Chris Capko, SMU Assistant
While Bulls fans ultimately want a coach who wins, they also love home-grown hires. Capko, who starred at Kathleen High and played for USF from 2004-07, fits that job description ideally. The Bulls’ assists leader in 2006, he served as an assistant on Andy Edenfield’s staff at USC for eight seasons before moving with Edenfield to SMU in 2024.
Andy Kennedy, UAB
A former Blazers standout (who remains the program’s No. 2 all-time scorer), Kennedy has flourished at his alma mater, leading UAB to five consecutive 20-win seasons and two NCAA tourneys.
Bucky McMillan, Samford
This name has generated a lot of buzz locally. A 41-year-old Birmingham native, McMillan has posted 20-win seasons each of the last four years, leading his 2024 team to the NCAA Tournament.
Ryan Pannone, Alabama Assistant
A Clearwater native and USF alumnus, Pannone possesses the most diverse resume on this list. He cut his coaching teeth at Oldsmar Christian before serving on pro staffs globally, including the NBA G League. In his first season on Nate Oats’ staff in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide reached the Final Four.
Takayo Siddle, UNC Wilmington
Siddle’s resume bears some strong resemblances to Abdur-Rahim’s, in the sense that he somehow raised a low-level Division I program from the ash heap. After three years as an N.C. State assistant, Siddle took over a program that had endured four consecutive losing seasons and transformed it into an NCAA tourney team.
Although educated guesswork, the list of potential candidates provides insight into the search for the 12th permanent coach in Bulls history.
Conclusion
As Michael Kelly navigates the challenging task of finding a new men’s basketball coach for USF, the potential candidates offer a diverse range of experiences and accomplishments. Each candidate brings a unique set of skills and accomplishments to the table, and it will be interesting to see who ultimately fills the role.
FAQs
1. How is the search for the new men’s basketball coach being conducted?
Michael Kelly is leading the search efforts on his own, using his instincts, experience, and contacts.
2. What criteria is Michael Kelly looking for in a new coach?
It appears that Kelly prefers coaches who have excelled at the mid-major level or have shown promise as assistants.
3. What are some key attributes of the potential candidates?
The candidates bring a mix of playing and coaching experience, with successful track records in their respective roles.
4. When can we expect a decision on the new coach?
The timeline for the selection of the new coach has not been disclosed, but updates are expected in the near future.
