Fansided

Texas and the 6 best potential college basketball jobs for John Beilein

By Patrick Schmidt

CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach John Beilein of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells to his players during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 12, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 129-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - FEBRUARY 12: Head coach John Beilein of the Cleveland Cavaliers yells to his players during the second half against the Atlanta Hawks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on February 12, 2020 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Hawks 129-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

John Beilein didn’t work out in the NBA but the former Michigan head coach could have a number of nice opportunities to return to college basketball.

John Beilein could soon be returning to school.

Lost in the hoopla that was NBA All-Star Weekend was the news from Adrian Wojnarowski that Beilein and the Cleveland Cavaliers are working toward a divorce.

Shams Charania and Jason Lloyd of The Athletic reported on Tuesday the split could come as early as Wednesday with Beilein walking away from the rest of his four-year deal that included a team option for a fifth year that pays between $4 and $4.5 million per year.

The Cavs have the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Off the court, Beilein issued an apology after he called his team a bunch of thugs. Beilein’s first year in the NBA has been a total disaster.

Despite the utter failure on every level in the NBA with the Cavaliers, Beilein will be in demand on the college game. That can help explain why he’s so willing to walk away from all that guaranteed money.

Beilein went 754-425 in 37 seasons in college basketball. Beilein’s most recent stop at Michigan was his most successful. In 12 seasons with the Wolverines, Beilein 278-150, winning the Big Ten twice and finishing as national runners-up twice. His teams reached the NCAA Tournament in eight of his last nine seasons at Michigan.

Of course, this all brings up the question of why the lifelong college coach decided to leave Michigan and college basketball for a shot in the NBA with the Cavaliers. It looked like a regrettable decision at the time and it’s proven to be the case.

While Beilein will have opportunities in the college game, he may not be able to jump right back in at a program like Michigan. He may have to accept coaching at a program without a history of winning or at a university without a great history or a winning tradition.

Shaka Smart is on the hot seat at Texas and Beilein could represent a proven coach with a winning background to do the types of things they envisioned when they hired Smart away from VCU.

Minnesota could give Beilein an opportunity to jump back in the Big Ten. He already has a familiarity with the conference and the recruiting footprint that comes with it. Richard Pitino hasn’t really done much of anything for the Golden Gophers to be committed to him if they have a shot to get Beilein.

Wake Forest, Oklahoma State, Boston College, Georgia Tech and Northwestern are other programs that could have an opening at the end of the year that appeals to Beilein.

He will only be unemployed as long as he wants and could have his pick of all the college basketball jobs later this spring with Texas looking like the best option.

Next. 30 greatest college basketball players this century. dark

For more NCAA basketball news, analysis, opinion and features, check out more from the FanSided college basketball section to stay on top of the latest action.