Oregon and Ernie Kent Need To Move On

John Canzano of the Oregonian brings up an issue the folks in Eugene have brought up for awhile now. Oregon and basketball coach Ernie Kent need to part ways.

This season has been an disaster for the Oregon Ducks. They are 8-22 overall and 2-16 in the Pac-10. They are irrelevant. Especially in a league that will most likely improve over the next couple of seasons.

Every team except Oregon is going to improve. UCLA will stay strong. USC is rebuilding after losing a lot last year. California is turning heads with Mike Montgomery. Stanford will rebuild with Johny Dawkins. Arizona can make the tournament this year, and most likely find a great coach next year. Arizona St. has improved dramatically. Washington will also rebuild because Lorenzo Romar is one hell of an recruiter. Washington St. has a great head coach in Tony Bennett. And their rival Oregon St. grab headlines by naming Obama's brother-in-law Craig Robinson as their head coach. Which has set the Pac-10 on fire. So this only leaves out Kent and Oregon.

Kent is the longest tenured head coach in the Pac-10 and has had success at Oregon. He has lead them to two elite eights. But recently the fans have turned on Kent as the program has struggled.

So who do you replace him with? Canzano has some choices:

"The job of hiring the next coach is for a UO search committee. It will take a big personality or proven winner to thrive in Eugene. Which is why any search should start with an inquiry to Mark Few at Gonzaga, a close friend of incumbent Ducks athletic director Pat Kilkenny. Also, with Tubby Smith at Minnesota, who is the Nike guy who took Kentucky to the elite eight four times in 10 seasons at Kentucky. There's also Steve Alford at New Mexico. And Billy Grier at San Diego. Almost anyone is a possibility, because with the new arena, and the backing of a sneaker giant, the job at Oregon ends up one of the most intriguing gigs in the nation."

Mark Few makes the most sense. He knows the area because he coaches in Washington. Also it's time for him to coach elsewhere. He has done a remarkable job at Gonzaga and has turned that program into a dynasty. Now he needs to start thinking big picture.

Also St. Mary's coach Randy Bennett would also be a great choice. He has turned around the Gaels program by recruiting players that other schools wouldn't have even thought of. He is creative and energetic enough for the crazy fans in Oregon.

Oregon is building a new arena and has the financial support of Nike owner Phil Knight. They have the funding and resources that other schools could only dream of. They should be a top 20 school every year.

Kent has had a nice run, but there is always a time when you need to move on. Both Kent and Oregon need to go their separate ways.