And more to come.
Here's a look at some of the most significant job openings and some jobs that may open up after the NCAA Tournament.
Arizona Wildcats
Current Coach: Russ Pennell (interim)Pennell stepped in after Lute Olson's sudden retirement. He probably isn't a candidate to take over the job on a permanent basis -- according to reports, he wasn't even Arizona's first choice to serve as interim coach.
The Wildcats have been a Pac-10 power for the last quarter century, but whoever takes over the job will have a tough task on his hands. The Wildcats' best players, Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, are both expected to enter the NBA draft after this season, and most of Arizona's top recruiting targets went elsewhere after Olson's sudden retirement. This won't be an "Indiana after Kelvin Sampson" rebuilding effort, but it sure won't be easy.
Potential Candidates: Figure Arizona will aim high -- some of the early buzz surrounded the likes of Michigan State's Tom Izzo and Pitt's Jamie Dixon, and Gonzaga's Mark Few always gets mentioned. But replacing a legend like Olson is a daunting task -- many have tried, few have succeeded.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Current Coach: Philip Pearson (interim)Alabama coach Mark Gottfried stepped down on January 26, with the Tide's record at 12-7 overall and 2-3 in the SEC. With Ronald Steele -- once considered a major NBA prospect -- back at point guard after a host of injuries, Alabama was expected to make some noise this season. But Steele developed new injury problems -- plantar fasciitis this time -- and left the team on January 21. Even with Steele in the fold, the Tide were poised to miss the NCAA Tournament for a third straight year -- Gottfried's resignation may have simply spared him the hassle of getting fired after the season.
Potential Candidates: As ESPN.com's Mark Schlabach points out, SEC teams usually reserve the lion's share of the athletic budget for football -- ex-Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin -- recently hired to the same position by the Tennessee Volunteers -- will make $1.2 million next season -- more than two-thirds of the head basketball coaches in the SEC will make this year. As such, Alabama is expected to hire a coach from a lower-level program looking to step up. Anthony Grant of Virginia Commonwealth is one such candidate who will get a lot of attention.
Georgia Bulldogs
Current Coach: Pete Herrmann (interim)Bulldogs coach Dennis Felton has been on borrowed time for a year. He was generally considered a goner after last season. But after their incredible run through the SEC Tournament, including two wins in one day after wind damage to the Georgia Dome's roof forced rescheduling -- he got a reprieve. His luck ran out after the Bulldogs loss to Florida left them at 9-11 overall and 0-5 in the SEC.
Potential Candidates: As with Alabama, football is a much bigger priority than hoops -- but they're reportedly thinking big right now, throwing names like Jeff Capel (Oklahoma, Sean Miller (Xavier) and Lon Krueger (UNLV) into the mix. The Bulldogs have reached the NCAA Tournament just ten times in over 100 years of basketball; Tubby Smith took them to the big dance in both his seasons at UGA, before leaving for the Kentucky job. They're expected to at least inquire as to his interest.
