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Where are we now? Iowa coaching search reaches 7th day
One week ago, Todd Lickliter's future was uncertain. After a 38-58 record in three years, including a 10-22 mark this year, Lickliter had limped through his first three years ago. Then Monday morning, as reported here on GazetteOnline, Lickliter was out as coach. Since then, Iowa fans have mobilized the rumor mill like never before.
Among the many rumors I've heard include Keno Davis in Iowa City looking at property, Bob Knight eating breakfast at Hy-Vee (can't remember if it's the one on Dodge Street or the Coralville strip) and Bruce Pearl wouldn't coach Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament so he could start recruiting at Iowa right away. There are dozens more floating out there, waiting to get twisted from rumor into a distorted lack of reality.
So, where are we now? It appears Iowa wants to streamline the hiring process. Iowa formed a five-member committee -- announced on Saturday -- to hire the next coach. Last time Iowa had six members to hire Todd Lickliter.
Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta won't be in Iowa City until at least early Tuesday morning. He traveled to Omaha to watch the wrestling team and then had plans to fly to California to watch the women play (I'm not there so I can't confirm it). Most of the preliminary work can be done via e-mail and conference calls but nobody's getting hired until mid-week at the earliest.
So far, Keno Davis has said no, B.J. Armstrong has said no comment , and former Coach Steve Alford has said plenty. Iowa fans have said loud and clear that Northern Iowa Coach Ben Jacobson should merit no consideration for the job, despite reaching 30 wins, the Sweet 16 and beating the nation's best team. Lickliter is jockeying for another job already.
The hot names are UTEP's Tony Barbee, Baylor's Scott Drew, Oregon State's Craig Robinson and St. Mary's Randy Bennett. Plenty of other names are out there as well.
So what's next? We'll see. Here are some links on Iowa basketball.
Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter speaks during a news conference, Friday, March 27, 2009, in Iowa City, Iowa. Lickliter announced that players Jake Kelly, Jeff Peterson, David Palmer and Jermain Davis were transferring from the school. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
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