Looking for Hot Coaches: South Bracket

Continuing the look at potential hot coaching names, by bracket, that you can expect to hear mentioned during and after the NCAA Tournament.

Johnny Jones, North Texas: If they give Memphis a battle, it becomes almost a lock that Jones starts getting some serious attention. He's only in his mid-40s. He played and was an assistant under Dale Brown at LSU. He was the associate Head Coach at Memphis and served as interim head coach there after Tic Price had to step down because of inappropriate relations with a student. He is in his 6th season at North Texas, steadily building them to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1988.

Chances of Leaving: Make an offer.

Mark Fox, Nevada: If there is a time for Fox to move on, this is the year. His team appears to be reaching its peak with 3 senior starters including Nick Fazekas. The problem at this point, may be that the job openings this season may not be big enough for Fox. Right now Minnesota is the biggest opening. Not exactly an enticing move unless the money is huge. Another, bigger job such as Michigan would have to come calling.

Chances of Leaving: Slightly unlikely. The job openings and money, at the moment just don't look big enough to be worth the move. All other jobs look like lateral changes at best.

Will Brown, Albany: This is the second straight year, Albany has made the NCAA Tournament, winning the America East Conference Tournament. Last year Albany put a major fright into UConn and creating the hope for the first #16 seed upset. Despite being only 35, he is in his 6th year coaching at Albany. Brown has never been an assistant for a major program, so there might be questions about how he can recruit higher caliber players. He's always lived, played and coached in New York, so it is unclear how interested he is in moving.

Chances of Leaving; Unknown. But, if you are looking for a good young coach, how do you not at least talk to him?

Larry Reynolds, Long Beach State: He's done a heck of a building job at the school. He took a program that was 5-22 in his first year and has them in the NCAA Tournament by his 5th year. Stunningly, he's in the last year of his contract without any extension. Reynolds is one of those coaches that just moves slowly up the ranks in one geographic area. He's been an assistant at the University of San Francisco, then took over at Div. II Cal State-San Bernadino where he put them in the Elite 8 twice. There are some openings in the WCC (San Diego and Santa Clara) that might or at least should be very interested in Reynolds.

Chances of Leaving: Will leave if offered.

Previously on Fanhouse: Looking for Hot Coaches: Midwest Bracket
Looking for Hot Coaches: East Bracket
Looking for Hot Coaches: West Bracket