(03-23-2017 12:04 PM)surfsalot Wrote:  

(03-23-2017 11:54 AM)82hawk Wrote:  

(03-23-2017 08:33 AM)surfsalot Wrote:  The issue I see is that Keatts has built this program up so high, that any coach stepping in would likely have a problem staying at the current level. I think that at the level it is today, we need someone with HC experience. Siddle is probably a great guy and coach, but making him HC seems to be a few years premature at this point.

That actually is a benefit of keeping Siddle. Trying to follow in the footsteps of Keatts is going to be difficult, and winning like he did damned near impossible. No matter who we bring in, it's a crap shoot. But to bring in a top assistant or even a proven HC from a lower conference(aka Christian), we're going to have to pay in the 300k -400k range guaranteed plus incentives. And they're going to want at least a 4 year contract. And if we don't bring in a hands down, no change in style coach, odds are we lose some recruits and players.

Siddle represents the status quo, and probably our best chance to keep our current players and recruits on track. We would keep the whole staff that knows how to prepare, practice and play our current style, including fitness level. If we can keep our roster intact and play our current style, we should be good for at least two years. Then, we'd have recruits from Siddle and the new staff, and a real chance to see where they can take us on their own. But, don't forget, our whole staff is connected to Hargrave, Pitino and Keatts. I'm sure they would want them to succeed, and would tip us off on recruits below their recruiting level. Plus, we could sign Siddle to a much lower guarantee and for a shorter contract. He and the staff are a known product, and what we see on the floor wouldn't look much different than we've seen the past 3 years. Since the risk is so high following Keatts, I like the reduction of risk and trying to keep what we have intact as best as possible.

I see no guarantee Siddle would do things the same. Maybe he changes things up maybe he doesn't. It's a crap shoot. I doubt the entire staff stays either way. If I am Keatts I am going to bring as many as I can because I know they know how I do things.

I find the argument underwhelming as well. Siddle isn't a known product. He's never been a HC. Even though I want to keep them all, fear of losing recruits or currents players doesn't play into my decision either. You can't make a decision of this magnitude out of fear; that's incredibly short-sighted. In addition, you don't have to look very hard to see that Keatts was the primary recruiter on the staff. Hughes said when he de-committed that he liked UNCW and Wilmington, but he committed to Keatts and Keatts was his primary recruiter.

This decision shouldn't be about "reduction of risk". It has to be about maximizing the success Keatts initiated. I don't want to think small. Let's be bold and make the best hire possible.