I don't want to bump down the news of the night -- former Arkansas coach Stan Heath spoke with Doug Woolard on Wednesday and plans to meet with him in Atlanta, perhaps as early as today -- but there's an interesting side note, and an update that's not going to make USF fans like Gregg Marshall any more.
The school that gets Heath -- who strongly hinted he will talk with other schools while in Atlanta this weekend -- could also get Arkansas guard Patrick Beverley, the SEC's Freshman of the Year after averaging 13.9 points this past season under Heath. Beverley told his hometown paper, the Chicago Tribune, that he would consider transferring to follow Heath, based on where he goes and who Arkansas hires on as his successor. I talked with Beverley's coach at Chicago's Marshall High (too many Marshalls this week) and he said such a transfer was a strong possibility, that the main reason Beverley chose Arkansas was the chance to play for Heath.
One more: Heath had gotten a verbal commitment this spring from Jenirro Bush, a 6-foot-7 small forward from Crawford, Miss., who has since re-opened his commitment after Heath's firing. So there's the possibility that Bush could follow Heath wherever he lands, without any obstacles like being released from letters of intent or any of that. He can sign wherever he wants when the spring signing period opens April 12. Bush averaged nearly 30 points per game in leading his high school to Mississippi's Class A state championship.
And just as gravy, I'll mention that Winthrop coach Gregg Marshall, who visited USF's campus on Friday only to tell the Bulls two days later that he wasn't pursuing their opening, was expected back in Tampa on Wednesday. His visit has nothing to do with USF, unless you count trying to beat the Bulls out for a local recruit who's in limbo as he waits for USF to name its coach. Marshall's trying to land Ejike Hart, a sophomore power forward at Hillsborough Community College who has been strongly considering USF since the fall signing period. (His close friend and teammate, Kenie Freeman, who had also strongly considered signing with USF, collapsed and died last fall during a team practice in Ohio) HCC coach Derrick Worrels, who says Hart wants very much to stay in Tampa, said he'll wait until USF hires a coach before making any decisions about where he'll sign. Marshall, who was recruiting Hart long before Robert McCullum was fired, isn't the only coach making a push -- new New Mexico coach Steve Alford's also joining in and trying to sign Hart as well.
I know, I still haven't gotten in a good spring football update, but basketball's been driving the news, so it's hard to bump it down, even for Tyrone McKenzie, Mike Ford, and other promising new Bulls. If you have a football question, or more basketball thoughts, drop them in here or e-mail me at auman@sptimes.com.
I'll mention that I caught one inning of Wednesday's USF-Florida A&M tilt. Got there with USF losing to a 1-26 team 5-1 in the sixth, then saw the Bulls rally for seven runs, including five runs scored with two outs without a ball being put into play. (!) Three different Rattlers pitchers combined for this two-out bases-loaded gem: hit batsmen, walk, hit batsmen, walk, walk. Bulls still nearly lost the game, prevailing 11-10. Most impressive baseball stat I've heard? USF is 9-2 against teams from last year's NCAA regionals, which bodes well for Lelo Prado's first season carrying on a bit longer than the last few have for the Bulls ...
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Basketball, when done right, is a revenue generating sport. I believe we would need to get him a salary that at least averages that even if it is an escalating salary like they love to do in the NFL. Something like: 500K, 625K, 750k, 825k, 1000k could make it work. That way as the fan base increases and his Arkansas departure money goes away he should make more money! Also, have a large buyout clause in there for potential future suitors.
Posted by: Claudel Olivier | April 02, 2007 at 01:05 PM
WOW, I sure don't see USF paying over $700,000/year for a basketball coach.
If Heath doesn't have any hidden baggage that we don't know about, he may be just the shot in the arm the program needs.
Baseball program is on the way up with the current coaching staff. Don't underestimate the new pitching coach they have in Laser Collazo. Used to be the Univ of Miami pitching coach, and is a BIG TIME recruiter!!
Posted by: Paul Neumann | March 30, 2007 at 12:00 AM
Thank you Kenny
Posted by: Sandro | March 29, 2007 at 10:28 PM
Theus is out of our league. He has Herb Pope coming to him, so if he took another job, it'll be BIG time. Heath may be viewed as "damaged" goods by other big time progams, but he's by far and away the best choice for us. He's a proven winner and strong recruiter, but may only stay for a few years, but his impact would be immeasurable.
Posted by: Dave | March 29, 2007 at 08:45 PM
What about Reggie Theus?
Posted by: Joe | March 29, 2007 at 05:25 PM
Sandro,
The two DB's are back in practice.
Football is just fine!
Greg... we need more BBall news!
Posted by: Kenny | March 29, 2007 at 02:35 PM
We can land Heath. His total compensation package at Arkansas was 775K. I think we could get him for 750K. That is more than JT3 currently makes (until this weekend is over)!
Posted by: Claudel Olivier | March 29, 2007 at 01:09 PM
Spring update - Please. I am tired of all the rumors of our next basketball coach. Give some real meat and potatoes.
Posted by: Richard Todd | March 29, 2007 at 11:33 AM
Prado was just the shot in the arm the team needed, with all due respect to Coach C. He's energized the team and has them playing smart, situational ball.
Posted by: Dave | March 29, 2007 at 09:08 AM
Are we allowed to lock him up in a room until an agreement can be banged out like the NFL teams do with football players and their agents. That would be my strategy! Young, X and O guy, and he can recruit! We only need another guy to stick with Gransberry and we would be much improved (in basketball you only need 2 studs).
Posted by: Claudel Olivier | March 29, 2007 at 08:38 AM
Heath would be a great coach for USF. I really hope Woolard can make this happen this would be a big upgrade for our basketball program.
I am expecting big things from the baseball team in the next few years.
We definitely need some football news. Greg do you have anything new on those two defensive backs that got suspended from the team last week.
Posted by: Sandro | March 29, 2007 at 08:33 AM
Woolard better not mess this up. It seems to me that stan is basically serving himself up on a silver plattter. We have got to take advantage of this! He's a great recruiter, young, and he's got a track record against tough competition, which is a combination hard to find. Something we couldnt even say about Marshall! Do it DOUG!
Posted by: John Nelson | March 29, 2007 at 08:15 AM
Woolard better not mess this up. It seems to me that stan is basically serving himself up on a silver plattter. We have got to take advantage of this! He's a great recruiter, young, and he's got a track record against tough competition, which is a combination hard to find. Something we couldnt even say about Marshall! Do it DOUG!
Posted by: John Nelson | March 29, 2007 at 08:14 AM
It is about time Woolard talked with the man. Now he just needs to get him a contract!
Posted by: Claudel Olivier | March 29, 2007 at 07:22 AM