From Duke to Northwestern, Chris Collins regime change is here

April 3, 2013 By Leave a Comment

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From Duke to Northwestern, one elite academic institution to another. Northwestern University officially introduced Chris Collins to the media today as the 24th head coach of NU college basketball yesterday. Chris Collins was the Associate Head Coach at Duke University until the Blue Devils were eliminated by Syracuse.

Said Collins: “Northwestern University is a special place that strives for excellence in every regard, and our program will be no different. I can’t possibly thank Coach Mike Krzyzewski and Duke University enough for preparing me for this day.”

A native of Northbrook, Illinois, Collins has served on head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s staff at Duke since 2000, and was named Associate Head Coach in 2008. During his 13 seasons on the Blue Devils’ staff, Duke won eight ACC tournaments, four ACC regular seasons, and national titles in 2001 and 2010.

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Duke Asst Chris Collins not leaving for Illinois State

April 30, 2012 By Leave a Comment

duke 2010 national champs

Associate head coach Chris Collins will remain at Duke after having initial discussions with Illinois State Director of Athletics Gary Friedman regarding the school’s head coaching vacancy.

Collins came to the decision to remove his name from consideration after discussions with Friedman on Sunday. He was also rumored to have a strong interest in the Northwestern job (despite the fact that it didn’t open up, and Bill Carmody later received a vote of confidence) and the Illini were rumored to be interested in Collins (of course that didn’t work out either).

So that’s three jobs in the Land of Lincoln that Collins has been linked to.

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Who might replace Bill Carmody at Northwestern?

March 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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There are financial advantages to letting Bill Carmody finish out his contract at Northwestern, as there won’t be a buyout. NU needs to put more money into its next coach and the program as a whole when that coach takes over. Even if Carmody makes the Big Dance next season, the school has to help him out by upgrading facilities and re-examining admission standards.

Without a buyout to deal with, NU can put all its money into the program after next season, be it with Carmody or another coach.

If the Cats fall short of expectations again next season and Carmody isn’t resigned, NU will have had time to thoroughly evaluate coaching options and have a succession plan in place.

Guest post by Kevin Trahan of bigtenorbust.com, purplewildcats.com and the Daily Northwestern.

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Should Northwestern give Bill Carmody another year?

March 17, 2012 By Leave a Comment

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Bill Carmody’s seat is warm. Warmer than he has ever felt it before and warmer than a seat typically gets for coaches at Northwestern. After yet another year in which his team failed to miss the NCAA Tournament, Carmody is taking heat.

And he certainly deserves it.

This year’s team underachieved. It failed in the clutch so many times throughout the season and couldn’t come up big in big moments and that’s a reflection of the coach. Carmody’s level-headed approach to his job is impressive, but there’s also something to be said for igniting a fire under your time to provide a spark.

However, this isn’t a call to fire Carmody. There is certainly validity to the argument for it — 12 seasons without an NCAA Tournament appearance would do it — but the timing isn’t right. A few years ago? Sure. But not now.

Guest post by Kevin Trahan of bigtenorbust.com, purplewildcats.com and the Daily Northwestern.

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