PC Coaching Search: Circle The Wagons

Now that we’ve had a few days to digest the Larranaga decision, and the landscape has changed for other coaching openings, it’s time to reassess where Providence stands in its coaching search. Bob Driscoll has a second chance to investigate some coaches that should have been in the mix from the start, as well as pursue a few interesting new names that have recently surfaced. As always, there are candidates we hope Driscoll avoids like the plague as well. After the jump, we rank and break down the 10 most likely choices to be the Friars next head coach.

Larranaga says no thanks, PC reaches critical juncture

This is what’s known in the corporate world as a public relations nightmare.

Those who have followed the Jim Larranaga situation and know his story understand that, at 58 years old, he’s in a comfortable situation at George Mason that he built from scratch. Why embark on a drastic career change when you’re only a few years away from retirement? His heart and home is in northern Virginia, and that’s all the reason he needs to stay.

But facts are facts: Providence just got rejected by a mid-major coach who also happens to be an alumnus of the school.

PC Coaching Search: The Odd Men Out

[Part 2 of a 3-part series]

Over the last decade, Providence has made a concerted effort to invest in athletics to compete in the Big East. With the increase in coaches’ salaries, upgrades in on-campus facilities and renovations to the Dunk, PC is as enticing a job as it has ever been in our lifetimes.

That said, after three years of irrelevancy, and with a senior-laden roster returning next season, an imprudent hire could set PC back years, and relegate the Friars to perennial cellar-dwellers in the Big East (or worse, as the fellow in the picture could attest to). The following candidates will be bandied about amongst fans, and may even interview to fill the vacancy. But, in his role as judge, Bob Driscoll should drop his gavel and dismiss them from consideration.