(03-23-2016 06:33 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 09:02 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 08:51 AM)Carolina Stang Wrote:  He won't get you sanctioned and your kids will graduate...

UCF Basketball (at the end of Spring/Summer semester) will have graduated all 15 Seniors that were recruited by and stayed with the program under Donnie Jones.

Now the first part is important...and ever since former AD Keith Tribble (the main reason why UCF Basketball and Football were placed on Probation at the same time), was fired...UCF Basketball and Football hadn't had a sniff of improprieties so hopefully that will continue.

UCF is the #1 Public Univ in the Nation in regards to Athletic Program Graduation Success Rate...and no doubt Dawkins being at Duke/Stanford for 20 plus years...UCF Basketball (academically) should remain in good hands.

If everyone of your "student athletes" graduates from UCF, that is not necessarily a validation of UCF's academic credentials or the rigor of its curriculum since, as we know, not every major college "student athlete" is of the highest intellectual caliber. Just sayin'.

Considering that we don't bend on our academic standards and average a 3.0 I think that says a lot. Our guys aren't taking underwater basket weaving or fake classes like unc. Our sports medicine and and business programs are highly rated for those going down that path.

Dawkins will now have to speak in mono syllabic words.

(03-23-2016 01:22 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  Remind me not to go to Hooter's in New Jersey.

You shouldn't go to one period, I know of about 1,000 better wing restaurants, major chain or local fav.

(03-23-2016 10:23 PM)chess Wrote:  This is an interesting hire.

Johnny Dawkins had the resources of Stanford behind him. How was he not able to recruit on the level to win the Pac 12? If I am a UCF fan, that concerns me.

Supposedly, he couldn't recruit the studs needed because of academic limitations. At UCF he should be able to get lots of thugs.

(03-24-2016 06:56 PM)_C2_ Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 01:22 PM)Pony94 Wrote:  Remind me not to go to Hooter's in New Jersey.

You shouldn't go to one period, I know of about 1,000 better wing restaurants, major chain or local fav.

Hooters breaded originals are tops. Unbreaded wings are for boys.

(03-24-2016 09:57 AM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(03-24-2016 08:04 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  There's a reason why he fell to UCF.

The reason has little to do with his performance at Stanford and more about his Duke ties. UCF AD Danny White's father is AD there.

He doesn't take the huge plunge from Stanford to UCF unless he flops at Stanford. And he flopped at Stanford. NIT titles don't mean much there, it just means you missed the NCAA tournament.

(03-23-2016 06:33 PM)vabearcat Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 09:02 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 08:51 AM)Carolina Stang Wrote:  He won't get you sanctioned and your kids will graduate...

UCF Basketball (at the end of Spring/Summer semester) will have graduated all 15 Seniors that were recruited by and stayed with the program under Donnie Jones.

Now the first part is important...and ever since former AD Keith Tribble (the main reason why UCF Basketball and Football were placed on Probation at the same time), was fired...UCF Basketball and Football hadn't had a sniff of improprieties so hopefully that will continue.

UCF is the #1 Public Univ in the Nation in regards to Athletic Program Graduation Success Rate...and no doubt Dawkins being at Duke/Stanford for 20 plus years...UCF Basketball (academically) should remain in good hands.

If everyone of your "student athletes" graduates from UCF, that is not necessarily a validation of UCF's academic credentials or the rigor of its curriculum since, as we know, not every major college "student athlete" is of the highest intellectual caliber. Just sayin'.

It is a validation of UCF's commitment to academics in their athletic program. It does not make athletes Rhodes scholars. It is the commitment that the athletes are expected to be able to meet the rigors of college and get their degree in opposition to those programs that focus on athletic performance. It has been a focus and a point of pride for UCF for many years. Nobody claimed it makes UCF a Harvard.

(03-25-2016 07:38 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  Hooters breaded originals are tops. Unbreaded wings are for boys.

Tops if you wanna get fat. Come to Houston, we have our share of good wing restarants, such as Brewingz. If every member of this board lived here they'd be stuck at Brewingz all football season. The boneless wings there are the best I've had anywhere and the flavors will catch your attention. Did you know they have chicken & waffle wings?

(03-25-2016 07:40 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(03-24-2016 09:57 AM)BigEastHomer Wrote:  

(03-24-2016 08:04 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  There's a reason why he fell to UCF.

The reason has little to do with his performance at Stanford and more about his Duke ties. UCF AD Danny White's father is AD there.

He doesn't take the huge plunge from Stanford to UCF unless he flops at Stanford. And he flopped at Stanford. NIT titles don't mean much there, it just means you missed the NCAA tournament.

I don't think anyone was arguing that he voluntarily jumped from one job to the other. He didn't win enough. A sweet 16 and 2 NIT Championships in the last 5 years weren't enough.
Its a zero sum game. He got out performed by too many PAC12 coaches.
However, that's not why he's at UCF.
All coaches get fired. Hopefully, he seizes this opportunity.

(03-23-2016 10:23 PM)chess Wrote:  This is an interesting hire.

Johnny Dawkins had the resources of Stanford behind him. How was he not able to recruit on the level to win the Pac 12? If I am a UCF fan, that concerns me.

Johnny won at Stanford (156-115), but just not enough...and after losing 4 starters from the previous season (one to season long injury), it was probably best to part ways. (Went 15-15 this year).

Stanford had the most stringent athletic admission requirements for basketball players in the Pac-12 (think Public Ivy). Heck, even Dawkins 0wn son who had very good grades and wanted to play for his Dad's team couldn't gain admission to Stanford and instead, went to Michigan.

Obviously, UCF won't have nearly the admission restrictions as Stanford, so that should open up the pool of potential candidates a lot more for Dawkins, especially along the East Coast, which is where his strength in recruiting really lies (i.e. 15 years at Duke, was from DC, etc...).

(03-25-2016 09:00 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 10:23 PM)chess Wrote:  This is an interesting hire.

Johnny Dawkins had the resources of Stanford behind him. How was he not able to recruit on the level to win the Pac 12? If I am a UCF fan, that concerns me.

Johnny won at Stanford (156-115), but just not enough...and after losing 4 starters from the previous season (one to season long injury), it was probably best to part ways. (Went 15-15 this year).

Stanford had the most stringent athletic admission requirements for basketball players in the Pac-12 (think Public Ivy). Heck, even Dawkins how son who had very good grades and wanted to play for his Dad's team couldn't gain admission to Stanford and instead, went to Michigan.

Obviously, UCF won't have nearly the admission restrictions as Stanford, so that should open up the pool of potential candidates a lot more for Dawkins, especially along the East Coast, which is where his strength in recruiting really lies (i.e. 15 years at Duke, was from DC, etc...).

He seems like a class guy and will do a good job getting the program back up into the top half of the conference. I think he will view this as a fresh start and make the most of it.

With the talent on UCFs roster it wouldn't surprise me at all to see a repeat of the type of success Houston has had and by year 2 UCF finish with an RPI inside 100.

Way too much discussion about only 1 sweet 16 and two NIT's.

The bottom line is that he is a huge upgrade for UCF and a great hire.

(03-25-2016 09:10 AM)NYCTUFan Wrote:  

(03-25-2016 09:00 AM)KnightLight Wrote:  

(03-23-2016 10:23 PM)chess Wrote:  This is an interesting hire.

Johnny Dawkins had the resources of Stanford behind him. How was he not able to recruit on the level to win the Pac 12? If I am a UCF fan, that concerns me.

Johnny won at Stanford (156-115), but just not enough...and after losing 4 starters from the previous season (one to season long injury), it was probably best to part ways. (Went 15-15 this year).

Stanford had the most stringent athletic admission requirements for basketball players in the Pac-12 (think Public Ivy). Heck, even Dawkins how son who had very good grades and wanted to play for his Dad's team couldn't gain admission to Stanford and instead, went to Michigan.

Obviously, UCF won't have nearly the admission restrictions as Stanford, so that should open up the pool of potential candidates a lot more for Dawkins, especially along the East Coast, which is where his strength in recruiting really lies (i.e. 15 years at Duke, was from DC, etc...).

He seems like a class guy and will do a good job getting the program back up into the top half of the conference. I think he will view this as a fresh start and make the most of it.

With the talent on UCFs roster it wouldn't surprise me at all to see a repeat of the type of success Houston has had and by year 2 UCF finish with an RPI inside 100.

While that would be great...it seems unlike what Sampson did at UH (took a lot of transfers and redshirted some his first year), Dawkins said he would like for all current players and all 3 signed recruits to be there come summer...so there may not be a quick fix but hopefully a steady line of improvement.

He should have 13 eligible scholarship players next year (unless he uses the last available scholarship on a transfer who might have to sit out), and if PG BJ Taylor comes back at/near 100%...he and Tacko should be able to do some damage on the offensive end.

Here's some comments from those that know Dawkins the best:

(03-24-2016 09:03 AM)Noise Penalty Wrote:  As with all college sports success for BB at most schools is judged by an unreasonable standard. In a field of 347 division 1 programs to make the NCAAs even once out of 8 years is pretty good. At UCF it would be outstanding. It takes more than resources. It takes years of sustained success in basketball to achieve the expectations of regular NCAA appearances. There are several programs in the AAC that have that reputation Memphis, UConn and UC. SMU is moving toward that. UCF is not even on the map.

I see this hire much like the GOL hire. It is a known name, older coach so success will not as easily tempt him to a new position. Hopefully will build a foundation at UCF to start winning conference games and competing in that arena first. Then maybe UCF can look to some post season appearances.

He is not exactly an "older coach" and he doesn't have the baggage that GOL brought with him. Not fair to compare a great person like CJD to a shiester like O'Liar.

Dawkins is still a young coach and if he has a few good years he will leave...they always do. That is a win:win:win for Dawkins:UCF:AAC...b/c they all get better.

Probably not the high profile hire some ppl wanted but it's a solid choice and he likely got a raw deal at Stanford and fired too soon. However I'm not buying all the academic requirements talk b/c Mike Montgomery had no problems recruiting the right kids to Stanford. Instead for some reason it just didn't workout. Happens...

I like the hire a lot ...as its low risk with a potentially high payoff.

I'm hoping COA turns it around in year three else usf will be in the same position next year.

Danny White is betting that Johnny Dawkins is the next Tommy Amaker.

Amaker was Dawkins' backcourt teammate at Duke from 1984-86. They both spent about 10 years as an assistant with Coach K (Dawkins replaced Amaker on Duke's bench in 1998).

Amaker made a Sweet 16 at Seton Hall and got hired at Michigan where he won the NIT and finished 2nd in the NIT in six seasons before getting fired.

He immediately went to Harvard after getting dismissed from Michigan, and by year three started winning 20 games a year.

From 2010-15, Amaker won 139 games in six years, made 4 NCAA tournaments, 1 NIT and 1 CIT. Twice, Harvard advanced to the Round of 32.

*************

We'll see if UCF's bet on Dawkins pays off like Harvard's bet on Amaker. UCF is in a much tougher league right now in terms of coaching talent and so Dawkins' job will be harder, although that could change in a hurry if conference realignment robs the American of Cincy & UConn and Larry Brown retires.