Mountaintop View 3-17-21: 1 coach arrives, 1 coach leaves, dead resurrected, Lobo baseball, XC nationals

Get ready for some mid-week links! Today’s focus in on men’s basketball with the tournament just a few days away.

Lobos name their new coach.

Richard Pitino wasn’t unemployed for very long. About 12 hours to be exact. After being fired from Minnesota, he will now try his hand at reviving the stories New Mexico program. He has been above .500 at both of his head coaching stops, so that’s a good start.

Rebels lose theirs.

It didn’t take long for another head coaching job to become open, as it was announced yesterday evening that TJ Otzelberger was leaving for Iowa State. He was an assistant there two different times, so the ties are obvious. He didn’t light up the world for the Rebels during his tenure and his loss likely won’t shed many tears. Rick Pitino (the father of Richard) is rumored to be a popular name for the job, but this program is in need of a short in the arm as well.

Dead period being resurrected?

It’s been a long journey for every aspect of the pandemic, recruiting included. But there is possibly a light at the end of the tunnel, as the NCAA is proposing that the dead period will come back to life at the start of June. There are also outlines for the window official visits can take place and they can also workout in front of coaches on campus. There is also talk of extending the contact period in the fall and permanently incorporating zoom visits.

Lobo named pitcher of the week.

Broncos make a statement at the National XC championships.

On the horizon:

• Later today: Peak Perspective: Realistic Four Year Program Expectations
• Tomorrow: Peak Perspective: Mountain West hoops come up short