With the search for Eastern’s new women’s basketball coach almost finished, the university’s decision has many fans eagerly waiting.

The search, which started earlier this month, has been condensed to four viable candidates; Ardie McInelly, Brian Ostermann, Keila Whittington and Lee Buchanan. While each candidate has a respectable history and credentials, we feel that Eastern should strive to keep the search in-house.

We believe that every candidate would probably be successful in the head coaching position. However, as the age-old adage goes, “If it aint broke, don’t fix it.”

Lee Buchanan has served on the team’s staff for the last five years, working as the associate head coach for the last four.

In his time at the university, the team has boasted a record of 107-55, finishing top three in the OVC each year, including a first overall place in 2009-10.

Although those statistics may not necessarily represent Buchanan as much as they do ex-coach Brady Sallee, denying Buchanan’s contributions to such a record would be a discredit to him.

As the team’s associate head coach, Buchanan has had a vitally important role to the team for the last five years, and their record together is reflective of that.

In his interview for the position, Buchanan did not express any desires for drastic change with the team. Instead, he said he would like to see more substitutions and defense- hardly extreme ideas.

Apparently, Buchanan sees the team’s current philosophy as successful. Unlike the three other candidates, Buchanan has enough experience with the team to understand how it operates.

Unlike those of the other candidates, Buchanan’s ideas for the team are not idealistic or far-fetched. Instead, Buchanan hopes to continue the successes enjoyed by the team. Employing a new strategy for the game is not necessary, and by direct result, neither is hiring a new coach.

Buchanan knows the current team. He has helped recruit many of the girls, and consequently will understand how to recruit in the future. Buchanan already knows the team’s playbook, and has most likely fostered good relationships with his athletes.

Unlike the staff changes that took place in Eastern’s basketball and football programs, the need for a new women’s basketball coach is not desperate, nor is it an attempt to re-build the program.

The team has already enjoyed a very solid record with Buchanan, and bringing in a new coach could be detrimental to the chemistry of the team. Because of his experience and history, Buchanan would hardly disrupt the team.

While the university’s examination of other options is by all means warranted, the appeal and glamour of the three other candidates might also serve as substantial risks.

All three candidates do boast impressive resumes. However, the university cannot predict how each both the team and coach would react to one another.

By employing Buchanan, the university is assuring at least one thing- the strategy and chemistry of the women’s basketball team will not change, and will consequently remain successful.