Don't like Krystko's credentials? Check out Missouri

LARRY KRYSTKOWIAK

For those who contend the University of Utah could have done better than Larry Krystkowiak for its new men’s basketball coach, I present one name: Frank Haith.

Reports are saying he will be hired by Missouri, after a failed attempt by the Tigers to hire Purdue coach Matt Painter.

While Krystkowiak’s NBA record wasn’t good (31-69) with the Milwaukee Bucks, losing in Milwaukee isn’t exactly a scarlet letter. Everyone loses in Milwaukee. And if you ask me, he’s a better hire than Haith. Krystkowiak took Montana to the NCAA Tournament twice, winning one game, while Haith made just one NCAA appearance in seven years with the Hurricanes. Krystkowiak’s record at Montana was 42-20, while Haith’s was just 129-101 at Miami.

Haith took Miami to the NIT four times.

Some reports said Missouri was offering $2 million for a new coach. All of this illustrates what complicated business it is to hire head coaches. You would think that for $2 million, at a Big 12 school, they could get a coach whose record is better than 129-101 – even in the ACC.

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If Utah had wanted to hire BYU’s coach, it could have.

Just not Dave Rose.

Ex-Cougar boss Steve Cleveland was fired last month at Fresno State after six nondescript years. Cleveland went 92-98 with the Bulldogs, making the NIT once.

But word is he cleaned up the academics, which has to count for something.

Cleveland, you’ll recall, semi-resurrected BYU basketball, going 128-108 in eight seasons. So while it appears that Cleveland is good on academics, and fair at improving programs, getting them somewhere important isn’t his strongest suit.

STEVE CLEVELAND