Phelps Fired (was 'How Hot Is Phelps' Seat?)

[BCPanther]

I've heard rumors that the University President will not allow anyone to be paid more than he is?? Any truth to this DU??

I don't think you can get by in this league long term paying somebody 200k per year. Hell, Jake was making 100k more than that before the S16 and we don't have alumni with the resources that Drake's have...

[DUBulldog]

I've heard rumors that the University President will not allow anyone to be paid more than he is?? Any truth to this DU??

I don't think you can get by in this league long term paying somebody 200k per year. Hell, Jake was making 100k more than that before the S16 and we don't have alumni with the resources that Drake's have...

BC...I've heard that rumor, too. Don't know if its true. I have heard that Drake admin has come to the realization that they need to put money into this.

I don't think Drake will shell out WSU/CU money, but I don't think they'll go on the cheap either.

[mecha_bulldog]

@DuBulldog --

Which candidates do you (and the other long time DU faithful) prefer? What sort of things are you hoping for in a candidate?

The only real criteria the AD has given us is Drake wants someone with head coaching experience, but even that seems flexible. Most fans seem to want someone uptempo and exciting. We're throwing out a bunch of names on Drake Nation, and a lot of them are predictable. There are retreads who were successful a couple years ago, head coaches at smaller programs, and assistants at big programs. And some new poster is pushing Scott Nagy suspiciously hard.

[pafan]

The Miller guy from the Des Moines Register seemed to be clueless.

Phelps was going to be let go sooner or later without a major turnaround next year or the year after. He would most likely not accept a one-year extension, so it made a lot of sense to let him go at the end of his contract rather than pay a buy-out next year.

[DUBulldog]

The Miller guy from the Des Moines Register seemed to be clueless.

Phelps was going to be let go sooner or later without a major turnaround next year or the year after. He would most likely not accept a one-year extension, so it made a lot of sense to let him go at the end of his contract rather than pay a buy-out next year.

There is a real good reason why Miller seems clueless. He's never been to a Drake game in the Knapp Center. He hasn't observed Phelps' coaching, yet feels qualified to comment on whether or not he should be retained.

[MVCfans]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanCBS

Two names I am hearing at Drake are Creighton assistant Darian DeVries and Gonzaga asst. and ex-Utah coach Ray Giacoletti.

[GoShockers89]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanCBS

Two names I am hearing at Drake are Creighton assistant Darian DeVries and Gonzaga asst. and ex-Utah coach Ray Giacoletti.

Giacaoletti is a curious rumor. I would have thought his entire network would be in the Pacific NW now after being at Eastern Washington, Utah and Gonzaga for a dozen years. I know he cut his teeth at NDSU but that was ages ago.

Any hot rumors on the Bulldogs board? I thought Nick Nurse was an intriguing option.

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanCBS

Two names I am hearing at Drake are Creighton assistant Darian DeVries and Gonzaga asst. and ex-Utah coach Ray Giacoletti.

DeVries has a background that makes him a logical, if somewhat uninspiring, hire. I'd pass on Giacoletti. He was very marginal as a head coach and if you have watched Gonzaga play in recent years it is apparent from their huddles that assistant Tommy Lloyd plays a bigger role than Giacoletti. I'm sure either one is competent and would do a good job but Drake needs to make a splash. This might sound crazy but I'd call up Doug Gottlieb of CBS. He expressed an interest in the K-State job last year. If he has interest in Drake he would be a big time name who also seems to really know the game. Might sound crazy but it would shake things up for sure and our conference could use that in my opinion.

[TheDrake]

Jeff Goodman ‏@GoodmanCBS

Two names I am hearing at Drake are Creighton assistant Darian DeVries and Gonzaga asst. and ex-Utah coach Ray Giacoletti.

DeVries has a background that makes him a logical, if somewhat uninspiring, hire. I'd pass on Giacoletti. He was very marginal as a head coach and if you have watched Gonzaga play in recent years it is apparent from their huddles that assistant Tommy Lloyd plays a bigger role than Giacoletti. I'm sure either one is competent and would do a good job but Drake needs to make a splash. This might sound crazy but I'd call up Doug Gottlieb of CBS. He expressed an interest in the K-State job last year. If he has interest in Drake he would be a big time name who also seems to really know the game. Might sound crazy but it would shake things up for sure and our conference could use that in my opinion.

Agree completely. Drake needs a hire that re-establishes their commitment to the program and excites the fan base. Neither of those two fit that bill. We can only hope that Sandy is getting help in the coaching search from someone who understands that. I'm not convinced that she really gets basketball.

[mecha_bulldog]

DeVries has a background that makes him a logical, if somewhat uninspiring, hire. I'd pass on Giacoletti. He was very marginal as a head coach and if you have watched Gonzaga play in recent years it is apparent from their huddles that assistant Tommy Lloyd plays a bigger role than Giacoletti. I'm sure either one is competent and would do a good job but Drake needs to make a splash. This might sound crazy but I'd call up Doug Gottlieb of CBS. He expressed an interest in the K-State job last year. If he has interest in Drake he would be a big time name who also seems to really know the game. Might sound crazy but it would shake things up for sure and our conference could use that in my opinion.

A Des Moines talk radio host said Gottlieb was interested in coaching Drake, but Drake had no interest in him. Drake needs to make a splash, but they can do better than a media personality with no coaching experience.