DeVries tanking for Iowa?

[Sigmapolis]

I just figured Iowa is going to have so much money going forward (even with its additional sports, putting more resources into non-revenue sports like wrestling and WBB, lawsuit settlements, and more expensive development costs in Iowa City than in Ames) that it can offer a new MBB coach a lot of money. So much so that guys are only going to turn it down if they've already settled into a "great fit" situation (e.g., a guy like TJ in Ames) or they're holding out for something even better (e.g., DeVries and Creighton).

 

[AuH2O]

I do not believe DeVries is tanking and have never stated he was, its a silly idea. But I think you are really downplaying the idea that either the Drake coach or DeVries will not jump at the chance to take the EIU job. Now if he was forced to choose between EIU and Creighton I could see that would be a difficult choice for him, but EIU and WV, nope. if offered, he will jump at the chance.

I think we're in agreement mostly. I think it's a decent job, and might be one he'd want pretty badly.

I just find the tanking idea pretty crazy.

 

[4theheckofit]

Why is it hard to believe that Devries has always had is eye on EIU and took the same route as TJ did to get to ISU? Get some experience at the P5 level for a few years, build the resume and then settle in for your last coaching gig you'll ever take? Doesn't seem real far fetched. Plus, where he grew up and assuming where most of his family still is...is less than a two hour drive from Iowa Sh!tty.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

I just figured Iowa is going to have so much money going forward (even with its additional sports, putting more resources into non-revenue sports like wrestling and WBB, lawsuit settlements, and more expensive development costs in Iowa City than in Ames) that it can offer a new MBB coach a lot of money. So much so that guys are only going to turn it down if they've already settled into a "great fit" situation (e.g., a guy like TJ in Ames) or they're holding out for something even better (e.g., DeVries and Creighton).

You are comparing EIU to ISU, but EIU plays in the B10, and everyone of those schools is getting the money or soon will get the money. This idea that every coach in the country is going to want to coach in the B10 or SEC because of the money is silly. Its not like EIU is going to offer TJ or someone else $8 to $10 million to coach there. As long as the B12 schools have enough money to stay in the game, they will be fine. ISU and most B12 schools offer fewer sports, so they have fewer costs. If EIU was rolling in the dough, then they would not have stated that they will not be offering 105 scholarships for football next season and will stay at 85. They are land rich, and money poor, at least now, 10 years, after they pay down their debt, who knows, but right now, if you look at their athletic fund numbers they are clearing less than $1million a year after paying the bills.

 

[Sigmapolis]

You are comparing EIU to ISU, but EIU plays in the B10, and everyone of those schools is getting the money or soon will get the money. This idea that every coach in the country is going to want to coach in the B10 or SEC because of the money is silly. Its not like EIU is going to offer TJ or someone else $8 to $10 million to coach there. As long as the B12 schools have enough money to stay in the game, they will be fine. ISU and most B12 schools offer fewer sports, so they have fewer costs. If EIU was rolling in the dough, then they would not have stated that they will not be offering 105 scholarships for football next season and will stay at 85. They are land rich, and money poor, at least now, 10 years, after they pay down their debt, who knows, but right now, if you look at their athletic fund numbers they are clearing less than $1million a year after paying the bills.

I never said everybody is going to want to coach in the Big Ten or the SEC based on money alone. Guys like Campbell and TJ are perfectly examples of coaches who value their "fit" over the money. They're both showing you can run your own program however you want too without too much outside interference, have success at the national level, make a lot of money, and have great job security in the Big 12.

That being said, there are lots of guys out there in good ACC or Big 12 jobs who are either ambitious, haven't made a ton of money yet by the standards of college coaches, or don't have a strong connection with their current employer. WVU is a pretty good job -- menacing home court, a good fanbase, strong tradition, only high-major school in the state, in the Big 12. It is probably at least as good of a job as Iowa State. But DeVries doesn't have any special connection to it outside of the job quality and the money on offer.

Hence why I wonder if he's gonna listen if Iowa is willing to cut him a big check.

You said Iowa is barely breaking even right now, but is that before or after the big boost in Big Ten TV money has kicked in? If it is "before," then they're going to have a lot of money to play with very soon.

If not then yeah they're in a tough spot.

 

[Statefan10]

Why is it hard to believe that Devries has always had is eye on EIU and took the same route as TJ did to get to ISU? Get some experience at the P5 level for a few years, build the resume and then settle in for your last coaching gig you'll ever take? Doesn't seem real far fetched. Plus, where he grew up and assuming where most of his family still is...is less than a two hour drive from Iowa Sh!tty.

They're similar but also different. TJ coached at Iowa State under numerous head coaches and was established here. Devries was a fan of Iowa growing up and that's about it. It's not like he started there or has much affiliation. Him taking it because he was a fan of them as a kid is pretty different than someone spending years at that University coaching.

 

[4theheckofit]

They're similar but also different. TJ coached at Iowa State under numerous head coaches and was established here. Devries was a fan of Iowa growing up and that's about it. It's not like he started there or has much affiliation. Him taking it because he was a fan of them as a kid is pretty different than someone spending years at that University coaching.

I should clarify that I in no way, shape or form believe he's tanking. I'm looking at it more in the lines of him taking the WVU job in the first place with the idea that Fran is on limited days at EIU. Gain the P5 level experience, figure out what it takes to compete at the P5 level, etc. Then he's able to make that transition to that team out east.

 

[Sigmapolis]

They're similar but also different. TJ coached at Iowa State under numerous head coaches and was established here. Devries was a fan of Iowa growing up and that's about it. It's not like he started there or has much affiliation. Him taking it because he was a fan of them as a kid is pretty different than someone spending years at that University coaching.

It's even deeper with TJ beyond spending the formative years of his career in Ames.

Married to an ISU legend.

On record that Pollard and McCarney and Fennelly are like fathers to him.

TJ and Iowa State are literally family.

Not disagreeing with you but building on the point that TJ in Ames is really exceptional.

I have to figure DeVries' plan is to succeed in Morgantown and try for Creighton when McD retires.

 

[Clonefan32]

It's even deeper with TJ beyond spending the formative years of his career in Ames.

Married to an ISU legend.

On record that Pollard and McCarney and Fennelly are like fathers to him.

TJ and Iowa State are literally family.

Not disagreeing with you but building on the point that TJ in Ames is really exceptional.

I have to figure DeVries' plan is to succeed in Morgantown and try for Creighton when McD retires.

That makes the most sense. Creighton is probably a top 10 job right now and I’d have to imagine Greg’s days are numbered there— and maybe by his own choosing.

 

[jcyclonee]

I think we're in agreement mostly. I think it's a decent job, and might be one he'd want pretty badly.

I just find the tanking idea pretty crazy.

I don't think he's tanking but Tucker needing surgery, officially ending his season and being able to redshirt is sort of tank-ish.

 

[CyCrazy]

No one has to tank to get the Iowa job.

 

[Statefan10]

It's even deeper with TJ beyond spending the formative years of his career in Ames.

Married to an ISU legend.

On record that Pollard and McCarney and Fennelly are like fathers to him.

TJ and Iowa State are literally family.

Not disagreeing with you but building on the point that TJ in Ames is really exceptional.

I have to figure DeVries' plan is to succeed in Morgantown and try for Creighton when McD retires.

Oh you're completely spot on. Taking a step down for a job that's not your alma mater nor having really any ties to would be a weird endeaver. Now, his wife saying she doesn't like it out there makes a lot more sense, but even then, they've been there what, 9 months?

 

[Statefan10]

I don't think he's tanking but Tucker needing surgery, officially ending his season and being able to redshirt is sort of tank-ish.

That's not tanking though that's having a legitimate surgery. Tucker literally could not play through that injury. It's not like what we're seeing with Freeman who decided now he was going to get a minor surgery done on a finger that did not need to happen right away.

 

[jcyclonee]

They're similar but also different. TJ coached at Iowa State under numerous head coaches and was established here. Devries was a fan of Iowa growing up and that's about it. It's not like he started there or has much affiliation. Him taking it because he was a fan of them as a kid is pretty different than someone spending years at that University coaching.

It isn't just that he was a fan. I think that he'd like to be back in Iowa. If offered, I think he'd take the ISU job over WVU too.

 

[4theheckofit]

I would also venture to guess that EIU would have to start massively spending in the NIL arena to get DeVries to pay attention. WVU was willing to step up. Obviously there's a much better chance of this happening at Creighton.

 

[dahliaclone]

DeVries will be at iowa. The question is just when not if.

 

[Statefan10]

It isn't just that he was a fan. I think that he'd like to be back in Iowa. If offered, I think he'd take the ISU job over WVU too.

Yeah I think that actually weighs heavily over him liking The University of Iowa as a kid.

 

[ISUTex]

Iowa is broke. They can't afford to get rid of Fran after this year unless they get a massive donation. How many years are left on his contract?

 

[1SEIACLONE]

I never said everybody is going to want to coach in the Big Ten or the SEC based on money alone. Guys like Campbell and TJ are perfectly examples of coaches who value their "fit" over the money. They're both showing you can run your own program however you want too without too much outside interference, have success at the national level, make a lot of money, and have great job security in the Big 12.

That being said, there are lots of guys out there in good ACC or Big 12 jobs who are either ambitious, haven't made a ton of money yet by the standards of college coaches, or don't have a strong connection with their current employer. WVU is a pretty good job -- menacing home court, a good fanbase, strong tradition, only high-major school in the state, in the Big 12. It is probably at least as good of a job as Iowa State. But DeVries doesn't have any special connection to it outside of the job quality and the money on offer.

Hence why I wonder if he's gonna listen if Iowa is willing to cut him a big check.

You said Iowa is barely breaking even right now, but is that before or after the big boost in Big Ten TV money has kicked in? If it is "before," then they're going to have a lot of money to play with very soon.

If not then yeah they're in a tough spot.

The new money will get them from $70 million up to $100/110 at the end of the contract. So they will have more money, but also have a lot of debt to service before that.

I would agree that fit between the coach and the school is important, Campbell or a likewise coach is not taking the Purdue or Minn. coaching jobs just because they are in the B10 is my point. Good jobs, coaches are going to move, without a doubt if Ohio State or Penn State came offering the job to Campbell, he would be silly to turn them down.

EIU basketball is a good not a great job, they have had in the past a good home court crowd, just not the past few years. Their fan base is done with Fran, after 15 years they know he will tease them with making a run, and then the end, will fall flat on their faces. Give a new guy a year to get his people in, start playing defense and its a good job, is what I am saying.

 

[1SEIACLONE]

I would also venture to guess that EIU would have to start massively spending in the NIL arena to get DeVries to pay attention. WVU was willing to step up. Obviously there's a much better chance of this happening at Creighton.

I would guess that would be part of the deal for the new coach, more NIL money and a larger commitment towards the men's program if DeVries takes the job. I bet the big money people would step up for someone new, but they are not going to do that with Fran, they have seen that show, and really its not worth the money to do what needs to be done if he stays at the helm.