A look at UGA coaching candidates

Athens — Georgia’s search for a new men’s basketball coach is just getting started, according to athletics director Damon Evans.

“I knew when the change was made I’d have to be patient because we made it with a lot of time left in the season,” said Evans, who fired previous coach Dennis Felton on Jan. 29.

Evans recently said the process will likely last until deep into the NCAA tournament, a hint that the coaches they are considering may still be competing. University of Georgia President Dr. Michael Adams and Evans have said that they would prefer to hire an experienced coach from a major program.

While Evans has refused to provide any of the candidates’ names, he did make one point clear: The Bulldogs are not going to let money stand in the way.

“Everything is within reason, but if we want Coach X and it takes X amount to get that coach here, then we’re going to do what we have to do,” Evans said. Dan Parker, president of Parker Executive Search, the firm hired to aide in the search, is researching those candidates for background and contract information, among other things.

But based on the criteria, here are five potential candidates (in alphabetical order):

Mike Anderson, Missouri

Age: 49

College: Tulsa

Hometown: Birmingham, Ala.

Background: Has led Missouri to a 25-5 record and No. 8 national ranking after defeating Oklahoma on Wednesday. A Nolan Richardson protégé, who played for him at Tulsa and assisted him for 17 years at Arkansas. Led UAB to three NCAA appearances in four seasons.

Jeff Capel, Oklahoma

Age: 34

College: Duke

Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C.

Background: In his third season at Oklahoma where the Sooners are 26-4 and ranked No. 4 in the nation and feature a player of the year candidate in Blake Griffin. Won 79 games in four seasons at VCU after becoming youngest head coach in nation (27).

Dino Gaudio, Wake Forest

Age: 51

College: Ohio University

Hometown: Martins Ferry, Ohio

Background: Was head coach at Army and Loyola (Md.) before following Skip Prosser from Xavier to Wake Forest as an assistant. He succeeded Prosser after his death in 2006 and is 40-18 in two seasons (23-5 this season). Has two freshman Georgians — Al-Farouq Aminu and Tony Woods — on his roster.

Brian Gregory, Dayton

Age: 41

College: Oakland, Univ.

Hometown: Mt. Prospect, Ill.

Background: A longtime assistant for Judd Heathcote and then Tom Izzo at Michigan State, where he was associate head coach. Has won 122 games in six seasons at Dayton.

Brad Stevens, Butler

Age: 32

College: Depauw University

Hometown: Indianapolis

Background: Has won 55 games in less than two full seasons at Butler, which is 25-4 and just clinched its third straight Horizon League championship. Started as a volunteer assistant under Thad Matta and rose through the ranks to succeed Todd Lickliter.

Five others: Lon Kruger, UNLV; Anthony Grant, VCU; Bob Knight, ESPN; Oliver Purnell, Clemson; Tubby Smith, Minnesota.