Replacing Ernie...what you're missing

Thanks for reading my post. I usually don’t do those very often.

I think the Nike connection is overblown by most of the pundits who have discussed the new opening at UO. I mean, sure, it will play into it, but not to the extent that everyone makes it out to be.

Example: I know Phil wasn’t a big fan of Ernie, but if Phil had total reign over athletic department decisions, EK would’ve been gone after the 2008 season. Oregon showed patience with Ernie because of his loyalty to our school, and because the guy is a class act regardless of the wins and losses. If Phil had control of the trigger, EK would’ve been canned a long time ago.

Nike helps, no doubt. The new arena helps. But to think that just because EK is gone and Matt Court is opening makes the Oregon job a first tier job is ridiculous. I’ve read stuff saying that we’re going to go after guys like Rick Pitino, etc. Or Jaime Dixon (who has an upper echelon program in a much better basketball conference). I even doubt that Mark Few will seriously look at this job. These kind of guys are not coming here as much as we want them to. I just don’t think we have that kind of money to throw around when you take into consideration the cost of buyouts, incentives, and the implications of paying a basketball coach more than Chip Kelly makes without upping CK’s contract as well.

I think what is more realistic is us going after an established coach at a less traditionally prestigious basketball school than the Louisvilles, Pittsburghs and Gonzagas. Scott Drew, Randy Bennett, Steve Alford. I think we’ll go after one of these guys and pay them well without breaking the bank.

And for the PJ Carlesimo rumor? Complete bullshit. Which is anything that Canzano writes.

It’s also worth noting that Bellotti unearthed the genius known as Chip Kelly, which makes me have absolute faith in his hiring abilities.

Just my two cents.