USC interested in Van Gundy?

Jamie Dixon appears to be USC’s top choice to replace Tim Floyd as the head coach at USC. I don’t think there is anyway he takes that job. Other thought to be in the mix are Reggie Theus, who is from Southern California, and Larry Eustachy, who replaced Floyd at Iowa State 11 years ago. It appears that Jeff Van Gundy is also in the mix, and is possibly the Trojans second choice if/when Dixon says no. Can anyone imagine Jeff Van Gundy coaching in college?

I think he wants to get back into coaching, and I’m not sure if an NBA job will ever come around for him. He hasn’t been out of the first round of the playoffs since 2000, and it will be hard for him to get the kind of money he wants with that sort of resume, especially with the NBA taking some financial hits. That’s why I can see Van Gundy going to the college game, but should he?

Coaching in college is so different than the NBA, that’s why so many coaches have trouble with the transition. The role of a college coach is so different than a pro coach. As an NBA coach, your one focus is on coaching your team. That is what Van Gundy is great at. He works hard, and he’s focused, but there are so many other things that a college coach has to do. You have to deal with boosters and alumni. You have to make all sorts of public appearances, and that’s during the season. I can’t see him taking time away from watching tape to go to some athletic department fundraiser during the season.

Don’t forget about the players. First of all you have limited practice time in NCAA basketball. Coaching kids is a lot different than coaching pros. I can see him getting very frustrated dealing with his players because they won’t be able to do the things he is used to asking his players to do. Also can you see Jeff Van Gundy recruiting high school kids? I think he could be good at it, but he will hate it. I just don’t see Jeff Van Gundy enjoying coaching in the college game, especially since he has spent the last 20 years in the NBA. I think USC should go with Reggie Theus.