It's Not Looking Good
UHND.com - Frank Vitovitch
July 10, 2000 11:20 PM

Notre Dame, Ind - Earlier this evening ESPN.com's Andy Katz reported that the North Carolina coaching vacancy will be filled by Wednesday according to one of his sources.  Also reported by ESPN.com earlier today, Larry Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers and George Karl of the Milwaukee Bucks pulled their name from consideration for the job.  That leaves only Matt Doherty as the only candidate who has been interviewed left - anyone else just loose hope that Doherty will be back?

All along I had felt that Doherty would stay as head coach of Notre Dame, but now things have changed and all signs are pointing to Matt Doherty being the next head coach at North Carolina.  As of now however, Matt Doherty is the head coach of Notre Dame and nothing official has been announced.  The writing may be on the wall however.  All in all things are not looking good.

The departure of Doherty from Notre Dame could send Notre Dame back to where it was this time last year and pretty much loss most of what was accomplished last year.  Yes the wins and the experience will still be there, but barring the hiring of a truly dynamic head coach, ala Rick Pitno, the same confidence may not as is the case with the energy and enthusiasm.

The first effects of a Doherty departure will be felt on the recruiting front.  Notre Dame has two prime time talents in Chris Thomas and Jordan Cornette, but earlier report said both will reopen their recruiting if Doherty leaves.  This would be really bad for the Irish considering they would be back to square one with recruiting and would be leagues behind the other schools.  All the recruits would be used to Doherty and again, unless a top notch coach takes over, might lose interest.

The loss of Doherty would also have a huge effect on the players.  They all love Doherty and Ryan Humphrey transferred to Notre Dame because of Doherty.  Troy Murphy stayed at Notre Dame another year in part because of Doherty.  Notre Dame will need to hire a coach who can make a quick connection with the players and who develop a bond with them in a short period of time.

The timing of this whole situation could not be worse for Notre Dame.  Because Doherty went to North Carolina this weekend time was missed at the Nike Camp.  We are about to hit prime time recruiting season for basketball and Notre Dame might be scrambling around to find itself a new head coach and unlike North Carolina Notre Dame will not be able to get the star power candidates right off the bat.

Had Guthridge decided to retire a little be earlier this would not be such a problem.  However, because he waited until the first week of July to decide he didn't have the energy to handle the job, Notre Dame or whatever institution losses its coach will be extremely inconvenienced.