Hugg Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 The University of San Francisco!? By Andy Katz ESPN.com After a potential Hall of Fame coaching career at Purdue, Gene Keady might be ready to move to -- of all places -- San Francisco. And not to retire. Purdue spokesperson Elliot Bloom told ESPN.com on Thursday that Keady interviewed with University of San Francisco athletic director Bill Hogan for the Dons' opening after Hogan sought and received permission to talk to him. Purdue athletic department officials are expected to post a statement on the university's Web site later Thursday confirming that Keady interviewed Tuesday in San Francisco. A source told ESPN.com that, at this point, it's "50-50" whether Keady remains at Purdue or leaves to coach the Dons. Keady, who has one season remaining on his contract, told ESPN.com on two different occasions Thursday that he "has made no decision" on his future, and when he does "there will be a memo or a statement." Bloom said there will be no announcement Thursday on Keady's status. Purdue is expected to hold a news conference by Friday afternoon to address the issue one way or another. Keady told his assistants early this week that he was leaving for California but didn't say where or why he was traveling. Keady knows Hogan from Hogan's 1982-91 tenure as coach and athletic director at St. Joseph's College in Rensselaer, Ind. Keady has coached Purdue 24 years and is the program's all-time winningest coach (505-249). The Boilermakers have not reached the NCAA Tournament three of the last four seasons. After beating Sweet 16 finalist Duke to win the Great Alaska Shootout at the start of the season, Purude finished 17-14 (7-9 in the Big Ten) and lost to Notre Dame in the first round of the NIT. Keady, 67, is a candidate for the Basketball Hall of Fame -- selections will be announced at the Final Four in San Antonio. He's led the Boilermakers to 18 NCAA Tournament appearances, going 19-18 with Elite Eight finishes in 1994 and 2000. Purdue reached last year's tournament, beating LSU in the first round before losing to Texas. If Keady leaves Purdue, the Boilermakers would likely move quickly to choose his successor from a four-person pool: former UCLA coach Steve Lavin, who works for ESPN as an analyst; Southern Illinois coach Matt Painter, a former Purdue player; Xavier's Thad Matta; and Purdue assistant Cuonzo Martin. If Lavin is hired, Martin would likely be his top assistant. Hogan has interviewed former San Francisco center and Chicago Bulls coach Bill Cartwright, and he interviewed Arizona assistant coach Rodney Tention on Wednesday in San Francisco. Hogan also interviewed Connecticut assistant Clyde Vaughan in his search to replace the fired Philip Mathews. This would be stunning news up here in Big 10 country. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBurque Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 Why would he leave though? its not $ is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugg Posted March 25, 2004 Author Share Posted March 25, 2004 Why would he leave though? its not $ is it? I don't have a clue, but it seems he's pretty serious about it. He's certainly considering it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBurque Posted March 25, 2004 Share Posted March 25, 2004 He might be pissed off at a faculty member or something. Thats a shame, Keady epitomizes the Boilermakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TarHeel324 Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 i actually met keady at dinner last year in new orleans during the final four (man that is ugly hair) but he wants to go to San Fran? he can do better than that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 This is big news up here in big 10 country. Keady has been at Purdue for the longest time, and him leaving is huge. It looks like he's going to San Francisco now, the reason he's leaving is that next year is the last of his contract at Purdue, and they make no indication they want to sign him to an extension. So Keady wants to leave on his own terms and not be forced out, and he wants to still coach several more years..... but SAN FRANCISCO?!!?! He can do better than that. My predicition is that Southern Illinois head man and former Purdue Player Matt Painter will end up coaching in West Lafayette if Keady leaves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 rumor has it that, he doesnt like the Gene Pool anymore maybe Lavin takes over in Purdue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 maybe Lavin takes over in Purdue? Maybe..... but I think Lavin wants a West Coast job, he doesn't have many recruting connections in the Midwest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramp Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 well dontcha think he would have taken that San Fran job by now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Posted March 26, 2004 Share Posted March 26, 2004 well dontcha think he would have taken that San Fran job by now? He wants to stay at Purdue, so he's waiting to see if they will offer him an extension. But they won't, so he's heading west. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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