This week's carousel breakdown focuses on the West coast, where several jobs could be in play this spring.
A handful of coaches are on the hot seat.
At the high major level, Arizona State is the job to watch. After Wednesday night's home loss to West Virginia, Bobby Hurley looked like a man who knew his fate.
Jeeze, man. Bobby Hurley is *defeated.*
— Nick King (@NickKingSports) January 22, 2026
"We have not played well here in years. Like, since before Covid. Like, we had this place cooking before Covid... now it's a sterile environment. We don't win here."
"The light and the tunnel... it's hard to see a lot of light." pic.twitter.com/Mg7UDvI3Iy
Hurley is in the final year of his contract and it's becoming increasingly unlikely he receives an extension. Arizona State is a job with potential, but a new coach has to tap into funds from one of the largest alumni bases in the country. Should the job open, ASU athletic director Graham Rossini could go in a number of directions. There are plenty of quality mid-major coaches in the region (Eric Olen, Bryce Drew, Chris Gerlufsen, etc.). He could opt for the newly popular NBA assistant route with someone with ties to the area like Matt Brase. I'm not sure they can pull a sitting high major head coach, but stranger things have happened.
The other high major job we're monitoring is Oregon. Dana Altman isn't on the hot seat and consistently denies any retirement rumors, but this season has gone poorly enough that we have to pay attention.
At the mid-major level, there are several jobs to keep an eye on (alphabetical order).
Loyola Marymount is spiraling after a 9-4 non-conference start. The Lions have lost seven of their last nine and the program seems to have stalled after a 19-win season in 2022-2023. LMU is a fairly well funded job considering the level, so it could attract some quality candidates if it opens.
Northern Arizona seems to make the list every year and this season is no different with the Lumberjacks sitting at 7-14 (1-7, Big Sky). Three of NAU's seven wins are over non-D1 opponents and they're projected to finish with a losing record for the fifth time in Shane Burcar's seven seasons.
Oregon State is buzzing after two straight blowout losses dropped the Beavers to 10-12 (3-6, WCC). Wayne Tinkle's miracle Elite 8 run in 2021 earned him five more seasons, but he wasn't able to capitalize on the momentum. With the PAC12 returning to full form next season, OSU brass may be looking for a fresh start.
Pepperdine is an interesting job hitting the rumor mill as Ed Schilling is only in year two. The Waves are currently 6-16 (1-8, WCC) and look to be regressing after a 13-win first campaign.
Portland is 10-12 (3-6, WCC) and projected to finish with a losing record for the fourth time in five years under Shantay Legans. After a 19-15 first season, the Pilots have not be able sustain any momentum in the NIL and transfer portal era.
San Diego is trending toward another losing season under fourth-year head coach Steve Lavin. San Diego just built a beautiful new practice facility and punches above its weight in NIL. Should the job open, they could reasonably land a sitting head coach from within the league or look to the Big West and WAC.
San Jose State is 6-14 (1-8, Mountain West), with their lone conference win coming over Air Force. Tim Miles only has one winning season in five tries and the shine of 21 wins in 2023 is wearing off. Miles has two years left on his deal, which could help him stave off the hot seat if the funding isn't there.
A handful of coaches could make a jump after this season.
There's plenty of coaching talent roaming around the west coast, with some guys in position to make a move after this season (alphabetical by school)
Rick Croy (Cal Baptist) - Croy is currently engineering the best season in Cal Baptist's brief Division I history. The Lancers are 15-6 (5-3, WAC) and ranked 132 in KenPom as of writing - the best in school history. With CBU moving to the Big West next season, look for Croy to put himself in the mix for a number of openings this cycle.
Alex Pribble (Idaho) - An under-the-radar name to watch, Pribble is slowly building something in Moscow. The Vandals are poised to increase their win total for the third consecutive season under Pribble and a savvy athletic director would be wise to pick him up before his stock really takes off.
Eric Olen (New Mexico) - Eric Olen isn't a one-hit wonder and he's proving that in his first year at New Mexico. The Lobos are picking up right where the left off under Richard Pitino, despite an entirely new roster and staff. Olen famously took UC San Diego to the NCAA Tournament last season and is already turning heads in the Mountain West. He should be atop the call list of any west coast high major opening.
Chris Victor (Seattle) - Victor is on track to win 20 games for the fourth time in five seasons at Seattle. He is responsible for three of the school's four 20-win seasons since they returned to Division I in 2012. He would be a prime candidate to backfill any of the Mountain West/PAC12 jobs that open this cycle.
Jerrod Calhoun (Utah State) - One of the top candidates of the upcoming cycle, I spoke at length about Calhoun in last week's edition of the carousel breakdown.
Todd Phillips (Utah Valley) - Phillips has kept the good times rolling at Utah Valley after Mark Madsen's departure to Cal. The Wolverines are 40-15 over the last two seasons and are in the mix to win a second consecutive WAC regular season title. If Phillips can win the conference tournament, he'll lead UVU to their first NCAA Tournament in school history. Perhaps he takes over at Utah State should Calhoun get a bigger job?
Saturday results that will go a long way in shaping this year's cycle.
No single game defines a full season's body of work, but a few of Saturday's results could go a long way in shaping the upcoming carousel.
Georgetown 81 - Providence 78
These two programs will always be linked after Ed Cooley's departure from Providence three years ago. Someone more eloquent than I could probably speak to what it means that both programs are unhappy with the move just three years later.
Saturday's edition of the rivalry sparked tensions even further in Friartown, as Providence blew a 21-point lead to lose to their former beloved coach.
Kim English's tenure is likely on the verge of a third straight season without a NCAA Tournament berth. Friar fans may be drawing parallels to Keno Davis' tenure, which ended after three straight years of no postseason. Ultimately a fourth season may hinge on the buyout, which sources say is in the $8M-$10M range.
Arizona State 82 - Cincinnati 68
This game could've qualified as the SearchSzn Game of the Day. Bobby Hurley, as stated above, is firmly on the hot seat and knows it. This win doesn't materially change anything for him, but for Cincinnati to lose in the fashion they did almost certainly seals Wes Miller's fate.
Missouri 88 - Oklahoma 87 (OT)
Any good faith built up by last year's NCAA Tournament appearance is gone for Porter Moser. The Sooners are now 11-9 (1-6, SEC) and it will take a miracle run in the SEC tournament to salvage the season. It'll be the fourth time in Moser's tenure he's failed to make the postseason. Oklahoma just hired Roger Denny as their new Athletic Director and he'll likely have a decision to make a few shorts weeks into the job.
Wichita State 74 - Memphis 59
Another potential SearchSzn Game of the Day, with implications on both sides of the box score. Paul Mills has suddenly won three straight games and could be in the midst of saving his job. On the flip side, Penny Hardaway's team can't beat anyone above them in the American standings. The Tigers are now below .500 after 19 games for the first time since 1999-2000. Athletic directors from both schools don't exactly have cut and dry options in front of them. The Shockers are only one game out of first and could easily finish top four in the league. Memphis is talented enough to go on a run and it's never easy firing the beloved alum.
Saint Joseph's 81 - Dayton 74
The Flyers' trip to Philadelphia was a nightmare. Dayton lost to both La Salle and St. Joe's this week, dropping them to 14-6 (5-2, A10). That doesn't sound bad on the surface, but when you're far and away the highest budgeted team in the league, it's not good enough. Any hopes of an at-large bid were squandered and now Anthony Grant will need a conference tournament championship to make the third NCAA Tournament of his tenure. Similar to Memphis, getting rid of the beloved alum is never easy. If Dayton decides to move on, we could see it framed as a retirement by Grant.
Miami 85 - Syracuse 76
A third straight loss for Syracuse has eliminated any chances they had at an at-large bid. The Orange are staring down their third straight season without an NCAA Tournament berth under Red Autry. Jim Boeheim's handpicked successor has not lived up to program standards thus far and the fans are letting him know. If Syracuse does decide to move on from Autry, are they willing to go outside the family for the next hire?
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