Coach Neal to CSU?

[Oregon Lobo]

Hmmmm. Would rather he didn't go to a conference rival.

http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/201...-for-jobs.html

[msarracino4]

20 minutes till April 2nd, can't wait!

[JulieG]

I would hope he didn't go there either, however, he interviewed for the Central Michigan job too.

[LoboCubs23]

I hope nothing but the best for Coach Neal. If he wants to be a head coach Im sure he would be extremely successful, and if his heart really lies in being a head coach its better he goes now, so we can lock coach Miller in at that # 2 position. If coach Neal want to stay he should be allowed to as long as possible, but I would hate to see a situation where coach Neal leaves in a year or two from now, and by then coach Miller moves on to be a # 2 else where. Coach Miller deserves to be a number 2 very soon, and Coach Neal deserves to be a head coach if thats what he really wants. It seems like a win win.

[JCB Lobo]

If he does go somewhere something tells me that Verbal that Cullen gave would probably be rescinded. That may be a motivation for Coach Neal. I would hate to see him go but its a part of the game. Look at how many Coaching Branches the Great Coaches create. How many branches came off of Coach Knight? Coach Boehiem, Coach Izzo, etc... It happens.

[BoRealist]

He's earned the right to be a head coach in my opinion. I wouldn't fault Noodles for looking into any opportunity. Good luck Coach.

[Roob]

He's earned the right and I wish nothing but the best for him and Cullen, but I would hate to see both of them go to CSU. Talk about mixed emotions. Can you imagine the mixed emotions you would experience if and when those 2 came back to visit the Pit for a conference game? The thought of rooting against those two doesn't sit well with me. BTW, I'm presuming that Cullen goes with his dad if he gets a head coaching job.

[Hoser]

Hmmmm. Would rather he didn't go to a conference rival.

http://www.abqjournal.com/sports/201...-for-jobs.html

He has paid his dues and deserves to be a HC at where ever the opportunity lends itself. I personally wish him the best of luck even if it is at CSU. Just hope that Alford beats him every time.

[wolf1960]

i know Mr. Neal has earned the right and is a great coach but i really think he is waiting, openings will happen every year. I believe one more year in the Pit.

[TheLoboMan]

I've stated this in another thread. Coach Neal has goals and one of his immediate goals is to be a head coach in college. Whether it be a rival or somewhere else he is going to take his shot.

Miller may leave also. These guys have big time aspirations and if they are going for something better in their lives then I'm all for it. I don't like to see coaches stay lifers. I want an assistant coach in our program who wants to do better for themselves. Just look at the coaching trees of Dean Smith and Bobby Knight. They were successful because they had coaches who wanted to better themselves. You hire people smarter than you are. Makes you look good.

[LoboCubs23]

I've stated this in another thread. Coach Neal has goals and one of his immediate goals is to be a head coach in college. Whether it be a rival or somewhere else he is going to take his shot.

Miller may leave also. These guys have big time aspirations and if they are going for something better in their lives then I'm all for it. I don't like to see coaches stay lifers. I want an assistant coach in our program who wants to do better for themselves. Just look at the coaching trees of Dean Smith and Bobby Knight. They were successful because they had coaches who wanted to better themselves. You hire people smarter than you are. Makes you look good.

Miller is not ready for a D1 job yet, and he is too good of a recruiter to go to a lower division... If coach Neal gets a job we need to move fast to move Miller to the # 1 Assistant position.

[Digital Lobo]

The timing would seem to be right for Noodles to move wherever he can get an HC job. I have to imagine that there is quite a lure in him wishing to coach his son, and that didn't seem to be a good fit here because then we would have three sons playing for two dads. Too much for one program apparently. I would also prefer that Neal or Neal(s) not go to a conference rival, but if they do, so be it. That would not be so different as when Rice was assistant coaching at BUY versus his alma mater UNLV.

Sent from my iPhone

[jjgriego]

I would much rather him go to TCU. in my opinion it's hard to coach against good friends let alone these two. Coaching against each other 2-3 times is a lot.

[Oregon Lobo]

I've stated this in another thread. Coach Neal has goals and one of his immediate goals is to be a head coach in college. Whether it be a rival or somewhere else he is going to take his shot.

Miller may leave also. These guys have big time aspirations and if they are going for something better in their lives then I'm all for it. I don't like to see coaches stay lifers. I want an assistant coach in our program who wants to do better for themselves. Just look at the coaching trees of Dean Smith and Bobby Knight. They were successful because they had coaches who wanted to better themselves. You hire people smarter than you are. Makes you look good.

I also think Coach Neal deserves to be a head coach and would wish him well wherever he goes--IF HE CHOOSES TO LEAVE. But he and Coach Alford have been partners for such a long time I'd hate to have someone with so much inside information coaching against us.

[ThreadKiller]

I had always envisioned a scenario where Alford gets an offer that he can't refuse (from a UCLA, IU type destination job) and Noodles takes over. Not sure he can wait that long and would wish him well wherever he goes.

[elmassuave]

Mike Dunlap is mentioned in the Albuquerque Journal article. Unfortunately for Noodles, Dunlap's years with Denver Nuggets and Metropolitan State have made him a legend with many fans in Colorado. So, in my opinion, Noodles has a much better chance with Central Michigan than CSU.

Go Lobos

[loboaddict]

Mike Dunlap is mentioned in the Albuquerque Journal article. Unfortunately for Noodles, Dunlap's years with Denver Nuggets and Metropolitan State have made him a legend with many fans in Colorado. So, in my opinion, Noodles has a much better chance with Central Michigan than CSU.

4 or 5 years ago, Dunlap was a hot coaching prospect. I think that's faded a bit after taking assistant and interim head coaching gigs at Arizona and St. John's. Granted those were tough interim head coaching situations to take over, but he hasn't done too well with them. I don't know too much about Dunlap, but he's made some interesting career decisions. I think he's had many opportunities to be a head coach in D-1 but has turned them down. Maybe CSU would be a good opportunity for him.

[lovatoma]

From what I recall, Dunlap left Arizona because they wanted to name him "interim head coach." Understandably, he didn't want to become a lame duck coach after Loot Olsen lost his mind.

As for his stint in NYC, not sure if he took over when Lavin was out, but it appears that Dunlap hasn't let university administrators play him for the fool. Seems like a smart guy and a good candidate.

4 or 5 years ago, Dunlap was a hot coaching prospect. I think that's faded a bit after taking assistant and interim head coaching gigs at Arizona and St. John's. Granted those were tough interim head coaching situations to take over, but he hasn't done too well with them. I don't know too much about Dunlap, but he's made some interesting career decisions. I think he's had many opportunities to be a head coach in D-1 but has turned them down. Maybe CSU would be a good opportunity for him.

[lobodude]

I would much rather him go to TCU. in my opinion it's hard to coach against good friends let alone these two. Coaching against each other 2-3 times is a lot.

disagree. It's not like he would be going to BYU or Utah (insert sound of throwing up here) BLAAAAAAGGHHHHH! !!! CSU is a rival but not a hated enemy. I think it would be fun to go up *against* Coach Noodles every year, in much the same way we used to go up against Don The Bear Haskins with all the love and respect you could possibly have for an opposing coach.

[Lobo4444]

I would love Coach to stick around, but if he leaves, I wish him maximum success. I root hard for folks who came here for whatever reason and want to see them succeed as they move forward in life (except, of course against my Lobos). That goes for every thing - baseball, football, hoops, academia, etc.

[iamlobo]

Don't like the idea of him at CSU for the fact that he will be recruiting many of the same guys as us, many of whom he has already established a relationship with. Central Michigan will introduce a new region and many different recruiting targets. Either way I wish him nothing but the best. I selfishly hope he sticks around however

[trulobo]

Keno Davis was just hired for the Central Michigan job.

[Jim Chitwood]

ESPN Insider lists about 12 candidates for the Colorado State job, and Neal's is not one of them mentioned.

[JulieG]

I think that with support that the TCU job might be the plumb. However, I don't want Noodles to leave just for a job, but for one he wants and can make something out of.

[EPluribusUNM]

We are "plum" crazy to plumb the depths of this issue. Only after it turns into a prune will we know which job was the real plum.

[cmslate]

Doesn't make sense to me. Why would Neal choose CSU and why this year? CSU had a good team this year and how much support did they get? There will be other opportunities out there, no need to jump at one just because it's open. Plus, his son will be a senior this upcoming season, why move him from a school and team he's comfortable with for his senior season or miss that time in his life because you took a job somewhere else. I just don't buy it. I also understand that he can't stay around here forever and may have bigger aspirations, but he seems to interview every year. Jobs will be open next year. It's only a matter of time before he gets his opportunity. The CSU job just doesn't seem like the right one.

[Mark]

ESPN Insider lists about 12 candidates for the Colorado State job, and Neal's is not one of them mentioned.

They are coming Friday to interview him.

[txlobo95]

They are coming Friday to interview him.

It would be a good 1st head coaching gig if he is able to land it. Triple his pay in the process...

Would be nice to be able to keep Cullen in the MWC. What epic battles that could turn into, C. Neal vs. B. Alford for 4 more years, lol...

Suddenly, the CSU game would be much more interesting...

[loboray]

Well, the job is open. I guess that's as good a reason as any. If he was to take the job, I would bet his family would stay in ABQ till school is out next spring.

[rick7g]

Doesn't make sense to me. Why would Neal choose CSU and why this year? CSU had a good team this year and how much support did they get? There will be other opportunities out there, no need to jump at one just because it's open. Plus, his son will be a senior this upcoming season, why move him from a school and team he's comfortable with for his senior season or miss that time in his life because you took a job somewhere else. I just don't buy it. I also understand that he can't stay around here forever and may have bigger aspirations, but he seems to interview every year. Jobs will be open next year. It's only a matter of time before he gets his opportunity. The CSU job just doesn't seem like the right one.

The head assistant coach from New Mexico is a big jump to head coach at CSU. Look, Danny Manning, assistant at Kansas goes to Tulsa.