Risky Business: Baron and Dempsey Hired Despite Dismal Marks Last Year

Jim Baron and Tommy Dempsey, coming off a season when they combined to win less than 1/3 of their games, joined the fortunate few coaches who were hired promptly after posting losing records. Baron, 7-24 with Rhode Island, aligned with Canisius after he was axed by the Rams while Dempsey, 13-19 with Rider, was lured to Binghamton.

Baron might have incurred the most defeats ever by a coach and yet immediately hook on with another school. At least Baron had a higher winning percentage than P.J. Carlesimo, who was 4-22 with Wagner in 1981-82 when he was hired by Seton Hall. Dempsey should be national coach of the year next season if he compiles a breakeven mark or better with Binghamton, which might have been the nation's worst team in 2011-12 with a 2-29 ledger.

However, betting on a penny stock can occasionally pay big dividends. Hall of Famers Bob Knight (11-13 mark in 1970-71 before Indiana came calling) and Mike Krzyzewski (9-17 in 1979-80 before Duke) each were coming off losing seasons with Army when they were hired by prestige schools where they eventually won multiple NCAA championships. Baron and Dempsey joined Krzyzewski and Knight's son (Pat) among the following active coaches hired by their current school despite coming off a season when they posted a losing record:

Active Coach	Current School	Losing Mark Previous Year When Hired
Jim Baron	Canisius	7-24 with Rhode Island in 2011-12
Jeff Bzdelik	Wake Forest	15-16 record with Colorado in 2009-10
Tommy Dempsey	Binghamton	13-19 with Rider in 2011-12
Pat Knight	Lamar	13-19 with Texas Tech in 2010-11
Mike Krzyzewski	Duke	9-17 with Army with 1979-80
Greg McDermott	Creighton	15-17 with Iowa State in 2009-10
Lorenzo Romar	Washington	15-16 with Saint Louis in 2001-02
Joe Scott	Denver	11-17 with Princeton in 2006-07
Billy Taylor	Ball State	12-19 with Lehigh in 2006-07
Rex Walters	San Francisco	15-18 with Florida Atlantic in 2007-08