University of Connecticut head coach and former NBA player Kevin Ollie is being "seriously considered" to replace Scott Brooks as the head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, SNY's Adam Zagoria reports. It is just another reason why UConn has to get out of the AAC soon!

this doesn't have a damn thing to do about the AAC. Ollie would be a target for OKC regardless- or if not them any NBA team. With his NBA pedigree, no guarantee he'd be around long term regardless.

He would be less likely to leave if UConn was in Big 10 or ACC.

(04-21-2015 02:39 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  He would be less likely to leave if UConn was in Big 10 or ACC.

not really. The NBA pull would be the exact same no matter where you were.

(04-21-2015 02:39 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  He would be less likely to leave if UConn was in Big 10 or ACC.

You may be right, but I don't know. The NBA is the top of the food chain, both career and salary wise, even compared to major college programs. Besides, isn't this speculation a bit premature?

Duke's coach never left and I am sure he had offers from NBA.

If Ollie wants an NBA job, he doesn't have to take just any job, he can wait for a good situation. And the thing that would concern me about the OKC job is that, if they were absolutely committed to winning, Harden would still be there.

(04-21-2015 02:45 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  Duke's coach never left and I am sure he had offers from NBA.

Coach K was close to taking the Lakers job once, several years ago. He decided not to, obviously.

Some coaches want to be in the proffesional levels while others prefer to be at the top of college. I won't say a conference can't have some impact on the coach's choice, but UConn is a top program regardless so I doubt the effect is likely to be that big a factor. Remember we had a Penn State football coach just go to the NFL recently and Pete Carol left USC. We had a Kentucky basketball coach in past move to the pros too.

Not all coaches will take the chances to go to the pros, but for those that want to be there, no college program will be able to hold them regardless of name of conference situtation.

He is only 42, i'd stay at uconn for 10 more years before even thinking about the NBA. Yet, looking at his nba career, he bounced around a bunch so maybe he likes moving.

Maybe he's concerned that another down year by UConn could hurt his stock as a head coach. I haven't gotten the impression that his roster for next year is especially loaded. If they are on the NCAA bubble again next year, the bloom could be off the rose, career wise. Timing is everything.

(04-21-2015 02:39 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  He would be less likely to leave if UConn was in Big 10 or ACC.

Nope.


If a NBA team gives Calipari what he wants, he'd be gone in a flash

I've actually heard Cal's name leaked to OKC...so we'll see.

Anyhow, as much as I love trolling UConn fans, and I do, this isn't indicative of a struggle related to a P5 or G5 school. If a coach wants to coach in the pros, he's going to regardless of what school he's at or the conference said school is in. He wouldn't be any less or more likely to leave if UConn were in the ACC, B1G, or any other P5 conference.

(04-21-2015 04:12 PM)ken d Wrote:  Maybe he's concerned that another down year by UConn could hurt his stock as a head coach. I haven't gotten the impression that his roster for next year is especially loaded. If they are on the NCAA bubble again next year, the bloom could be off the rose, career wise. Timing is everything.

Next year's team is actually pretty solid. I know you like to take the pessimistic view on anything UConn related, but there is a lot of talent returning with two top recruits and a solid 5th year grad transfer coming in. Definitely tournament caliber with the chance for a really quality run the following season.

If he goes, he goes. UConn will be fine and should have limited problems replacing him with another quality coach. I hope he does not - but I get it from his perspective.

I'm pretty sure Ollie will be a hot commodity for a long time one way or the other.

(04-21-2015 02:45 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  Duke's coach never left and I am sure he had offers from NBA.

Coach K said he came really close to taking the Lakers job at one point.

Why wouldn't Ollie leave UConn if the right offer came? It's not like he has a kingdom at UConn. He just came off of missing the tournament there, after winning a title with Calhoun's players.

the answer seems like it's no:

Andy Katz @ESPNAndyKatz
UConn's Kevin Ollie reiterates commitment to Huskies and quiets NBA rumors with statement: "I have no plans to pursue other opportunities."

(04-22-2015 06:49 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(04-21-2015 02:45 PM)connecticutguy Wrote:  Duke's coach never left and I am sure he had offers from NBA.

Coach K said he came really close to taking the Lakers job at one point.

Why wouldn't Ollie leave UConn if the right offer came? It's not like he has a kingdom at UConn. He just came off of missing the tournament there, after winning a title with Calhoun's players.

Almost anyone would leave if the "right" offer came along. The real question is: What is the "right" offer in Ollie's mind?

I don't think anyone here knows the answer to that.

just fyi- Brooks did get fired...

will be interesting to see if Billy Donovan goes to the pros.

Phil Jackson probably wishes he was the Thunder coach. If he had been the OKC coach the last 5 years they'd have two titles by now. At least. Jordan and Pippen, Shaq and Kobe, Kobe and Gasol... Durant and Westbrook would fit right into the Jackson formula for dominating the league. Lebron could have ended up shut out like Charles and Malone.

Has Rick Barnes removed his name from consideration?[/u]

@WojYahooNBA: Despite public statement, UConn's Kevin Ollie has significant interest in OKC coaching job, sources tell Yahoo.