This morning I wrote a 3,000 word piece detailing my memories of Coach Gary Williams and the Maryland program. I started with the ’92-’93 team which featured the Freshman Duane Simpkins, Exree Hipp, Johnny Rhodes, and Mario Lucas; and went up until today.
As I went to post it, I realized it was full of facts, but really did not encapsulate what I was attempting to say. So I deleted it, and started over.
What I am attempting to write, is why Gary Williams has been my favorite person in all of sports. Williams helped me articulate what I am trying to say, with his press conference today. Williams said he hoped/believed through his Coaching, that his players not only learned the game of basketball, but learned lessons that helped them in other aspects of their life. I’ve never even met Williams, but I feel I learned plenty from him.
When I think about Williams, some of the most positive adjectives/descriptions that I would use to describe him (Such as: Prideful, Loyal, Competitive, Resilient) are all characteristics I myself aspire to be. When I think about some of negative adjectives/descriptions I have seen used for Williams (Such as: Chip on his shoulder, His own worst enemy, Quick tempered), I realize them to be flaws of my own.
As I wrote yesterday (https://baltimoresportsandlife.com/?p=2451) I believe Maryland is going to get a very good Head Coach*. The Maryland program has a lot going for it (in large part due to what Williams achieved), and I think the Terps will have extensive success going forward. If Maryland gets to the point where they cut down the nets for their 2nd National Championship; I’m sure I will be among those cheering. What I know though, is for me that the process of watching Williams build the program, and resulting in that initial Title will always matter more.
*All indications are that Maryland will have a new Head Coach by early next week, probably Tuesday. Yesterday, I threw out names like Stevens, Wright, Barnes, Grant, and Smart. A glaring omission from that list was the likely currently front-runner Arizona’s Sean Miller. The Washington Post has reported that Maryland Athletic Director Kevin Anderson is expected to meet with Miller shortly.
Despite Dick Vitale saying to anyone that will listen that he believes Tubby Smith should be considered, I do not see that as real fit. Smith is 59 years old. Maryland will want someone who can the leader of the program for the foreseeable future.
Mike Brey has been mentioned with Maryland for seemingly a decade. I think he is a good Coach. Similarly to how I consider Grant, and Smart; I think the Terps can do better. The Terps need a home-run with this hire, and I do not believe Brey would qualify as such.
Jamie Dixon (Pitt), Rick Barnes (Texas), and Jay Wright (Villanova) would all be tremendous hires. I think it would be unlikely (but possible) for Maryland to pry one of them.
A lot of Terrapin fans want Maryland to give a blank check to Butler’s Brad Stevens. After seeing what Stevens has achieved the past two NCAA Tournaments, that thought process is understandable. I am not discounting the talent the Bulldogs have had, but I think he would be able to recruit a higher caliber of player than those he has had at Butler. Winning (and doing things correctly) have to be the lead concerns, but I do not think Stevens’ style of play is aesthetically pleasing to watch. I also think if you are Stevens, and you have taken Butler to back-to-back Title game appearances, and signed an extension through the 2021-22 season; that leaving that situation for anywhere would be very difficult.
The name that I have not seen mentioned as associated with the Maryland job is Gonzaga’s Mark Few. I’d love for the Terps to determine his interest.
Getting back to Miller, I think there is very good chance that hire happens. My thinking being that if he is willing to take the meeting with Anderson, he would only be doing so because has some interest. My only reservation with him, would be making sure Maryland is his ‘dream’ job. He was in a nice situation at Xavier (2004-09), and left there for Arizona. The Wildcats are a program I consider similar to Maryland, and who had tremendous success under former Head Coach Lute Olson. There are plenty of reasons of why Miller could/would leave Arizona for Maryland (Facilities, $, Recruiting prospects, the ACC, being back East), but to hire him; you would have to know he would not have an eye out for anywhere else.
I still think another name or two will emerge that right now are not on the radar. (Note: I’m not suggesting I know who those names will be, only that I believe someone not currently being discussed among Maryland fans will receive consideration.)
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.