It might just be a money thing, not a personal slight.
If you get fired, that means you’re still under contract and get paid for the remaining year(s). But if you resign, you forfeit any remaining salary.
So Engles was “encouraged” to self-defenestrate rather than wait to be pushed?
Or, flee to Denver before your team has a chance to dismiss you.
I guess Engels preferred the dignified exit - resign and find another job to make up for the lost salary. Meanwhile, Donahue decided to take the money and run. Frank Pentangeli vs. Steve Miller Band.
Jim’s contract was probably up.
From ESPN’s Jeff Borzello: “Penn has a slew of alums who played for the Quakers as potential targets: Colgate’s Matt Langel is the most decorated of the bunch, but he has passed on opportunities in the past, and it seems unlikely this is the one that finally gets him to move. Robert Morris’ Andy Toole, NYU’s Dave Klatsky and Auburn assistant Ira Bowman are all viable options. Outside the family but inside the league, Princeton assistant Brett MacConnell could garner a look. One wild card being mentioned is Iowa’s Fran McCaffery, who could emerge as a candidate if he’s fired by the Hawkeyes.”
I think Borzello is underestimating how much money the administration is willing to spend to try and get Langel. I see people on the old board are wishcasting Jay Wright as a possibility. He will never coach another college basketball game again.
I don’t think anyone seriously believes Jay Wright would consider Penn, much less any college job
He could have agreed with CU to “resign” in exchange for payment of the remaining contract balance (or a portion thereof), creating same financial result as if he had been publicly fired. Obviously we are all shooting in the dark regarding terms of his contract and separation.
I was joking about Jay Wright when I posted that. But it would be exciting, wouldn’t it?
Engles’ contract was in its last year
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From HoopDirt.com: “It sounds like the current hiring freeze won’t affect the men’s basketball search at Penn. According to an email sent to the Penn community, “staff hiring will be frozen, except for critical positions.” I’ve heard that this will be considered one of those critical positions. An interesting name circulating for the role is Manhattan head coach John Gallagher, a former Penn assistant (2008-10) who also served as Hartford’s head coach for 12 seasons. Additionally, NYU head coach and Penn alum Dave Klatsky is gaining traction. His Violets, currently 26-1 and competing in the NCAA D3 Tournament, boast an impressive 65-15 (.813) record under his leadership.”
Gallagher is uninterested, per someone with a good track record on the other board.
I am uninterested in John Gallagher so I really hope that isn’t a serious option. That would be a horrendous move even compared to just other Penn connected names.
I’m about as uninterested as you are, Mike. I live in the NYC metro area, and Manhattan is pretty much invisible to the media here. I don’t see how Gallagher would be an improvement.
Also, Iowa defenestrated Fran McCaffery today, which doesn’t really come as a surprise, given the rumor mill. Somehow, I don’t see him jumping right into another gig at this point, not even for Penn. I figure he takes at least a year to decompress and ponder what he wants to do next.
Iowa has been mediocre for years. His next job should be as a commentator or playing dominoes at Del Boca Vista.
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McCaffery is actually trying to get in the mix for the Penn job and said on a podcast this week he expects to coach next season. No idea if the athletic department has any interest in him.
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That $4.25 million buyout allows him to consider minimum wage jobs. Iowa basketball: What is Fran McCaffery's buyout?
Penn needs a coach who’s hungry. Krikorian has worked his way up the coaching ranks. He’s worked his way to the top of D3. His teams are tough and play hard and fast. He’s from the Dunphy tree in that he actually coached under him, not just played for him. There’s a difference. He’s recruited great, tough players like Penn used to have, and you can’t just grab 1-year grad student rentals to win there. Have to have a sustainable build and he’s done that as a D1 assistant and D3 head coach.
Why has he stayed at Newport so long?
Krikorian has a great thing going. It has to be the right fit and a D1 school that he cares about. He’d be leaving great resources and facilities for what at this point is a rebuild and you can see from posters here how downtrodden they are about the Penn program. He’d love to build his alma mater back up.
Doesnt make very much money according to public records
https://openpayrolls.com/employee/john-krikorian-4087