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Happy Friday everyone! Hard to believe we're already at the end of the week of this search. And as has been the case every day, there's more progression to go over. I'll have an updated hot board this afternoon.
*First off, it sounds like there could always be someone else who comes in at the 11th hour, but the search has really narrowed to three candidates: Sean Lewis, Alex Golesh and Gino Guidugli. From what sources have told me, Lewis remains the front-runner, but the other two aren't all that far behind. The goal is still to have a hire made by Sunday, the day after all the conference championships. Something could come out before Sunday, but unless we hit a snag, that's the day to circle as when we'll get word on John Cunningham's decision.
**Lewis again, remains the front-runner. I talked to an excellent source who's close to Lewis who told me, "It just too make sense for Sean, who’s an up and comer." My source talked about the recruiting footprint with UC being similar, the previous relationship with Cunningham and his head coaching experience. I agree, but you'd feel more comfortable making the jump UC is, to the Big 12, with someone who has head coaching experience. Not that the other two wouldn't be good, too, but Lewis provides more comfortability and stability. The other good quote my source told me was, "He’d be a knock it out the park hire in my opinion." So I know a lot of Bearcats fans have been down on Lewis, but the reviews from those in the industry have been nothing but positive. Kent State is a tough place to hire coaches to go to, a tough place to recruit and a tough place to win. There just haven't been that many winning seasons there, period.
***I'm told Cunningham is very intrigued by Guidugli. Apparently it's been more than he anticipated. And honestly, way more than I anticipated to start. But there have been multiple players lobbying for Guidugli, including Desmond Ridder in a tweet last night. Cunningham loves his experience at UC, his knowledge of the area and the program, how he developed guys like Ridder, but he just doesn't have head coaching experience. Years from now, Guidugli could be a guy to come back to. But there have been doubts he's ready to lead a team into the Big 12.
****The one guy who we know is in the mix, yet have heard the least about specifically is Golesh. We know that he's spoken with Cunningham, though have yet to confirm if it's only been by phone and Zoom. I have not confirmed that he's been on campus, but hope to do so today. We do know that he's still in contention and are working to find out more details.
As I've said all week, I'll let Sam add anything here and know that we're working diligently to track down the latest info. Cunningham has done his best to keep this under wraps, so most of what we're getting is piecing together INside sources, including info from agents and the coaches involved as well.
Happy Friday everyone! Hard to believe we're already at the end of the week of this search. And as has been the case every day, there's more progression to go over. I'll have an updated hot board this afternoon.
*First off, it sounds like there could always be someone else who comes in at the 11th hour, but the search has really narrowed to three candidates: Sean Lewis, Alex Golesh and Gino Guidugli. From what sources have told me, Lewis remains the front-runner, but the other two aren't all that far behind. The goal is still to have a hire made by Sunday, the day after all the conference championships. Something could come out before Sunday, but unless we hit a snag, that's the day to circle as when we'll get word on John Cunningham's decision.
**Lewis again, remains the front-runner. I talked to an excellent source who's close to Lewis who told me, "It just too make sense for Sean, who’s an up and comer." My source talked about the recruiting footprint with UC being similar, the previous relationship with Cunningham and his head coaching experience. I agree, but you'd feel more comfortable making the jump UC is, to the Big 12, with someone who has head coaching experience. Not that the other two wouldn't be good, too, but Lewis provides more comfortability and stability. The other good quote my source told me was, "He’d be a knock it out the park hire in my opinion." So I know a lot of Bearcats fans have been down on Lewis, but the reviews from those in the industry have been nothing but positive. Kent State is a tough place to hire coaches to go to, a tough place to recruit and a tough place to win. There just haven't been that many winning seasons there, period.
***I'm told Cunningham is very intrigued by Guidugli. Apparently it's been more than he anticipated. And honestly, way more than I anticipated to start. But there have been multiple players lobbying for Guidugli, including Desmond Ridder in a tweet last night. Cunningham loves his experience at UC, his knowledge of the area and the program, how he developed guys like Ridder, but he just doesn't have head coaching experience. Years from now, Guidugli could be a guy to come back to. But there have been doubts he's ready to lead a team into the Big 12.
****The one guy who we know is in the mix, yet have heard the least about specifically is Golesh. We know that he's spoken with Cunningham, though have yet to confirm if it's only been by phone and Zoom. I have not confirmed that he's been on campus, but hope to do so today. We do know that he's still in contention and are working to find out more details.
As I've said all week, I'll let Sam add anything here and know that we're working diligently to track down the latest info. Cunningham has done his best to keep this under wraps, so most of what we're getting is piecing together INside sources, including info from agents and the coaches involved as well.
