Sendek beating the posse out of town

More stories on Herb Sendek leaving NC State for Arizona State.

The News and Observer's Ned Barnett writes it's a win-win situation for fans who wanted the coach gone and a coach who finally got tired of the fans wanting him gone.

The News and Record quotes one coach as saying, "He beat the posse out of town." That he did. While Sendek kept getting the Wolfpack to the NCAA Tournament, he never got them to advance very far once there. Yes, they did make the Sweet 16 last year, but that, apparently, wasn't good enough for Wolfpack fans.

Finally, the Arizona Republic reports that an official announcement won't come before Monday. The paper also writes that ASU's first choice as new coach was Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon. He turned down an offer.

Meanwhile, ASU decided not to offer a contract to the big, loveable Rick Majerus because of health concerns.

The third time was a charm, apparently, even if the person picked by ASU lacks charm. Sendek won't win anyone over with his personality, but he should win some games in Tempe.

I did read one report that Jim Larranaga will be the next NC State coach (in the same report, from ESPN's Andy Katz, I read that Oklahoma might be interested in Miami's Frank Haith. With Guillermo Diaz turning pro, Haith might be interested in Oklahoma also).

That would be a good move. The George Mason coach is familiar with the ACC, although it's been a few seasons. In the early 80s he spent seven years on Terry Holland's staff at Virginia.

My prediction for next Wolfpack coach: Dereck Whittenburg. The former State star is now coaching at Fordham. He also has experience in the ACC, and not just from his playing days. He was an assistant at NC State for three years and at Georgia Tech for five seasons.

- Patrick Hite