Why the NBA cant lure elite college coaches

Kansas head coach Bill Self and Kentucky head coach John Calipari told ESPN on Monday that they are happy with their current situations at their respective programs. That I believe. They also stated that neither have been contacted regarding the numerous NBA head coaching vacancies.

That I do not believe.

It's likely that Self and Calipari told their NBA pursuers thanks...but no thanks. It's even more likely that the trend will continue....at least for the elite college coaches. Tom Izzo (Michigan State) and Kevin Ollie (UConn)  have also recently shunned the NBA to remain at their schools.

And I can't blame them one bit. When you compare the two gigs, is there really a comparison?

The NBA is run by it's players, they call the shots. Their contracts are also guaranteed. That not only makes their head coach powerless, it makes them expendable. Don't believe me? Then just ask Lionel Hollins (Memphis), Vinny DelNegro (Clippers), and George Karl (Denver), who were all fired after leading their teams to 50 win seasons in 2012.

None of the three are coaching today.

Things get even sketchier for coaches of NBA superstars. If said superstar is unhappy for any reason, he could literally hold the team...and the coach's future...up for ransom. Minnesota had a tough time hiring a head coach because their star player...Kevin Love...stated that he will opt out of the final year of his contract to test the free agency market. The search got so bad that team president Flip Saunders decided to un-retire and coach the team himself.

Love's reaction? Um...yea that's great coach...but I'm still opting out.

Ouch.

And who can forget the bizarre chain of events between the Cleveland Cavaliers and their head coach Mike Brown.

Try to follow me here...

Cleveland fired Mike Brown just prior to LeBron's decision....presumably in an attempt to keep him. We all know how that worked out. After a brief (and I do mean brief) stint with the Lakers, Brown was rehired by Cleveland. The owner of the team welcomed Brown back by saying that his previous dismissal was a mistake. 82 games later, Brown was fired again, presumably in an attempt to lure LeBron James back to Cleveland?

I can't make this stuff up.

Meanwhile, in the land of college basketball...

Head coaches of winning programs are living the good life. They are scoring record salaries. They have the ultimate say over their roster, and do not have to work within the limitations of a salary cap. They can just stock pile talent. They have authority over their players, and can get their message across through the power of playing time and scholarships. It's a dream gig if you ask me.

Florida head basketball coach Billy Donovan is openly keeping his options open with regard to the leap.

Proceed with caution.      follow @plcolter