Former Toledo head coach Stan Joplin

The recent firing of Toledo head coach Stan Joplin after twelve years at the helm of the Rockets basketball program was essentially the opening salvo in the postseason game of coaching dominoes. Immediately, speculation commenced on potential replacements for Joplin and whether the Rockets should be focused on a "name" coach to jump start the Toledo area's waning interest in the basketball program.

With a $30 million renovation underway to upgrade a badly outdated Savage Hall, many feel that it is essential to bring in a recognizable name to get the community enthused about Rockets basketball, boost ticket sales and

Ben Braun

offset the costs of renovations. A name receiving serious consideration around the Glass City these days is Ben Braun who was let go after, ironically, twelve years at California.

Braun is a known-commodity in the MAC and particularly in the Michigan-Ohio area for his success at Eastern Michigan. Braun, in ten seasons at EMU, left as the school's all-time winningest head coach with 185 victories that included several postseason tournament appearances, including advancing to the Sweet 16 in 1991 and defeating Duke in the 1996 NCAA tournament while coaching future NBA performers Earl Boykins and Grant Long.

Braun could be an expensive proposition however as he has a reported $1million pay-off due him next season from California and would have the comfort of sitting back and weighing other offers while collecting next season's pay.

If the Rockets are going to engage in an extensive search, and not just interested in a quick-fix name coach, they would be well-advised to make contact with a couple of additional names that have MAC lineage as well.

Ron Hunter, a Miami alum, has been head coach at IUPUI for fourteen seasons and has overseen the program's successful transition to Division One. Hunter was Mid-Continent (now Summit League) coach of the year in 2006, guided the Jaguars to an NCAA tournament bid in 2003 and finished the past season with a 26-7 mark. 

IUPUI Coach Ron Hunter

The Jaguars however suffered a fate familiar to Akron Zips' fans when the Jags, despite their twenty-six wins and an RPI of 69, were shutout from postseason play. Hunter, whose name came up in Ball State's coaching search prior to this season, recently signed an extension but has long-standing MAC ties and this past season's tournament snub may be just enough to get him seriously considering making a move.

Hunter though would also have to be considered strongly in the mix if Charlie Coles decides not to return for a thirteenth season at Miami. Coles, recovering from a recent heart procedure, has taken a leave of absence and was replaced for the final seven games of the RedHawks' season by associate head coach Jermaine Henderson who would also have to be considered a leading contender for the Miami post as well.

Another name that should be seriously considered, at Toledo and for any potential opening at Miami, is former Akron assistant coach Shaka Smart. Smart is in his second season as an assistant at Clemson under head coach Oliver Purnell. The Tigers recently made it to the ACC Tournament finals before having their season end in upset fashion by Villanova in the NCAA Tournament. Smart has been on staff of programs that have been resurrected at Dayton, Akron and now Clemson. As an assistant coach, Smart has

Speculation however is not just limited to those potentially entering the MAC, but also includes one who is hotly rumored to be a candidate for other open spots, and with his recent success is likely to see his name continue to be linked to coaching vacancies around the country.

Jim Christian

Kent State head coach Jim Christian, a Rhode Island alum, has led the Golden Flashes to twenty-win seasons in every year of his six-year tenure, owns the highest winning percentage in the history of the MAC and has led the Golden Flashes to two outright MAC titles and five postseason appearances. If there is a knock on Christian however it is that he has never won a game in the NIT or NCAA, failing to advance past the first round in the NIT in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the NCAA in 2006 or this past season.

However Christian's overall success at Kent State has already drawn interest from Providence and Oregon State with his name being mentioned in published reports discussing potential candidates. Christian's name had also been discussed for the opening at Missouri State but Purdue assistant Cuonzo Martin was recently named to fill that vacancy.

With more coaching dominoes likely to fall, expect Christian's name to continue to be mentioned as the Golden Flashes may be hard pressed to keep Christian in the fold. If Christian leaves, the smart money would be on current Kent State assistant, and former Ohio standout, Geno Ford to move up.

Meanwhile several sources have indicated that current Western Michigan assistant coach Cornell Mann is considered a candidate for the head coaching vacancy at the University of Detroit-Mercy following the retirement of long time head coach Perry Watson. Mann has strong recruiting ties to the Detroit area.

While the hardwood may be quiet in the MAC, the coaching carousel is just heating up.