What does C of C do post-Cremins?

If you're not prepared for the first major storm of the season and a hurricane throws a brushback pitch at your roof, you probably start stocking up on bottled water and canned grub at the first mention of a tropical depression starting with the letter "B."

College of Charleston head basketball coach Bobby Cremins came up the coast from Hilton Head on Monday, and we were all glad to see him smiling on the 10th day of an indefinite medical leave.

But when a 64-year-old man says this is his second clash with career "burnout" and that the latest episode "didn't happen overnight", it's time to buy flashlights.

This is at least the beginning of the end of Cremins' tenure with the Cougars, a time to evaluate the most likely four post-Cremins options for the program. Too bad, because a dynamic coach with Hall of Fame credentials gained while winning three ACC titles at Georgia Tech gives Charleston value beyond victories.

"I'm really happy where everything is right now," Cremins said in a TD Arena room aside John Kresse Court.

Which is better than he felt on Jan. 27, the day the school announced Cremins was taking a break.

"I had nothing," Cremins said. "I had no gas."

Maybe and hopefully Cremins will be back at Charleston in some leadership capacity. No way the Cougars get such juicy non-conference home games without him. He put fans in the seats and put charm and effort into making the Charleston Classic a success for ESPN.

Keep that in mind as you consider four replacement scenarios for whenever Cremins officially departs:

Mark Byington

The interim head coach is 2-2 since Cremins left, with extra credit for winning two of three Southern Conference games on the road last week.

With nine years on the Charleston bench dating to the Tom Herrion years and a solid reputation as a recruiter, Byington at least deserves a long look.

Clearly, Byington is Cremins' favorite option.

"Mark has put us right back in this thing," he said.

Anthony Johnson

Until Andrew Goudelock broke in with the Los Angeles Lakers this season, A.J. was the Cougars' only NBA player. Recently retired after a 13-year career, Johnson repeatedly has said he wants to coach and helped the Philadelphia 76ers' coaching staff during the 2011 playoffs.

The 37-year-old Charleston native would get support from lots of fans of Kresse glory years that included three NCAA tournament appearances.

The Search

Presumably, the school hired athletic director Joe Hull to make decisions like this. Hull made a very good hire in tabbing Monte Lee as baseball coach, but inherited Cremins.

Of course, an official committee will offer advice and Charleston might hire a search firm. If Hull guides the process, he might lean on his ACC roots and pick a top assistant from within that conference.

Or try to find another older, friendly coach still capable enough to win games and sell tickets.

The local guy

Want one of the most overachieving head coaches in mid-major college basketball this season?

Barclay Radebaugh is just up I-26 at Charleston Southern. The 1987 East Tennessee State grad also has worked at ETSU (for Les Robinson), Wofford, Furman, South Carolina (for Eddie Fogler), Winthrop (for Gregg Marshall) and Miami.

Viva discord

Ideally, Cremins comes back for a few more years.

But whenever the search for Cremins' long-term successor begins, harmony disappears.

The Cougar Family will split in four directions or more.

That's a good thing, a sign that Bobby Cremins coaching before good crowds in a wonderful House That Kresse Built has made Charleston one of the most attractive jobs in any college basketball conference that historically has received only one NCAA tournament bid per year.

Reach Gene Sapakoff at gsapakoff@postandcourier.com or Twitter/ @sapakoff.