Johnny Dawkins has been hired as Stanford's new head basketball coach, replacing Trent Johnson who left for LSU.
I'm happy that Dawkins got a head coaching job, but this really screws up Duke's future. When Coach K retires in the next 5, 10, or 15 years, Dawkins was almost a lock to take his place. Dawkins is a good recruiter and knows the system well, but now we have no sure replacement.
Anyone have any ideas for a replacement? I don't think anybody would leave a head coaching job to be an assistant (Amaker (Harvard), Bender (Assistant at Hawks), Brey (Notre Dame), Dougherty (TCU)) but maybe Quin Snyder or David Henderson might be good replacements.
This has been probably the worst offseason for Duke basketball in recent memory. Johnny Dawkins is a solid coach and he's going to be sorely missed. I thought for sure he was going to be the next in line to coach Duke when Coach K decided it was time to hang it up. This is a big loss for Duke, I really hope they find a decent replacement, Collins and Wojo are not prepared to take on the role that Johnny Dawkins played for this team the past several years. To be honest, I wouldn't be surprised if Quinn Snyder or David Henderson showed up on that bench to be beside Coach K. Snyder is coaching in the NBDL, which is like coaching in a playground league and I don't even know what David Henderson is doing. I think Snyder would be a good choice to come back. Let's hope it's someone who knows what they're doing!
No. I don't think Coach K is going to get a recent (in the last 8 years) player to coach. If any player, it would be Nate James, who just came back to be a strength coach.
Wait, new idea! Jay Bilas as Duke's new assistant coach. What do you think?
This sucks, could Duke have a worse offseason. I personally think Coach K should not be think bout the usa team and be thinking more about his own commitment to Duke and there best being, does anyone agree ? I mean we are coming off a decent season with way more room to improve, and with 2 good recruits comming in and Dawson leaving you got to think its worring some. Maybe im wrong.
I think that Dawkins is leaving because he IS planning on being the next coach at Duke, as dumb as that sounds. I think they decided that he had to get some head coaching experience and make a name for himself as a coach and recruiter and be hired back as the head coach when ever K decides to leave. The worst that could happen is Dawkins turning out like Snyder. Best that could happen ,he turns out to be Duke's version of Roy Williams, coaches 10-15 years, and makes a couple of final fours or something.
If this doesn't work out, what about Capel at Oklahoma, who if im not mistaken, built that VCU team that beat Duke in the first round last year.
I agree i think Dawkins leaving to get some head coaching exp. is the right thinkg to do it will all pay off in the long run....and another thing we have 3 recruits for next year..
Actually, this a good thing for K's eventual retirement. It gives Duke one more option for a replacement with head coach experience. If you think Dawkins, Brey, Amaker or any of the other disciples of K wont come running when K decides to hang up the whistle, you are underestimating their allegience. Duke doesn't need a Texas Tech/Okie State/Syracuse type "coach in waiting" situation. The only way K's replacement has any hope of being successful (not because they are not good coaches, but because its almost impossible to replace a legend; see Frank Solich, Matt Doherty, Mike Davis, etc.) is if they havebeen a successful head coach on their own.
Correct JBaxter, there is no way anybody can replace a legend such as Coach K. Johnny Dawkins would be a terrific successor, but first he needs to rebuild the Stanford program. Losing the Lopez twins to the NBA hurts and it will take time for Dawkins to replace their production. Dawkins has never been a head coach before, so it will be interesting to see what his style is. I'm sure it will be similar to Duke's, but will a few of Johnny's own wrinkles.
I am happy for Johnny Dawkins. im glad he got his on program to run. I wish it was duke down the line, but this was coming. This might even long over due. He had been one of the best assistant HC not a HC.
The Duke program did take a big hit when he left. Now the question is who will be the next Assistant HC for Duke.
