A change for the better?

By Mike Kaufmann

Whether you believe Dick Davey was forced out or truly wants to retire at the end of the season is of little significance at this point.

Sure, if you think he was forced out, you probably think that the university did Davey wrong, and I tend to agree with that assertion -- if that's the way it happened. At the same time, there's a way that the university can justify such a move: by coming through and finding the "high-profile" coach that the school supposedly desires.

Look, I'm a Davey fan; I went to his camps, played against his son's high school teams and now attend the university where he coaches. If Davey was indeed pushed out the door, it was wrong. Just like past Bronco coaches, he should have been allowed to leave on his own accord.

But let's look ahead. A high-profile coach can help ease the loss of a man who has been around the program for roughly 30 years.

As a Bronco fan, Mike Montgomery is the clear-cut number one choice on my list. He did phenomenal things at Stanford, despite facing recruiting challenges because of Stanford's tough admissions. He routinely had his teams near the top of the Pac-10 and in the NCAA tournament.

And Montgomery has plenty of reasons to come here -- he could succeed his good friend Davey, stay in the Bay Area and he doesn't need a huge paycheck because he's already getting 2.5 million from the Warriors this year and next.

Other candidates include Steve Lavin, alumni Kurt Rambis and current assistant coach Steve Seandel.

Lavin and Rambis are attractive because of their track records -- Lavin coached at UCLA and Rambis is currently an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Lakers -- and relative big-name status. As for Seandel, he is a local guy who would continue the tradition of having a Bronco assistant take over the program. He's also Davey's choice as a successor.

But the crown jewel of the bunch is easily Montgomery. If Santa Clara lands him, Davey's departure wouldn't evoke as much anger and disappointment, and Santa Clara's basketball program would take a huge step toward national prominence. He would also add a level of excitement that Bronco basketball hasn't seen since the days of Steve Nash.

If Davey was pushed out the door, then it was a shame, and the university acted wrongly.

But if the maneuver lands Montgomery, the change sure will be a lot easier to stomach.

Contact Mike Kaufmann at (408) 551-1918 or mlkaufmann@scu.edu.