Coaching Rumors: Charlotte, George Mason, and Others Looking for a Replacement

While we're about to bask in what is the glory of the NCAA Tournament there are plenty of job openings already around the college landscape. With those job openings come rumors, which I've tried to sum up here for everyone.

Charlotte 49ers

In the middle of all the selection hubbub last night Charlotte snuck out a statement announcing that the 49ers and head coach Alan Major have mutually parted ways. This could be an interesting landing spot given the history and location of the school but the consensus is right now that interim head coach Ryan Odom will retain the job. Odom is the son of former Wake Forest and South Carolina head coach Dave Odom and daddy has been pushing his son on any mid-major that will listen the past two or three years as he's worked at Collegiate Sports Associates as a coaching search consultant.

Don't be surprised if Mike Young, Oliver Purnell, or Anthony Grant both get a look here if the 49ers decide to go a different route than Odom.

The Citadel Bulldogs

Late last week the rumor came out that The Citadel was heavily pursuing VMI head coach Duggar Baucom and that the interest was mutual. Obviously Baucom has been very successful at a school very similar to The Citadel and would be a great fit for the Bulldogs. Baucom's name has come up in rumors before, like with Furman and Appalachian State the past few years, but this one seems more likely to stick than some of the others.

East Tennessee State Buccaneers

There are some good names swirling around in Johnson City as they look for a replacement after letting Murry Bartow move on. The biggest name is probably that of Anthony Grant. ETSU Athletics Director Doc Sanders hired Grant at VCU back in 2006 and the two could hook up again in the Southern Conference.

Other names bouncing around are Charleston Southern head coach and ETSU alum Barclay Radebaugh, as well as Murray State's Matt McMahon. Whomever the replacement, ETSU should be in tremendous position to make a great hire.

George Mason Patriots

Anthony Grant seems to be a theme here and his name has already been rumored for a return to the Commonwealth. Grant would instantly reinvigorate the rivalry with VCU and obviously could put together a staff that knows the area well.

He's the newest name in the mix and there are plenty of other names popping up. Boston Celtics assistant Jay Larranaga has been tossed around since January when his representatives saw the writing on the wall of his dad's former school. Other names being considered are former assistants at Mason including High Point's Scott Cherry and current Miami assistants Chris Caputo and Michael Huger.

Liberty Flames

Athletic Director Jeff Barber wants a guy that's been there and done that before to come to Lynchburg. Target number one seems to be Wofford's Mike Young, but young has turned down better jobs than Liberty in the past and there may be more enticing options out there. The backup plan seems to be North Carolina Central's LeVelle Moton, who would be a great hire as well.

Other names are being tossed around ranging from a Ritchie McKay return to community college coaches, but Young and Moton seem to be the primary targets at this point.

Penn Quakers

The one name on that seems to continuously be associated with Penn is former Cornell and Boston College head coach Steve Donahue. It seems to be his job if he wants it. The other name bouncing around is former Oregon State head coach Craig Robinson.