With Maryland's Mike Jones getting the ODU job, it is going to be very interesting to see how some things shake out. I mentioned ODU assistant Jordan Brooks in another thread. I'd guess Jones will likely try to keep him on board, especially given the fact they have a pretty good recruiting class coming in.
What will be real interesting here, is will they now push to try to get Tyrell Ward at ODU. I'm thinking yes. That isn't to say he'll have any interest in going there if he were to enter the portal and Maryland were to pursue, but he is very close to Brooks and played for Jones at DeMatha. Would certainly be something to keep an eye on.
As for Rodney Rice, I still think he's likely to end up at Maryland, even with Jones headed to ODU. I don't think he has any interest in going down a level.
As for who could replace Jones? I mentioned Brooks but I think that is less likely now. One name to keep an eye on, and I know this is someone I mention every time there is an opening, is Rhode Island assistant Kenny Johnson. Archie Miller is really struggling and Johnson has paid his dues. It is time to bring him home and see if he can rekindle some of that magic he had on the trail for years with Indiana and Louisville. He's a Maryland grad and I think would really attack this job like few others.
Another name, and again, I've mentioned this one numerous times, is Mike Pegues, currently an assistant at Butler under Thad Matta. If you are looking for a really good big man coach, he's about as good as they get. DeMatha grad, plugged into the local AAU scene but again, he can really coach 'em up.
Those are just a few early thoughts with tonight's news. We'll have to see how things develop in the coming weeks.
What will be real interesting here, is will they now push to try to get Tyrell Ward at ODU. I'm thinking yes. That isn't to say he'll have any interest in going there if he were to enter the portal and Maryland were to pursue, but he is very close to Brooks and played for Jones at DeMatha. Would certainly be something to keep an eye on.
As for Rodney Rice, I still think he's likely to end up at Maryland, even with Jones headed to ODU. I don't think he has any interest in going down a level.
As for who could replace Jones? I mentioned Brooks but I think that is less likely now. One name to keep an eye on, and I know this is someone I mention every time there is an opening, is Rhode Island assistant Kenny Johnson. Archie Miller is really struggling and Johnson has paid his dues. It is time to bring him home and see if he can rekindle some of that magic he had on the trail for years with Indiana and Louisville. He's a Maryland grad and I think would really attack this job like few others.
Another name, and again, I've mentioned this one numerous times, is Mike Pegues, currently an assistant at Butler under Thad Matta. If you are looking for a really good big man coach, he's about as good as they get. DeMatha grad, plugged into the local AAU scene but again, he can really coach 'em up.
Those are just a few early thoughts with tonight's news. We'll have to see how things develop in the coming weeks.
