Gary Barta has slow-played his hand very well in this search for the new Iowa head mens basketball coach. No one has much "inside info" on the matter (at least none that is being whispered around those normally in the know). I believe Barta is ready to get a big name coach into the position. I believe this will all start to be put into motion after the National Championship game and Billy Donovan's decision to stay at Florida or leave for Kentucky. Altman is now going to be a Razorback, that's cool with me. There are a ton of big name coaches out there... pretty much anyone is available for hire short of Calhoun, Coach K, and the like. Altman is not a big name guy. He did ok at an MVC school, but recruits aren't dying to play for him. While Theus hasn't had huge success as a D-1 coach yet, what he has done has been impressive. The reason Theus is a bigger name is because what he has done on the recruiting trails, his NBA career, and what a "name" like his could bring for the Iowa BB program. Again, the main reason I feel Iowa should grab Theus is his recruiting ability and because of who his coaching mentor was.
On my list
Bruce Pearl - #1 on my listBilly GillispieReggie Theus
John Beilein
Tom Crean (has a HUGE contract w/ Marquette though)
Jay Wright (loves Nova, won't leave)
Dana AltmanTim Floyd
Andy Kennedy (untested though)
Kirk Speraw
Neutral
Chris LoweryCraig NealTony Bennett
Lorenzo Romar
Not on my list
Ernie Kent - almost fired by Oregon, haven't heard many good things
Kevin Stallings - ho hum
Lon Kruger - doesn't stay at one place long enough, wining % is actually lower than Alford's
Rick Majerus - too big of a health liability
Quinn Snyder - don't like his style
Steve Lavin - don't think he can coach