College Hoops Coaches We'd Love to See in the NBA

You know what they say: March and April madness precede summer sadness.

Fine, no one says this. But they could. It fits with regard to college coaches who could leave prestigious programs for greener wallets.

Now that the UConn "Hungry" Huskies are national champs, attentions shift to the NBA and all the offseason whimsy it (eventually) has to offer. Plenty of the Association's head coaches are on searing-hot seats, and while pillaging through assistant- and unemployed-coach ranks is standard practice, poaching college basketball sages isn't atypical.

Not when there is so much talent meandering about NCAA-sanctioned sidelines.

Tons of college hoops coaches—be it during this past March and April, or previously—have proved their mettle. They've shown they can master the art of coaching developing talent.

But what if a select few of them, if only for our entertainment benefit, took to the NBA?

Well, then, that would be grand.

*Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference and Sports-Reference

Honorable Mentions

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There's no shortage of college coaches we would want to see at the NBA level. In the interest of concision, we zeroed in on only those who are the perfect combination of NBA-ready and rumor-mill engulfed.

Here a few names that just missed the cut.

Jim Boeheim, Syracuse: Look, the NBA coaching ranks are short on crazy, OK? 

Seriously, though, I wonder if Boeheim would take his temperamental act to the NBA if Carmelo Anthony asked him.

Billy Donovan, Florida: Whatever team goes after Donovan needs to ensure they negotiate a no take-backs clause into his agreement.

The Orlando Magic know what I'm talking about.

Kevin Ollie, UConn: While it may be too soon to start considering this, Ollie led UConn to a national title in just his second year at the helm. His performance has been enough for the Los Angeles Times' Eric Pincus to advocate his candidacy for the not-yet-vacant Los Angeles Lakers head coach position, and it's enough for us to at least acknowledge his skill.

Shoot, if he comes into any interview ironically ollie-ing on a skateboard, I'd hire him on the spot.

Shaka Smart, VCU: Smart is a wanted man by, like, everyone.

Any coach who inadvertently permits us to wax nostalgic about NBA Jam's trademark "Boom Shaka Laka" credo is fine by me.

John Calipari, Kentucky

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Let's start with the obvious and—apparently—controversial.

Kentucky head coach John Calipari has made quite a name for himself since his first stint in the NBA. Coach Cal guided the then-New Jersey Nets for two seasons and change before being canned in the middle of his third after the team posted a 3-17 record through its first 20 games of a lockout-shortened 1998-99 campaign.

But that's ancient history. 

After a brief stay as an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, Coach Cal moved on to Memphis, whom he turned into a powerhouse. In 2009, Kentucky whisked him away with an elephantine-sized contract and was rewarded with a 2012 national championship.

Fifteen years removed from his disaster in New Jersey, it's time Calipari calls a mulligan on his NBA tenure. It might even be time for him to pack some sunscreen and sandals and head to sunny Los Angeles.

Less than two hours before Kentucky tipped off against UConn Monday night, former Kentucky standout Rex Chapman tweeted that Calipari would wind up coaching the Lakers next season. The Lakers, of course, denied the rumor, according to the Los Angeles Times' Chris Dufresne, as did Coach Cal himself.

"Lakers have a basketball coach, Kentucky has a basketball coach," he said after Kentucky fell to UConn, per USA Today's Gerry Ahern. "I have best job in the country. I’m not going to dignify that."

Not even a little bit? Maybe later, perhaps?

If the Lakers are going to get rid of head coach Mike D'Antoni, bringing in Calipari makes sense. Their roster has been prone to heavy turnover these last couple of years, something Coach Cal knows a thing or two (or 80) about.

This isn't the same Coach Cal who went a combined 72-112 with the Nets, either. He's more accustomed to the spotlight, more inclined to exhibit humility. He basically took responsibility for the Wildcats' loss to UConn too.

Plus, the tanking Lakers could be in position to draft Kentucky's Julius Randle this summer, depending where they fall in the lottery. So, in the words of Russell Westbrook, "Why not?"

Preferred NBA Team: Lakers

Bill Self, Kansas

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This just feels right. 

Kansas coach Bill Self is made for the NBA, if only because he knows his way about a clipboard and is really good at conveying his emotions by feverishly gesticulating his fingers in different directions.

Oh, and he wants to coach in the NBA as well.

Or maybe not.

Back in August, Self told Fox Sports' Reid Forgrave that he would be "open" to coaching in the NBA. In February, though, Self essentially said just the opposite while appearing on The Seth Davis Show.

"I'm not looking at all. I really believe I've got one of the better coaching jobs in America—pro or college —right here in Lawrence, Kansas," he told Davis (h/t KUsports.com).

Though Self also told Davis he has never received an NBA offer, coaching in the Association should be the natural next step in his career. He's been at Kansas since 2003 and has coached the Jayhawks to one national championship (2008) and three Final Four appearances.

During a survey conducted by ESPN's Jeff Goodman (subscription required) in September, Self also received some serious dap from active NBA coaches and front-office "guys." Goodman polled 50 people on which college coach they would trust to run their franchise. Self finished No. 1 in the rankings.

"He does everything well—player relations, game plan, booster/press/corporate, and has a big-time presence," once source told Goodman. "I also think he is smart enough to know that he can’t be as hard on guys as he is in practice in the NBA."

That's all great. Personally, though, I'm high on his recruiting capabilities.

Free agents like to be wooed. Most of them are like that pretty blonde at the bar who, even if she's out of your league, pays you attention if you're able to make her feel like the only girl in the room.

Self has been lauded for his powers of persuasion at Kansas. Really, that's no surprise. Sustaining powerhouses at the collegiate level is impossible if coaches cannot effectively recruit.

Basically, I'm saying Self would be perfect for the Milwaukee Bucks. Sorry, Larry Drew, but it's true. That team needs an authority figure who can also convince prospective free agents and incumbents such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and John Henson that playing in Milwaukee isn't the end of the world.

Preferred Team: Bucks (I swear that's not an insult.)

Tom Izzo, Michigan State

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More than just Tom Izzo's awesome struggle faces were taken into account. Promise.

While it's unlikely there's an NBA jump in store for Michigan State's head coach, you understand my interest. Izzo has been with the Spartans since 1995, during which time he's led them to one national championship (2000) and six Final Four appearances. 

Point being, he's comfortable in Michigan. So comfortable that he's coaching under a rolling, incentive-laden contract that renews itself at the end of every season, according to BasketballInsiders.com's Yannis Koutroupis:

"

Izzo currently has a seven-year “rolling” contract that is automatically renewed at the end of every season. To put it simply, after he serves a year, an additional year is tacked on to his deal. After snubbing Oregon and the Cavaliers, Izzo received a $500,000 annual raise that pushed his yearly salary to $3.49 million. By winning a national championship, he could earn an additional $350,000 in bonuses. His deal also includes 25 hours of free private jet rental for personal use. He’s on record describing his buyout as “a couple of million.”

"

Good luck to any NBA team trying to pry Izzo out of that agreement. Seriously, good luck, because any franchise in need of a coach should at least try.

If you remember, the Cleveland Cavaliers tried during summer 2010. With LeBron James' first free-agency decision looming, the Cavs attempted to land Izzo as part of their please-oh-please-don't-leave-us sales pitch.

And they failed.

"Instead of coaching them in the NBA, I'm going to coach them in the NCAA," Izzo said at the time, per The Associated Press (via ESPN).

How about teaching them at the NBA level now, Tom? Why not bring nearly two decades of collegiate greatness to, I don't know, the woefully constructed Detroit Pistons?

Mo Cheeks is gone, interim head coach John Loyer isn't supposed to remain in his position long-term and according to The Detroit News' Vincent Goodwill, team president and resident money-waster Joe Dumars is expected to resign. The Pistons could use a stabilizing figure like Izzo. It doesn't hurt that Detroit is essentially his backyard, either.

USA Today's Sam Amick says the Pistons are expected to give Izzo chase this summer—proof they're anxious to get back in the business of making good decisions.

Here's hoping they have better luck than the Cavs did in 2010.

Preferred Team: Pistons

Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State

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Brad Stevens, Part II?

Yes, please.

Iowa State coach Fred Hoiberg is a genius. Since taking over his alma mater in 2010, he's turned the Cyclones into a nationally recognized name. Through four seasons, he's led them to three NCAA tournament appearances and one Sweet 16 (2014). 

Hoiberg has done so well, NBA jobs should be there for the taking if he's interested. He's shown he can help build something sustainable in a college setting where roster upkeep is absurdly difficult.

In an August poll administered to various NCAA coaches by CBS Sports, Hoiberg was named "best equipped to next jump to the NBA." Any team in need of a culture change could use his swift and effective methods.

Like, say, the Minnesota Timberwolves.

According to ESPN's Marc Stein, Rick Adelman may be preparing to leave his post after this season, creating a job opening the Timberwolves will want Hoiberg to fill:

"

Widely regarded as the most NBA-ready college coach in the game, Hoiberg was a Wolves executive for four years before leaving the pros to coach the Cyclones. It should be noted that Saunders is close with Michigan State's Tom Izzo, as well, but the rumbles out of Sota are getting louder that the Wolves are going to court Hoiberg hard if they, as expected, have an opening. 

"

Next season is going to be a big one for the Timberwolves. Really, really, ridiculously big.

Kevin Love can explore unrestricted free agency upon season's end. If the Timberwolves go 0-for-7 in playoff berths with Love, chances of him staying are slim.

That's assuming the Timberwolves even allow this saga to play out that long. They could decide to cut their losses and trade Love before the 2015 trade deadline.

Whatever the Timberwolves decide to do, Hoiberg can be their guy—provided Adelman is done trying to be the answer to their growing list of problems.

Twirl Minnesota like a Cyclone, Freddy.

Sorry. Had to.

Preferred Team: Timberwolves 

Mike Krzyzewski, Duke

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On a scale of Never to Never, Ever, Mike Krzyzewski will (likely) Never, Ever, Ever, Ever coach in the NBA.

But what if he did? 

Coach K has plenty of experience dealing with NBA egos. Duke is a hotbed for Association-bound talent, and he's guided Team USA to gold medals. He's also a brand himself, a big name holding clout not to be trifled with.

I'm sold.

The thing is, so is almost everyone else. As USA Today's Scott Gleeson points out, Coach K has received NBA offers in the past—lots of them:

"

Yet the question, as it is with most college coaches with impeccable legacies, is whether he'd ever take on the challenge. In 1994, the Portland Trail Blazers made him an offer. In 2004, the Los Angeles Lakers interviewed Krzyzewski for its coaching vacancy to replace Phil Jackson. And in 2010 and 2011, the then-New Jersey Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves were after him. 

"

It doesn't take an IQ of 195 to figure out why Krzyzewski has effectively avoided the NBA. His gig at Duke is pretty comfy. Since taking over in 1980, the Blue Devils have won four national championships and made eight championship-game appearances.

Perhaps it's time for a change, though. Duke fell to Mercer in the tournament's first round this year, in what was a pretty epic choke job. Maybe he's ready for different scenery.

I hear Oakland is nice this time of year. Or even Oklahoma City.

Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson's job security will come under siege if his Dubs suffer an early postseason exit. Likewise, Oklahoma City Thunder coach Scott Brooks' spider-leg-thin offensive playbook may have peaked in potential. If the Thunder don't make some serious noise during the playoffs, he could find himself with plenty of time to increase his tactical depth.

A big name like Coach K would never leave Duke for anything short of a team ready to contend. Truthfully, he'll probably never leave anyway. But if he does, it will have to be for something special.

Last I checked, Stephen Curry- and Kevin Durant-powered offenses are pretty special.

Preferred Teams: Thunder or Warriors

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