Just names, no argument, no order. Just your top 3 bounded only by your subjective view of who would actually interview for it.

I am curious how aligned we might be as a group.

I would say Jonas, Andy Kennedy and Matt McMahon. I know Jonas has a lot of detractors for his lack of HC experience, but I also know that he deeply cares about this program and would crawl through hot coals to make it better. Of course, there would be a risk with his hiring, but every hire is a risk. Crean looked like a sure thing, and it turned out to be a debacle of epic proportions. Felton looked like a sure thing, but he failed, as well. Fox was mediocre at best. Paying someone a ridiculous amount of money is not the answer. We need to make a smart decision here.

Gates
McMahon
Cooley

Sean Miller as a wildcard.

Jonas. Jonas. Jonas.
Is anyone else gonna stick around IF they have some success? Is anyone else really considered a candidate for Georgia? I've always asked if this is really a good job?

My list includes Todd Golden, Drew Valentine, and Sampson. I like Golden a lot. Kelvin Sampson would be ideal for our situation, but I would have to be convinced he was a changed man. I like Underwood a lot, too. Left him off the short list because if he leaves Illinois, he is likely going to Kansas State. Wes Miller and Jonas are in my top 5.

We really need a Golden era of Georgia Basketball.

Jay McAuley, Dave Bliss, Lamont Paris

I like this list. I'd be happy with any.

More and more I'm wondering do we throw it to Jonas. It is possibly the biggest risk but also potentially biggest return. As in 20+ years if it works out.

Nostradawgus said:

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I like this list. I'd be happy with any.

More and more I'm wondering do we throw it to Jonas. It is possibly the biggest risk but also potentially biggest return. As in 20+ years if it works out.

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I freely admit my bias when it comes to Jonas, but his upside is way up there. What we could save early on in his salary, we could put into staff, recruiting, overall basketball budget, etc.

McMahon just hits all the benchmarks. You have to take him if he wants it. If not, I am totally locked in on Jonas.

Jonas kind of gives me a Leonard Hamilton vibe. It may take him several years to build the frame, but if he can, look out.

I've got no problem with McMahon. He's from the Dean Smith coaching tree, having played for Buzz Peterson at App St. He has done great things at Murray St. 30 wins this season is nothing to sneeze at.

I would be surprised if McMahon was interested.

Jonas would be an irrational decision IMO.

Bliss is worth exploring. Has proven track record of high level player development in NBA. Pair him with 3 assistants that know southeastern AAU circuit/ HS bball and you would have a wicked combination

Plus Bliss brought UGA their last SEC tournament championship as a player

I dunno...

Bob Richey
Matt McMahon
Jonas Hayes

Coach K if he gets bored (I kid, I kid, calm down)

Bliss is a player development wizard. Multiple NBA teams lobbying to have him on staff for player development.
Players want to go somewhere that will develop them as quickly as possible to play pro ball oversees
Pair that with assistants that can recruit Ga and it could be potent

Give me one successful program Jonas has been a part of as a coach.
Wouldn't be surprised if Xavier HC is gone this year, and in turn Jonas. Haven't made tourney since he got there I believe. Nothing against Jonas as a person just looking at facts. He's been apart of some underperforming programs. Heck of a guy though.

The player development angle is thinking outside of the box. Players might transfer to UGA instead of only leaving

You don't just land in a top assistant position in the NBA without being a hell of a coach.

Assistants have been hired from winning programs for decades for a reason. In order to win as a head coach, you first have to learn WHAT IT TAKES to win as an assistant. Therefore, if an assistant has never seen winning consistently, theoretically they don't know what it takes. They've only seen failed experiments

Nothing can realistically lead you to believe Bliss can recruit GA. Maybe he can; maybe he can't. He's never done it.

With the right assistants, he absolutely could

I agree That Jonas would be a good pick!! He played under the best X and O coach in Jim Harrick, then coached under coach Grady Brewer at Morehouse University before joining Mark Fox! I believe he was the main recruiter for JJ Frazier and Yante Maten who along with Marcus Thornton won a large number of games by themselves for Fox!! Jonas KNOWS GEORGIA and IMO would recruit the heck out of this state plus his record shows he can recruit Nationally as well!! As stated elsewhere, he is a lot like Leonard Hamilton who was a great recruiter under Denny Crum at Louisville before getting his chance to be a Head Coach and he has been pretty successful!! Jonas could be the MAN!! I would support him 100%!!

Jonas Hayes would be my first choice.
Bob Richey
John Wooden

It does seem like the majority want Jonas.