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Something that I believe shouldn’t be underestimated: ideally, Maryland considers someone who’s familiar with being at academically strong schools, whether as a player or as a coach (or both). It’s not a big secret that admissions requirements there are quite stringent, and even athletes don’t get as much leeway as they might at other schools. So someone who knows how to recruit within those kinds of constraints and can get their guys into the university (and obviously, coach them up afterwards) is, I feel, pretty important.
Full disclosure: I was in the tank for Mike Montgomery the last time the job was open. He checked the boxes I mentioned earlier, big time. His Stanford teams were always fundamentally sound and played so selflessly and tough; they were really fun to watch at their peak in the late 90’s-early aughts. Even though he was a career west coaster, I thought he’d have adjusted well to the area and would’ve stabilized the program.
Of course, he was never on Maryland’s radar, and he’s since long retired, but I wouldn’t mind finding a much younger version of him this time around. I have NO idea who that is, though.
So failing that, why not take a Southern Cal-esque haymaker at a shark? Put a feeler out to Jay Wright, whose rosters are always chock-full of DMV guys. Kick the tires on Chris Beard, using the UA connections. Go a “few” miles south and check in with Tony Bennett. (NTM these three are all at excellent academic schools, as well.)
Oats, Enfield, Willard et al…I mean, they’re nice coaches. Any would be a decent hire. But I just think Maryland’s better than even those candidates. It shouldn’t have to take a back seat to anyone or settle for whomever. This program is the epitome of a “sleeping giant”. With the right person in place…kaboom.
