There was a lot of coaching turnover in ACC’s men’s basketball the past several weeks. Who knows how it will turn out, but how do we feel about the hires right now?
Luke Murray, Boston College : B+
Luke Murray has heached coached a major college program, but he’s been hired by Dan Hurley 3 times, and that says something. Hurley is college basketball’s premier coach, and Murray has Hurley’s endorsement. He’s even coached in the ACC before, when he was an assistant at Louisville. Coming out of UConn there’s knowledge of the Northeast too. There’s a lot to like here.
Scott Cross, Georgia Tech : B
Georgia Tech has been cycling through coaches since Paul Hewitt. Brian Gregory, Josh Pastner, and Damon Stoudamire have tried with little success, though Pastner did have that one 2021 ACC Title to his credit. Scott Cross’s hire doesn’t WOW you, but he was a consistent winner at Troy with 5 straight NCAA 20-win seasons, and back-to-back NCAA appearances. It’s a solid if unspectacular hire.
Justin Gainey, NC State : A-
If there’s a knock on Gainey, it’s a lack of head coaching experience. What Gainey lacks in head coaching experience, he will make up for it in just not being the toxic Will Wade. Gainey is a former NC State player who wants to be there. He learned from one of the more successful coaches of the last 25-30 years in Rick Barnes. It feels like a good fit.
Michael Malone, North Carolina : B-
I know Michael Malone has an NBA title, and that’s big, but he hasn’t coached at the collegiate level in more than 20 years. How will he deal with recruiting both in practice and in relationship building? If UNC gives him an open checkbook, then it may not matter to just offer a player a number. UNC missed on their top targets, and this feels like plan C.
Gerry McNamara, Syracuse: A
I really like this hire for Syracuse. McNamara got Siena to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2010. He played on Syracuse’s 2003 national championship team. He is Syracuse through and through, having played and coached there.
