Search begins for Miami Hurricanes' next basketball coach
Search begins for Miami Hurricanes' next basketball coach
Frank Haith, who was formally introduced as the new University of Missouri coach Tuesday, realizes his hiring (and $1.5million annual salary) was met with skepticism and downright anger by some Tigers fans. He joked about it in his opening news conference, turning to the athletic director and saying, "You told me they were going to like me here.''
He then said he doesn't view the scrutiny as a negative, but rather as passion for college basketball, something that was lacking during his seven years at the University of Miami. He said a woman stopped the car he was traveling in Tuesday morning and said: "Coach, I want to welcome you to Missouri.''
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"I had spent a year at Miami," Haith said, "and I had trouble getting into my office because they didn't recognize me. I know I'm in a different place. I know I'm in a place where they care."
Meanwhile, back in Miami, the search began for Haith's replacement.
The two names that come up most from fans and media members are Kansas State coach Frank Martin and Alabama coach Anthony Grant. Both grew up in Miami, coached high school here, and have deep roots in the community. They also happen to be minorities Martin is Cuban and Grant is black which could come into play as the only minority head coach at UM right now is men's tennis coach Mario Rincon.
Martin is a former Big 12 Coach of the Year, made the Elite Eight in 2010 and is 95-43 since taking over at Kansas State four years ago. He also has a recruiting pipeline in Florida.
Grant also is highly regarded. He was Billy Donovan's assistant at the University of Florida, had great success at Virginia Commonwealth University and is beloved at Alabama. He is also very well-paid, as is Martin, and they might be out of UM's price range. Grant makes $1.8million per year, and Martin makes an average of $1.55million through 2015. Haith reportedly made in the $1million range, and perks such as charter flights which would be helpful considering the distance between UM and opponents are harder to get at UM.
Martin did not return a message left by The Miami Herald, and the University of Alabama said Grant would not be commenting on any other school's coaching search.
Another potential candidate is Central Florida coach Donnie Jones, who was 21-12 in his first year with the Knights, including wins over Florida, UM and USF.
Jones said on an Orlando radio show he had not been contacted by UM as of Tuesday morning. "Rumors start out there with people. But shoot, we've got a lot to do here. We're just getting started.''
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It is most likely UM will hire a head coach from a midsize program or a rising assistant. One name to consider is Orlando Antigua, a Kentucky assistant under John Calipari. He was the first Hispanic player on the Harlem Globetrotters.
His nickname, coincidentally, is "Hurricane.''
Source:www.miamiherald.com
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