Wake Forest Demon Deacons: How’s Danny Manning Doing?

Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Danny Manning reacts during the second half against the Boston College Eagles during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Wake Forest won 92-78. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Danny Manning reacts during the second half against the Boston College Eagles during the ACC Conference Tournament at Barclays Center. Wake Forest won 92-78. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 16, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; View of the march madness logo on the court on practice day at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; View of the march madness logo on the court on practice day at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Nolan Richardson, 1980-5
Tulsa Record: 119-37
After Tulsa: 389-169 (Arkansas)

Richardson won an NIT title with Tulsa in 1981, but he built his legacy with his pressure defense at Arkansas, reaching the final four three times and taking the 1994 National Championship in Charlotte, NC. His biography on Wikapedia argues that Richardson is the coach that made Tulsa a destination for other coaches looking to burnish their credentials.

Part of what makes Tulsa coaches in demand is their ability to win games at a school that ranks as one of the smallest FBS schools. Bigger schools may believe that if you can at Tulsa, you can win anywhere.

J.D. Barrett, 1985-91
Tulsa Record: 106-75
After Tulsa: 55-79 (Northwestern State)
Barrett could not keep Richardson’s success going at quite that pace, and he left Tulsa in 1991. Barrett does not really tell us anything about Manning, because Barrett was not promoted to his next job. NW State is a step down from Tulsa.