Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson is "strong candidate" for Texas A&M job

[Da Coach]

Northern Iowa's head coach Ben Jacobson has emerged as a "strong candidate" for the Texas A&M head coaching job-

http://twitter.com/billyliucci/status/69166479463022592

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-05-13/northern-iowas-jacobson-called-strong-am-candidate

Earlier, NBA analyst and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy was approached about the job, but he had no interest.

http://blog.chron.com/aggies/2011/05/so-you-say-theres-a-chance-jeff-van-gundy/

[Buesch N Chips]

Go for it Ben!!!

[Southside]

Ben Jacobson

Northern Iowa's head coach Ben Jacobson has emerged as a "strong candidate" for the Texas A&M head coaching job-

http://twitter.com/billyliucci/status/69166479463022592

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-basketball/story/2011-05-13/northern-iowas-jacobson-called-strong-am-candidate

Earlier, NBA analyst and former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy was approached about the job, but he had no interest.
http://blog.chron.com/aggies/2011/05...eff-van-gundy/

I was at a coaching clinic a few weeks ago. Some of the coaches there were: Roy Williams, Bob Huggins and Billy Donovan. But overall I was most impressed with Ben Jacobson. I was very impressed by the way he carried himself and his bball knowledge.

[SFP]

I'd have to believe he will turn them down for some reason.

[ancona flash]

I'd have to believe he will turn them down for some reason.

I agree. No real info to base this on, other than a Midwesterner like Ben will need a really sweet deal to head to football country. Not enough of a gain, hoops will always play 2nd fiddle down there.

Have you been to College Station? Yeeesh. If Ben develops a twang and likes to shoot wild boar he'll fit right in.

[Da Coach]

I disagree. Texas A&M was a good enough job for Turgeon to leave Wichita State, and good enough for Tony Barone to leave Creighton, and both those MVC jobs are a lot better than UNI. Even with his raise and extension, Jacobson is one of the lower paid coaches in the league. And besides the money and the fact that Texas A&M is an elite job, it gives a coach one thing they all want and they can't get in the MVC-- a chance to contend for a national championship.

Jacobson might not want to leave Iowa, but it won't be because there is more to do in Cedar Falls, Iowa than College Station Texas.

[lefty]

I disagree. Texas A&M was a good enough job for Turgeon to leave Wichita State, and good enough for Tony Barone to leave Creighton, and both those MVC jobs are a lot better than UNI. Even with his raise and extension, Jacobson is one of the lower paid coaches in the league. And besides the money and the fact that Texas A&M is an elite job, it gives a coach one thing they all want and they can't get in the MVC-- a chance to contend for a national championship.

Jacobson might not want to leave Iowa, but it won't be because there is more to do in Cedar Falls, Iowa than College Station Texas.

I agree with you DC....most coaches want to be in the NCAA tourney every year and he'll get that chance there. Personally I think he would be crazy to turn it down unless he has some other place he really wants to be...seems to have worked well for Turgeon

[Da Coach]

Looks like 2 MVC coaches are still strong candidates for the Texas A&M job-
Jeff Goodman, who formerly worked for FoxSports.com, and now works for CBSSports.com, tweets the following-


Texas A&M has targeted Northern Iowa's Ben Jacobson and Murray State's Billy Kennedy - per sources. Both expected to meet with A&M today.

http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS/status/69427247060226048

Texas A&M also reached out to Wichita St. Gregg Marshall - per source. But Marshall just inked 7-year rollover worth $1 mil-plus per year.

http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS/status/69432416271482880

Source said that it would take in the neighborhood of $1.5 million per year to make a legitimate run at Gregg Marshall.

http://twitter.com/GoodmanCBS/status/69432567719403520

[AZ BU Fan]

Jacobson may want to take the A&M job even if it isn't his dream job.....Probably easier for him to move on/up if he can have success at A&M than by continued success at UNI...

If that is a coach's desire, to move up in program size/stature when you get a chance, gotta go...ya just never know if that opportunity will come again...

[BUJunkie]

Facts and Data

Found this article, and thought it to be applicable to this conversation:

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news?slug=rivals-1214499

So - if you throw out the (2) moves by C-USA coaches as a result of their programs - MVC is the clear front runner in jumps from mid-major to high-major (BCS) programs by coaches. That being said, I see no reason - other than loyalty - why Ben would not follow suit.

BUJunkie

[KillerB]

From the Associated Press today:
Northern Iowa basketball coach Ben Jacobson has been granted permission to speak to Texas A&M about its coaching vacancy.
Athletic director Troy Dannen told The Associated Press on Saturday that he spoke to Jacobson about the job and has given his coach permission to speak to Texas A&M about it.
Jacobson led the Panthers to the round of 16 in the NCAA tournament two seasons ago. They went 20-14 this past season, including 10-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Other candidates that Texas A&M is expected to pursue include Wichita State's Gregg Marshall, Murray State's Billy Kennedy and Aggies assistant Scott Spinelli.
Texas A&M is seeking a replacement for Mark Turgeon, who left for Maryland.

[45otseoj]

A question for t, DaC, or anyone else who might know:
(I mentioned those 2, because I figured they would have an answer.)

Let's say Jacobsen or Marshall (or any other current head coach) takes this job on Thursday. What happens to the recruits on both sides of the deal? The final NLI signing day is Wednesday.

Are the recruits just stuck even if they want a release and forced to honor their original NLI, or do they get an extension on the signing period becasue of circumstances outside of their control?

[Big Mike]

http://www.pjstar.com/bradleyhoops/x1539868082/UNI-coach-to-meet-with-Texas-A-M-about-opening

[jeffsu]

A question for t, DaC, or anyone else who might know:
(I mentioned those 2, because I figured they would have an answer.)

Let's say Jacobsen or Marshall (or any other current head coach) takes this job on Thursday. What happens to the recruits on both sides of the deal? The final NLI signing day is Wednesday.

Are the recruits just stuck even if they want a release and forced to honor their original NLI, or do they get an extension on the signing period becasue of circumstances outside of their control?

I definitely don't claim to be an expert, so someone correct me if I'm wrong--

No athlete can sign two LOI's in a year anyway, so this signing period doesn't make much of a difference. They could still ask to be released from their LOI's like any other recruit with a coaching change. Then when they verbal to another school, they can only sign a financial aid agreement (which can include their MBB scholarship). The only difference is that this way, the school is bound to the player with the scholarship, but the player is not bound to the school really.

So for a recruit, it's not a huge issue it seems. No one is "stuck"

[Da Coach]

You are exactly right jeffsu. It is likely those recruits would be released from their LOIs if they request it, and they would not be able to sign another one anyway. But a recruit can still commit without a LOI if he commits after the deadline.