bb_fan
Here is my quote from Feb 2:
"I think AAR has done a nice job, but if you are an AD at a school that wants to be a basketball powerhouse or return to its former glory, how closely do you look at a guy who has had one great recruiting class and one winning season? And it took him 4 years to get there. That’s a big gamble.
If AAR stays, keeps his players and has a better season next year, that is a lot of ifs but then he will be in line for a plum job."
The above, I believe, is still true, but AAR has now added a regular season conference championship, conference tournament championship, NCAA tournament appearance and ASUN coach of the year to his resume, that has sweetened his desirability. A good showing in the NCAAs of course would raise his stock even more.
I have grown to like AAR, but I was very skeptical the first 2 years after seeing a number of coaches come and go and never achieve much success. I think AAR has greatly improved his game coaching during his tenure and what is really impressive, and I give him most of the credit as the leader, is how well the guys play together and they really seem to have a tight bond with each other.
Some struggling high majors / well-funded mid majors may get caught up in his story and make a run for him. AAR plays the long game I think he will pass on anything that resembles a lateral move, or potentially puts him in a situation where it's difficult to succeed even if the $$$ increase.
If he can keep his returning players together, and if he has another great year next year, I think he is in a lot better position to make a bigger jump. Those are big if's, but he believes in himself, and understands good things are worth waiting for.
Maybe some of this is my wishful thinking. I would like to see what this group and coach could do next year. Either way it's put us on the map, and we will benefit from this success beyond this year.
