The idea of “coaches in waiting” has evolved into prominence within the world of college athletics. The first ‘big’ one that I remember that was both formal and not family driven was in Purdue’s basketball program when Matt Painter was hired to ride shotgun alongside Gene Keady. Since then, the idea has taken root and spread throughout basketball and football.
Barry Jacobs takes a good look at the idea in this piece. We’d love to hear your thoughts about the topic.
As a little bit of a sweetner for the conversation — why don’t you imagine that NC State set up this type of scenario to replace Coach O’Brien in the next 5 -10 years? For example, what if a beloved and well-respected assistant coach like Andy McCollum was pre-ordained to as the next head coach when Coach O’Brien retired?
Recently FSU and Maryland took a different, non-filial route, paying much-sought offensive coordinators to stick around while articulating a time frame for the younger men’s ascent to head coach. That enabled both schools to fend off suitors for two of their most promising assistants, and answered questions of continuity sure to arise in the cutthroat world of recruiting.
Whether it was a smart long-term strategy is another matter.
