Is An ETSU Dynasty Around Around the Corner?

And what could that do for the Tri-Cities as a whole?

East Tennessee State was not going to rise up and win the Southern Conference basketball tournament without Patrick Good playing at 100 percent. So their exit by virtue of a loss to №22 Wofford yesterday isn’t a surprise.

But the loss might have been the best thing to ever happen to ETSU. They may be on the verge of becoming a mid-major power.

Imagine if ETSU did make the NCAAs this year. Imagine if they made a run. Steve Forbes would be a candidate for a head coaching position in a major conference and an annual seven figure salary.

What if said team courting him was in a major market? With his personality, Forbes would become a coaching star.

Steve Forbes assesses his team’s future.

But that probably won’t happen now. Because in 13 months Forbes turns 55. It’s tough enough for major programs to look at a coach after he’s 50, but it’s almost unheard of at that age.

And as Craig Meyer of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote last year, they’re generally not that successful. Yes, Rick Barnes is an exception, but even his stock went down this past weekend.

So Forbes figures to be an ETSU lifer. Even if the Bucs win the Southern Conference next season. Even if they’re nationally ranked.