In retrospect the best path is more than likely asst/low major/mid major/high major in that order.
There are exceptions to those steps, of course. If a coach is going to bypass one of the steps listed above, the situation needs to be ideal and/or the coach would really need some NBA experience of some kind (Andy Enfield).
But more than likely, if a step is skipped, the high major job taken may not be the best opportunity.
If you look @ some of the top young coaches today, Shaka Smart, Greg Marshall (maybe not that young), Tony Bennett, Archie Miller, Andy Enfield - they are each in ideal situations IMO to apply their style to a winning level.
Minnesota is difficult job because of weather, elite opponents, and difficulty to recruit. It just didn't feel ideal from the jump for a young coach trying to break in who had not accomplished a lot as a HC.
I think Pitino JR will benefit from taking a step back to a mid-major in the NE region where he can rebuild his rep.
The MN job is for a relic not a young gun.