College basketball: Grading the 2019 coaching changes

College basketball: Grading the 2019 coaching changes – Who gets an A?

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Head coach Buzz Williams of the Virginia Tech Hokies looks on in the first half of their game against the Duke Blue Devils during the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament East Regional Semifinals at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 24: Assistant head coach Aaron McKie of the Temple Owls points during warmups prior to the game against the Memphis Tigers at the Liacouras Center on January 24, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Temple: Fran Dunphy to Aaron McKie

Not many coaches get the opportunity to retire on their own terms. Fran Dunphy came pretty close at Temple. He got the chance to end his tenure with the Owls with an NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Temple administration decided to stay in-house and hand the job to Aaron McKie. He spent multiple seasons on Dunphy’s staff and has the advantage of being an alum with an NBA playing resume to his credit.

Some observers call the idea of promoting an in-house assistant as “small time.” That’s just not fair. Schools should have a better idea of whether or not their assistant is ready to make the move to head coach than anyone on the outside.

Internal promotions are difficult to evaluate though. McKie fits the profile of a guy who can be successful at his alma mater, but no one can know how he’ll respond to his first head coaching job. Temple deserves the benefit of the doubt on this one, but they shouldn’t take any victory laps on the hire until McKie proves he can do it.

Grade: B