Chart: Would these college coaches jump to take Wolves job?

April 26, 2014 at 10:54PM
Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg answers questions during a news conference at the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Dayton, Ohio. Iowa State is scheduled to play Ohio State on Sunday. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) ORG XMIT: OHAB109
Iowa State head coach Fred Hoiberg answers questions during a news conference at the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 23, 2013, in Dayton, Ohio. Iowa State is scheduled to play Ohio State on Sunday. (AP Photo/Al Behrman) ORG XMIT: OHAB109 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

WOULD they jump?

These college coaches have been rumored to have the interest of Wolves GM Flip Saunders:

Tom Izzo, Michigan State

Why he might: At age 59, he's done all there is to do at Michigan State and might want one last career challenge. Plus, Flip Saunders is a close friend.

Why he wouldn't: He's king in East Lansing, and if he wants to try the NBA, he could commute to coach the Detroit Pistons.

The odds: Long shot, but not impossible because of the Flip connection.

Billy Donovan, Florida

Why he might: Seven years after he accepted the Orlando job and then changed his mind, he left the door open to the NBA when asked last month about coaching his hometown New York Knicks.

Why he wouldn't: He'll retire at Florida unless he takes any number of NBA jobs that are better than the Wolves'.

The odds: The longest of shots.

Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State

Why he might: He has a history with Saunders and the Wolves.

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Why he wouldn't: Saunders said the time isn't right for Hoiberg to leave his hometown, where his children are content and where he has mayoral status. Saunders says Hoiberg's hiring "isn't happening."

The odds: As Flip likes to say, never say never.

JERRY ZGODA


Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo speaks at a news conference before the third round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Spokane, Wash., Friday, March 21, 2014. Michigan State plays Harvard on Saturday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) ORG XMIT: NYOTK
Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo speaks at a news conference before the third round of the NCAA men's college basketball tournament in Spokane, Wash., Friday, March 21, 2014. Michigan State plays Harvard on Saturday. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) ORG XMIT: NYOTK (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Florida head coach Billy Donovan speaks during a news conference Friday, March 28, 2014 in Memphis, Tenn. Florida will play Dayton Saturday in an NCAA college basketball tournament regional championship game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) ORG XMIT: TNJB104
Florida head coach Billy Donovan speaks during a news conference Friday, March 28, 2014 in Memphis, Tenn. Florida will play Dayton Saturday in an NCAA college basketball tournament regional championship game. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) ORG XMIT: TNJB104 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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