Heath Debate Once Again

The talk never seems to end for Stan Heath. After another tough loss to Georgetown on Saturday, the Bulls are now 8-20 (2-13) will be facing against DePaul in the battle of last place teams in the Big East. It is possible that the Bulls could suffer the most loses in program history and the debate is beginning to swirl among fans and the internet about his job security. After signing a 5-year extension, there are some that believe he is safe, but in the ultra competitive world of collegiate athletics, no one is safe. Let's take a look at 3 reasons he should keep his job and 3 reasons he needs to pack his bags.[keep reading]

3 reasons Heath will stay as head coach:

1) He just signed a big deal - Heath signed a 5-year extension after last season and 20-wins. AD Doug Woolard made a serious financial investment in Heath and cutting ties with him would only set the University and the Athletic Department back in the financial sense. It is easy enough to fire a coach, but making such financial investments and with the tough economy, it seems that Woolard is reluctant to make a move that could hurt USF's wallet.

2) He can turn it around - The season is terrible, but Heath has been a winner everywhere he has gone. He turned Arkansas and Kent State into winners in his tenures there and he is working hard here to get the Bulls competitive in the Big East. He has had a limited budget, bad facilities, and a hard time trying to sell the program to the big time players, so he need more time to get the top recruits to USF and build the team into a winner.

3) Can't get any worse - This season is just terrible, but the team is young, has little leadership, and is learning on the job. There is some hope that with new facilities and a tough year of learning, the players will be able to rebound next season and show what they have learned as they continue to face some of the best teams in the country. The team has talent and with enough time it should be able to come around and help get a few more wins than this season.

So there are 3 reasons why Heath should stay, but there are plenty of people calling for him to get the boot.

3 reasons why Heath should get fired after this season:

1) Heath can't recruit - Looking at the players on the roster and the guys he is bringing in, Heath is not able to get the talent the Bulls need to compete at the top level of the Big East. He has had his chances with recruits, but has not been great at assessing players and the potential they have on the court. Next year's don't offer much change in the style of play and may not add any more offense.

2) Heath has lost his players - Watching the team play in many games, it is obvious to see the players don't seem to be responding to Heath's coaching. They always seem to be out of position on the court, lack hustle, and can't move on offense. The team has no fire on the sidelines during a time out and it begs to question if the players (Gilchrist earlier this year) have lost faith or are just not getting it.

3) New facilities, new coach - USF basketball is at rock bottom and with new facilities and a new Sun Dome underway soon, shouldn't there be a new coach? A coach that can build this program back up and make it competitive in the Big East? Someone that can recruit, get the fans excited again, and bring in the wins and change the basketball culture. Is Heath that guy?

So let the debate begin!