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I am a huge Erik Martin "the player" fan. He was my favorite player on those teams.

I will 100% support him if he is the new HC.

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't prefer that UC could pull in a "name" guy with HC experience.

It's not trashing EM to say that hiring him as HC is a gamble.

Any hire is a gamble, but a name coach, or one with HC experience would give some evidence of ability, a track record, where as a first time HC like EM would be all potential.

I also have concerns about being able to recruit over the first couple of years. High level recruits are generally going to want to play for HC's that have a track record of sending guys to the league, right? A first time HC has zero track record of grooming guys to make it to the NBA, or even overseas.

Huggs was not able to bring high level recruits to UC until he proved that he could develop guys and win with them.

So we have some of the best ranked talent in the Cincy area over the last several years occurring at the time when an EM as HC would be unproven in regards to developing players for the next level. That is a legitimate concern, is it not?

With all that said, if EM is the next HC, I will be happy for him, I will be excited for UC, and I will be 1000% all in. I can't think of anything better for the UC basketball program than for a guy like EM to be successful as the HC.