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California Golden Bears Basketball 2016-17 Offseason Checklist

By Dan Fappiano

Mar 5, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; California Golden Bears guard Tyrone Wallace (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Golden Bears won 68-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Tempe, AZ, USA; California Golden Bears guard Tyrone Wallace (3) reacts after making a three point basket against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second half at Wells-Fargo Arena. The Golden Bears won 68-65. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Possible Coaching Changes

After firing head coach Brian Gregory after five years, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are looking for a new head coach. Coach Cuonzo Martin is expected to be on the short list of candidates to fill that role.

Before any Bears’ fans freak out, Jeff Goodman of ESPN is reporting that Martin will not bolt to Georgia Tech.

But of course as we have seen, there have been times where smoke can lead to fire. So while Goodman does report that Martin isn’t leaving, there is a chance he could eventually bolt to the Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets have incoming four star recruit Romello White. Georgia Tech is also losing seniors Nick Jacobs and Marcus Georges-Hunt, but having White gives Martin a piece to build around.

Also, the sexual assault allegations against assistant coach Hufnagel could push Martin away. If he is cleared of the investigation, he might not want to return to the school that doubted him. With a growing stigma against his leadership, Martin might want to start fresh at a new school.

And while it may be minimal, ACC competition could be considered greater than the Pac-12’s. While the ACC only had one more team (two if Louisville didn’t impose sanctions), the ACC could be deemed more competitive than the Pac-12.

Cal Golden Bears
Cal Golden Bears /

Cal Golden Bears

Goodman’s report does make it seem unlikely that he leaves, but Bears’ fans may have to wait a while to see if coach Martin actually does return to Cal for another year.

On a much smaller scale, assistant coach Tracy Webster was in the mix for the Milwaukee head coaching job and it’s currently unknown if he will be back. Webster has been an assistant coach at seven reputable colleges including Kentucky, Purdue and Tennessee.

Colleges that still have openings are: Cornell, Delaware, Dartmouth, Detroit, NJIT, Nicholls State, South Dakota State, Stony Brook, Valparaiso and Georgia Tech.

None of those schools have been directly linked to Webster, but his interest from Milwaukee might spark interest from other schools. If Webster left, Martin would be losing his top two assistants in Hufnagel and Webster — which means he would either have to build a new staff at Cal, or bolt to Georgia Tech and start a new staff there.

Goodman’s report sheds some light on the matter, but overall, there is still a chance coach Martin leaves. That move would be hellish for Bears’ fans as Martin has a .612 winning percentage at Cal and has led them to overall success.

Next: Overall

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