http://distinctathlete.com/with-cuonzo- ... tennessee/With Cuonzo Martin gone, who is next for Tennessee? - April 17, 2014
Cuonzo Martin’s surprising departure is in the past. Now, Tennessee has to find a new head coach.
The Tennessee men’s basketball program took a somewhat surprising blow this week when Cuonzo Martin accepted the head coaching job at Cal. Though he was never really accepted by Volunteers fans, Martin led Tennessee to the Sweet 16 in 2014 and to three consecutive winning seasons in the SEC.
Now, Tennessee has lost four of its top five scorers, either to graduation or the NBA, and is left without a coach.
With a near-empty cupboard and a souring reputation in Knoxville for head coaches, the search for Martin’s replacement will be tough. Gregg Marshall and Shaka Smart, the two most frequently named candidates for any vacancy, are long-shots at best. Here are some candidates who might be convinced to take a tough job:
Chris Mack (Xavier)As a native Ohioan, it might take a lot to pry Mack from Xavier. But with four NCAA Tournament appearances in five seasons with the Musketeers, he might be worth whatever money it would take. Though he has a pretty good position right now, the Vols should be able to convince Mack that life in the SEC beats life in the new Big East. Mack likely already realizes that, considering his not-so-secret interest in the Cal job. Mack was the 2011 Atlantic 10 coach of the year and led the Musketeers to a third-place finish in their first Big East season.
Tad Boyle (Colorado)
Archie Miller (Dayton)
Ben Howland