But for a minor power, they made a big splash by hiring hall-of-famer Isiah Thomas as head basketball coach.
Thomas brings major name recognition -- and major controversy -- to FIU's Miami campus. Thomas the player is one of basketball's all-time greats, having won an NCAA title under coach Bob Knight at Indiana, and and two NBA titles with the Detroit Pistons. But his career as a coach and executive has been -- to be charitable -- less successful. His most recent NBA job, as president, general manager and coach of the New York Knicks, left Madison Square Garden with a overpriced, underperforming roster and a multi-million dollar sexual harassment lawsuit.
It will be interesting to see if Thomas can turn his career around at FIU.
The odds aren't in his favor -- the list of truly all-time great players that have gone on to become great coaches is exceptionally short... and the list of coaches that have succeeded despite Thomas' baggage is even shorter.
Fast Facts
Location: Miami, FL (map)Enrollment: 39,146
Coach: Isiah Thomas
