Hmmmm. Not to sure what to think about this one.... UH offers coaching job to Penders By DAVID BARRON Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle Tom Penders, who revived the basketball program at the University of Texas before resigning abruptly in 1998, has been offered the head coaching job at the University of Houston, several sources told the Chronicle today. Sources said Penders was en route to Houston to finalize details on a contract to replace Ray McCallum, who was reassigned after the 2003-2004 season. UH athletic director Dave Maggard said today that Penders has not been offered the job. He did say, however, that there was a "possibility" Penders could be the Cougars next coach. "No job has been offered," Maggard said. "I think there have been some assumptions made here. Nothing has been offered to Tom Penders or anyone else." Along with several sources who told the Chronicle that Penders would be the new UH coach, CBS Sports reported this afternoon that Penders "is expected to take over" the program and was headed to Houston to finalize contract details. Penders coached at Tufts, Columbia, Fordham and Rhode Island before coming to Texas in 1988-89. He was 208-110 at Texas, with eight NCAA Tournament appearances in 10 seasons, before resigning in April 1998 with four years remaining on his contract. His resignation came after four players met with UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds to complain about his coaching style during the 1997-98 season, which was only his second losing year at Texas. That season also was marred by allegations that Penders violated privacy laws regarding a players academic records. Penders later coached at George Washington but resigned in 2001. He worked as an analyst for ESPN and this weekend covered the NCAA Tournament for the Westwood One radio network. Penders booked a one-way flight from Seattle that was arriving in Houston tonight.
After the way his tenure ended at Texas(releasing Axtell's grades, drunk-calling his players in the middle of the night to call them losers, etc, etc) and at George Washington(complete and total lack of control over his team - several fights during games) - I'm surprised someone would take a shot on him. I mean, U of H isn't a plum job, but it's not A&M - there's no need to be desperate.
no it wasn't. Houston athletic director Dave Maggard said Sunday night that he hasn't offered the men's basketball head coaching position to Tom Penders, despite a CBS report. "The job hasn't been offered to anyone,'' Maggard told ESPN.com. "As of 5:30 p.m. Houston time, the job hasn't been offered to anyone.'' The former Texas and George Washington coach was expected to meet with Maggard after concluding his NCAA Tournament radio assignments this weekend. Penders is one of many candidates interviewing for the job. BYU assistant Dave Rose, a former Houston Cougar, and Sam Houston State head coach Bob Marlin are two of the other candidates who have interviewed. Arizona assistant Josh Pastner got an interview but isn't expected to get the job. Houston had wanted to hire someone with Texas ties after Ray McCallum failed to turn the program around coming from Ball State with no Texas links. "I've said all along that I wanted a new head coach by the Final Four or before and that's what I want,'' Maggard said. "I want someone who is going to work their rear ends off. I want someone that has the passion for the job. It doesn't matter if it's a head coach or an assistant. I'm on the phone with another candidate and I'll tell him the same thing -- that no job has been offered.''
Not yet anyway, but it looks like it's just a matter of time. Just saw an interview with Penders on 26 (is anyone surprised that Mark Berman was waiting at the airport to get the first interview with him? ) and he is already talking about what kind of assistants he wants to hire. On a side note, I watched the 83 nc state game on ESPN Classic tonight. Although the ending made me as sick as it did 21 years ago, it sure was fun to watch the excitement around the program during the Phi Slamma Jamma days. Sure would be fun to have that feeling return, even if it's just a little bit.
I'm just glad that Houston realized that they don't have a shot at Billy Gillispie. Made me laugh that they thought that they could get him. Now I just gotta hope that BG doesn't go for the $$$ that A&M is going to offer him tomorrow. El Paso is such a better basketball town than B/CS that it's not even funny...
I know Penders has some issues, but UofH needs someone in a bad way...I'm so tired of us not doing jack and we need some...UofH is not a high profile job, yet, but it could be if we get the right coach... Go Lady Coogs!!!
Cougar High needs to hire Rick Majerus. They could have a full time cardiologist on staff as part of his contract.
I think this would be a good hire for the UH program. They need someone who's going to stay and I think Penders is that guy. He's got a history of recruiting in Texas and in the Houston area, specifically. It would also give some excitement and attention to a once-proud program. I would be concerned about his past misdeeds, even though in the grand scheme of things now, they really weren't that bad. Hopefully he's received help for his drinking problems, though. I think the potential rewards outweigh the potential risks.
Hmm. That's actually the reason I'm not too excited about it. You think Penders (assuming he wins) will really stay for the long haul? I think John Lucas would be a pretty good fit believe it or not.
Honestly, yeah, I do. It's just one of those gut feelings though. I think with someone with his past, it's gonna take a very good situation for it to work and I think UH has the potential. After a few years, if it does work, I really can't see big schools from the big conferences coming after him nor could I see him leaving for a smaller basketball school in a bigger conference. I could be 100% wrong, though.
