Delaware Coaching Search May Be Down to Four, According To Report

Delaware may finally be close to hiring a new men's basketball coach, according to a recent News Journal report. The program, which had been waiting on a full-time athletic director to jumpstart the process, has been caught in limbo for the 60-plus days since Monte Ross was fired in March.

Under new AD Chrissi Rawak and Parker Executive Search firm, four finalists will visit campus next week for interviews, according to the News Journal:

Chris Caputo - Associate Head Coach, University of Miami

Few coaches in the country are as well-respected as Jim Larranaga, and Chris Caputo has spent the past 14 seasons under his tutelage. Prior to serving as the Canes' defensive coordinator, Caputo worked his way up from video coordinator to recruiter and chief opponent scout while on staff at George Mason. Both the Patriots and the Hurricanes earned their stripes on defense and Caputo deserves the credit for that. His experience and successes have caused him to be tabbed as an assistant ready to make the leap to head coaching.

Dave Dickerson - Associate Head Coach, Ohio State

Rawak's Big Ten ties (she was an associate AD at Michigan) may have led her to the Buckeyes' Dickerson. The former Tulane head coach and Maryland star has been Thad Matta's right-hand man since 2011. While his 68-84 record as a head coach isn't particularly inspiring, Dickerson's coaching pedigree and recruiting chops are reason to be hopeful. Since leading scorer Kory Holden transferred last month, Delaware is desperate for talent and Dickerson could help in that regard.

Martin Ingelsby - Assistant Coach, Notre Dame

Ingelsby was a fan favorite during his time as the Irish point guard and has been groomed by one-time Delaware coach Mike Brey since he led Brey's first Irish team. The Philadelphia native has worked primarily with Notre Dame's perimeter players over the years, and helped elevate the program's east coast recruiting efforts. Unlike the previous two candidates, Ingelsby is known for the offensive efficiency he preaches -- a trait Brey has already hailed when touting his assistant for a lead job.

Billy Lange - Assistant Coach, Philadelphia 76ers

The lone option not currently associated with a college team, Lange has been with the 76ers since 2013 as an assistant coach of player development. Prior to that, he was associate head coach at Villanova for three years and the head coach at Navy from 2004-11. Lange and NCAA champ Jay Wright have consistently vouched for one another, and it's been rumored that Lange picked the 76ers position over a head coaching gig in the NBA D League. An added perk to taking the Delaware job -- Lange would probably coach an older team than the one he has now.