Ranking A10 coaching jobs

[plydogg]

Today this tweet was posted and had a lot of interactions (small number of responses but was quote tweeted around a bit) from those around the A10 (writers, podcasters, and fans) but ended up turning into Saint Louis fans saying that they are the top job in the A10 and some believe it isn’t close and that they’re the top mid-major job in the entire country. I think this is preposterous but interested to see what the rest of you think.

 

[plydogg]

Before you all choose Saint Louis to mess with me lol, I will say I chose VCU but I believe it is between them and Dayton.

 

[spider23]

Dayton by far if you ask me.

 

[AnnapSpider]

Before you all choose Saint Louis to mess with me lol, I will say I chose VCU but I believe it is between them and Dayton.

What are the determining factors to make a choice. Are we to be objective basing the choice on facilities, location, quality of education, or on the coaches past performances?
The reason I ask is that with the new Queally Center and our facilities it would be tough to think of a mid-major that has better. But, if we’re basing it on the last decade of wins and losses, Dayton has my vote.

 

[GKiller]

St. Louis is one of those “we are better than you” towns. While they r not unique I don’t think they get quite enough credit elsewhere for holding that attitude. But if u spent any amount of time around St. Louis Cardinals fans you would understand it.

 

[plydogg]

I also will mention that Andrew Wallace responded with his top 3 being UR, VCU, and SLU

 

[plydogg]

St. Louis is one of those “we are better than you” towns. While they r not unique I don’t think they get quite enough credit elsewhere for holding that attitude. But if u spent any amount of time around St. Louis Cardinals fans you would understand it.

I have noticed their fans will throw out insults and f bombs when you tell them stats and facts because they know they’re wrong. They also have the perfect coach for them in Travis Ford who I believe to be a grade-A douche bag

 

[SFspidur]

Dayton no doubt #1...tradition of winning and a rabid fan base that fills a big arena night in and night out.

VCU and SLU probably 2a and 2b for me. VCU has been a consistent NCAA team under multiple coaches and has a great fan base and facilities. SLU has tradition, a nice arena, draws fairly well, and are the dominant college program in a solid market.

UR is a very good job with a terrific arena now and the upcoming practice facility will be a great bonus. And of course deep pockets when we choose to open them. Fan support is a little iffy, and the recruiting challenges of being a small, high-academic school knock us down a notch in my eyes.

 

[spider23]

I have us top 5. Dayton does have fan base and admin support. I think the fan base is a huge recruiting advantage. With the success of Obi I think Grant has a great opportunity to cash in on the recruiting trail the next few years. I see us and Davidson very similar.

 

[nathanw19]

I have us top 5. Dayton does have fan base and admin support. I think the fan base is a huge recruiting advantage. With the success of Obi I think Grant has a great opportunity to cash in on the recruiting trail the next few years. I see us and Davidson very similar.

Agree on the success of Obi, though I think his impact will be less because of Covid. Dayton missed out on the opportunity of Obi really showcasing on a national stage.

He got a fair amount of press in the season, but Dayton wasn’t playing on national tv every game.

 

[SpiderTrap]

I agree with Dayton, then VCU and SLU in 2nd and 3rd spots - doesn't really matter what order for 2 and 3 since I think they are so close. After that it becomes really tough. I think Davidson has been consistent, has a good fan base and is in a good location - and I don't think being close to ACC land with Duke and UNC nearby hurts them. I think they been really close the last decade or so of taking that next step and trying to become the next Gonzaga. It will be interesting to see how Davidson does once McKillop retires. Who they bring and can he continue to the success.
URI is not bad and I would also throw St. Joseph's in there as well. Good location in Philadelphia, lots of basketball fans - and you got the Big 5 so you get some good competition year in and year out. When Martelli had that run from 2000-2005 where they made 3 NCAA including and elite 8 and then made the NIT twice and made the finals one year - their place was rocking and it was a basketball hotbed up there. I think their new coach Lange can get them back on track - but might be another year or two away from making some noise.
UR is there - but our lack of success and fan support hurt us. Not to mention - I think having VCU in our backyard hurts as well. But probably around 5-6 in terms of this ranking.

 

[SFspidur]

I am not sold on Davidson being a top-tier job. They face several of the same challenges we do in the size and academic areas, but even more so. Yes, they had success with Lefty and Holland, but that was a very different time.

I think they lucked out with McKillop and him opting to be a lifer...believe he's "only" making around $600K too. I am not at all convinced that the next guy will be set up for the same level of success.

 

[plydogg]

I am not sold on Davidson being a top-tier job. They face several of the same challenges we do in the size and academic areas, but even more so. Yes, they had success with Lefty and Holland, but that was a very different time.

I think they lucked out with McKillop and him opting to be a lifer...believe he's "only" making around $600K too. I am not at all convinced that the next guy will be set up for the same level of success.

That is very true. I just think that they will always have that “Steph Curry went here” recruiting chip to draw interest from recruits. Will be interesting to see if the Euro pipeline remains after McKillop because they absolutely kill it there

 

[SFspidur]

I mean, maybe you just promote Matt McKillop and hope the McKillop magic and Euro pipeline continue.

 

[97spiderfan]

If you talking about a best job for a coach, it would have to Richmond. We pay really good money, have great facilities and literally you get probably the most negligible pressure and expectations to win in the entire league. As long as you tuck your shirt in and talk nice, you pretty much are good to go. If I'm a coach who wants to earn good money and not have to answer to a lot of demands that many coaches have to answer to, I want that job.

Now, if you are just talking about the best program in the league to coach, it is Dayton and it is not even that close in my opinion. Best arena, best fan base, best home court advantage, all of the resources you need to compete and you don't have the academic restrictions that some A-10 schools have. With all of those positives, comes expectations though.

VCU is up there, but their fan base is fickle (and has a size-able degenerate portion to it), they love their facilities, but lets be real, we call it Costco for a reason. SLU has an outsized opinion of itself.

 

[spider23]

VCU is up there, but their fan base is fickle (and has a size-able degenerate portion to it)

Hmm, had not really noticed the degenerate fans

 

[FRS1976]

St. Louis is one of those “we are better than you” towns. While they r not unique I don’t think they get quite enough credit elsewhere for holding that attitude. But if u spent any amount of time around St. Louis Cardinals fans you would understand it.

I've been a Cardinals fan since 1964!