Utah Basketball Coaching Search

Some radio voices in Vegas are saying they've heard Lon Kruger tell them he's not taking the Utah, Oklahoma, or NCSU.  However, Spencer Checketts of ESPN 700 told me through Twitter that: 

"Heard from source close to Ute hoops that Lon Kruger will interview for vacant head coaching spot sometime next week...Was never informed if the job was offered or if LK was interested, only that he      would be interviewed... I stand by what I was originally told: LK would be contacted about the job."

To which Vegas radio host Ryan Greene responded to our conversaution: "He was absolutely contacted. Just said no thanks."

So, unless that interview goes really well next week (provided it even occurs), we can probably take Lon Kruger off the list.  Even still, if Hill is scheduling interviews into next week, we may not know who will be coach for at least another week or more.  But, we should be able to tell who is officially off the list as schools start to sign contracts.

No official word on Dave Rose, although Dick Harmon keeps tweeting about "immanent" contract extension signings...which haven't happened.  But we expect total homerage from Harmon.  However, Blogger Sportsbybrooks is saying he has heard that Rose has turned down both Utah and NCSU.

David Locke seems to think that Tommy Connor would be a good candidate: coached under Majerus, knows Utah recruiting ground, is a winning coach.  I mentioned to Robert Jackson of KSL via twitter that he should add Connor to his list he posted on KSL.  He agreed that Connor would be a good coach and should be on the list.  Most people on twitter think Connor would be better than Krystko, and I agree.  Coached 7 total years under Majerus during the best years.  Has a 70% winning percentage at Westminster, including 78% in conference play.  The conference number to me is more indicative of his winning ways because we know that some of those out of conference losses lowering his other stat were to teams way above the talent level of the team.  And yet, he is still managing 20+ win seasons over 12 years as a head coach.

Mark Gottfried is still talked about on twitter as a top candidate.  Here is Gottfried breaking down some basketball plays on ESPN: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6274546.  Imagine sitting in a film room with a guy like that?  We probably won't know a decision on him until next week as his role in the tournament coverage wraps up.

Interesting stuff.