 1518 513 10th
201314 Utah 2112 99 T8th NIT First Round

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Looks pretty impressive to me. To take a horrible team and turn it into a 20-game winner in 2 years is no small task. In Utah, no less.

calumnus;842300579 said:

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Agreed. And, as I posted earlier, his wife mentioned recently that she sat with Jack Clark at a VCU basketball game and she quoted him in her blog.

In other words, Shaka has been hanging out with Jack Clark recently. It was posted a week before the NCAA tournament, so it wasn't in San Diego. It was likely Richmond. It is rugby season, but Cal has no games back east. Why was Jack Clark hanging out with Shaka Smart and attending a VCU game, sitting with Maya Smart? Exactly.

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That's interesting stuff about Jack Clark and Mrs. Smart talking. It's a guess, but maybe Smart knows he can win but he wants to build something special, or he wants to win in a certain way/philosophy. I get that vibe from him. Talking to Jack Clark thus seems natural.

I've only read a little about Shaka but if all the reports are true maybe the pitch to him is intellectual, not just $$$ and hoops. Why not pitch him the HC job along with an academic position in a research/policy group associated with campus, or create one for legit athletic research. I know that sounds like a lot but I think the guy might be motivated by more than just W's. He might be the guy to help bridge the academic/athletic divide at Cal. Now that would be exciting.

I have no inside info, but I don't have the best feeling about Sandy Barbour's long term connection to Cal. For argument's sake, if Sandy IS on her way out - how does that affect this hiring decision?

1. Nothing to lose, so go for the fences
2. Not worth the investment, so just cut a deal with TD - easy
3. Don't want to burn any bridges, not sure what her next career move is - put this in the hands of others (selection committee, search firm, etc)
4. Already in secret discussions to take over at another school and want to save the best candidate for the next stop.

I know, I know.... I'm just trying to stir the pot.....

:gobears:

BeachedBear;842300871 said:

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I have no inside info, but I don't have the best feeling about Sandy Barbour's long term connection to Cal. For argument's sake, if Sandy IS on her way out - how does that affect this hiring decision?

1. Nothing to lose, so go for the fences
2. Not worth the investment, so just cut a deal with TD - easy
3. Don't want to burn any bridges, not sure what her next career move is - put this in the hands of others (selection committee, search firm, etc)
4. Already in secret discussions to take over at another school and want to save the best candidate for the next stop.

I know, I know.... I'm just trying to stir the pot.....

:gobears:

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I'll play. Considering the football hire I'd say she would be looking for a known quantity not an unknown one. That would explain Brey. (I'm also assuming she wants to keep her job)