UCLA may be changing directions in their coaching search due to Jamie Dixon’s significant buyout.
Dixon was believed to be the coach UCLA was targeting to fill their vacancy. However, his $8 million buyout was always a hurdle, and it may be too much for the Bruins’ taste.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Drew Davison reported on Friday that TCU was not budging on a buyout price reduction UCLA was seeking, which was a stumbling block. Later in the day, the Los Angeles Times’ Ben Bolch reported that barring a change, Dixon is out as a candidate due to the buyout.
Bolch says UCLA may now turn to Cincinnati’s Mick Cronin, who was also considered a top target, or one of their fallback options, like Saint Mary’s Randy Bennett, Texas’ Shaka Smart, or former Bruin Earl Watson. Smart finishing the season strong by winning the NIT may appeal to the Bruins’ brass.
Stories like this will not change the perception that UCLA is cheap, though the reality is they may feel Dixon is just not worth that kind of money. After all, they were offering big bucks to John Calipari, helping him to land his lifetime deal with Kentucky.
