Great question, Truman. I must admit that I was extremely disappointed when Coach Horn first got the job. First, we all know that we lost a player. At the time, I was unaware of the 'circumstances' that surrounded this transfer and inaccurately blamed 100% on Coach Horn. At the time, I felt as if Coach Horn had to do everything he could to save this player. However, upon further review, "the call has been reversed"! That player was leaving no matter what happened at WKU. It had been planned since December of 2002, while Coach Felton was still here. I could go on and on, but I really don't want to re-live that, right now. But, I now blame 3 people--- the player (20%), his daddy (60%), & tubby "not so clean" smith (20%). His daddy may actually shoulder more of the blame than 60%, too.
The second thing that turned me off on Coach Horn was his first basketball camp for High School basketball teams. One of my former high school assistant coaches had just begun his first head coaching job. Of all the people he could have called to ask about team camps, he called me for my opinion. I told him the best that I had ever been to was Tennessee Tech. (BTW, I played against Shareef Abdur Rahim, Shawn Marion, Tracy McGrady, among other good college and NBA players at this camp over my three years of varsity action.) He then asked me about WKU. I told him of course we had just hired a new coach, Darrin Horn. He was hesitant at first because he was a new hire (he had been hired in May and the camp was the final week of June before the mandatory KHSAA 'dead period'). I really built Coach Horn, WKU, the facilities, and the returning players up based on past experiences. So, in a nutshell, the new coach chose to go to Tenn Tech and WKU team camp. Tenn Tech was a real hit, as I knew it would be. However, when coach went to the WKU team camp, there were only 4 teams-- 2 varsity teams, and 2 JV teams. He had brought 1 varsity team and a JV team, so he brought 2 teams and was never made aware of the circumstances prior to the week of camp. Upon arriving, coach asked for his money back and was planning to leave as there was no competition. But, he was told that there were no refunds and he could stay if he liked. Well, he stayed because each player had put up about $200 to attend. Needless to say, coach has never asked for my advice or opinion since then. That really left a bad taste in my mouth.
The third thing that discomforted me was when the top assistant left the program shortly before Coach Horn's first season. I really know nothing about the situation, so I don't have any other comment.
During Coach's first season, we stuggled. Of course we lost some key players, but it just didn't seem as if the team played with everything they had every night out. The defense was mediocre at best and the offense was stagnant. Not very exciting basketball, if you ask me.
However, the tide began to shift when I attend last season's KY-IN All Star game in Owensboro. I could tell that we had a real player in Courtney Lee. Then, we all know the success that we had last year when many of us expected only a .500 season.
So, to answer the question, Coach Horn is beginning to grow on me. I like his style of play and like the fact that every player is giving 100% or they sit (i.e. Wilborn). It will be interesting to see how well he and his staff develop the players that we have such as Boris, Ty, Courtney, Walker, and Benson Callier. I think the program is heading the right direction and look forward to what we can do. However, if we don't equal or better last season's success, the dogs will be out for Coach Horn.
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