As I read the objective analyses thread, I see more and more posters wanting to have a open talk about Steve and what could be next if Steve were moved on. I will play devil’s advocate for Steve. Everyone else can make their case for getting rid of Steve. I will even help you with who will be on the market at the end of year.

A quick look at the schedule brings me to about 23 loses for the year. So, most here will want to pull the trigger. Who would we get? What would Steve do? How would things play out?

Let me give the best case for Steve 1st. Steve has kids right here in LR and UCA is having a bad year. I honestly believe he could take his style to UCA and the Southland and win. He could still get the same kind of recruits. He would go to the NCAA in 3 or 4 years there. Him and Joe could do wonders over there and they could use the Arkansas’ NCAA team some years, too.

So, let’s look for Steve’s replacement. What do we want to achieve?

Steve has brought UALR to the point that we are the 3rd best team in the SBC. So, we need someone that can at least maintain that. Steve was robbed of 2 NIT bids, so the new coach would just need to get a NIT bid.

Steve being 3rd in the conference most years means we should have made the semifinals 4 years? I think we did 2 times, so the new guy would just have to make the finals.

Who is going to be out there at the end of the year?

SMU & former Tar Heel coach Brad Doughty (sp?)
Houston & former Texas coach Penders
Potter is just an assistant at SLU but makes mid 250k money
Or some young guy like Mo. St. has. That will take a little more searching to pull off

There you go. Jerry, Bob, or anyone else that has an idea about how to move from 3rd to 1st post it up.

(01-04-2010 08:42 AM)insideualr Wrote:  As I read the objective analyses thread, I see more and more posters wanting to have a open talk about Steve and what could be next if Steve were moved on. I will play devil’s advocate for Steve. Everyone else can make their case for getting rid of Steve. I will even help you with who will be on the market at the end of year.

A quick look at the schedule brings me to about 23 loses for the year. So, most here will want to pull the trigger. Who would we get? What would Steve do? How would things play out?

Let me give the best case for Steve 1st. Steve has kids right here in LR and UCA is having a bad year. I honestly believe he could take his style to UCA and the Southland and win. He could still get the same kind of recruits. He would go to the NCAA in 3 or 4 years there. Him and Joe could do wonders over there and they could use the Arkansas’ NCAA team some years, too.

So, let’s look for Steve’s replacement. What do we want to achieve?

Steve has brought UALR to the point that we are the 3rd best team in the SBC. So, we need someone that can at least maintain that. Steve was robbed of 2 NIT bids, so the new coach would just need to get a NIT bid.

Steve being 3rd in the conference most years means we should have made the semifinals 4 years? I think we did 2 times, so the new guy would just have to make the finals.

Who is going to be out there at the end of the year?

SMU & former Tar Heel coach Brad Doughty (sp?)
Houston & former Texas coach Penders
Potter is just an assistant at SLU but makes mid 250k money
Or some young guy like Mo. St. has. That will take a little more searching to pull off

There you go. Jerry, Bob, or anyone else that has an idea about how to move from 3rd to 1st post it up.

Wow. That's quite a post. Very informative. I was actually shocked to see you go that much in depth, since this subject has sort of been the elephant in the room. Nobody except LRTrojan has really had the guts to come out in favor of Steve's firing, including me. I have speculated in the past what might happen should we have the type of season we're now having, but I really never called for a change openly. I have great adminiration for Steve and really like him personally, so I've always had mixed emotions about criticizing his coaching.

But since you bring up the possibilities, the UCA situation could very well be a possibility should Steve leave. As far as a replacement, I don't have a clue. Although John Pelphrey might be a possibility if things keep going the way they're going in Fayetteville. I thought Penders was coaching somewhere, but I don't really keep up with coaches that much.
But "Sweet Tom", as Nolan used to call him, would certainly be an interesting possibility. I can't really see that happening, but nobody really knows. Who would have thought John Brady would end up at ASU? But this is all speculation, since we have a coach, and until Chris says otherwise, let's just hope we have some success the rest of the season, and then we'll find out, one way or another, the direction the program is headed.

I think Steve is one player away from a good year next and what would have been a good year this year. If Neighbor was here we would have had a 4 to step in for Mike.

I think a lot of folks will be calling for change at the end of the year or before so, you better have an idea of what you can get and what could happen. You get rid of Steve and he moves accross town and has success while we make a bad hire and move from 3rd to 7th or 8th in the conference, UCA will march right by us.

I think we don't see what Steve has done here. Now, can he move forward from 3rd? Can WKU and USA be moved aside by UALR by Steve? I think you stay the course with Steve and keep scheduling to win 20 games a year. Don't go up on the schedule until you can make the finals at the SBC tournament.

(01-04-2010 09:55 AM)insideualr Wrote:  I think Steve is one player away from a good year next and what would have been a good year this year. If Neighbor was here we would have had a 4 to step in for Mike.

I think a lot of folks will be calling for change at the end of the year or before so, you better have an idea of what you can get and what could happen. You get rid of Steve and he moves accross town and has success while we make a bad hire and move from 3rd to 7th or 8th in the conference, UCA will march right by us.

I think we don't see what Steve has done here. Now, can he move forward from 3rd? Can WKU and USA be moved aside by UALR by Steve? I think you stay the course with Steve and keep scheduling to win 20 games a year. Don't go up on the schedule until you can make the finals at the SBC tournament.

If Steve has made us the 3rd best program in the Belt (I tend to agree with that) are we going to make a change to move up one spot? Unless Coach K wants to come here we ain't going to pass WKU no matter who are coach is. To some, it may be worth the risk to try and move up, but realistically going down is a much greater possibility.

(01-04-2010 10:05 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-04-2010 09:55 AM)insideualr Wrote:  I think Steve is one player away from a good year next and what would have been a good year this year. If Neighbor was here we would have had a 4 to step in for Mike.

I think a lot of folks will be calling for change at the end of the year or before so, you better have an idea of what you can get and what could happen. You get rid of Steve and he moves accross town and has success while we make a bad hire and move from 3rd to 7th or 8th in the conference, UCA will march right by us.

I think we don't see what Steve has done here. Now, can he move forward from 3rd? Can WKU and USA be moved aside by UALR by Steve? I think you stay the course with Steve and keep scheduling to win 20 games a year. Don't go up on the schedule until you can make the finals at the SBC tournament.

If Steve has made us the 3rd best program in the Belt (I tend to agree with that) are we going to make a change to move up one spot? Unless Coach K wants to come here we ain't going to pass WKU no matter who are coach is. To some, it may be worth the risk to try and move up, but realistically going down is a much greater possibility.

If a change is made, we're not going to hire a washed up 65 year old coach like Penders. We're not going to hire a Porter who couldn't win more than 18 games here. We're not going to have the money to hire an established coach. We'll go hire a good young assistant, which is almost always a crap shoot. The question is, would an assistant from a top program come here? They go to WKU. Whether they would come here, where 4 or 6 Division championships gets you fired, is a whole other question.

(01-04-2010 10:05 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-04-2010 09:55 AM)insideualr Wrote:  I think Steve is one player away from a good year next and what would have been a good year this year. If Neighbor was here we would have had a 4 to step in for Mike.

I think a lot of folks will be calling for change at the end of the year or before so, you better have an idea of what you can get and what could happen. You get rid of Steve and he moves accross town and has success while we make a bad hire and move from 3rd to 7th or 8th in the conference, UCA will march right by us.

I think we don't see what Steve has done here. Now, can he move forward from 3rd? Can WKU and USA be moved aside by UALR by Steve? I think you stay the course with Steve and keep scheduling to win 20 games a year. Don't go up on the schedule until you can make the finals at the SBC tournament.

If Steve has made us the 3rd best program in the Belt (I tend to agree with that) are we going to make a change to move up one spot? Unless Coach K wants to come here we ain't going to pass WKU no matter who are coach is. To some, it may be worth the risk to try and move up, but realistically going down is a much greater possibility.

I know change is always a risk. It's the "Devil we know might be better than the Devil we don't" Would it be the right move to change coaches?
I don't know. I do know that change is always exciting, at least at the beginning. And if we brought in someone with a name like Brady has at ASU, maybe even a Penders, it would, at least initially create excitement about the program. Heck. Drive Time would probably even talk about us if Penders came here. I'm just shooting the bull here. I don't foresee Penders here, and I don't even know if there will be a change. But it's interesting to ponder.

(01-04-2010 08:42 AM)insideualr Wrote:  As I read the objective analyses thread, I see more and more posters wanting to have a open talk about Steve and what could be next if Steve were moved on. I will play devil’s advocate for Steve. Everyone else can make their case for getting rid of Steve. I will even help you with who will be on the market at the end of year.

A quick look at the schedule brings me to about 23 loses for the year. So, most here will want to pull the trigger. Who would we get? What would Steve do? How would things play out?

Let me give the best case for Steve 1st. Steve has kids right here in LR and UCA is having a bad year. I honestly believe he could take his style to UCA and the Southland and win. He could still get the same kind of recruits. He would go to the NCAA in 3 or 4 years there. Him and Joe could do wonders over there and they could use the Arkansas’ NCAA team some years, too.

So, let’s look for Steve’s replacement. What do we want to achieve?

Steve has brought UALR to the point that we are the 3rd best team in the SBC. So, we need someone that can at least maintain that. Steve was robbed of 2 NIT bids, so the new coach would just need to get a NIT bid.

Steve being 3rd in the conference most years means we should have made the semifinals 4 years? I think we did 2 times, so the new guy would just have to make the finals.

Who is going to be out there at the end of the year?

SMU & former Tar Heel coach Brad Doughty (sp?)
Houston & former Texas coach Penders
Potter is just an assistant at SLU but makes mid 250k money
Or some young guy like Mo. St. has. That will take a little more searching to pull off

There you go. Jerry, Bob, or anyone else that has an idea about how to move from 3rd to 1st post it up.

I have faith in whatever Peterson decides but let's take something in account that I know Peterson has been watching amongst his Sun Belt AD bethren. The Sun Belt commish has said a few years ago that basically the schools have to want to be competitive and hire the right people to make the conference better. What has happen:
WKU - they always find a good young coach - so they know what to do + he gets to the dance in his 1st season.
ASU - hires Brady (Final 4 coach)
FAU - hires a good coach that has won but had some things come up in his past
FIU - hires Isiah, we don't know if he will be successful but his recruiting class is so far way above any other Sun Belt school

I have a feeling after this season there will be another round of Sun Belt conference coaches let go.

All I'm saying is that the above shows that the above ADs with the exception of WKU have shown they are willing to take a chance to what they think may improve their respective programs.

On a side note, since our conference is becoming a retread for former successful coaches, does anyone think someone will go after Mark Gottfried?

What a slew of choices Kerry. Sure if you want to sit on your ass and not do a thorough search, you could go after some like you mentioned. That's why we're at the point we are now. We didn't do a search beyond the end of our noses. We simply moved a guy up TWO times rather than trying to find the best we could. Sure, we've been moderately successful, but why not at least try and be REAL successful. Kerry, you talk like that we wouldn't have but a handful of choices, but there are literally hundreds of assistants out there who are good recruiters, and would love to get a head job, and a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

What you're saying is, we can't do any better. We can't find anyone better. Isn't that what some ASU fans were saying when the talk of replacing Nutt came up? We'll, they evidently found someone better. We can too. I'm sick and tired of Trojan fans saying, there is no way we can ever beat out Western Kentucky. No, we or anyone else won't beat out Western every year, but there have been several teams that have won the Sun Belt other than Western since we have been in the league. But, we sure as hell never will with that kind of loser attitude.

You take Steve on up to UCA, and let him take the Southland Conference by storm. Seems like I remember a Southland team coming in here a couple of years ago and putting a pretty good whipping on us.

I am amazed that the quality(I speak of fans who have an abundance of knowledge about the game)of basketball fans we have on this board, is willing to put up with pure mediocrity in this program. The only thing I can think of is, you guys must be such great friends with Steve, that you're willing to put up with this crap year after year, rather than see your friend replaced.

While I have been the only one here that has publicly stated that I wanted to see a change, there have been several posts here, that if you read between the lines, you would probably think that they'd like a change also. While I've been growing less enthusiastic about our program for several years, I am now getting disgusted with the way things are going, and the fact that "nobody" seems to give a ****. Evidently they're just happy that we're a "PROUD THIRD" in the tough Sun Belt.

(01-04-2010 10:47 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  What a slew of choices Kerry. Sure if you want to sit on your ass and not do a thorough search, you could go after some like you mentioned. That's why we're at the point we are now. We didn't do a search beyond the end of our noses. We simply moved a guy up TWO times rather than trying to find the best we could. Sure, we've been moderately successful, but why not at least try and be REAL successful. Kerry, you talk like that we wouldn't have but a handful of choices, but there are literally hundreds of assistants out there who are good recruiters, and would love to get a head job, and a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

What you're saying is, we can't do any better. We can't find anyone better. Isn't that what some ASU fans were saying when the talk of replacing Nutt came up? We'll, they evidently found someone better. We can too. I'm sick and tired of Trojan fans saying, there is no way we can ever beat out Western Kentucky. No, we or anyone else won't beat out Western every year, but there have been several teams that have won the Sun Belt other than Western since we have been in the league. But, we sure as hell never will with that kind of loser attitude.

You take Steve on up to UCA, and let him take the Southland Conference by storm. Seems like I remember a Southland team coming in here a couple of years ago and putting a pretty good whipping on us.

I am amazed that the quality(I speak of fans who have an abundance of knowledge about the game)of basketball fans we have on this board, is willing to put up with pure mediocrity in this program. The only thing I can think of is, you guys must be such great friends with Steve, that you're willing to put up with this crap year after year, rather than see your friend replaced.

While I have been the only one here that has publicly stated that I wanted to see a change, there have been several posts here, that if you read between the lines, you would probably think that they'd like a change also. While I've been growing less enthusiastic about our program for several years, I am now getting disgusted with the way things are going, and the fact that "nobody" seems to give a ****. Evidently they're just happy that we're a "PROUD THIRD" in the tough Sun Belt.

Darn Bob. I wish you'd stop dancing around the issue and tell us what you really think! I think everyone on this board does really care about what happens to our program. And I think there are several who think a change might be good for our program. I'm not willing to accept the fact that we can't win the league at least every few seasons either. We have the facilities. We have a good city in which to live. We have a nice school. No excuses. If our current staff can't do the job, then I'm certainly ready to try something else.

(01-04-2010 10:47 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  What a slew of choices Kerry. Sure if you want to sit on your ass and not do a thorough search, you could go after some like you mentioned. That's why we're at the point we are now. We didn't do a search beyond the end of our noses. We simply moved a guy up TWO times rather than trying to find the best we could. Sure, we've been moderately successful, but why not at least try and be REAL successful. Kerry, you talk like that we wouldn't have but a handful of choices, but there are literally hundreds of assistants out there who are good recruiters, and would love to get a head job, and a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

What you're saying is, we can't do any better. We can't find anyone better. Isn't that what some ASU fans were saying when the talk of replacing Nutt came up? We'll, they evidently found someone better. We can too. I'm sick and tired of Trojan fans saying, there is no way we can ever beat out Western Kentucky. No, we or anyone else won't beat out Western every year, but there have been several teams that have won the Sun Belt other than Western since we have been in the league. But, we sure as hell never will with that kind of loser attitude.

You take Steve on up to UCA, and let him take the Southland Conference by storm. Seems like I remember a Southland team coming in here a couple of years ago and putting a pretty good whipping on us.

I am amazed that the quality(I speak of fans who have an abundance of knowledge about the game)of basketball fans we have on this board, is willing to put up with pure mediocrity in this program. The only thing I can think of is, you guys must be such great friends with Steve, that you're willing to put up with this crap year after year, rather than see your friend replaced.

While I have been the only one here that has publicly stated that I wanted to see a change, there have been several posts here, that if you read between the lines, you would probably think that they'd like a change also. While I've been growing less enthusiastic about our program for several years, I am now getting disgusted with the way things are going, and the fact that "nobody" seems to give a ****. Evidently they're just happy that we're a "PROUD THIRD" in the tough Sun Belt.

It is a snow day and I knew I could count on you make me smile.

There are some holes in Steve and I am sure Chris will at least think about doing something, I just hope we have our ducks in a row before we go off half cocked.

That Southland team had more talent and better coaching (at least that day) than we did. UTA made the tournament and played right here in LR against Memphis. They got beat by ~20 it was closer than the score.

Anyone else have ideas? Your all of you for change for change sake? If you are planning a move you have to get on it with about 10 games left, right? You need to be able to move and then name the next coach. You don't need to be the U of A and get stuck out in the cold after firing a man that went to the NCAA tournament for, well, some guy that has a bunch of want to be porn producer/actors on the team....

Jerry, said all of this in a totally new thread. I am moving here. Please don't start new threads for something that already has an active thread. It makes things hard to follow:



Jeff's twitter saying be careful what we ask for

because we might get it. He's right. If, and I say if, because we don't know a change will be made, a change is made, it could be great, or it could be a disaster. However, If I was making a change, there are several things I'd look for to try and be sure that it would be for the best.

First, a young, energetic guy with a good track record as an assistant at a really good program. Someone in his early thirties at most. Maybe someone who had a successful playing career in college. Not a superstar, but a smart player. Someone with a good academic background. A guy with a dynamic personality that would bring instant attention to our program who could recruit. The type that could sell iceboxes to Eskimos. A native of the South or Southwest. Someone with whom our fans could identify.

He would have to bring a coaching philosophy of an attacking offense and defense. An offense that creates shots, and encourages good shooters to play for us. Maybe even a motion offense. Not Princeton style, but Joe Foley style. There are probably thousands of young coaches out there, and probably a number who would fit this profile and would jump at their first head coaching opportunity.

So if the powers that be decide this is the year to make a change, those are the qualities I would demand in a new coach. One other requirement. The coach would be required to retain any player with less than two years remaining in eligibility. Anyone with two years or more available to play would be subject to the new coaches evaluation, and his desire to bring in some of his own players. But Seniors would be required to retain their scholarships for their last season. No Calipari stuff.

(01-04-2010 12:23 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Jerry, said all of this in a totally new thread. I am moving here. Please don't start new threads for something that already has an active thread. It makes things hard to follow:



Jeff's twitter saying be careful what we ask for

because we might get it. He's right. If, and I say if, because we don't know a change will be made, a change is made, it could be great, or it could be a disaster. However, If I was making a change, there are several things I'd look for to try and be sure that it would be for the best.

First, a young, energetic guy with a good track record as an assistant at a really good program. Someone in his early thirties at most. Maybe someone who had a successful playing career in college. Not a superstar, but a smart player. Someone with a good academic background. A guy with a dynamic personality that would bring instant attention to our program who could recruit. The type that could sell iceboxes to Eskimos. A native of the South or Southwest. Someone with whom our fans could identify.

He would have to bring a coaching philosophy of an attacking offense and defense. An offense that creates shots, and encourages good shooters to play for us. Maybe even a motion offense. Not Princeton style, but Joe Foley style. There are probably thousands of young coaches out there, and probably a number who would fit this profile and would jump at their first head coaching opportunity.

So if the powers that be decide this is the year to make a change, those are the qualities I would demand in a new coach. One other requirement. The coach would be required to retain any player with less than two years remaining in eligibility. Anyone with two years or more available to play would be subject to the new coaches evaluation, and his desire to bring in some of his own players. But Seniors would be required to retain their scholarships for their last season. No Calipari stuff.

Jeff is right, by the way...

I will leave it (obviously) in Peterson's hands. I like Steve and think he has done a good job with the program. I care little about post-season, so that colors my viewpoint. We have a clean program, one that I can root for without a guilty conscience. That means a lot to me.

Ptjr did the same thing. Maybe this belongs in a different thread but I am moving it here.

Post: #1 | Re Slatton's Be Careful What You Wish For

Jeffrey's entries on his blog and twitter (they are one and the same these days) are so cryptic that you can never be really sure what he is referring to. However, if he is talking about the coach when he says be careful what you wish for, he is correct.

A perfect example can be found at NC State where alum Sidney Lowe is the coach. The Wolfpack had gone to the NCAAs for several consecutive years under Coach Herb Sindeck when the Wolfpack fans raised a stink that he wasn't uptempo enough and wasn't doing well enough against the other in-state teams- ie UNC, Wake, and Duke. So Coach Sindeck got run off and found a new job at Arizona State where he has been successful as well. NC State on the other hand has not been back to the Big Dance since they ran him off.

(01-04-2010 12:35 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Ptjr did the same thing. Maybe this belongs in a different thread but I am moving it here.

Post: #1 | Re Slatton's Be Careful What You Wish For

Jeffrey's entries on his blog and twitter (they are one and the same these days) are so cryptic that you can never be really sure what he is referring to. However, if he is talking about the coach when he says be careful what you wish for, he is correct.

A perfect example can be found at NC State where alum Sidney Lowe is the coach. The Wolfpack had gone to the NCAAs for several consecutive years under Coach Herb Sindeck when the Wolfpack fans raised a stink that he wasn't uptempo enough and wasn't doing well enough against the other in-state teams- ie UNC, Wake, and Duke. So Coach Sindeck got run off and found a new job at Arizona State where he has been successful as well. NC State on the other hand has not been back to the Big Dance since they ran him off.

We will not be very good next year, unless we sign a top 50 Juco big man. I don't care who the coach is. Who will be able to better do that? Steve and Joe Kleine, who are hopefully recruiting like heck, or some guy who comes in March without any connections to recruits. It's possible that an assistant from a top program might have some recruits on the line who are not quite good enough to sign with his previous school. However, many top programs (i.e. Duke, UNC, Indiana, etc.) rarely, if ever, recruit Jucos. I doubt there is a freshman, we could get, that would provide us with immediate help. Hopefully, there is a Juco out there that could do so.

(01-04-2010 12:52 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-04-2010 12:35 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Ptjr did the same thing. Maybe this belongs in a different thread but I am moving it here.

Post: #1 | Re Slatton's Be Careful What You Wish For

Jeffrey's entries on his blog and twitter (they are one and the same these days) are so cryptic that you can never be really sure what he is referring to. However, if he is talking about the coach when he says be careful what you wish for, he is correct.

A perfect example can be found at NC State where alum Sidney Lowe is the coach. The Wolfpack had gone to the NCAAs for several consecutive years under Coach Herb Sindeck when the Wolfpack fans raised a stink that he wasn't uptempo enough and wasn't doing well enough against the other in-state teams- ie UNC, Wake, and Duke. So Coach Sindeck got run off and found a new job at Arizona State where he has been successful as well. NC State on the other hand has not been back to the Big Dance since they ran him off.

We will not be very good next year, unless we sign a top 50 Juco big man. I don't care who the coach is. Who will be able to better do that? Steve and Joe Kleine, who are hopefully recruiting like heck, or some guy who comes in March without any connections to recruits. It's possible that an assistant from a top program might have some recruits on the line who are not quite good enough to sign with his previous school. However, many top programs (i.e. Duke, UNC, Indiana, etc.) rarely, if ever, recruit Jucos. I doubt there is a freshman, we could get, that would provide us with immediate help. Hopefully, there is a Juco out there that could do so.

I think next year will be a rebuilding season too. I don't think our current staff can sign a top 50 JUCO recruit. So do we stay the course and let Shields build a team for the 11-12 season or do we start fresh? That's the decision that is out of our hands and rest with Coach Peterson.

(01-04-2010 12:35 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Ptjr did the same thing. Maybe this belongs in a different thread but I am moving it here.

Post: #1 | Re Slatton's Be Careful What You Wish For

Jeffrey's entries on his blog and twitter (they are one and the same these days) are so cryptic that you can never be really sure what he is referring to. However, if he is talking about the coach when he says be careful what you wish for, he is correct.

A perfect example can be found at NC State where alum Sidney Lowe is the coach. The Wolfpack had gone to the NCAAs for several consecutive years under Coach Herb Sindeck when the Wolfpack fans raised a stink that he wasn't uptempo enough and wasn't doing well enough against the other in-state teams- ie UNC, Wake, and Duke. So Coach Sindeck got run off and found a new job at Arizona State where he has been successful as well. NC State on the other hand has not been back to the Big Dance since they ran him off.

PTJR brings up a good point. But on the other side of the coin look at Missouri State and Illinois State. It is definitely a hard decision that I don't have the expertise to make. I don't envy an AD's job.

(01-04-2010 01:10 PM)LR Alum Wrote:  

(01-04-2010 12:35 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Ptjr did the same thing. Maybe this belongs in a different thread but I am moving it here.

Post: #1 | Re Slatton's Be Careful What You Wish For

Jeffrey's entries on his blog and twitter (they are one and the same these days) are so cryptic that you can never be really sure what he is referring to. However, if he is talking about the coach when he says be careful what you wish for, he is correct.

A perfect example can be found at NC State where alum Sidney Lowe is the coach. The Wolfpack had gone to the NCAAs for several consecutive years under Coach Herb Sindeck when the Wolfpack fans raised a stink that he wasn't uptempo enough and wasn't doing well enough against the other in-state teams- ie UNC, Wake, and Duke. So Coach Sindeck got run off and found a new job at Arizona State where he has been successful as well. NC State on the other hand has not been back to the Big Dance since they ran him off.

PTJR brings up a good point. But on the other side of the coin look at Missouri State and Illinois State. It is definitely a hard decision that I don't have the expertise to make. I don't envy an AD's job.

Hey, how about John Pelphrey.

I'm only half-kidding. We won't have to pay him much since he'll get a big buy-out from UAF. He has great name recognition in this State. He has already shown he could win at the Sun Belt level (most on the UA board's refer to him as "a Sun Belt coach"). He is certainly "in on" players that could be stars at the Sun Belt level. He'd probably be quite motivated to show up the Chickenhawgs. Chris probably knows him quite well. He'll be looking for a job in March.

I guess I am kidding. But we could probably do worse.

(01-04-2010 01:18 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-04-2010 01:10 PM)LR Alum Wrote:  

(01-04-2010 12:35 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Ptjr did the same thing. Maybe this belongs in a different thread but I am moving it here.

Post: #1 | Re Slatton's Be Careful What You Wish For

Jeffrey's entries on his blog and twitter (they are one and the same these days) are so cryptic that you can never be really sure what he is referring to. However, if he is talking about the coach when he says be careful what you wish for, he is correct.

A perfect example can be found at NC State where alum Sidney Lowe is the coach. The Wolfpack had gone to the NCAAs for several consecutive years under Coach Herb Sindeck when the Wolfpack fans raised a stink that he wasn't uptempo enough and wasn't doing well enough against the other in-state teams- ie UNC, Wake, and Duke. So Coach Sindeck got run off and found a new job at Arizona State where he has been successful as well. NC State on the other hand has not been back to the Big Dance since they ran him off.

PTJR brings up a good point. But on the other side of the coin look at Missouri State and Illinois State. It is definitely a hard decision that I don't have the expertise to make. I don't envy an AD's job.

Hey, how about John Pelphrey.

I'm only half-kidding. We won't have to pay him much since he'll get a big buy-out from UAF. He has great name recognition in this State. He has already shown he could win at the Sun Belt level (most on the UA board's refer to him as "a Sun Belt coach"). He is certainly "in on" players that could be stars at the Sun Belt level. He'd probably be quite motivated to show up the Chickenhawgs. Chris probably knows him quite well. He'll be looking for a job in March.

I guess I am kidding. But we could probably do worse.

Oh, one other thing. The last coach they fired is 10-3, at a midmajor school, that unfortunately for them is in a BCS conference (maybe the best basketball conference in the country).

(01-04-2010 12:23 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Jerry, said all of this in a totally new thread. I am moving here. Please don't start new threads for something that already has an active thread. It makes things hard to follow:



Jeff's twitter saying be careful what we ask for

because we might get it. He's right. If, and I say if, because we don't know a change will be made, a change is made, it could be great, or it could be a disaster. However, If I was making a change, there are several things I'd look for to try and be sure that it would be for the best.

First, a young, energetic guy with a good track record as an assistant at a really good program. Someone in his early thirties at most. Maybe someone who had a successful playing career in college. Not a superstar, but a smart player. Someone with a good academic background. A guy with a dynamic personality that would bring instant attention to our program who could recruit. The type that could sell iceboxes to Eskimos. A native of the South or Southwest. Someone with whom our fans could identify.

He would have to bring a coaching philosophy of an attacking offense and defense. An offense that creates shots, and encourages good shooters to play for us. Maybe even a motion offense. Not Princeton style, but Joe Foley style. There are probably thousands of young coaches out there, and probably a number who would fit this profile and would jump at their first head coaching opportunity.

So if the powers that be decide this is the year to make a change, those are the qualities I would demand in a new coach. One other requirement. The coach would be required to retain any player with less than two years remaining in eligibility. Anyone with two years or more available to play would be subject to the new coaches evaluation, and his desire to bring in some of his own players. But Seniors would be required to retain their scholarships for their last season. No Calipari stuff.

You've made some good points Kerry. And of course Jeff is correct in making the statement that you have to be careful when changing coaches. Sure you could always hire the wrong guy, but you can't sit around and do nothing. Remember ASU made a change, and certainly it has been for the better. Jeff is prejudiced like some of the others here. He likes Steve, and even if he didn't, he probably wouldn't show it for fear he wouldn't be as popular around the Jack as he is at this point. The difference between Jeff and me is, I am a Trojan fan by choice, it's a job for him. I pay to watch mediocrity, he's gets in free to see it.

The other points you've made are ones that I have mentioned here from time to time. Young, energetic, good personality, good recruiter from a successful program, and one who runs an exciting style of offense. I too want an Eskimo icebox salesman. I would be agreeable to hiring a younger successful coach who has been fired from a successful program, like Brady at ASU. No fossils though, and no ex-pigs with no coaching experience. I wouldn't have any problem with a former pig who met the above criteria. I agree, no Princeton offense.

About the only disagreement I have with your post is, don't burden a new coach down with players that the departing coach left here, that can't play on this level. Doing that makes the new coaches task even harder. I might agree with keeping seniors, simply because it would be harder to place them somewhere else where they can play.

I don't know this for a fact, but I wonder if perhaps the most two recent baseball coaches weren't required to keep existing players for at least one season. It certainly makes me wonder.