The Sporting News reported Friday night that former UCLA coach Steve Lavin has been offered the job of head basketball coach at NC State. I left a message with Wolfpack AD Lee Fowler but haven't heard back. I do know that Lavin has been gathering information on players on the current Wolfpack roster and is excited about the possibility of coaching at NC State. Will that lead to an agreement, I don't know. (see Rick Barnes and John Calipari)
Would Lavin be a good hire for NC State? That's a TBA, but I do know it would bring a lot of attention to the basketball program. His press conference would get national play and you can bet a big plate of barbecue that next season, ESPN would be in Raleigh for an "inside look" at Steve Lavin's return to coaching. You can't buy that kind of exposure.
Also, high school players know who Steve Lavin is...maybe not as a former coach at UCLA but they know him as a basketball guy on ESPN. That might open a door or two on the recruiting trail. Being a college basketball analyst, Lavin has been exposed to practices all across the country. Coaches pick up on things from one another if they are given access.
Here's how Lavin built a 145-78 record in 7 seasons at UCLA.
1996-97: 24-8
1997-98: 24-9
1998-99: 22-9
1999-2000: 21-12
2000-2001: 23-9
2001-2002: 21-12
2002-2003: 10-19
Lavin made 5 trips to the Sweet 16 in seven years, and if you can coach amid the expectations at UCLA, you can coach at one of the points in the Triangle. Would he be a good hire? That's for a later date, but at this point, Steve Lavin would bring a lot of attention to NC State. Winning would keep it there.
