Northwestern basketball coach Bill Carmody’s job might be on line vs. Iowa
BY NEIL HAYES nhayes@suntimes.com March 12, 2013 9:04PM
Northwestern University head coach Bill Carmody works the sidelines in front of the Wildcats bench during Northwestern's 66-59 loss to Penn State Thursday March 7, 2013. | Tom Cruze~Sun-Times
Updated: April 14, 2013 6:51AM
Alex Marcotullio will be thinking of Bill Carmody when he takes the floor for what could be the last game of his college career when the Wildcats play Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten tournament on Thursday night at the United Center.
Northwestern athletic director Jim Phillips is expected to meet with Carmody to discuss whether the veteran coach will return for a 14th season when the season ends.
“Definitely, especially with me being a senior and with Reggie [Hearn] and the other guys who have played for Coach for a couple of years,” Marcotullio said. “I don’t think they want to see him go. I certainly don’t. He has done a terrific job this year given the circumstances. He puts us in a position to win. He shouldn’t be faulted for that. We just have to keep fighting for ourselves and for each other, and he’s included in that.”
An upset in the Big Ten tournament would help Carmody’s cause, although it could be a tall order for the injury-depleted Wildcats.
“All we can do is play as hard as we can,” sophomore point guard Dave Sobolewski said. “That decision is up to Dr. Phillips. Obviously, we all like playing for him.”
Carmody joked that Hearn and Marcotullio would receive extra playing time against the Hawkeyes in exchange for the kind words.
“I really like both guys,” Carmody said. “They are both passionate basketball players, and that’s what you love. You play for your team, and the coaching staff is part of that. I just hope they have a good game and maybe — knock on wood — we get another crack at Michigan State.”
