for 50+ years) in basketball. The only way to not be a stepping stone is find a lavell type (Scott Drew or Mark Few). This will mean they are not proven. If they leave a smaller job where they were successful to coach here then they can be taken by somewhere with more cache. Unfortunately the loyal types are often unproven and unknown, as well as often having a much lower ceiling. They also have the disadvantage of being rare. Being driven often overcomes loyalty.