Now that the season has come to an end, I can't help but to think of the similarities between Josh and Herb Sendek, when he was coaching at N.C. State.

From almost every account, Sendek was considered a great guy, with a positive influence on both his players and staff. Many of the boosters were huge fans of the way he ran a clean program and always did things the right way.

Sendek took a little time to get the program going but, once he did, they were consistent winners. N.C. State set a school record for consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (5 in a row) under Sendek. He also managed to beat some great teams once in a blue moon (UConn, Duke).

The problem was, his teams were zero threat to do anything in March. They were never a legitimate threat to get to the Final Four, and very few people in the media took them seriously. The Wolfpack were almost always were bounced out of the NCAA tournament in the very first weekend. Sendek achieved exactly one sweet sixteen in 10 years.

Eventually, the fanbase became divided, between those who were satisfied with the job Sendek was achieving every season, and those who wanted something more. Eventually, the grumbling became so loud that he succumbed to the negativity and fled to Arizona State. N.C. State then made a completely bonehead hire and it took the program several years to even get back to the level that Sendek had managed.

I guess this all begs the question, should we as a program be satisfied with what we currently have, or is worth the risk to move in a different direction?

if rc was still around, i might be hesitant to make a move, but i think bowen would find a good coach for memphis if pastner were to bolt.

(03-23-2014 11:25 PM)EvilLore Wrote:  Now that the season has come to an end, I can't help but to think of the similarities between Josh and Herb Sendek, when he was coaching at N.C. State.

From almost every account, Sendek was considered a great guy, with a positive influence on both his players and staff. Many of the boosters were huge fans of the way he ran a clean program and always did things the right way.

Sendek took a little time to get the program going but, once he did, they were consistent winners. N.C. State set a school record for consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (5 in a row) under Sendek. He also managed to beat some great teams once in a blue moon (UConn, Duke).

The problem was, his teams were zero threat to do anything in March. They were never a legitimate threat to get to the Final Four, and very few people in the media took them seriously. The Wolfpack were almost always were bounced out of the NCAA tournament in the very first weekend. Sendek achieved exactly one sweet sixteen in 10 years.

Eventually, the fanbase became divided, between those who were satisfied with the job Sendek was achieving every season, and those who wanted something more. Eventually, the grumbling became so loud that he succumbed to the negativity and fled to Arizona State. N.C. State then made a completely bonehead hire and it took the program several years to even get back to the level that Sendek had managed.

I guess this all begs the question, should we as a program be satisfied with what we currently have, or is worth the risk to move in a different direction?

Just remember, never underestimate the power of loud and stupid people in a crowd.

(03-23-2014 11:25 PM)EvilLore Wrote:  Now that the season has come to an end, I can't help but to think of the similarities between Josh and Herb Sendek, when he was coaching at N.C. State.

From almost every account, Sendek was considered a great guy, with a positive influence on both his players and staff. Many of the boosters were huge fans of the way he ran a clean program and always did things the right way.

Sendek took a little time to get the program going but, once he did, they were consistent winners. N.C. State set a school record for consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (5 in a row) under Sendek. He also managed to beat some great teams once in a blue moon (UConn, Duke).

The problem was, his teams were zero threat to do anything in March. They were never a legitimate threat to get to the Final Four, and very few people in the media took them seriously. The Wolfpack were almost always were bounced out of the NCAA tournament in the very first weekend. Sendek achieved exactly one sweet sixteen in 10 years.

Eventually, the fanbase became divided, between those who were satisfied with the job Sendek was achieving every season, and those who wanted something more. Eventually, the grumbling became so loud that he succumbed to the negativity and fled to Arizona State. N.C. State then made a completely bonehead hire and it took the program several years to even get back to the level that Sendek had managed.

I guess this all begs the question, should we as a program be satisfied with what we currently have, or is worth the risk to move in a different direction?

I can see the comparison. The main question is who would you bring in that's better. Before yesterday Cal was on his way out at Kentucky. Would he come back? Will Greg Marshall leave Wichita state for Memphis? Who is winning at a small scale and could do the same at Memphis? Is Wojo at duke a good choice? He's an assistant. What about Richard Pitino? He's a Minnesota. Could he do more here? What about Danny Manning at Tulsa?

Josh has a different approach to win respect than Cal. He does it through love rather than fear. The one thing I would get on Josh for is that he hasn't as of yet recognize his weaknesses and built a staff to address that. He's gotten better, but has his pride gotten in the way of getting a coach to help him with his deficiencies? If josh is an offensive coach, get a better defensive one or visa versa.

I do like this current staff better than any one that he's had. Hopefully he doesn't have any turnover this summer. You could tell the game plan yesterday, but the boys couldn't execute. Josh is like cal in the sense that if the game plan doesn't work, there are no adjustments until halftime. I didn't like the press. We gave up too many easy buckets. All in all, I'm rooting for Josh to get it done.

Josh reminds me of Rip Scherer, just with more talent. The quandary is similar but Josh's talent has helped nullify some of the flaws in the system, and there are many.

(03-24-2014 10:23 AM)450bench Wrote:  Josh reminds me of Rip Scherer, just with more talent. The quandary is similar but Josh's talent has helped nullify some of the flaws in the system, and there are many.

wrong sport, sport...

(03-23-2014 11:29 PM)midtowncowboy Wrote:  

(03-23-2014 11:25 PM)EvilLore Wrote:  Now that the season has come to an end, I can't help but to think of the similarities between Josh and Herb Sendek, when he was coaching at N.C. State.

From almost every account, Sendek was considered a great guy, with a positive influence on both his players and staff. Many of the boosters were huge fans of the way he ran a clean program and always did things the right way.

Sendek took a little time to get the program going but, once he did, they were consistent winners. N.C. State set a school record for consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (5 in a row) under Sendek. He also managed to beat some great teams once in a blue moon (UConn, Duke).

The problem was, his teams were zero threat to do anything in March. They were never a legitimate threat to get to the Final Four, and very few people in the media took them seriously. The Wolfpack were almost always were bounced out of the NCAA tournament in the very first weekend. Sendek achieved exactly one sweet sixteen in 10 years.

Eventually, the fanbase became divided, between those who were satisfied with the job Sendek was achieving every season, and those who wanted something more. Eventually, the grumbling became so loud that he succumbed to the negativity and fled to Arizona State. N.C. State then made a completely bonehead hire and it took the program several years to even get back to the level that Sendek had managed.

I guess this all begs the question, should we as a program be satisfied with what we currently have, or is worth the risk to move in a different direction?

Just remember, never underestimate the power of loud and stupid people in a crowd.

Especially when a good portion of that crowd are "real" financial contributors to the program. Not just internet posters on a messageboard.

(03-24-2014 10:04 AM)rolexjames Wrote:  

(03-23-2014 11:25 PM)EvilLore Wrote:  Now that the season has come to an end, I can't help but to think of the similarities between Josh and Herb Sendek, when he was coaching at N.C. State.

From almost every account, Sendek was considered a great guy, with a positive influence on both his players and staff. Many of the boosters were huge fans of the way he ran a clean program and always did things the right way.

Sendek took a little time to get the program going but, once he did, they were consistent winners. N.C. State set a school record for consecutive NCAA tournament appearances (5 in a row) under Sendek. He also managed to beat some great teams once in a blue moon (UConn, Duke).

The problem was, his teams were zero threat to do anything in March. They were never a legitimate threat to get to the Final Four, and very few people in the media took them seriously. The Wolfpack were almost always were bounced out of the NCAA tournament in the very first weekend. Sendek achieved exactly one sweet sixteen in 10 years.

Eventually, the fanbase became divided, between those who were satisfied with the job Sendek was achieving every season, and those who wanted something more. Eventually, the grumbling became so loud that he succumbed to the negativity and fled to Arizona State. N.C. State then made a completely bonehead hire and it took the program several years to even get back to the level that Sendek had managed.

I guess this all begs the question, should we as a program be satisfied with what we currently have, or is worth the risk to move in a different direction?

I can see the comparison. The main question is who would you bring in that's better. Before yesterday Cal was on his way out at Kentucky. Would he come back? Will Greg Marshall leave Wichita state for Memphis? Who is winning at a small scale and could do the same at Memphis? Is Wojo at duke a good choice? He's an assistant. What about Richard Pitino? He's a Minnesota. Could he do more here? What about Danny Manning at Tulsa?

Josh has a different approach to win respect than Cal. He does it through love rather than fear. The one thing I would get on Josh for is that he hasn't as of yet recognize his weaknesses and built a staff to address that. He's gotten better, but has his pride gotten in the way of getting a coach to help him with his deficiencies? If josh is an offensive coach, get a better defensive one or visa versa.

I do like this current staff better than any one that he's had. Hopefully he doesn't have any turnover this summer. You could tell the game plan yesterday, but the boys couldn't execute. Josh is like cal in the sense that if the game plan doesn't work, there are no adjustments until halftime. I didn't like the press. We gave up too many easy buckets. All in all, I'm rooting for Josh to get it done.

The true measure of any approach to coaching is "does it work?". JP is not in Calipari's league right now. Josh is a gifted recruiter who seems unable to do much with the talent he recruits. The kids in the program don't beleive in him and it shows. Thats why Tarik Black takes off for Kansas. That why Adonis Thomas would rather languish in the d-league than stick with Pastner another 2 years. Thats why Joe Jackson says he only enjoyed 60% of his college career. I think none these kids would re-sign with Memphis if they could do it all over. You wait, it going to start showing up in recruiting. Josh is creating a legacy of cautionary tales.

Since we throwing names out, what about Shaka Smart, 25+ wins every year, has won 7 ncaa games, can recruit, his teams plays defense and will never be accused of being soft, also he knows how to beat the big boys, I know some of y'all will bring up this year first round lost, but was really just a bad call at end. He also beat Greg Marshall head to head a couple years ago.