Colorado State will be searching for new men's basketball head coach if Larry Eustachy doesn't survive an internal investigation.
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Eustachy was placed on administrative leave on Saturday as the athletic department investigates allegations of misconduct with his players and other staff members.
"I have asked head coach Larry Eustachy to temporarily step away from the men's basketball program, as he has been placed on administrative leave while we conclude our climate assessment," Colorado State athletics director Joe Parker said in a statement. "We are diligently working through this assessment as expeditiously as possible, understanding the importance of a thorough and fair process. No conclusions have been made."
HOT SEAT: Candidates to Replace Kevin Ollie
Eustachy, in his sixth season, is no stranger to questions about his behavior. Four years ago, he was investigated for creating a "culture of fear and intimidation" but cleared of any serious wrongdoing and allowed to remain head coach. In 2003, as head coach at Iowa State, he resigned after The Des Moines Register exposed inappropriate behavior at a party with students after a game at Missouri.
If this investigation unveils problems — or the administration is simply sick of investigating him — and Eustachy is fired, who might replace him?
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Joe Dooley
Current Position: Head Coach – Florida Gulf Coast
Joe Dooley has not hidden his desire to leave Florida Gulf Coast. The former Kansas assistant has interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs and nearly left to join Mark Gottfried's staff at North Carolina State in 2016.
The Eagles' 52-year-old coach is on his way to a fifth straight 20-win season and third straight NCAA Tournament berth. Clearly big-time jobs aren't available to Dooley so Colorado State might be the best he can do right now.
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Steve Forbes
Current Position: Head Coach – East Tennessee State
East Tennessee State had zero NCAA Tournament appearances and averaged 15.5 wins in the four seasons before Steve Forbes arrived in 2015. Now they're chasing back-to-back tourney appearances and the first-ever undefeated conference record.
Forbes, 52, has been everywhere (10 stops in the last 25 years), including most recently two seasons under Gregg Marshall at Wichita State. He has recruiting ties across the country, runs a fun-to-watch and balanced style of basketball and is set to lose a ton of production next season.
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David Patrick
Current Position: Assistant Coach – TCU
David Patrick's recruiting prowess at LSU sent his coaching stock through the roof.
Patrick, a native of Australia, helped compile some of the nation's best class during his four years in Baton Rouge, which included landing Ben Simmons in 2013. He's also been a scout with the Houston Rockets and assistant at Saint Mary's, where he signed Patty Mills and Matthew Dellavedova.
Patrick may be a couple more years away from drawing head coaching interest but don't be surprised if a program takes a chance now.
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Earl Grant
Current Position: Head Coach – Charleston
Another former Gregg Marshall assistant, Earl Grant is leading Charleston's quest for their first NCAA Tournament berth since 1999.
The 41-year-old coached under Marshall at Winthrop (2004-07) and Wichita State (2007-10) before going to Clemson as an assistant (2010-14) and eventually Charleston. Last year's CAA Coach of the Year, Grant is a Charleston native and has spent all but three years of his coaching career in South Carolina, therefore may pass on an opportunity out west in favor of waiting for an opening in the southeast.
Still, Grant is a can't-miss up-and-comer deserving of a call from any mid-major.
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Tommy Lloyd
Current Position: Assistant Coach – Gonzaga
Tommy Lloyd is the most underrated assistant coach in America.
The Washington native has been on Mark Few's bench since 2000 and has given no indication he's interested in pursuing a head-coaching opportunity. Like Few, the 43-year-old revered international recruiter may never leave Spokane but, like Grant, he's worth a call.
