Howland on his way out at UCLA?

[maleko83]

This really blows my mind. A bunch of Final Four trips not too long ago. If he does get let go, he'll be an excellent coach somewhere else. Personally, wouldn't want to see him in the SEC.

http://ucla.scout.com/2/1250943.html

[REM08]

I dont' know, things sure appear to be disintegrating over there lately. I'm not familiar enough with their situation to know why though.

I imagine UCLA has somewhat of an identity crisis. Are they the university that absolutely dominated the sport for the 12 year span involving Gilbert and Wooden? Well, not without those guys. They've won exactly half the national championships Florida has outside of that relatively small time period. I think they're hugely overrated as a program and hope they aren't running out coaches based on an expectation that cant' be duplicated - at least without sanctions.

[maleko83]

I don't disagree with what you said about an identity crisis, but how many coaches in the "one and done" era can say they've been to three straight Final Fours? BD has earned a ridiculous amount of goodwill (if not total immunity) for two straight championships. Three straight Final Fours should earn more goodwill than 5 years. He's been to the Tourney twice since then (a 6 and 7 seed). Plus, he's gotten big time recruits (like Love and Westbrook).

He clearly has the coaching chops, at least in my opinion. Seems like very short-sighted decision making.

[dailydoublecat]

Big East coach in California a bad combo

[JohnC1908]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

Big East coach in California a bad combo

Remember he was at Pitt previously.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by JohnC1908

Remember he was at Pitt previously.

Exactly my point!!

[tupacbiff]

He has a couple of big issues:

1) his style of play is highly in attractive. This impacts the fans and recruiting.

2) he looked real bad in the reeves Nelson debacle. Either he plays serious favorites or is blind I a lot of stuff.

3) ucla was a very dirty prog for a long time. Now they are not they are feeling the repercussions.

4) PAC 10 has taken a nose dive

5) he is an east coast guy

6) Cali recruits have historically left the state

7) their home court was being renovated for 2 yrs I think losing home
Court and hurting recruiting

8) lack of national tv exposure

[JohnC1908]

Originally Posted by dailydoublecat

Exactly my point!!

Blah, my reading comprehension wasn't so good there. I read it backward.

[dailydoublecat]

Originally Posted by JohnC1908

Blah, my reading comprehension wasn't so good there. I read it backward.

No problem! It just never felt like a good fit for either. Maybe they get it together as they do have talent

[FranceGator]

SI had a great article earlier in the year documenting in depth the UCLA situation. Eye opening, to say the least.

[InstiGATOR1]

I just looked at his record this year:

1. UCLA is 8-3

2. they have one bad loss.

3. they beat UTx in Houston

4. they have Fresno and Missouri left.

Heck if they split Fresno and Missouri and go 9-4 in the pre conference and go say 11-7 in the PAC12 to finish 20 and 11, they well could get a bit. If they improve and go better than that in the PAC12, they will be a lock.

You can fire a NC coach like AU did, if his program falls off the cliff. What the 3 final fours get him probably is if his team makes the tourney that have to keep him.

[AzCatFan]

Howland is originally a west coast guy. Got his start at Northern Arizona. Almost upset St. Johns as a 15 seed about a dozen years ago. Left for Pitt, had great success, then came back west.

One problem UCLA had was how outdated Pauley Pavilion was. I say was because it is being renovated this year. Leaves UCLA without a home court. Probably will cost the Bruins a win or two. May also give Howland another year.

Howland's problem is he is not a disciplinarian. Give him the right kids and 3 straight Final Fours happen. Give him an attitude problem or two and things break down. Still, UCLA has a lot of talent on the roster and outside of Arizona, the PAC isn't that good. UCLA can win 13 or 14 league games plus a game or two in the PAC-12 tourney, and the Bruins will be dancing this year.