I found this interesting, Lance was on Steve Zaban's nationally syndicated show yesterday and Lance brought up that UC fans shouldn't be panicking because Huggins has brought up UC to a high enough level that UC is an attractive enough job that good, young coaches would fight over themselves to get the job. Zaban himself said that UC is a national brand name and a highly attractive job. I remember 2 years ago when Huggins was thinking about leaving for West Virginia Lance brought up how hard it was to recruit at UC and it could ruin the program. I would think that a lot of dynamics of changed since then. UC's obvious move to the Big East, UC being so well known on a national stage for over a decade and returning to power and the multi-million dollar upgrades in facilities. That's why, when these Big East rumors popped up, I wanted U cin the Big East so badly, for 3 reasons: 1.)UC would finally be considered on the same level of a Duke, Syracuse, Kentucky, North Carolina, and other schools like that as far as being a national power, a great research and academic facility, and basketball tradition. UC, along with Louisville, have as rich a tradition as North Carolina and Syracuse and Duke, and in some cases richer, but don't get the respect because we weren't in one of the "Big Six". 2.)Football - as much as we tried in C-USA, football wasn't going to take the next step until we got a top flight coach, and we weren't going to get a top flight coach until we moved to a Big Six conference. Fan support wasn't going to improve until we were in a geographically friendly conference. 3.)I would have felt MUCH better about securing a coach to continue UC basketball at high level in the Big East or Big Six conference instead of C-USA that doesn't get that much respect. What do you guys think?
is uc an attractive job??
does the pope crap on the toilet?? (well, maybe he's getting to the age where he needs diapers)
YES it is an attractive job!! it was an attractive job before they knew they were gong to the big east. huggins had mulitiple chances to move on and didn't. it is a good university, strong student community, strong fan base, the pay isn't too shabby, the national television is nice, the exposure is high, the level of competition is high, and you wouldn't know it by reading the papers, but the academics are pretty good as well. they have a good product to sell. i don't see how lance would say it was a tough place to recruit at when they have landed some pretty impressive recruits. i think it is a damn good job. i don't even think they would necessarily need to look at coaches from midlevel and low level conferences to fill the position if it were to open.
Thanks for an outsider's perspective brew. I agree, though UC is clearly a far more attractive job then it was just a year ago, it's really an attractive job. Now am I saying that a coach would rather take the UC job over, say the UK job or the Duke job or the UCLA or North Carolina job? No. But I really believe that UC is on par with the Kansas job or jobs like those, or at least close to, thanks to the move to the Big East. It was a great job before but the only thing missing for UC was the conference selling point, the chance to tell people that you play in a high profile conference. C-USA was the best non-basketball conference, or at least close to it, along with the A-10, but the Big East is clearly a Top 3 basktball conference and that helps. Plus I think fans underestimate UC's tradition because of our down perio in the 80s. I agree, UC wouldn't have to settle for younger coaches I think some more "established" coaches might have interest in the UC job anytime it opens. Example, I bet quality coaches like Nolan Richardson, Larry Eustachy, Tom Penders, coaches like that who have experienced success would jump at the UC job and that speaks volumes of the program, the administration, the tradition and Huggins himself.
Personally I want a sober Huggins.
If that is not going to happen, I want Mick Cronin. He has established himself as a gifted recruiter and a talented coach at the assistant and now head coach level.
xubrew Wrote:does the pope crap on the toilet??
A better question: Is there Holy Water in his toilet?
BJUnklFkr Wrote:xubrew Wrote:does the pope crap on the toilet??
A better question: Is there Holy Water in his toilet?
i don't know.
cincinnati is definitely on par with the mississippi state job. there is no problems with going after a coach like mick cronin. it is a good option. however, another option is to go after someone that is already at a current "big time" institution. this may require opening the wallet a little bit more, but it would probably pay off. i think that rick stansbury would at least listen to uc if they offered it. he runs his program (mississippi state) in much the same way huggins does. the things that uc would have to offer are:
tv conference contract with espn plus
a competitive salary
the big east
more national respect
as good as mississippi state is, most people don't realize this, but they often start off the season unranked. in fact, despite being undefeated, they didn't really crack the rankings until the end of december, and even then they weren't ranked that high. it was the same the year before. this year, they will likely finish in the top ten or fifteen, but there is no way they will begin the season ranked. most games at mississippi state don't even sell out until conference play begins. they played uab, and it wasn't on television AT ALL!! if you can believe that. i'm not saying that he'd take it for sure, i'm saying he is ONE of the MANY coaches that would listen to uc if they gave him an offer.
xubrew Wrote:is uc an attractive job??
does the pope crap on the toilet?? (well, maybe he's getting to the age where he needs diapers)
YES it is an attractive job!! it was an attractive job before they knew they were gong to the big east. huggins had mulitiple chances to move on and didn't. it is a good university, strong student community, strong fan base, the pay isn't too shabby, the national television is nice, the exposure is high, the level of competition is high, and you wouldn't know it by reading the papers, but the academics are pretty good as well. they have a good product to sell. i don't see how lance would say it was a tough place to recruit at when they have landed some pretty impressive recruits. i think it is a damn good job. i don't even think they would necessarily need to look at coaches from midlevel and low level conferences to fill the position if it were to open.
I can't believe what I'm reading. Did a Xavier fan really say that about UC. Way to swallow your pride Brew.
I do think it is a tough place to recruit though. The good recruits we get are just a testament to what Huggs and his guys can do. Imagine if UC had a good campus, like a Chapel Hill or Notre Dame kind of place, and we didn't have a bad rep, and we weren't in CUSA all these years.
Eastside_J Wrote:Personally I want a sober Huggins.
If that is not going to happen, I want Mick Cronin. He has established himself as a gifted recruiter and a talented coach at the assistant and now head coach level.
Mick Cronin would be nice to have for recruiting. But i dont think i would want him to be the coach heading into the big east. He is a great recruiter though.
While I agree that UC has been a difficult a difficult place to recruit, I believe that UC will become an easy place to recruit with its entry into the Big East, and the completion of Main Street and Varsity Village.
And if Huggins does not return, UC will have to beat both established and young coaches off with a stick for the head coach position.
The future remains exceedingly bright for UC basketball and football.
idc, i've never really had anything against uc. i've been a basketball fan longer than i've been a xavier fan.
other coaches that i think would be interested in uc. if i was a.d. at uc, this is what my short list would look like:
james bibby - usc. he is from california originally, but has often complained about the lack of support for basketball out there. still, he has managed to go to three ncaa tournaments and one elite eight. he's on a bit of a downslide, but they look pretty good for next year.
steven lavin - former ucla coach.
willis wilson - rice. he has done a worst to first job at rice. they will likely be the frontrunners in the wac this year and will probably be in position to get an at large bid. still, rice and uc are two completely different institutions and athletic departments. he may not be the best fit, but he could probably adapt. this is a guy i hope xavier has their eyes on.
mick cronin - murray state. you know all about him
jim christian - kent state. his only drawback is that he seems to have trouble finishing the season. he does great ooc, and then dominates the first half of of conference play, but then just lays an egg. i still think he is a good coach though.
john brady - lsu. his biggest problem has been injuries, but he has had an impressive run at lsu and is a damn good recruiter. like mississippi state, somehow they are never high on anyone's radar until the end of the year. they'll be good again next year.
ricardo patton (i think that's his name) has done a lot to turn around colorado, but the thing about him is that he can't seem to win on the road. ever. he's done a great job, but his road record would dissuay me a little
stew merril - utah state. i'm a little surprised he's stayed put for as long as he has. i don't know what is keeping him there. he's done an incredible job and they are moving to the wac conference, but still, playing in a conference like the big west is like having a ball and chain holding you back. i don't know what they are paying him, but SURELY he's had other offers.
xubrew Wrote:stew merril - utah state. i'm a little surprised he's stayed put for as long as he has. i don't know what is keeping him there. he's done an incredible job and they are moving to the wac conference, but still, playing in a conference like the big west is like having a ball and chain holding you back. i don't know what they are paying him, but SURELY he's had other offers.
He's a very good coach. I thought he had been in line to replace Majerus at UU. I don't follow UU close up, but I guess that never materialized.
I've heard some stories about Bibby, that guy is a piece of garbage as a person, he can stay up there at USC. The other names are intriguing. Still, I'd like to see Huggs stay and upgrade his coaching staff.
BJUnklFkr Wrote:xubrew Wrote:stew merril - utah state. i'm a little surprised he's stayed put for as long as he has. i don't know what is keeping him there. he's done an incredible job and they are moving to the wac conference, but still, playing in a conference like the big west is like having a ball and chain holding you back. i don't know what they are paying him, but SURELY he's had other offers.
He's a very good coach. I thought he had been in line to replace Majerus at UU. I don't follow UU close up, but I guess that never materialized.
utah got giacolletti from eastern washington. he's a good coach as well, but i was surprised he was their first choice. i agree that merrill would have made more sense.
I believe you mean Henry Bibby, Brew. But yes he can stay at USC. If his son wants nothing to do with him, neither should we.
peace.
I'm pretty sure if UC was looking for a new head coach, Thad Matta would throw his name in the hat as well.
THG Wrote:I believe you mean Henry Bibby, Brew. But yes he can stay at USC. If his son wants nothing to do with him, neither should we.
peace.
yeah, i meant henry bibby. my mistake. this is the first i've heard of his abilities to not only win, but to be an absolute prick. what gives?? i actually didn't know that about him.
oh well, not everyone can be as nice a guy as me i guess. :D
Back to the Pope...
Do you knowhow they make holy water?
The put water in a pot and boil the Hell out of it!.
Thank you. Be sure to tip your waitress. Godd night.
Anybody know why 1360 took Steve Szabn off the air in replace of Phil Hendrie. I really enjoyed listening to his show. It was a great sports alternative to Furman. Also if I wanted to hear political talk I would turn on 1160, 700, or 550.
I heard Lance on the Steve Saban show on 1360 the other night... you sure he is off the air?
last few times I've been listening around that time it's been Hendrie, however, I suppose they could have move back the start time of Szaban