With a losing record this year, last in the conference, after three straight years of losing ACC records, it is time for Virginia basketball head coach Pete Gillen to go. The Sabre had a good autopsy of the season (subscribers only) that blamed lousy leadership (coach and captains), missing players (Clark's grades, JR's finger, Devin's ankle, Sean's shoulder, Adrian's injury), and a confidence destroying loss to Miami at home. Earlier I detailed the long term reasons it came to this.

The requirements for the next Virginia coach are: 1) uphold the integrity and academic standing of the University, 2) rebuild the program into a competitive, winning ACC club, and 3) use the reputation of the University and the impressive new facilities at the soon to be completed John Paul Jones Arena to build the Virginia basketball program to where it regularly competes for ACC and national titles. (There's no reason #3 can't happen, but because of the length of this post already, I'll leave that for another time.)

Who will be the next coach? There isn't an obvious choice, but a lot of surprising names have come up. (I should first say that every name in that article I heard on The Sabre first.)

Tubby Smith, coach at Kentucky, is one. Someone on thesabre.com's basketball board thinks Tubby is a possibility since he has coached in Virginia before, is from Maryland, and his wife is from Virginia. But his scenario is VERY farfetched. As much crap as Tubby gets from the fans in Kentucky, he still has led them to a national championship, a current top 5 ranking and probably an SEC championship this year. Cooler heads will prevail in the bluegrass state, and no matter what it takes, they will keep him. He's at a plum job, Virginia can't beat Kentucky in history, money, or recruiting, even with the new arena. Odds on Tubby being the next UVa coach: 40-1.

The other surprising big name that has come up is Rick Barnes. He has led Clemson and Texas to top ten status, both incredible feats at primarily football schools. His first team at Clemson was widely expected to be the worst team in ACC history. It won six ACC games and I believe narrowly missed an NIT bid. A few years later he had Clemson ranked #3 in the nation, and lost in overtime in the sweet 16 to a very good Minnesota squad. His Texas teams regularly have won 20+ games.

In short, the guy can coach. I would be ecstatic with Barnes under one condition: that he would be here for the long haul. He was at Providence for five years, then Clemson for four years, now Texas for seven years.

The irony of the situation is that while still at Providence, he wanted to come to Virginia in 1990. But he backed out after initially accepting the job. Former Providence AD (and then Big East comissioner) Dave Gavitt told him he would get a reputation for job hopping. If he had come in 1990, would he still be here? It had broken his and his wife's hearts to say no to Virginia, does he feel bad about wronging us once? Does he feel he should atone? Is Virginia a place where he could stay long term, with a new challenge for him and a new arena where he might (hyperbole thrusters on) build a new dynasty?

Virginia would have to pay through the nose to get him away from Texas, where he has built a top program but is still a much lower priority than football. There is some smoke surrounding his name. Odds on Barnes: 8-1.

The Phoenix Suns' Marc Iavaroni. A former Virginia player who has had a long stint in the NBA as a coach. He came real close to NBA head coaching positions last year. Nobody knows if he'd be interested in coming back to college, even if it is his alma mater. A wild card. Odds: 25-1.

Mike Montgomery just left Stanford for the NBA. He was involved in 1990 and was the runner up to Barnes before he backed out and the job was given to Jeff Jones. He built a tremendous program at Stanford and is having a hard time his first year in the NBA. Yet another big name canidate I would be really happy with, but the timing is off. We can't match NBA money, and he probably won't throw in the towel after one year, no matter how bad the experience. Odds: 60-1.

George Washington coach Karl Hobbs. He just signed a four year contract extension. He wouldn't have done that if he wanted the Virginia job. Odds: 100-1.

ODU coach Jeff Capel. He's too young, the only reason Jones got the job at his age was because he was already an assistant and an alum. Odds: 80-1.

Notre Dame's Mike Brey. Hasn't done much at Notre Dame. Odds: 30-1.

Depaul's Dave Leitao. I know little about him, but apparently he has rebuilt Depaul into a hustling, competitive team. Odds: ??? 25-1?

Wichita State's Mark Turgeon. It's a sign of how uncertain the search is that he is even mentioned. Looks to be a young, good, up and coming coach, but he has zero ties to the ACC and a short career. Odds: 50-1.

Gonzaga's Mark Few. Zero chance.

South Carolina's Dave Odom. Former Wake coach and Virginia assistant. Terry Holland wanted him to be given the job when he left, but couldn't get any assurance from then AD Jim Copeland (understandably, since Odom's head coaching career to that point consisted of a losing record at East Carolina). Dave left in 89 for Wake and has had a very successful career. A remote possibility, but someone I would be happy with. Odds: 20-1.


A new coach would get 2-3 years of low expectations, then would have a lot of pressure to achieve. Not as high as Kentucky, but NCAAs every year along with a deep run every 3 years. There is no clear favorite, not even a most likely candidate.

What does the future hold for Virginia? Are Tubby and Barnes leveraging the situation to get better deals where they are? Is a young, unknown coach looking to step up to the challenge and revive, in my opinion, a sleeping giant in the ACC?