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The College of Charleston already seems to be behind their self driven deadlines for a replacement for Doug Wojcik and now it's unclear if the Cougars will hire a new coach or look to their past. Charleston alum Anthony Johnson still seems to be the frontrunner and their continues to be talk of former Charlotte head coach Bobby Lutz, Clemson assistant Earl Grant, and others. Now it seems as if the College may lean towards bringing back former head coach Bobby Cremins as a one year stop gap.
Cremins, who turned 67 in July, coached the Cougars from 2006 to 2012 posting a 125-68 mark and leading the school to the NIT in 2011. Would bringing back Cremins be the right move for the College? There is definitely an argument for both sides.
The situation at Charleston has been a controversial one stemming from the hire of the new school president Glenn McConnell. Simply put, the Cougars need a bit of positive PR and need to move on. Cremins would likely be that instant boost for a team that has solid pieces coming back in Adjehi Baru, Canyon Barry, and Anthony Stitt in a wide open Colonial Athletic Association.
The Cremins route would help steady the ship for Charleston and the Cougars could concentrate on the 2014-15 season. On the flip side it would leave the program without a longterm face, which would hurt initial recruiting, and also put the Cougars in the rat race of hiring a new head coach when many other program will be as well in March and April.
There is the interesting caveat to the Cremins option according to Andrew Miller of the Post and Courier:
The proposal under consideration would bring Cremins, 67, back as head coach with former Cougars guard Anthony Johnson joining him as an assistant coach, or "coach in waiting," for the upcoming season, which is set to open Nov. 15 at Furman.
Under this scenario, Johnson would then take over the program for the 2015-16 season, a source within the school's athletic department confirmed.
So would the Cougars be better off with this package deal of Cremins plus the inexperienced Anthony Johnson or proceeding with a veteran like Bobby Lutz?
Whomever takes over at Charleston should be set up to succeed with a great facility, phenomenal tradition, and the new conference affiliation with the CAA.