Goodman names names for Patton's successor

The fact is Ricardo Patton announced his resignation a season before he planned to step down as basketball coach at Colorado, leaving the masses to speculate early who will replace him.

The struggles on the court have only heightened the passions of those ready for new leadership.

In following that line of thought, the Black and Gold Breakdown went to Jeff Goodman of FoxSports.com to get what he has -- insight on the college basketball scene, word from the street, courtside, however you want to look at it.

Goodman impressed enough with his ideas that this space would like to nominate him for the CU search committee, like pronto.

BGB: What does a program like Colorado, an up-and-down, middle-of-the-pack school have to do to attract a top-coaching-talent pool in its' mission of finding a replacement for Patton?

Goodman: First of all, obviously, money is key. Money and a commitment to the program that means first class, whether its the traveling, whether its taking chartered flights, giving (a coach) a private plane, stuff like that. Those are the types of things coaches want because they feel they feel they can do their job and compete.

Probably a young guy. You can't take one of those recirculated guys like (Rick) Majerus. He won't get it done. I think you need a young guy who's going to work, go up against the Bill Self's, the Bob Huggins', (Billy) Gillespie's, those guys who are proven to be very good recruiters and guys who really get after it.

Everybody still sees Colorado as a football school. Nobody views it as a basketball school.

Mark Few (Gonzaga) and Mark Turgeon (Wichita State), those guys you mentioned -- I don't think either of those guys...frankly, they can get better jobs. Few is in a much better job now.

BGB: First thing that comes to mind, Jeff, when I say University of Colorado -- big potential and an opportunity at a Big 12 school, a grave you dig yourself or something in between?

Goodman: Somewhere in between. A lot of coaches have done more with less.

Look at Texas A & M right now. Is that a great basketball school? No. But Billy Gillespie has got the talent in Texas, even if it's maybe the second-tier talent.

That's one thing that Colorado, whoever comes in, has to do. You have to keep the top talent in state, at home and you have to go into Texas and get some kids and go into California and get some kids maybe that UCLA didn't go after. The UCLA's, the Arizona's can only get so many guys. There is enough talent out there. You just have to do a good job evaluating and really get after it and they need a guy who's a proven winner.

I think a great choice would be, and I said I don't think he would go there, would be Turgeon. He'd be my first guy. I can't see there's any chance, I can't see him having any interest.

BGB: You are the deciding vote in naming a new coach. What are your must-have requirements for that person and what names would most intrigue you as candidates?

Goodman: At Colorado, a young guy who is willing to work and get out there. A charismatic guy. Someone who is not afraid of the top coaches. You're coaching against Huggins and Bobby Knight four times a year. That's tough. Not just anybody can do that. Self and Rick Barnes -- it's a tough league right now. You're going to need someone who is not intimidated easily.

Who's that guy?

Chris Lowery would be a good one to look at, from Southern Illinois. He's young, only about 35-years old that might be someone you could get.

Someone I might look at is Greg Marshall of Winthrop. He wouldn't back down at all. He's tough as nails.

Look at Butler right now -- Todd Lickliter. He's be someone you'd have to look at with what Butler is doing.

Jim Christian at Kent State. They're down this year but he might be someone.

I just don't think you can have a chance at getting Turgeon or (Dana) Altman (Creighton).

(Jeff) Bzdelik at Air Force, that would make the most sense of anyone who's name has been thrown out. Now, his style of play may not be what fans would want to see, but he wins.

Darin Horn, Western Kentucky.

Mike Dunlap (Metro State) is an interesting one. He's a helluva coach. He's a great-great coach. He's not intimidated and I've had so many coaches say this guy is one of the best in the business, that's he's that good, he just hasn't gotten the opportunity.

I'm not sure this is a job for an assistant, just don't think they're going to go the assistant route.

BGB: The Big 12 -- looking at the league, how do you see it now? Who's for real and who's overrated currently?

Goodman: I think it's a little bit of a rebuilding year for the Big 12. Kansas is definitely the cream of the crop and will rise to the top once Big-12 play starts. Texas A & M and Oklahoma State are probably the next tier.

In two years, we're looking at a league, however, that could be the best in America once Huggins gets it going, with Bill Walker and Michael Beasley (heavily recruited preps), once Texas gets a little older and experienced and Kansas -- we'll see what happens with them, how many guys leave (for the NBA) after this year.

BGB: Check out FoxSports.com today and see Jeff's article on Ohio State freshman center Greg Oden. A powerfuel comparision for the young Buckeye. Good work, interesting read.