the Florida talent pool. We can't seem to accomplish that here with just one BCS school in the state who obviously can't sign every player available. That's always been my beef. We can't even sign the ones who don't go to Fayetteville. Obviously I realize our talent base is limited, and Florida has a tremendous number of prospects but they also have a ton of universities playing basketball in good conferences. I think it's more that they're in the same general geographical area from New York City and other large population bases. And like MJS, it's probably easier to get some guys to come down to Boca Raton then come to Little Rock. We just have to find something special to attract players here. Hey. We have good BBQ at Corky's.

(01-10-2011 01:19 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  the Florida talent pool. We can't seem to accomplish that here with just one BCS school in the state who obviously can't sign every player available. That's always been my beef. We can't even sign the ones who don't go to Fayetteville. Obviously I realize our talent base is limited, and Florida has a tremendous number of prospects but they also have a ton of universities playing basketball in good conferences. I think it's more that they're in the same general geographical area from New York City and other large population bases. And like MJS, it's probably easier to get some guys to come down to Boca Raton then come to Little Rock. We just have to find something special to attract players here. Hey. We have good BBQ at Corky's.

The Florida schools have some of the advantages you point out, location with beaches, a large number of Division I recruits in the state, etc., but those have always been there and FIU and FAU didn't always get good recruits. Now FIU has a coach who is an NBA legend who attracts recruits who think they can play in the NBA and think Isiah Thomas can help them in that regard, and FAU has a coach who has had a lot of success in the NCAA in the past. FAU's Mike Jarvis' history: Boston U, leading the Terriers to two NCAA appearances; George Washington, leading the Colonials to three NCAA appearances, including a sweet sixteen; and St. John', leading the Red Storm to a couple of NCAAs, including an Elite 8 appearance, and an NIT title.

Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

Good analysis PTJR.

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:19 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  the Florida talent pool. We can't seem to accomplish that here with just one BCS school in the state who obviously can't sign every player available. That's always been my beef. We can't even sign the ones who don't go to Fayetteville. Obviously I realize our talent base is limited, and Florida has a tremendous number of prospects but they also have a ton of universities playing basketball in good conferences. I think it's more that they're in the same general geographical area from New York City and other large population bases. And like MJS, it's probably easier to get some guys to come down to Boca Raton then come to Little Rock. We just have to find something special to attract players here. Hey. We have good BBQ at Corky's.

The Florida schools have some of the advantages you point out, location with beaches, a large number of Division I recruits in the state, etc., but those have always been there and FIU and FAU didn't always get good recruits. Now FIU has a coach who is an NBA legend who attracts recruits who think they can play in the NBA and think Isiah Thomas can help them in that regard, and FAU has a coach who has had a lot of success in the NCAA in the past. FAU's Mike Jarvis' history: Boston U, leading the Terriers to two NCAA appearances; George Washington, leading the Colonials to three NCAA appearances, including a sweet sixteen; and St. John', leading the Red Storm to a couple of NCAAs, including an Elite 8 appearance, and an NIT title.

Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

So what you're saying is that the coach makes a difference, right? What a concept.

(01-10-2011 04:47 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  So what you're saying is that the coach makes a difference, right? What a concept.

That's why there are winning coaches and mediocre coaches, and then the rest are former coaches.

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

(01-10-2011 06:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

I think that other than Isiah Thomas, the other two already had established connections with the communities they are coaching in. I'm pretty sure Jarvis was already living in Boca Raton when he took the job, and Cremins owned property in the Charleston area if I'm not mistaken. Thomas was just looking for a job.

But I wouldn't sell LR short, as it is a hell of a lot nicer place to live than a lot of places. We got Wimp who was one of the best floor coaches around. Of course there was an established connection here already with Barry. But even Jonesboro got what most consider to be a pretty good coach in Brady. If Jonesboro can get a Final Four coach, anybody can!

That being said, I think that unless a home run of some sort could be hit with an established coach, I'd go with an up and comer. There are a lot of good ones out there, and honestly, it takes a lot of energy to get the job done here that I'm not sure an older coach would necessarily have. And that's before we even get into the ego head butting and control issues with the boss.

(01-10-2011 06:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

If they wanted to coach badly enough, or if the money was there. Most people will do a lot of things for money. Someone needs to convince the powers that be in Little Rock that it would be good to get some of the power brokers in LR behind this program, and get the salary up where we can afford a better quality coach. Usually you get what you pay for.

(01-10-2011 07:24 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 06:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

If they wanted to coach badly enough, or if the money was there. Most people will do a lot of things for money. Someone needs to convince the powers that be in Little Rock that it would be good to get some of the power brokers in LR behind this program, and get the salary up where we can afford a better quality coach. Usually you get what you pay for.

We've been wanting that forever. We did get the money from the Stephens family for the arena. Some have described that as somewhat of "knee jerk" reaction by Mr. Stephens who got very pissed at Frank Broyles over the stadium debate. Do Stephens or other power brokers in town strongly support our program? I have no idea. I think even those that do, try to keep it "quiet" so as not to piss off folks in Fayetteville. (Yes, more Fayetteville paranoia Scotto).

(01-10-2011 07:24 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 06:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

If they wanted to coach badly enough, or if the money was there. Most people will do a lot of things for money. Someone needs to convince the powers that be in Little Rock that it would be good to get some of the power brokers in LR behind this program, and get the salary up where we can afford a better quality coach. Usually you get what you pay for.

I would think you are not wanting a coach, who's only option is UALR. So he will likely have other places he could go coach. A coach who's been around will either know about our program or do his research. Money may be one determining factor, but folks in the "business" have a better sense than we do whether this is a place you can recruit to and a place you can win at. That will be the major determining factor in whether they take the job or not. Our best bet would be a coach from this part of the country, who has connections, and has won here in the past. Brady was from small town Mississippi and coached at LSU. He felt comfortable in Jonesboro and it seemed like a very good hire for them. Still not clear how it will turn out, however.

(01-10-2011 01:19 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  the Florida talent pool.

We have had quite a few good players from Arkansas (and a few not so good). I think we tend to forget them sometimes.

Right now, according to Rivals, Florida has 75 D1 prospects in the state, and Arkansas has 15 (and this is considered to be a very strong year in the state).

(01-10-2011 07:51 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 07:24 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 06:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 01:36 PM)PTJR Wrote:  Time will tell what Thomas can actually accomplish at FIU, but I think Jarvis at FAU will be very successful over the long haul. He knows how to identify good talent, how to recruit good talent, and how to floor coach. The big difference between what those Florida schools get now vs. what they used to get can be found in the head coaches.

We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

If they wanted to coach badly enough, or if the money was there. Most people will do a lot of things for money. Someone needs to convince the powers that be in Little Rock that it would be good to get some of the power brokers in LR behind this program, and get the salary up where we can afford a better quality coach. Usually you get what you pay for.

I would think you are not wanting a coach, who's only option is UALR. So he will likely have other places he could go coach. A coach who's been around will either know about our program or do his research. Money may be one determining factor, but folks in the "business" have a better sense than we do whether this is a place you can recruit to and a place you can win at. That will be the major determining factor in whether they take the job or not. Our best bet would be a coach from this part of the country, who has connections, and has won here in the past. Brady was from small town Mississippi and coached at LSU. He felt comfortable in Jonesboro and it seemed like a very good hire for them. Still not clear how it will turn out, however.

"I would think you are not wanting a coach, who's only option is UALR."

There are less than 350 Division I head coaching jobs in college basketball. That's why I am so amazed at the thinking that goes on around here that UALR would have a hard time finding qualified candidates for an open position. If there were only less than 350 top jobs for psychologists in the US, my guess is you would be lining up with a bunch of people to get one of them. Just because the local yabos around here haven't heard of someone doesn't mean they can't be a great coach. And just because the same local yabos around here have heard of them doesn't mean that they can coach either. Remember Sidney Moncrief?

(01-10-2011 10:25 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 07:51 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 07:24 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 06:42 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 03:54 PM)LRTrojan Wrote:  We don't have beaches, but something similiar can happen in Little Rock, and he doesn't have to be an NBA legend or a great coach from a major program that is coming down a notch or two to this level. You've just got to get the right guy, and look farther than the end of your nose or the end of your bench. And if you get a successful retread who still wants to coach, like Bobby Cremins, he can make a huge difference.

Think about this, if a Bobby Cremins, Mike Jarvis, or an Isiah Thomas(and that's without the beaches or the girls entering into the situation)are recruiting the same kid we are, who do you think is going to get the kid nine times out of ten?

Not us obviously. Those coaches also chose to coach on the coast in Charleston, SC and South Florida. Would they have come to Little Rock? I love LR, but my guess would be no.

If they wanted to coach badly enough, or if the money was there. Most people will do a lot of things for money. Someone needs to convince the powers that be in Little Rock that it would be good to get some of the power brokers in LR behind this program, and get the salary up where we can afford a better quality coach. Usually you get what you pay for.

I would think you are not wanting a coach, who's only option is UALR. So he will likely have other places he could go coach. A coach who's been around will either know about our program or do his research. Money may be one determining factor, but folks in the "business" have a better sense than we do whether this is a place you can recruit to and a place you can win at. That will be the major determining factor in whether they take the job or not. Our best bet would be a coach from this part of the country, who has connections, and has won here in the past. Brady was from small town Mississippi and coached at LSU. He felt comfortable in Jonesboro and it seemed like a very good hire for them. Still not clear how it will turn out, however.

"I would think you are not wanting a coach, who's only option is UALR."

There are less than 350 Division I head coaching jobs in college basketball. That's why I am so amazed at the thinking that goes on around here that UALR would have a hard time finding qualified candidates for an open position. If there were only less than 350 top jobs for psychologists in the US, my guess is you would be lining up with a bunch of people to get one of them. Just because the local yabos around here haven't heard of someone doesn't mean they can't be a great coach. And just because the same local yabos around here have heard of them doesn't mean that they can coach either. Remember Sidney Moncrief?

+1

I don't know how many times it can be said, but if the job opened up there would be a line of real coaches lined up to take this job. Yes we pay less than 200k a year but that money will buy you a coach.

Job is filled right now and Steve is doing the job right now.

(01-10-2011 11:51 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Job is filled right now and Steve is doing the job right now.

I grant you that the job is filled now. But Kerry would you clarify the part about "Steve is doing the job right now." Does that mean that Steve is doing a good job of coaching right now or that Steve is filling that position right now? There could be a big difference in the meaning of the two statements, or they could mean the same thing.

(01-11-2011 10:12 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 11:51 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Job is filled right now and Steve is doing the job right now.

I grant you that the job is filled now. But Kerry would you clarify the part about "Steve is doing the job right now." Does that mean that Steve is doing a good job of coaching right now or that Steve is filling that position right now? There could be a big difference in the meaning of the two statements, or they could mean the same thing.

I want to see improvement from week to week. Right now I see that. We are playing up tempo ball.

Would I like to see a coaching change? Is that the real question? Ask me that at the end of the season. I posted my list last week of conditions to be met.

(01-11-2011 05:19 PM)insideualr Wrote:  

(01-11-2011 10:12 AM)LRTrojan Wrote:  

(01-10-2011 11:51 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Job is filled right now and Steve is doing the job right now.

I grant you that the job is filled now. But Kerry would you clarify the part about "Steve is doing the job right now." Does that mean that Steve is doing a good job of coaching right now or that Steve is filling that position right now? There could be a big difference in the meaning of the two statements, or they could mean the same thing.

I want to see improvement from week to week. Right now I see that. We are playing up tempo ball.

Would I like to see a coaching change? Is that the real question? Ask me that at the end of the season. I posted my list last week of conditions to be met.

I too am pleased to see more uptempo ball. Let's hope it lasts and we don't revert back to the plodder method.