I've already heard that some Chickenhawg fans are not happy with the Mike Anderson hire. I've actually heard one fan in my office say that he doesn't have a very good record as a coach. This just didn't jive with my memory so I looked it up.
In nine years as a head coach, 4 at UAB, and 5 at Mizzou, Anderson has taken his team to post-season in 7 of those years. The first 2 at Mizzou they didn't go to post season, but my guess is that Anderson didn't have the right kind of players for his style of play for those years when he took over.
At UAB he went to the Quarters of the NIT, the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, the round of 32, and the round of 64. The third year at Mizzou, he went to the Elite Eight, the next year to the round of 32, and this year to the round of 64.
At this point, I'm not sure anybody would be "good enough" for the Chickenhawg fans who still view their basketball program as one of the elite in the country. Although it was at one time, it certainly isn't now. I think they are lucky to get Anderson and that he will do a good job.
(03-23-2011 04:58 PM)PTJR Wrote: [ -> ]I've already heard that some Chickenhawg fans are not happy with the Mike Anderson hire. I've actually heard one fan in my office say that he doesn't have a very good record as a coach. This just didn't jive with my memory so I looked it up.
In nine years as a head coach, 4 at UAB, and 5 at Mizzou, Anderson has taken his team to post-season in 7 of those years. The first 2 at Mizzou they didn't go to post season, but my guess is that Anderson didn't have the right kind of players for his style of play for those years when he took over.
At UAB he went to the Quarters of the NIT, the NCAA Sweet Sixteen, the round of 32, and the round of 64. The third year at Mizzou, he went to the Elite Eight, the next year to the round of 32, and this year to the round of 64.
At this point, I'm not sure anybody would be "good enough" for the Chickenhawg fans who still view their basketball program as one of the elite in the country. Although it was at one time, it certainly isn't now. I think they are lucky to get Anderson and that he will do a good job.
Apparently a lot of Mizzou fans weren't thrilled about the idea of giving him a $500,000 raise, to try to stay in range of the Chickenhawgs offer, after an 8-8 conference season and a 1-9 record against their biggest rival (KU). We'll never know for sure if Mizzou really intended to sweeten the pot, or if Arkansas was just played by Jimmy Sexton. 2.2 million is a hell of a lot of money. I do agree that he will do a good job there. Pelphrey certainly set things up nicely for him with a Top 5 recruiting class.
What a great hire. It'll be good to have BWA getting close to capacity again soon.
(03-23-2011 05:17 PM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]What a great hire. It'll be good to have BWA getting close to capacity again soon.
I knew I could count on you Scotto to be at least one Chickenhawg fan who has some sense.
Be sure to wear your Spider hat on Friday. We'll need all the help we can get against the Kansas Jayhawks! Go Spiders!
I really don't care who the coach is. I just want that program to be relevant again.
Got my Spider hat ready to go. Kansas is overrated.
It's good to be a Trojan fan :)
I'll add that it's good to be a Trojan fan and a Razorback fan.
I think Mike will get things going up there.
I think Buzz would have done a better job. If anyone you watched Big East ball this year MU ran some smooth stuff.
(03-23-2011 07:53 PM)insideualr Wrote: [ -> ]I think Mike will get things going up there.
I think Buzz would have done a better job. If anyone you watched Big East ball this year MU ran some smooth stuff.
Out of the guys they could get, Buzz and Greg Marshall (Wichita State) are probably more solid coaches. However, Anderson is the one more likely to create excitement and put butts in the seats. Of course their crazy fans thought they were in the running for Bill Self, Ben Howland, and Jamie Dixon. Anderson was the biggest "name" they could actually get.
There is no doubt there will be more excitement than ever around that program. A strong recruiting class and a coach that embraces full-throttle. I'm pumped and we still have baseball and football to be played.
(03-23-2011 10:51 PM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]There is no doubt there will be more excitement than ever around that program. A strong recruiting class and a coach that embraces full-throttle. I'm pumped and we still have baseball and football to be played.
"I'm pumped"- As well you should be!
(03-23-2011 10:51 PM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]There is no doubt there will be more excitement than ever around that program. A strong recruiting class and a coach that embraces full-throttle. I'm pumped and we still have baseball and football to be played.
There is no doubt this was the perfect hire for Arkansas. There's more to this hire then just a coach. It's about a connection to the greatest era in Arkansas basketball history, and a man who was an integral part of it, and has proven himself elsewhere. I would imagine the increase in attendance and concession sales next year will probably pay for a lot of what is owed Pelphrey and some of what is owed Anderson. I look for the program to once again become relevant. Anderson has a been a winner all his basketball life, first as a player, and then as a coach. Jeff
Long has hit another home run, IMO. What a staff of coaches. Bobby Petrino, Dave Van Horn, and now Mike Anderson. As good as any group in the country.
(03-24-2011 10:23 AM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ]Bobby Petrino, Dave Van Horn, and now Mike Anderson. As good as any group in the country.
+1
(03-24-2011 10:23 AM)outsideualr Wrote: [ -> ][There's more to this hire then just a coach. It's about a connection to the greatest era in Arkansas basketball history
For that very reason, and because of the incoming class, he won't be given much of a "mulligan." Fayetteville fans will be expecting a home run right off the bat.
I kinda doubt Coach Anderson needs any mulligans.
(03-24-2011 11:22 AM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]I kinda doubt Coach Anderson needs any mulligans.
I am sure he doesn't. But Final Four in his first year might be a stretch even for him. And there will be some fans who will expect him to pick up where Richardson was at his prime. Not rational, but a lot of fans aren't rational.
(03-24-2011 11:45 AM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote: [ -> ]But Final Four in his first year might be a stretch even for him.
I hadn't even considered that possibility. That would be awesome.
I believe this is a great hire for Arkansas. They should have hired him the first time around.
(03-23-2011 10:51 PM)Scotto Wrote: [ -> ]There is no doubt there will be more excitement than ever around that program. A strong recruiting class and a coach that embraces full-throttle. I'm pumped and we still have baseball and football to be played.
I'd be pumped and excited too if we were looking at a new coach.