Potential Coaching Candidates

With the very capable Paul Lusk now heading to Missouri State, and Mike Jackson possibly not returning, Painter needs to rebuild his staff. So who should he go after? Here are a some names that we like:

Dan Dakich

Current talk radio and TV host, former IU assistant & HC, former BGSU HC, former IU player

Pros:

-Extensive asst. coaching experience under a legend of college basketball

-Head Coaching experience (Bowling Green & IU)

-Great understanding of Xs & Os

-His hire would anger IU fans.

-Smart

Cons:

-Not a young guy- might have a hard time playing second fiddle at times

-Has a good gig with TV and radio in which he can spend time with kids

-Would probably have a high price tag

-Comes off as egotistical

-No Purdue connection

Kenneth Lowe

Current Euro League Pro basketball player, Former Purdue guard

Pros:

-Purdue guy

-Has been a name with buzz for months on message boards like KHC

-Defensive-minded player (when he played)

-Young

-Smart and hard-working

-Should be pretty affordable (at least initially)

Cons:

-No coaching experience

-Don't know what to expect

Carson Cunningham

Current History Professor at DePaul, HC at Andrean HS & author, former Purdue point guard

Pros:

-Purdue guy/fan favorite

-Young

-Hard-nosed

-Smart and has an interesting perspective & way of doing things

Cons:

-Inexperienced

-Wasn't a defense-first player in college

Linc Darner

Current HC at D-II Florida Southern, former Purdue shooting guard

Pros:

-Experienced

-Successful HC in lower divisions

-History with Painter as a player

-Will get a significant raise from current position
-Deep Purdue connections

Cons:

-Might only be coaching at Purdue one or two seasons (could be a candidate for HC position quickly)

-No D-I experience

-Has been an HC for a few years, might not want to be an assistant

Chris Lowery

Current SIU HC, former AC under Painter/Weber at SIU

Pros:

-Rumors swirl about SIU is looking to push him out as HC

-Great rapport with painter

-Experienced

-Good recruiter
-From Indiana

Cons:
-Still not technically available
-Probably still wants to be a HC
-Will come with a high salary

Brian Cardinal
Current Dallas Mavericks Forward, Former Purdue Forward

Pros:
-Purdue fan favorite...deep Purdue ties
-Told us (via Twitter) that he might be interested...eventually
-Very hard-nosed, very defensive-minded
-Young

Cons:
-He'll be taking a significant pay cut
-No coaching experience

Micah Shrewsberry
Current AC at Butler, former HC at IU-SB

Pros:
-Comes from one of the best coaching systems in America
-Smart, hard-working
-Young
-Experienced

Cons:
-No Purdue connection

J.R. Reynolds
Current GA for Painter, Former AC at SI College

Pros:
-Currently on Painter's staff
-Hard-working, hard-nosed
-Young

Cons:
-Not very experienced