Offseason awards for college basketball coaching hires

Get the flight tracker's ready, the college basketball coaching carousel is in full swing.

The time immediately following the NCAA tournament is always filled with rampant rumors and questionable hires, with 2016 being no different.

Here are five awards that can be given to moves already made this offseason:

The Lloyd Christmas "Totally Redeemed Yourself" Award for Great Coaching Hire:

TCU, Jamie Dixon

During TCU's "storied" basketball history, the Horned Frogs have made the NCAA tournament just seven times, the last coming in 1998. Dixon coached at Pitt for 13 years, and qualified for the NCAA tournament 11 times. Simple math tells us Dixon could accomplish in 13 years what TCU hasn't in 103 years. Athletic director Chris Del Conte totally redeemed himself for the trainwreck hire that was Trent Johnson, convincing Frogs alum Dixon to leave the successful program he built at Pitt for this Big 12 reclamation project. A huge win for TCU.

The Vince Lombardi "What the hell's going on out here" Award for Most Confusing Coaching Hire:

Pitt, Kevin Stallings

Following Dixon's departure, Pitt tabbed Vanderbilt coach Stallings as the man to lead the Panthers. Anyone who's watched a Commodores game immediately asked Lombardi's famous question. Pitt's recent success has been mentioned, while Stallings has made the field of 64 just once in the last five years. Despite playing in a much weaker SEC, Vanderbilt only qualified for six NCAA tournaments and one play-in game through Stallings' 17 years in charge. The term "uninspired" doesn't do this hiring justice. Massive downgrade for Pitt with this move.

The Jefferson's "Movin' on Up" to a Major Conference Award for Best Promotion:

Oklahoma State, Brad Underwood

Underwood made $351,500 as he took Stephen F. Austin to the NCAA tournament for the third straight season. He parlayed that success into a seven-figure deal with Oklahoma State. To make way for Underwood, the Cowboys parted ways with Travis Ford, who qualified for the tournament in five of his eight years. What hampered Ford in the end was a dismal 63-80 conference record. Underwood's conference record in three seasons with the Lumberjacks? An absurd 53-1. Granted, the Southland isn't the Big 12, but that type of winning anywhere is reason to be impressed.

The John McEnroe "You cannot be serious" Award for Biggest Head-Scratching Coaching Hire:

Georgia Tech, Josh Pastner

College basketball media had a good chuckle when rumors of Georgia Tech's interest in Pastner surfaced. Those chuckles quickly turned to disbelief when the ACC school actually went and hired the former Memphis coach. Tigers faithful immediately rejoiced at the fact they were out from under Pastner's enormous buyout, which was the only reason he hadn't already been fired. Despite early success with Memphis - using John Calipari's recruits for the most part - the Tigers wilted the past two seasons under Pastner. Georgia Tech's Pomeroy rating in 2015 under Brian Gregory was 83, while Memphis' was 92. In 2016 the Yellow Jackets finished 49, while Pastner's Tigers were 72, yet for some reason Gregory is out and Pastner is in. This will not end well.

Percy Sledge "Out of Left Field" Award for Most Random Coaching Hire

Tulane, Mike Dunleavy

Any time you can hire a 62-year-old with a .461 winning percentage in the NBA to coach college kids, you have to do it right? That was somehow Tulane's mindset in hiring Dunleavy as head coach. This move wasn't even rumored, it just kind of happened. The longtime Los Angeles Clippers coach has never served on a college staff, with his last experience at a school coming as a player at South Carolina in 1976. This will either be a home run hire or a flop of epic proportions. Regardless, it'll be fun to watch.