Tony Bennett must hate money or something
Posted on: April 11, 2008 12:16 am
Everybody knew Oklahoma State officials would put big money on the table for Bill Self. And they did. But it appears the school is also willing to pay top-dollar for a high-profile coach even if said high-profile coach is not named Self, and one direction OSU has already looked is towards Washington State's Tony Bennett.
Three different sources told CBSSports.com late Thursday that either an Oklahoma State official or someone speaking on behalf of an Oklahoma State official reached out to Bennett before Self formally rejected OSU's offer and promised the school could make Bennett among the highest-paid coaches in the nation if he was interested in talking if/once Self opted to remain at Kansas. According to the sources, Bennett rejected the overtures almost immediately and reiterated that he plans to continue coaching at Washington State.
So it's official, isn't it?
Tony Bennett is one content SOB.
And now the attention is back on Oklahoma State athletic director Mike Holder, who seems set on making a splash with this hire thanks to the money booster T. Boone Pickens can provide. Some notable possibilities bouncing around basketball circles are Southern California's Tim Floyd, Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon, Vanderbilt's Kevin Stallings and Memphis' John Calipari -- though it's unclear whether any of those coaches would actually jump from the good positions they currently hold. Among the more realistic possibilities being mentioned are Southern Illinois' Chris Lowery and VCU's Anthony Grant, the latter of whom one source believes will ultimately make the most sense.
Category: NCAAB
Comments
|
Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Aug 26, 2006 
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 7:17 am
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingLast week I actually heard that OSU's top two targets were Bill Self and Billy Gillespie, I thought that by going after those two they were setting themselves up for a fiasco. If this is true that they offered Tony Bennett the job then they are already down to their third choice and in danger of an Arkansasesque coach search debacle. I really think Calipari is the best chance that they have at getting a big time coach. He is probably losing most of his talent to the NBA (although he may be reloading), might like to make the jump to a major conference, and could probably use the pay raise. But if they don't get their third choice they need to go get a midmajor coach before they turn into a laughingstock. And really, I don't think that they gave Sean Sutton much of a chance. Especially considering all of the coaching positions he turned down to be the successor at OSU. |
|
Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Nov 3, 2006
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 8:42 am
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingI think you're right. Going after Calipari makes sense IF he can bring those recruits with him. That would make OSU rather good for next year. Calipari is a good recruiter. But I personally think he stays at Memphis. Gillespie would be a really funny choice, because I think with all the money that he might jump at it and get out of Kentucky. That, of course, would start the hysterics in Kentucky, which would be wildly funny for me because I'm a Louisville fan. I hope they do it, but I don't think they will. Gillespie hasn't shown anything at Kentucky besides being able to right the ship in time to make the Tournament in a sub-par SEC (then lose in the first round). Going after a coach at a big mid-major school (such as BYU, UNLV, Gonzaga, etc...) makes sense at this point. Most schools with the big hires have situations that they probably won't want to leave, though I would imagine that schools like USC and Vanderbilt are talking about contract restructurings with their coaches to make sure they don't bail on them. |
|
Reputation: 94
Level: All-Star Since: Nov 16, 2007
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 8:52 am
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethinghe not leaving for Okalahoma State |
Reputation: 96
Level: Superstar Since: Oct 20, 2007
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 10:14 am
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingSean Sutton didn't get a fair shot and it all comes down to a rich booster. T Boone Pickens, who basically calls the shots at OSU with his money, hated Eddie Sutton and that sentiment carried over to Sean. Sean was a lame duck coach the day he took over for his father through no fault of his own. Tony Bennett is a great guy and a tremendous coach, but that kind of money is pretty hard to pass up considering what he is making at Wazzu. |
Reputation: 83
Level: All-Star Since: Nov 1, 2006
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 11:04 am
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingI honestly don't think Tony Bennett is the best choice for them. He is almost EXACTLY like Sean Sutton, except that Bennett's first few years as a coach went well, and Sutton's didn't. It doesn't necessarily mean that Bennett is a great coach any more than it means that Sutton is a terrible one.... everybody has good stretches and bad stretches. There is no reason they should throw all this money at a guy who started coaching in 2006. |
|
Reputation: 97
Level: Superstar Since: Oct 15, 2007
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 11:10 am
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingYOU'RE THE FREAKING MAN COACH TONY, PLEASE DON'T EVER LEAVE US!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Really though, I understand that Wazzu will never have the budget of some other larger programs and thus he will eventually leave the Palouse in order to double or perhaps triple his salary. When he leaves (which is inevitable), I will be completely understanding and become a fan of whatever school he goes to (unless it's Washington, god forbid). All we're asking for is another 2-3 years to finish what he's started. I know that Coach Tony likes Wazzu, but money does talk and realistically he's going to take the money, but first he wants to establish a PROGRAM, not just a TEAM, that will continue to sustain itself after he is gone. The Bennett family has made its name by creating programs that are still good for years after they leave that school and I believe that this is what Coach Tony is looking to accomplish at Wazzu as well. All I can say is Coach Tony, Wazzu loves you man |
|
Reputation: 96
Level: Superstar Since: Jun 19, 2007
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 12:18 pm
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingMy bet is Fred Smith and PIt Hyde match dollar for dollar Pickens and keep Cal right where he is. Besides, he's already got 1 top 30 player and going after 2 more. We probably won't make the championship game again (aghh don't get me started) but going to OSU would be a tough rebuilding project. I hope Cal stays. |
|
Reputation: 98
Level: Superstar Since: Jan 24, 2007
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 12:54 pm
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingThis is further reason why Washington State has so many Wisconsin fans. The Bennetts did so much for basketball in Wisconsin and now they are working their magic in Washington as well. For those who have followed Dick and now Tony Bennett throughout the years, it comes as no surprise that Tony has chosen loyalty over money. The Bennetts are principled people who are concerned with doing what's right over doing what seems easiest or the most profitable. |
|
Reputation: 84
Level: All-Star Since: Mar 12, 2008
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 2:23 pm
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingWhen is Okie State going to realize that it just isn't that great of a job right now. When coaches making 2 million less than your willing to pay turn you down you know you are in trouble. any coach coming in would have to take the risk of having a losing year before any of your players could come in. There are two high powered teams in the big 12 that have great recruiting prowess in Self and Barnes. You can't pay recruits with Picken's money, they have to decide to want to be in Stillwater(sounds like the rough stick). G.I. Arena is the only real thing they have there that is a plus on the basketball side. They need to grab up Carter. He reminds me a lot of Capel at Oklahoma. Lowery is a big ten coach for sure with his great tough, defensive style.
|
|
Reputation: 0
Level: Amateur Since: Apr 11, 2008
|
Posted on: April 11, 2008 2:34 pm
Tony Bennett must hate money or somethingSean Sutton left OSU due to other factors besides for wins and losses and T. Boone Pickens. Sean has other issues that need to be resolved, and Mike Holder was correct in making Sean come to the realization that it would be mutually beneficial for Sean and the program that he step down. And that is all that needs to be said.
|
