The official statement from the Georgia Bulldogs is hot off the press, but everyone has already moved on after news broke early Saturday that Mark Fox would not return. Now they are scouting his replacement.
There are two names that insiders seem to be throwing around as potential replacements: Tom Crean and Thad Matta.
Crean was let go by Indiana in 2017 after spending nine seasons with the Hoosiers. Inheriting a bit of a mess after the Kelvin Sampson situation-- who resigned after NCAA violations-- and players leaving the program, Crean turned things around and led the Hoosiers to four NCAA Tournament appearances and three Sweet 16 appearances.
Before coaching at Indiana, he spent nine years with Marquette, taking the Golden Eagles all the way to the Final Four in 2003. Dwyane Wade was on that team. So was Steve Novak.
Crean's brother-in-laws are the Harbaugh brothers, which is an amusing fun fact.
Murmurs about a possible deal have been rumbling since Fox's firing. Chris Spatola, an on-air talent at ESPN, Tweeted a picture with Crean on Saturday and alluded to all the reports swirling about him.
The other top name getting thrown around is former Ohio State coach Thad Matta. Matta left Ohio State after 13 seasons because of his health, specifically issues with his back. He took Ohio State to the Final Four twice and became the winngest basketball coach for the Buckeyes. He has 13 Tournament appearances in his career.
Matta had reportedly been in talks with Ole Miss about becoming their head coach, but discussions apparently halted. He's been named as a strong candidate for Pitt after they parted ways with Kevin Stallings.
There are other names getting thrown around, mostly from mid-major programs. But the Georgia job is attractive. The SEC, along with the ACC, will get the most spots in the NCAA Tournament this season. A coach could easily take Georgia to multiple NCAA tournaments with how many teams will continue to get in from the conference.
And the program isn't in turmoil. It's not connected to any college basketball scandals, and there is so much talent in the state that a good recruiter just needs to be able to harbor. Not to mention a renovated Stegeman Coliseum.
That means the Bulldogs should be able to attract and secure big names like Crean or Matta.
Georgia is likely already working on a deal, and it could be a matter or time before they make the move.
