Odds that Donahue stays?

[billhoward]

Part of this thread might sound like woofing - you start talking about Donahue leaving and those air molecules moving around your fingers as you type affects the air pressure in Donahue's sinuses when he thinks on what he should do. The other thought is, sure, it's grist for conversation. Who doesn't wonder what a great coach is doing in a place like Cornell when #25 in the nation is about the best you can hope to do? He does this the rest of his life in Ithaca, maybe he'll make the Sweet 16 twice and maybe on a fluke make a Final Four. If he's making in the vincinity of $200K, it sounds like a lot until you plan to save for college and think it would be nice to have a retirement nest egg of investments worth $2 million (their equivalent in 35 years expressed in today's dollars) by the time you retire. Whatever you're earning, it never feels like enough. Someplace else it can be $500K including the shoe contracts and summer camps.

I hope Cornell can sweeten the pot for Donahue if that makes a difference in his staying at least for another couple years. "Cornell" would mean friends of Cornell further endowing his position. I don't believe a Cornell "awash in red ink" (David Skorton's words) has the money in-house. (It just told the theater department to plan on cutting $2 million.) Andy Noel also has a delicate balancing act: He can't let the compensation for Mike Schafer and Jeff Tambroni get out of whack. Over the next decade, it's those two who are going to bring Cornell a national championship. And if the money gets too far out of hand for the name coaches, the faculty will be revolting.

I hope Donahue stays. I fear the example of Pete Caril is the exception that proves the rule. And unless the recruiting class of 2014 is boffo, next year we'll cede the league title to Harvard or Princeton. Any HS senior consider multiple Ivies is going to be told by the other seven schools, "C'mon, you really think Donahue will be back?"

[YankeeLobo]

For all we know, he could be planning to remain here for the rest of his life.  Not very likely, but who knows what he's thinking?  We haven't heard any speculation, but all over the press you hear about how schools would be foolish to pass up a guy like Steve Donahue if he was available.  Except for the Ivy League and some other low D1 conferences, basketball (and football) coaches are the highest paid employees.  Providence pays their coach $660K, Holy Cross (TERRIBLE program) pays $450K.  For the right job, Donahue could triple his salary.  And even if he goes to a St. John's, Rutgers et. al and fails in reviving the program, he knows there will always be a job in Ithaca waiting for him : )

[MannHermit]

I know he basically HAS to say stuff like this, but he did tell the Associated Press last month that he knows he has it good at Cornell and that he's not eager to move on.  I figure he can't say, "I'll bolt to a bigger school if I get the chance," though.  

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/basketball/ncaa/wires/12/30/2060.ap.bkc.cornell.big.red.machine.1263/

[Trotsky]

We're all hoping Donohue stays, but all the more reason to enjoy the team for the next 2 months.

[KeithK]

I know he basically HAS to say stuff like this, but he did tell the Associated Press last month that he knows he has it good at Cornell and that he's not eager to move on.  I figure he can't say, "I'll bolt to a bigger school if I get the chance," though.

Unless he has an offer on the table he has to say that. And frankly he does have it pretty good in Ithaca right now.

Random question: are there tampering rules in college sports?  Could a school offer him a contract at any time?

[Rita]

It seems that with College football, they at least wait until the end of the regular season to start poaching coaches from other programs. I think in college basketball it is after a team has been eliminated from post-season play /end of regular season.

ESPN the Magazine did an article about this with college football. It seems that there are companies/agencies that specialize in the discrete negotiations are becoming popular and help determine if the people on a given university's "wish list" are interested in the job and what it will take to get the coach out of his current contract. I believe they also work in the other direction in helping a coach move to a different school.  Can't find the link to the specific article, but it came out in the Fall 2009.

[scoop85]

My guess is that both the St. Johns and Rutgers jobs are open after the season, and that Donahue would be an attractive candidate for either school.  Whether those are the types of jobs he would consider, who knows?  Between the two, you'd think St. Johns would have more cachet.

[YankeeLobo]

St. John's has slightly more cachet.  Been a while since they were good, when Mike Jarvis was their coach.

[phillysportsfan]

Great article on midmajority.com about the decision mid major coaches must make between moving up to get hired to be fired at the BCS schools or in creating a dynasty at their mid major program. Artice does mention Donahue and makes a strong case why someone in his position would be better off to stay at a mid major school.

http://www.midmajority.com/2010/02/the-name-on-the-floor.php#more

[phillysportsfan]

Also Cornell is starting a new sports show that will interview Cornell coaches and athletes every Tuesday night at 7pm and Donahue will be the first coach interviewed tonight

http://cornellbigred.com/news/2010/2/8/MBB_0208102013.aspx

[ithacat]

From today's Philly paper:

Would he consider taking the Penn job if athletic director Steve Bilsky offers it?

"You know, when I'm in the season, it's hard to [think about going] anywhere," he said. "I'm so wrapped up in what we are trying to do here. It's not something I even feel like commenting on."

Running that through Babel Fish comes up with "my bags are packed and I'll see you on April 1st, or 6th."

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/84207272.html

[Jim Hyla]

From today's Philly paper:

Would he consider taking the Penn job if athletic director Steve Bilsky offers it?

"You know, when I'm in the season, it's hard to [think about going] anywhere," he said. "I'm so wrapped up in what we are trying to do here. It's not something I even feel like commenting on."

Running that through Babel Fish comes up with "my bags are packed and I'll see you on April 1st, or 6th."

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/84207272.html

I agree, that's a pretty good yes. Not even the, "I'm happy with where I am and what we're doing.", or "I like my job and these kids.", or some such. Now that doesn't mean he's leaving, but it does say he's certainly considering it.

[YankeeLobo]

Why would Donahue leave Cornell for the Penn job?  So he can be the bitch of the Big 5 for the next 10 years?  That's a huge step down for him.  I understand that he's from there and all, but why not hold out for a job at a place like LaSalle where you'll get paid more and play in a respected conference.  Makes no sense to me.  This is the equivalent of Pete Carroll taking a job at Washington because he's from the State.

[ugarte]

Why would Donahue leave Cornell for the Penn job?  So he can be the bitch of the Big 5 for the next 10 years?  That's a huge step down for him.  I understand that he's from there and all, but why not hold out for a job at a place like LaSalle where you'll get paid more and play in a respected conference.  Makes no sense to me.  This is the equivalent of Pete Carroll taking a job at Washington because he's from the State.

If you are a city guy, you want to live in a city. I like Ithaca but I couldn't live in Ithaca.

[phillysportsfan]

Donahue may have also said that because he might not be interested in the Penn job but in other jobs such as Rutgers/Penn State so he doesnt want to close any doors by saying I am happy where I am at, I dont want to go anywhere else.