Gottfried to UCLA Is In The Rumor Mill

The rumor mill for coaching changes is already cranking up for the offseason, and on that State fans might find interesting is this: per multiple sources, UCLA head coach Ben Howland has been notified that he will be terminated, and one of the names already being floated around is NC State head coach Mark Gottfried:

UCLA Set To Fire Howland

UCLA is set to fire men’s basketball head coach Ben Howland on Sunday, reports Yahoo! Sports and Rivals.com.

Howland’s job status with the team was at risk when the team lost 83-63 to No. 11 seed Minnesota in the second round of the NCAA tournament on Friday.

When asked about his job security after the loss, Howland didn’t have much to say.

“I have no comment. Anything in reference to any questions concerning my job status, I just want to talk about the fact that I am so proud of these kids,” he said.

So where does the Gottfried connection come in? Andy Glockner, the college basketball writer for SI.com:

glockner-tweet

Glockner did add a few minutes later that he doubted it was going to happen, but at the same time, he did take the time to share what he’d heard, so we may assume it come from at least semi-credible sources:

glockner-tweet-02

Make of it what you will, but given the fact that Gottfried has taken a near-dead NC State program to the NCAA’s two years running and has incoming recruits to the program that should set it up for sustained success, it’s easy to see why his name would be in the mix, especially at a school where he was once an assistant coach.  Time will tell what may or may not come of this.

ACC & Other Mark Gottfried NC State NCS Basketball

159 Responses to Gottfried to UCLA Is In The Rumor Mill

  1. jbwbubba 03/23/2013 at 9:36 PM #

    Also reports that UCLA will look at Billy Donovan, Smart, Stevens, Wright along with Gott.

  2. MrPlywood 03/23/2013 at 9:37 PM #

    Calapari is out of the mix? HWSNBN?

  3. wolfpackdawg 03/23/2013 at 9:40 PM #

    Not gonna happen.

  4. NCSU84 03/23/2013 at 9:54 PM #

    Never say never. UCLA vs NCSU? If made the offer, that would be a hard choice for some, but an easy choice for others. You have to look at the big picture. Stay at NCSU and play in a conference with Duke, Syracuse ,Louisville, and UNC, OR go to the Pac 12 with UCLA and “mop up” by playing the likes of HWSNBN and Sean Miller.

  5. Wulfpack 03/23/2013 at 10:00 PM #

    Money talks. Hope we have it.

  6. BamaPack 03/23/2013 at 10:05 PM #

    I wonder if they would take a look at Steve Lavin as well.

  7. MARinRVA 03/23/2013 at 10:08 PM #

    What a relief if Gott goes to Pauley Pavilion; you can get back to dreaming about Rick Barnes. Honestly, it would serve this fan base right.

  8. john of sparta 03/23/2013 at 10:08 PM #

    +1 Wulfpack.
    YOWser.

  9. 13OT 03/23/2013 at 10:14 PM #

    Could we simply elevate Lutz?

  10. Wulfpack 03/23/2013 at 10:32 PM #

    Can Lutz recruit ala Gott?

  11. JeremyH 03/23/2013 at 10:32 PM #

    Ummm. OK.

  12. TheAliasTroll 03/23/2013 at 10:36 PM #

    hopefully he takes CJ with him

    I think UCLA will aim a lot higher than Gott

  13. redcanine 03/23/2013 at 10:40 PM #

    He aint leaving Raleigh. The NC State job will be a top 5 destination once Calvin declares for the NBA (I kid, of course. I’m a big Calvin fan).

    I’m happy to have Yow, Gott, Doeren, Calvin, and Lutz. I hope we keep ’em all for a long time.

  14. bigwolfpacker 03/23/2013 at 10:46 PM #

    I dont see where Gott would be offered the UCLA job. I dont think hes that highly thought of at this point. I think UCLA goes for a bigger name. He would take the job in an instant but I dont see him getting an offer.

  15. Wulfpack 03/23/2013 at 10:51 PM #

    That is quite a place to coach basketball. Easier conference, too. Hope the chemistry issues didn’t leave too bad a taste in his mouth.

  16. Mike 03/23/2013 at 11:13 PM #

    All the comments I read earlier, some of you are pushing Gott out. Actually UCLA would love to have Gott and I hope we keep him.

  17. TheAliasTroll 03/23/2013 at 11:24 PM #

    “Actually UCLA would love to have Gott ”

    I mean, you just made this up right? If UCLA wants him they got him. I’ve got a hunch we’ll see him back at State next year though. There are a TON of better options out there for a destination job like UCLA.

  18. MrPlywood 03/23/2013 at 11:41 PM #

    I just heard that Gregg Marshall was seen on the Brickyard…

  19. Mike 03/23/2013 at 11:42 PM #

    Yes I made it up, and I hope he is back at State next year, but based on his record here, they would think he is a top notch find.

  20. Alpha Wolf 03/24/2013 at 12:22 AM #

    I dont see where Gott would be offered the UCLA job. I dont think hes that highly thought of at this point.

    Are you serious? Yes, the season ended with disappointment, but let’s consider:

    Gott is the only coach to ever take NC State to the NCAA Tournament twice in their first two years on the job. In two seasons.

    Gott has already accomplished exactly what Herb Sendek did in ten years here.

    Gott has a steady stream of recruits lined up for next year, and the year after. If you like Lorenzo Brown, you’re going to love Cat Barber. Also next year, BeeJay Anya might be Talibeard II: the 6’9″ PF/C is a hard-worker and a LOAD to defend in the paint. In 2014, the Martin twins — both top 40 wing players — are coming.

    Gott’s players largely stay out of trouble. Staats Battle may have gotten an underage DWI, but let’s compare and contrast what’s happened in other programs around the country and Gott’s players come of looking like angels.

    Gott’s players also have not had academic problems so far.

    Granted, State is not yet a steady top-20 fixture (yet), but where would be in year 7 of Lowe, or year 17 of Sendek? Not disappointed after “only” beating Duke and UNC and making it to the NCAA tourney for the second year in a row.

  21. wufpup76 03/24/2013 at 12:30 AM #

    “I’m happy to have Yow, Gott, Doeren, Calvin, and Lutz. I hope we keep ‘em all for a long time.”

  22. MISTA WOLF 03/24/2013 at 12:51 AM #

    He would leave if offered the job, I believe, without a doubt. Do I want to see him gone? Absolutely not. Would I wish him well wishes? Absolutely so. Gott has turned this program around and has set us up better for a coaching search if it came to that. I sure as hell don’t want to him to leave but he doesn’t owe us a damn thing. If Lutz leaves for a job opening does the rest of the assistants fly with him? Thats the questions I have been asking myself for a few days now. Hopefully none of this happens and all stays right in Wolfpack nation.

  23. Wufpacker 03/24/2013 at 1:21 AM #

    If the job is offered Gott would be insane to not consider taking it (and I mean seriously consider it…fly me out, do lunch, etc., etc.). If he left for that sort of job I couldn’t fault him. Hope he’s happy in Raleigh and that we can at least come close to matching if an offer is given.

    I agree that if he did go, that we’re in much better shape to attract a replacement this go ’round. And I’d be more than fine with Lutz, assuming recruiting didn’t suffer (I have no clue for certain, but I think Moxley and Early both staying would be key for that).

    FWIW, V was also on UCLA’s short list at one time (and others) and turned them down to stay in Raleigh.

  24. tjfoose1 03/24/2013 at 2:01 AM #

    Those bitching about Gott may just get their wish. As noted above,

    “Honestly, it would serve this fan base right.”

    For those thinking he’s not highly regarded… well, there was also that bunch that thought Russell Wilson was overrated and wanted him to move on in favor of Glennon.

    “FWIW, V was also on UCLA’s short list at one time (and others) and turned them down to stay in Raleigh.”

    I hear ya Wuf’, but how did that work out for him? Success and loyalty are not rewarded here. For a refresher, put on some mud waders and wonder over to Pack Pride.

    We’ll be lucky to keep him, but in all honestly, we don’t deserve him.

  25. Wufpacker 03/24/2013 at 2:12 AM #

    Agreed ‘foose, and I was thinking that same thing as I was typing it out. I’d like to think that the current PTB wouldn’t do the same thing, but V definitely was hung out to dry after showing a great deal of loyalty, no doubt.

    Still bugs the shit out of me that Monteith’s effing signature is on one of my diplomas. And yeah, I had to suppress the urge to bitch slap him when he handed it to me.

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