I've had no nibbles on my questions that I've asked four or five times in the past month, about how long do you give Shields to move this program forward, both on the court and with the attendance. I've had some give their thoughts but the two that I've not heard anything from, are Jim and Mickey. They seem to be the two biggest opponents of replacing Shields. Come on Jim and Mickey. Give me an answer. How many years do you give him before even you think we need to change coaches?

(03-15-2010 09:49 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  I've had no nibbles on my questions that I've asked four or five times in the past month, about how long do you give Shields to move this program forward, both on the court and with the attendance. I've had some give their thoughts but the two that I've not heard anything from, are Jim and Mickey. They seem to be the two biggest opponents of replacing Shields. Come on Jim and Mickey. Give me an answer. How many years do you give him before even you think we need to change coaches?

I think we might have a mandatory retirement age of 65, so that would leave about..................

(03-15-2010 09:49 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  I've had no nibbles on my questions that I've asked four or five times in the past month, about how long do you give Shields to move this program forward, both on the court and with the attendance. I've had some give their thoughts but the two that I've not heard anything from, are Jim and Mickey. They seem to be the two biggest opponents of replacing Shields. Come on Jim and Mickey. Give me an answer. How many years do you give him before even you think we need to change coaches?

Well I am neither Jim or Mickey but I say one more year. (maybe next year I'll say the same thing and maybe not) I am ready to reorder my tickets when ever UALR is ready. The Ladies will keep me going next year and since I have the tickets I will attend all of the mens games.

NO problem! Next year a turnaround happens for the men! Lets see, now I am on row eight. Need to see if I can get one of those ghosts to swap seats with me so I can get closer to the bench without getting in those folding chairs which I can't afford.

(03-15-2010 09:49 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  how long do you give Shields to move this program forward

Define "forward."

(03-15-2010 11:41 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  Define "forward."

Forward: Not backward.

If by that you mean the NCAA, he has had long enough.

(03-15-2010 11:41 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(03-15-2010 09:49 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  how long do you give Shields to move this program forward

Define "forward."

I think Scotto defined it about as well as it can be defined. You don't go from 20+ wins to 20+ losses in one year. That's going backwards. There is no other way to describe the past two years for UALR. We went backwards about as far as you can go.

(03-15-2010 11:54 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(03-15-2010 11:41 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  

(03-15-2010 09:49 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  how long do you give Shields to move this program forward

Define "forward."

I think Scotto defined it about as well as it can be defined. You don't go from 20+ wins to 20+ losses in one year. That's going backwards. There is no other way to describe the past two years for UALR. We went backwards about as far as you can go.

Well no where left to go except forward.

(03-15-2010 11:56 AM)RBL Wrote:  Well no where left to go except forward.

Sure there is. We won 8. That leaves 7, 6, 5, and so on...

(03-15-2010 12:33 PM)Scotto Wrote:  

(03-15-2010 11:56 AM)RBL Wrote:  Well no where left to go except forward.

Sure there is. We won 8. That leaves 7, 6, 5, and so on...

Sidney set the standard at 4. In fact, back in the Depression, we were 0-for a couple of time.

Its Crappie season.

It seems to me that the answer depends on how we do. If we win our division four out of every six years, I don't have to think very hard about it. You can't get rid of a coach who does that. The harder question is what to do if that record doesn't continue. Like Pappy, if I had Chris's hiring/firing authority, I would consider factors not limited to winning percentage. I would consider graduation rates, integrity of the program, financial stability of the program . . .you know, things that got Newell fired. Now, let's assume that Steve continues to graduate his players and run a clean program that is financially stable. I would still want him to win more conference games than he loses most years. Hey, they don't call me Mr. Mediocrity for nothing.

I'm trying not to dodge your question. I invite you to inquire further if you think I've done that.

(03-15-2010 08:32 PM)Mr. Mediocrity Wrote:  It seems to me that the answer depends on how we do. If we win our division four out of every six years, I don't have to think very hard about it. You can't get rid of a coach who does that. The harder question is what to do if that record doesn't continue. Like Pappy, if I had Chris's hiring/firing authority, I would consider factors not limited to winning percentage. I would consider graduation rates, integrity of the program, financial stability of the program . . .you know, things that got Newell fired. Now, let's assume that Steve continues to graduate his players and run a clean program that is financially stable. I would still want him to win more conference games than he loses most years. Hey, they don't call me Mr. Mediocrity for nothing.

I'm trying not to dodge your question. I invite you to inquire further if you think I've done that.

As I believe I've said before, I don't hire or fire coaches. I'm also not pretentious enough to determine what's "acceptable". I would consider the same factors Jim mentioned, plus look at our won-loss record. I believe Steve moved the program forward the previous 2 seasons, with our first back to back 20 win teams since Mike Newell. We had a bad year this season. Another one like this next year and Chris won't be checking with me before he makes a coaching change. I don't view making the NCAA as a primary criteria since our tournament (generally the only way to get there in most seasons) is a crapshoot. No UALR coach has won the tournament (even Newell) outside of Little Rock. I do expect Coach Foley to change that next season.

Not to take anything at all away from Coach Foley, but I posted several years ago that our chances for big time success were much better in women's than men's basketball. I pointed out that schools like LaTech and Old Dominion had been able to win titles and even dominate the women's game. When is the last time teams like UALR, Hartford, or Wis-Green Bay have gotten at large bids to the men's NCAA tournament? It simply doesn't happen. I felt that given the resources Coach Foley could build a Top 40 program here (and he has already done so) and that a Top 25 program was in the realm of possibility. I don't believe its possible on the men's side.

Racing analogy time

In most forms of car racing if you have a field of 20 cars there will only be about 5 cars with enough backing to win a race/season. Everyone else is just making laps and advertising their sponsors but have no real hope of winning.

I don’t know that I need a new coach as much as I need to know that we are willing to do what it takes to win. I don’t really want to “just make laps.”

(03-15-2010 09:34 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Racing analogy time

In most forms of car racing if you have a field of 20 cars there will only be about 5 cars with enough backing to win a race/season. Everyone else is just making laps and advertising their sponsors but have no real hope of winning.

I don’t know that I need a new coach as much as I need to know that we are willing to do what it takes to win. I don’t really want to “just make laps.”

Interesting analogy. My roommate in college had a brother who raced and was even in the Indy 500. Didn't learn until then that a large number of the cars literally have absolutely no chance at winning.