Harper....The next UNLV head basketball coach

[TimothyC3]

Now we have a history with AD Harper. First, and rightfully so football has been made a priority under his leadership. Also, when it came to his first coaching search it was devoid of any leaks and it kept the media and UNLV fans guessing ultimately resulting in the hiring of Barry Odom as the program’s 13th football coach. We had no clue! Additionally, a contingency plan was in place well before Odom's second season started (just in case) because it was later learned that Harper, Saccenti and Mullen were all playing golf together last summer at Southern Highlands. Harper pretty much had his new coach and money lined up and ready to go. How would you rate Harper's first hire in Odom? He get's an A IMO. What about Harper's 2nd hire in Mullen? It's early. But preliminarily, another A and potentially a higher ceiling than Odom.

Based on history, when it comes to UNLV's next basketball coach there will be no leaks or rumors. No national search committees or consultants. I anticipate based on past performance Harper already has the new UNLV basketball coach pretty much lined up along with the $$$$ to pay him. Within 3-5 days after CKK release, I anticipate UNLV announcing it's new head basketball coach. Based on history and the level of football coaches hired by AD Harper I expect it will be considered another A rated hire.

 

[LVRebel2000]

Now we have a history with AD Harper. First, and rightfully so football has been made a priority under his leadership. Also, when it came to his first coaching search it was devoid of any leaks and it kept the media and UNLV fans guessing ultimately resulting in the hiring of Barry Odom as the program’s 13th football coach. We had no clue! Additionally, a contingency plan was in place well before Odom's second season started (just in case) because it was later learned that Harper, Saccenti and Mullen were all playing golf together last summer at Southern Highlands. Harper pretty much had his new coach and money lined up and ready to go. How would you rate Harper's first hire in Odom? He get an A IMO. What about Harper's 2nd Hire in Mullen? It's early. But preliminarily, another A and potentially a higher ceiling than Odom.

Based on history, when it comes to UNLV's next basketball coach there will be no leaks or rumors. No national search committees or consultants. I anticipate based on past performance Harper already has the new UNLV basketball coach pretty much lined up along with the $$$$ to pay him. Within 3-5 days after CKK release, I anticipate UNLV announcing the UNLV new head basketball coach. Based on history and the level of football coaches hired by AD Harper I expect it will be considered another A rated hire.

I love your positivity. I hope it plays out exactly like that and we get to enjoy UNLV football and basketball both being ranked in the top 25 in the same season.

 

[rebel5280]

Now we have a history with AD Harper. First, and rightfully so football has been made a priority under his leadership. Also, when it came to his first coaching search it was devoid of any leaks and it kept the media and UNLV fans guessing ultimately resulting in the hiring of Barry Odom as the program’s 13th football coach. We had no clue! Additionally, a contingency plan was in place well before Odom's second season started (just in case) because it was later learned that Harper, Saccenti and Mullen were all playing golf together last summer at Southern Highlands. Harper pretty much had his new coach and money lined up and ready to go. How would you rate Harper's first hire in Odom? He get's an A IMO. What about Harper's 2nd hire in Mullen? It's early. But preliminarily, another A and potentially a higher ceiling than Odom.

Based on history, when it comes to UNLV's next basketball coach there will be no leaks or rumors. No national search committees or consultants. I anticipate based on past performance Harper already has the new UNLV basketball coach pretty much lined up along with the $$$$ to pay him. Within 3-5 days after CKK release, I anticipate UNLV announcing it's new head basketball coach. Based on history and the level of football coaches hired by AD Harper I expect it will be considered another A rated hire.

Well said!

Odom was not mentioned once here by anyone and Mullen happened so quickly that the way you lay it out makes sense.

Harper is the AD we have been dreaming of, he has proven he knows what he’s doing in the way he has slayed the dragon of UNLV football!

Now, is Harper going to get poached soon, that’s the real question…

 

[Rebel77fl2]

So what you’re saying is two years of Ulric Maligi before he goes takes the Oklahoma State job and then Buzz Williams, gotcha.

 

[TimothyC3]

IMO Harper now has so much good will in the community he could make a run at Gregg Marshall and no one would give the hire much thought. Also, WSU is still paying Marshall as part of their separation agreement through the end of 2026. But what is important in the separation agreement is that WSU must STILL pay Marshall even if he takes a new job. Maybe $1.5 mill could get it done? Marshall would be a great hire. From the Kansas paper:

"According to the agreement, Marshall’s LLC, Marshall Hoops, will receive a $48,076.92 payment from WSU every two weeks, starting on Dec. 11, for the next six years, for a total of 156 payments and $7.5 million. The remaining $250,000 is being paid to Marshall in a lump sum. There is also no mitigation agreement, which is common in separation agreements. That means WSU still has to pay Marshall if the coach is hired by another program in the next six years."

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article247294674.html#storylink=cpy

 

[RebelScrub]

Is Harper golfing with Lon right now?

 

[dcut03]

Is Russ Turner completely a lost cause?

I would love Wade or Marshall, but Russ Turner is just killing it at Irvine as well.

I don't think we can fund rase enough for Marshall, but I think the other 2 are more than obtainable. It is much easier to sell Football with all the excitement and results, but when no one cares for a good not great year last year in basketball, it becomes a much harder sell. At least a much riskier investment.

 

[rebel5280]

IMO Harper now has so much good will in the community he could make a run at Gregg Marshall and no one would give the hire much thought. Also, WSU is still paying Marshall as part of their separation agreement through the end of 2026. But what is important in the separation agreement is that WSU must STILL pay Marshall even if he takes a new job. Maybe $1.5 mill could get it done? Marshall would be a great hire. From the Kansas paper:

"According to the agreement, Marshall’s LLC, Marshall Hoops, will receive a $48,076.92 payment from WSU every two weeks, starting on Dec. 11, for the next six years, for a total of 156 payments and $7.5 million. The remaining $250,000 is being paid to Marshall in a lump sum. There is also no mitigation agreement, which is common in separation agreements. That means WSU still has to pay Marshall if the coach is hired by another program in the next six years."

Read more at: https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/wichita-state/article247294674.html#storylink=cpy

Would be a good move!

Wade, Wright or Marshall were high on the list, with Marshall being the one name that makes sense when it comes to the “former” HC vein that is a proven model around here!

 

[WarthogRebel]

I just spent some time searching for what Marshall has been doing for the past four years. All I get is pablum. Nobody knows what he is doing specifically. It does look like he's been away from basketball. If he was involved in BB it would be out there. I would rather see a coach who has been involved with the game.

 

[rebel5280]

I just spent some time searching for what Marshall has been doing for the past four years. All I get is pablum. Nobody knows what he is doing specifically. It does look like he's been away from basketball. If he was involved in BB it would be out there. I would rather see a coach who has been involved with the game.

Mullen wasn’t coaching for a few years but here he is now, like he never left!

 

[WarthogRebel]

Mullen wasn’t coaching for a few years but here he is now, like he never left!

To me the difference between them is Mullen was active announcing/commentating. Marshall has done none of that. The press and the basketball community in general has treated Marshall like a leper. Four years is a long time to be away from NCAA sports. The last year Marshall coached, the portal had only been around for a year and there was no NIL. Recruiting has to be completely different from when Marshall was active. I think it's a big risk to take a coach who has been completely away from the sport for four years.

 

[j. spilotro]

Is Russ Turner completely a lost cause?

I would love Wade or Marshall, but Russ Turner is just killing it at Irvine as well.

I don't think we can fund rase enough for Marshall, but I think the other 2 are more than obtainable. It is much easier to sell Football with all the excitement and results, but when no one cares for a good not great year last year in basketball, it becomes a much harder sell. At least a much riskier investment.

Turner won’t budge the needle with interest. That’s part of it. UNLV has lost so badly that they need to win the press conference and win right away. They’ve exhausted every ounce of goodwill with the fans. You snooze, you lose. Start with an unexciting hire, you get 2k in stadium … need a name that has something with substance behind it, some higher level proof. Turner ain’t it.

 

[j. spilotro]

I just spent some time searching for what Marshall has been doing for the past four years. All I get is pablum. Nobody knows what he is doing specifically. It does look like he's been away from basketball. If he was involved in BB it would be out there. I would rather see a coach who has been involved with the game.

Wade.

I’d take Marshall, too. But Wade would top my list of realistic possibilities. I don’t consider Wright a possibility at all. Too high of a tag. Ultimate success, squeaky clean image - high premium.

 

[TimothyC3]

To me the difference between them is Mullen was active announcing/commentating. Marshall has done none of that. The press and the basketball community in general has treated Marshall like a leper. Four years is a long time to be away from NCAA sports. The last year Marshall coached, the portal had only been around for a year and there was no NIL. Recruiting has to be completely different from when Marshall was active. I think it's a big risk to take a coach who has been completely away from the sport for four years.

Kelvin Sampson was fired at Indiana after the 2007-08 season. He was treated like a leper and didn't coach again until 2014-15 at Houston and I don't remember seeing him involved in college hoops at all . That's 7 years and he hit the ground running. At the end of the season it will be 5 years for Marshall. The time off doesn't matter IMO. Marshall can coach and has won every where he has gone. He would have a Sampson like impact at UNLV IMO.

 

[rebelzzz]

Harper did great hiring Odom and from first appearances looksnlike he even did better getting Mullen. Time will tell. He know football, he has the contacts. After the Odom i expected a big hire for football.
I guess now we will see if he can do the same for basketball. I am not as confident about Harper and basketball. He may hire a homerun hire and i hope he does but i am not holdingy breath.

 

[Rebel77fl2]

Sampson was never out of basketball as he coached in the NBA as an assistant for those years. Secondly, right or wrong his sins are much different than Marshall’s. Not sure how Marshall is even an option these days.
To me Wade is top of the list, but what does UNLV look offer? he is too young to have much idea of what UNLV was. He has a good gig in the southeast (sort of) where he is from, he can move from McNeese to a P4 job eventually. What does Vegas offer him. Sure Wade is making peanuts and UNLV can offer more than most non-P4 schools. It would be great to get him, I just think it is a long shot.

 

[WarthogRebel]

Kelvin Sampson was fired at Indiana after the 2007-08 season. He was treated like a leper and didn't coach again until 2014-15 at Houston and I don't remember seeing him involved in college hoops at all . That's 7 years and he hit the ground running. At the end of the season it will be 5 years for Marshall. The time off doesn't matter IMO. Marshall can coach and has won every where he has gone. He would have a Sampson like impact at UNLV IMO.

Not even a close comparison. Sampson was a Bucks and Rockets assistant. He was NEVER away from the game.

 

[TimothyC3]

Not even a close comparison. Sampson was a Bucks and Rockets assistant. He was NEVER away from the game.

Away from the game? What does that really mean? He was an assistant and in the NBA. Not a college head coach. Different game. Success in college or in the NBA totally different. Lon Kruger, Rick Pitino and Tark were all fired in the NBA. But they are hall of fame college coaches. Not the same game at all.

 

[TimothyC3]

Not even a close comparison. Sampson was a Bucks and Rockets assistant. He was NEVER away from the game.

In fact I thought the argument would focus on potential loss of aau and high school recruiting connections. With NIL that is not as important as it once was.