Tennessee basketball: Could the Vols make Steve Forbes a coach in waiting?
Current coach of East Tennessee State University, Steve Forbes is one of the best up and coming coaches in college basketball. Could the Vols make him a coaching in waiting?
Before the internet mob comes after me let me say this. No, I don’t think Rick Barnes should be fired. And, no I don’t think Barnes time is short in Knoxville. What he has done for the Tennessee basketball program is nothing short than amazing. Which should give him his job for as long as he wants.
But, if we are honest with ourselves, Barnes isn’t going to coach forever. And, I know most fans are going to ask why even bring this topic up. Which I would say, it’s the middle of summer. But, not just that, thinking about who is going to continue the success Barnes has built is intriguing.
It may not be in the next two years. Although if somehow the Vols were to win the National Championship, I think Barnes would hang it up. It might be five years down the road when Barnes decides to give it up. Which is fine by me, and I would guess most Tennessee fans as well.
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However, it is okay to think about the future, after all, it will be here one day. So, after thinking about the current coaching landscape and who would be a good fit for Tennessee only a few names came to mind.
Of course, Bruce Pearl. Now, this might take some fans by surprise, Pearl’s ship has sailed in Knoxville. After seeing how Barnes runs a clean program and the success in doing so, does anyone even want Pearl back? I know I don’t think it would be worth the worry.
Another name and the reason for this post is current East Tennessee State University’s head coach, Steve Forbes. Forbes was on Tennessee’s staff under Pearl for five seasons which was during one of the most successful runs in program history.
During his time with the Vols, the program saw four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, which one was the first ever Elite Eight in 2010. Only a play away from a Final Four.
After coaching with the Vols, he was fired with the Pearl scandal. Forbes received an offer from Northwest Florida State, a junior college, where his teams only lost six games in two seasons. They were a combines 62-6 in two seasons and NJCAA DI National Runner-Ups.
After his stint in NJCAA, he found his way back to the college ranks as an assistant coach with the Witcha State Shockers for two seasons. And, now he is the head man for East Tennessee State.
During his three seasons with ETSU, he has a combined record of 76-29 and has one NCAA Tournament appearance. A lot of “experts” in the college basketball world thought the Bucs should have received a bid for the tournament last season, however, they did not.
So, can Tennessee do anything for Steve Forbes? If so, what could they even do? The odds of Steve Forbes being the next coach for the Vols are slim. It’s not like coach in waitings ever work. Especially him not being on staff.
My money was on Forbes landing at Georgia or Ole Miss in the offseason which that didn’t happen. However, sooner or later, Forbes will land at a big-time program that will have the Vols on their schedule.
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So, wrap him up when you can right? If only it was that easy. It would be smart if Tennessee could somehow give him a contract for the future. I know, it doesn’t really make sense, but if there is anyway that Forbes can take over right after Barnes the Tennessee basketball program won’t take a step back at all.