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. tjfoose1 03/24/2013 at 2:23 AM #

    “Still bugs the shit out of me that Monteith’s effing signature is on one of my diplomas. ”

    Agreed.

  2. shelbypackfan 03/24/2013 at 2:26 AM #

    Maybe I am way off base here….but I think one of the reasons UCLA hasn’t been able to land many of the top names in the past 30 years has been money. I don’t think “University of California at” system is able to pay top dollar for coaches. I am sure someone can correct me if I am wrong.

  3. Alpha Wolf 03/24/2013 at 3:11 AM #

    ^ Usually, it is the boosters and the shoe/TV contracts that make the bulk of a coach’s salary. If the UCLA boosters are unwilling to pay for a top coach, that’s on them. Somehow, I doubt that’s the case, however.

  4. PackerInRussia 03/24/2013 at 3:46 AM #

    Disappointed with some things about the season (not all things). Would be even more disappointed if Gottfried left. Would be even even more disappointed if people sent him off with a “good riddance.” Hopefully sanity will return and people will see things with at least a partially objective view and understand that Gottfried has done a pretty darn good job in 2 years and seems to have things going in the right direction.
    By the way, instead of the APR, how about being able to trade players’ unused years and give them to players who have used up their eligibility.

  5. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 7:30 AM #

    Shaka is the front runner.

  6. wolfonthehill 03/24/2013 at 7:59 AM #

    I’m not sure what our fanbase has done that could POSSIBLY say we “deserve it” if he leaves.

    That being said – (1) I can’t imagine them firing Howland for Gottfried, (2) if they offer it, he’s gone.

    Unless he looks at Howland and says “I’m not going somewhere that thinks what he did wasn’t good enough.” I mean, if we think we’re hard on coaches…. jeebus.

  7. LRM 03/24/2013 at 8:01 AM #

    I think this is one of the jobs Shaka was waiting for. Or maybe Brad Stevens.

    If Gott leaves we’ll get Sean Miller this time anyway so we’re good.

  8. Dan Allen 03/24/2013 at 8:14 AM #

    I remember when V was reported to be going to UCLA. I *think* that was when he was named AD.

    I believe this time it’s going to be Smart.

  9. graywolf 03/24/2013 at 8:21 AM #

    UCLA went after Valvano back in the day too. They were unsuccessful at getting him to go west. I know the heritage Gottfried has at UCLA but I am not sure he will be their first pick.

  10. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 8:41 AM #

    Shaka will most certainly bolt VCU for UCLA.

  11. Rick 03/24/2013 at 8:46 AM #

    “Money talks. Hope we have it.”

    Seriously? You complain about Gott non stop.

  12. Texpack 03/24/2013 at 8:59 AM #

    UCLA refused to pay the buyout on V’s contract. He was gone until that happened.

    Gott would take the UCLA job in a heartbeat. He is probably their Mark Gottfried option at this point. They will go after a couple of bigger names and have MG as their back up plan. I’d like to see him stay. He’s a good fit for our program.

  13. Pack1998 03/24/2013 at 9:01 AM #

    It would be a setback if Gott left, and NO ONE wants him gone at State. The season ended in disappointed, but we know how far we’ve come in a short time.

    UCLA has the rep to go after any coach they want. BUT . . . this search will be interesting. Can they lure a top coach from another top program? I think that is hard in this day of high paid coaches. Shaka is the an ideal target. I would say Stevens too, but the new Big East increases the Butler brand. I doubt a guy like Billy D. goes, if you have all you need (including high $) at your current job, why take the risk.

    They may have a lot of candidates flirt with it.

    To be very rational – I don’t think Gott would be on their top 5, but our risk is they miss out on their top 5 and start moving down their list.

  14. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 9:09 AM #

    Don’t know where you are getting that, Rick. I have raised legitimate questions, as have many others. Still, I understand where we’ve been these last 30 years and fully recognize the potential with him on the sidelines. I will take him over all those others, no question. I just felt he did a pretty poor job this year. Great job last year. And a pretty good class coming in. So the future is certainly bright. If he leaves, who knows?

  15. dcllc 03/24/2013 at 9:15 AM #

    “If Gott leaves we’ll get Sean Miller this time anyway so we’re good.”

    Really?

  16. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 9:20 AM #

    Pretty sure that was a joke, dcllc. Miller ain’t leaving Zona anytime soon. Got that train rolling pretty good.

  17. BJD95 03/24/2013 at 9:39 AM #

    Except for the contract issue, V was gone to Westwood. And NOBODY has or ever will live NC State like V did. If you were there in February of 1993, you know that with all your heart. I was and I do.

    UCLA is one of the “golden four” jobs, where you have to almost try to screw up (other three are Kentucky, Holes, and Indiana). Those programs sell themselves. Sure, the pressure is intense, but that’s not a drawback to the personality type of successful, ambitious coaches.

    If UCLA offered (I don’t think they will), we would be looking for a coach again. In that event, I would recommend effectuating a virtual trade and hiring Ben Howland. I would not feel good about elevating Lutz, though I really like him as a lead assistant.

    On the bright side, this will make the next week or two a little more interesting.

  18. MP 03/24/2013 at 9:45 AM #

    ^ Would you add Kansas for a “Golden 5”?

    This is something… Can’t believe we’re actually in the position to have this discussion about Gott.

  19. Rick 03/24/2013 at 9:50 AM #

    “Don’t know where you are getting that, Rick. I have raised legitimate questions, as have many other”

    Frankly you are one of four posters I quit reading because all you do is complain or “bring up legitimate questions” in your vernacular.

  20. Wulfpack 03/24/2013 at 9:56 AM #

    You are way off base then. Go back. Nothing I have said is untrue. I have given him credit for a terrific first year. Not so much for a mediocre second with better talent. In the end, we are in good shape with him. I have never argued otherwise.

  21. TLeo 03/24/2013 at 9:57 AM #

    I hope no one on this forum wants to see Gott leave. In spite of the problems this year the program is headed the right direction and I would hate to lose him this quick. 20+ wins each year and two ncaa trips in two years is pretty good and a lot better than the past we had to endure.
    Now, if you can stand the mud and garbage take a trip over to PP and look at all the idiots who are wanting to get rid of him.

  22. BJD95 03/24/2013 at 9:59 AM #

    Kansas is close. I could see that argument.

    After the Golden Four/Five, there are 15-20 or so schools that have all the ingredients for the right coach to win big. You just won’t do it on semi-autopilot. NC State is one of those.

  23. Rick 03/24/2013 at 10:01 AM #

    “Now, if you can stand the mud and garbage take a trip over to PP and look at all the idiots who are wanting to get rid of him.”

    It is funny and sad at the same time.

  24. gaylaNCSU 03/24/2013 at 10:07 AM #

    Contract at NCSU currently through 2018, (automatically extended 2 years with NCAA bid) worth $49MIlLION and has $4.5Milion buyout – be surprised if UCLA offered that kind of stability, not to mention Gottfried has a family that’s just settled in here, and cost if living in LA MUCH higher

  25. MP 03/24/2013 at 10:08 AM #

    Funny and sad at the same time… i.e. ‘laughable’.

    I could totally see Brad Stevens going to UCLA. And if for some reason he turned it down (waiting for… what?), ol’ Shaka would go. If UCLA were to offer Gott ahead of those two, then hard to argue with whatever comes from it – either he’s gone, or he gets a healthy raise to stay at NC State.

    ^ With regard to the NCSU stability, it MUST be a factor that Debbie Yow gave Gott a very good opportunity to get back in the game. And Raleigh is an outstanding place to call home (in spite of the ‘lunatic fringe’, ha). Alas, money talks – if UCLA wants to up the ante.

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