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Holder had to take a shot at Self, long odds and all. But he missed and learned that even home and lots of cash can't compete with Kansas and a national title. No shame there. Again, it's what Holder had to do. But the problem is that Oklahoma State fans spent weeks -- if not months and years -- getting excited about Self, and now practically anybody is going to be a letdown unless Holder lures a similarly big name, which won't be simple.
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Jamie Dixon?
He would be great, as he has been at Pitt. But there's no reason for Dixon to walk away from a preseason top 10 team, particularly when he'd probably be the leading candidate at Arizona if Lute Olson was to really retire after next season.
Jay Wright?
He would be great, as he has been at Villanova. But Wright is a Philly guy with every key component returning from a Sweet 16 team. Consequently, it doesn't make sense for him to jump now, and the consensus in basketball circles is that when he finally leaves Villanova it'll be for the Sixers.
John Calipari?
He would be great, as he has been at Memphis. But Calipari has turned that program into a machine that actually benefits from being in a non-BCS-affiliated league. So it's doubtful he'd move his family to Stillwater, Okla. (no offense, Stillwater), particularly when he's at a point in his life where he has already made more money than he'll ever spend.
Tony Bennett?
He would be great, as he has been at Washington State. But Bennett seems set on remaining with the Cougars regardless of which school calls. It's refreshing in a way. Honestly, it is. But I have yet to meet a person who thinks consistently winning at WSU is a realistic goal, and I'm starting to wonder if Bennett is going to learn this the hard way, and by hard way I mean by finishing in the bottom half of the Pac-10 next season.
Anyway, I could go on and on, but you get the point. As Arkansas taught us last season, having tradition, great facilities and a pile of money isn't always enough to lure a big name away from a good situation. That's why Arkansas swung and missed 74 times before settling on John Pelphrey. So Holder's biggest challenge will be to not go down a similar road, to not turn this into a spectacle where one coach after another uses Oklahoma State as leverage to get the raise he wants without ever having any real intention of moving to the Big 12.
I wish him luck.
In the meantime, OSU fans must be realistic.
When this is over, the Cowboys will have a solid coach in place; the job is too good and the money too great for this to turn out badly. I firmly believe that. But barring a surprise, the new coach is not going to be Bill Self or Tony Bennett or Jay Wright, and it's likely not going to be Jamie Dixon or John Calipari either. Which is why it's important OSU fans realize this going forward, that though there's probably going to be a big drop in stature from Self to the Cowboys' next coach, they'll still eventually get somebody good, even if that somebody isn't what they initially expected, envisioned or desired.
