Tony Bennett must see the writing on the wall...you can't win an NCAA title at Washington State! It is just not going to happen. Yeah, you may win 20 games, win a few 1st round games, bring in some fans but you are not going to bring home an NCAA trophy. It is just too difficult in a place like Pullman...so Indiana here he comes.
Its a no brainer and here is why:
He has ties to the Midwest
- He grew up in the Midwest
- He played ball at UW-Green bay
- He was an assistant Wisconsin
- One of his best recruits at WSU came from the Midwest (ie...Kyle Weaver)
- His sister and father coached in the Midwest (Indiana and Wisconsin)
Money, Mullah, Dough, Greenbacks etc...
- Bennett would probably double or triple his $800,000 salary (if you can't win a title your next best option is to make some money trying)
- Better facilities
- More exposure
- More endorsement deals
Big Ten suits his style
- Defense wins in the big ten
- His dad was successful with the same system in the Big Ten
Indiana is a recruiting haven
- At Indiana, you can get the top recruits of the state (WSU may not even get the top recruits of out of Spokane)
- Indiana's lore and tradition will help in recruiting
- Bob Knight and Dick Bennett are close friends which will also help in recruiting
- If he can recruit at WSU he WILL be able to recruit at Indiana
Potential to win a National Title
- Isn't this what coaches at the top of their games want more than anything else?
What do you think? Answer the poll question.
2 comments:
Finally the Asst. Coach steps up to the plate and delivers. Tony B in Pullman is the most overmatched couple since Bill and Hillary. Hey Cougs, enjoy him while you can, because at this time next year the closest you'll be to Bennett will be watching Indiana win a tournament game on TV as you drown your sorrows in yet one more PBR at "The Coug."
Thegeneral
I do not see Coach Bennett going anywhere...this year. The reasons I think Tony will stay:
1) Indiana is not the right job for him. Yes, Indiana was a top 5 job; a couple years ago. Right now, in the midst of the NCAA investigation, having three head coaches in the past 8 years, and still higher than ever expectations, have very much diminished what once was the Elite job in the midwest next to Kansas. Now, this is not to say that the job is not still elite, but it is very much a buyer beware situation.
2) Bennett brings new meaning to the words dedication, integrity, and family. He knows who gave his Dad one last shot to go out with a positive taste in his mouth. He knows who gave him his first "BCS" job. He knows how poorly his sister was treated while the head women's coach at IU. He has a player that gave up his scholarship next year (senior-to-be Taylor Rochestie) so the it could be given to an in-coming freshman and therefore bolster the program. While many of these things don't matter in today's NCAA's, they mean something to the Bennett's.
3) His in-coming class could lead them to a Final Four run in 4 years. They are going to be scary good; think this year's senior class with equal ability on defense, and that desperately needed go-to star.
4) He is waiting for the Wisconsin job. That will be the mid-west job he leaves for, and everyone knows it. When Bo Ryan hangs it up in 4-5 years, Bennett will finally leave the Cougs.
Faithfully,
Blind Cougar Optimism.
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