Under-the-Radar CBB Coaching Changes That Will Have a Big Impact in 2014-15
Buzz Williamsโ departure from Marquette set off a flurry of high-profile college basketball coaching changes, but not all the important moves got national headlines. Some of the most dangerous sleeper teams of 2014-15 will be those that brought in new skippers without nearly as much fanfare as Williams got when he arrived at Virginia Tech.
One of Williamsโ former Big East rivals, the South Florida Bulls, decided theyโd had enough of slowdown specialist Stan Heath. In his place, theyโve brought in one of the most promising assistants in the country, Kentuckyโs Orlando Antigua, to make his debut in the top job.
Read on for more on why Antigua can make a quick impact at USF, along with five more new coaches whose value during the 2014-15 season will dwarf their publicity before it.
Kim Anderson to Missouri
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Longtime Division II coach Kim Anderson isnโt any too recognizable off his new teamโs campus, but in his playing days, he was a high-scoring forward on a Big Eight champion Mizzou team.
An assistant under Tigers legend Norm Stewart for over a decade, he wonโt need to do much to win over the home fans.
Just as importantly, heโs already won over stud recruit JaKeenan Gantโthe top-rated prospect in Georgia, per ESPNโwho had committed to predecessor Frank Haith.
With the 6'8" Gant having affirmed his commitment to Missouri and 6'9" rising sophomore Johnathan Williams III also coming back, Anderson will have a formidable frontcourt with which to take on the SEC.
Kelvin Sampson to Houston
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Although Kelvin Sampson is a perfectly big name as coaches go, any hire by Houstonโwhich has made one NCAA tournament appearance since 1992โis under the radar by default.
The former Indiana and Oklahoma boss has been in the NBA since getting driven out of Bloomington by NCAA sanctions, but now heโs headed back to the college ranks.
Although Sampson is an ace recruiter, he didnโt even have to hit the trail to start his Cougars career with some surprisingly talented players.
Ex-Baylor point guard L.J. Rose and lanky post presence Danrad โChickenโ Knowles both return after encouraging debuts with Houston. Theyโll be enough of a foundation to help their new coach make some noise in the depleted AAC.
Jim Christian to Boston College
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Last seasonโs Boston College squad was decidedly less than the sum of its individual parts. Steve Donahue couldnโt turn the Eagles into a functional team, but that doesnโt mean Jim Christian wonโt be able to find an answer.
Christian is coming off two solid years at Ohio (where he replaced current Illinois coach John Groce), and BC marks his fourth head coaching job overall.
Losing Ryan Anderson to transfer hurts, but with sniper Olivier Hanlan to build around, the Eagles could improve enough to challenge for a spot in the Big Dance despite flirting with last place in 2013-14.
Orlando Antigua to South Florida
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South Floridaโs first attempt to replace the fired Stan Heath was Manhattan coach Steve Masiello, but the Bulls dropped him after learning heโd lied about graduating from Kentucky.
Instead of the former Rick Pitino assistant, the Bulls went with a coach groomed by Pitinoโs archrival, John Calipari.
Orlando Antigua has been on Coach Calโs staff at Kentucky since 2009, but USF will be his head coaching debut. His timing is fortunate, both because the AAC doesnโt have a lot of depth for next season and because he inherits some significant talent.
In addition to starters Corey Allen Jr. and Chris Perry, Antigua will benefit from a full season of Anthony Collins, the star point guard who missed most of his junior year with a knee injury.
Chris Jans to Bowling Green
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Although the MAC has a solid NCAA tournament history as a conferenceโwitness Ohioโs Sweet 16 trip in 2012โBowling Green hasnโt contributed much to it.
The Falcons will get a chance to change that record in 2014-15 thanks to a coach who knows plenty about turning mid-majors into postseason winners.
Chris Jans is getting his first head coaching gig after serving as an assistant to Gregg Marshall at nouveau juggernaut Wichita State.
He inherits defensive playmakers Richaun Holmes (2.8 blocks per game) and Jehvon Clarke (2.1 steals a night) to help turn around a roster that has more talent than its 12-20 record from last season would suggest.
Travis DeCuire to Montana
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Kareem Jamarโs departure is a big blow, but the versatile guard is the only starter leaving from a Montana team that was already very much in contention in the Big Sky.
While next yearโs Grizzlies will need a new point guard on the floor, theyโll bring in an old one to man the head coaching post.
Former Montana standout Travis DeCuire (at right) was Mike Montgomeryโs handpicked successor at Cal, but the Golden Bears brass opted for Cuonzo Martin instead.
Berkeleyโs loss is Missoulaโs gain, as DeCuire will give a guard-rich roster every opportunity of pulling off a March Madness upset in 2015.
