While Duke is en route to Philadelphia for their 29th NCAA Tournament appearance in the last 30 years, Northwestern University is making a strong push to hire Duke Associate Head Coach Chris Collins. Chicago Tribune’s Teddy Greenstein is reporting that the school has one interview set up with a coaching target, and the former Duke shooting guard is him.
Also: I’m told Chris Collins is the only interview set up by thus far. #Northwestern
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) March 20, 2013
There have been reports of late that fellow Duke assistant Jeff Capel is among the targets for Northwestern, who is looking to replace recently fired coach Bill Carmody. However, Greenstein is refuting that report saying the school is not interested in Collins’ former teammate.
And I’m told #Northwestern is not interested in Jeff Capel, whom Oklahoma canned w/5 yrs left on his contract.
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) March 20, 2013
This time of year demands extreme focus from all parties involved so as you can imagine, Collins isn’t speaking publicly. I reached out to Northwestern yesterday and they told me they “aren’t going to comment during the hiring process”.
Collins has been on the Duke bench as a coach since July 22, 2000 and would be a big loss for a Blue Devils coaching staff that has seen a remarkable level of consistency. It has always been a dream of Collins to become a head coach someday and returning to Chicago seems like a great opportunity. Even if it is at a program like Northwestern. Per multiple reports, the only thing holding Collins back from becoming the Northwestern head coach would be contractual negotiations.
Lots of stuff being reported but it seems clear that NU, Collins will come down to negotiations. Hope Phillips will be agreeable.
— Jeremy Woo (@Jeremy_Woo) March 20, 2013
