I was stunned to read in the paper this morning that Cleveland State Head Basketball Coach Mike Garland has resigned. Not stunned because of the great job he is doing, but surprised that he was not given a fourth year to get the program going. Now Athletic Director Lee Reed has to find a new man to make the hoops program competitive again. What should he be looking for in a candidate?
Since a 22-6 record in 1991-92 under Mike Boyd, the program has been circling the drain. Bringing in former Villanova coach Rollie Massimino was not the answer, he didn’t want to put the work in at his age to rebuild the program. Bringing in a top assistant from a NCAA basketball power like Garland hasn’t worked either. He seems like a good basketball man, but perhaps is more of an aide than someone who can lead a program.
The truth is CSU’s program has only enjoyed a brief moment in the sun, and that was during Kevin Mackey’s tenure when they made a Sweet 16 appearance in 1985-86, and two NIT berths in 86-87 and 87-88. The athletic department has searched for that magic ever since.
Reed should be looking for a young (under 40) assistant from a name program who is looking for his first head coaching gig. CSU supporters have to understand that any coach they get will be using the job as a stepping stone. There is nothing wrong with that. Look at the University of Tulsa, a school with a solid program and numerous NCAA tournament appearances. Since 1980, they have employed Nolan Richardson, J.D. Barnett, Tubby Smith, and Bill Self as head coaches. They accept the fact that no one is staying there for 20 years.
The Vikings AD should also be looking for someone who coaches a different style of basketball. Lining up and playing mano a mano against teams with better talent usually means defeat. Mackey won with a full court pressing style that wore down opponents. Rick Pitino’s early Providence teams relied on a flurry of three point attempts. Each style allowed those teams to win against better teams. CSU needs that type of style to get the program back on its feet.
It would also help to be able to recruit in northeastern Ohio. Although this area is not the hot bed of hoops like say, a Washington DC is, there are talented players here. The new coach will not get a kid being recruited by Ohio State or another Big Ten school, but there are kids who wind up going to mid major schools who should be persuaded to stay home.
Do I have any names in particular? No. But every great head coach has to start somewhere. It wasn’t too long ago that Thad Matta was coaching in the Horizon League. That’s the type of guy that the Cleveland State administration must find. Otherwise, the program will continue in its losing abyss.
KM
Cleveland Sports Perspective 