While I admired what he has done for UT basketball, raising the academics and holding players accountable and bringing winning basketball back to UT (he did the same at Green Bay), can he seal the real deal, winning a conference championship? While at GB, he led the Phoenix to top 4 finishes for 7 straight seasons, but did not win the conference title. His record at GB was 136-112 for a .548 pct. Not counting that first season at UT, he is presently 98-64 at UT for a .604 with no MAC titles.

The jury is still out, with still a young team coming back in 2016-17, I don't believe it will happen next season. Boothe will be a big lost in the middle. Coach K I believe will still be in Toledo no matter what happens in the future years. The reputation of UT for high academics and winning basketball has been restored.

(03-06-2016 10:49 PM)Springboromark Wrote:  While I admired what he has done for UT basketball, raising the academics and holding players accountable and bringing winning basketball back to UT (he did the same at Green Bay), can he seal the real deal, winning a conference championship? While at GB, he led the Phoenix to top 4 finishes for 7 straight seasons, but did not win the conference title. His record at GB was 136-112 for a .548 pct. Not counting that first season at UT, he is presently 98-64 at UT for a .604 with no MAC titles.

The jury is still out, with still a young team coming back in 2016-17, I don't believe it will happen next season. Boothe will be a big lost in the middle. Coach K I believe will still be in Toledo no matter what happens in the future years. The reputation of UT for high academics and winning basketball has been restored.

Not to put too fine a point on it but Coach K HAS won a MAC title, two years ago. Has yet to win a MAC Tournament.

There has been plenty to criticize during the current UT losing streak; however, if you step back and look at Coach K's entire tenure at UT the overall judgement is much less harsh.

Coach K's first year was devoted solely to getting the program off life support and in his second year the team was banned from all post regular season play so (counting this year) he has only really had four shots at an NCAA bid and during those 4 years he had two teams that were considered strong candidates to win it all going into the the MAC tournament, so he has actually given a fairly good account of himself so far.

Although it was disappointing that the Rockets did not go to the NCAA at least once during the past two year, it is not entirely fair to put extra pressure on Coach K just because of the program's 35 (soon to likely to be 36) year absence from the NCAA Tourney.

I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

(03-08-2016 11:45 AM)hwut1 Wrote:  I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

Interesting take. I find his naming names refreshing. And good coaches don't always keep it in house. K is clearly a good coach. Not great, but you can't realistically deny that he's good. Bob Knight was good, too. He called players out right on the floor and often in the press. I get sick of coach-speak. I get actual insight when K says "Yeah, Lauf brings something to the table, but not enough". Like it or not these guys are pro players in many respects and get called out by fans and the press. The coach, at least, can best determine how to use the press as a motivational tool.

If we just got our hands up on the perimeter on defense that would be a start. Instead we never have hands up and even 3s where there's a defender nearby give up a clean look.

Would love to see us experiment more with some zones next season. I'm just not convinced we've had the quickness to guard everyone else in the MAC in man-to-man, particularly on the perimeter. And while I understand that a zone generally gives up outside shots while protecting the interior, that isn't an absolute for every zone defense. Besides, as others have said, we gave up plenty of 3s in man-to-man.

Let's try something new. You know what they say about continuing to do the exact same thing but expecting different results...

(03-08-2016 11:58 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:45 AM)hwut1 Wrote:  I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

Interesting take. I find his naming names refreshing. And good coaches don't always keep it in house. K is clearly a good coach. Not great, but you can't realistically deny that he's good. Bob Knight was good, too. He called players out right on the floor and often in the press. I get sick of coach-speak. I get actual insight when K says "Yeah, Lauf brings something to the table, but not enough". Like it or not these guys are pro players in many respects and get called out by fans and the press. The coach, at least, can best determine how to use the press as a motivational tool.

There is a reason the great coaches don't name names in public unless it is positive. Bobby Knight made negative comments about his team not individuals. Check the comments from top coaches, it doesn't happen period. Motivation isn't a negative concept it is suppose to be positive. If you have coached or are a parent, you understand that negative comments are kept in family. The players are not close to be "pro players." Most are 18 to 21 yrs. olds. No one including us, wants to be criticized by parents, bosses, or anyone in public. Listen to the difference in the press conferences and interviews after a game between the men's coach and Coach Cullop. One mentions things that need to be work on but says like it is a team thing not individual. I will let you decide who that is. The same coach whose team has grow stronger and more confident as the season has progressed. The other one's team seems to quit on him at times during games.

(03-08-2016 03:50 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:58 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:45 AM)hwut1 Wrote:  I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

Interesting take. I find his naming names refreshing. And good coaches don't always keep it in house. K is clearly a good coach. Not great, but you can't realistically deny that he's good. Bob Knight was good, too. He called players out right on the floor and often in the press. I get sick of coach-speak. I get actual insight when K says "Yeah, Lauf brings something to the table, but not enough". Like it or not these guys are pro players in many respects and get called out by fans and the press. The coach, at least, can best determine how to use the press as a motivational tool.

There is a reason the great coaches don't name names in public unless it is positive. Bobby Knight made negative comments about his team not individuals. Check the comments from top coaches, it doesn't happen period. Motivation isn't a negative concept it is suppose to be positive. If you have coached or are a parent, you understand that negative comments are kept in family. The players are not close to be "pro players." Most are 18 to 21 yrs. olds. No one including us, wants to be criticized by parents, bosses, or anyone in public. Listen to the difference in the press conferences and interviews after a game between the men's coach and Coach Cullop. One mentions things that need to be work on but says like it is a team thing not individual. I will let you decide who that is. The same coach whose team has grow stronger and more confident as the season has progressed. The other one's team seems to quit on him at times during games.

Very interesting comments about Coach K and his shortcomings. I do think there is something to what you say, both regarding the defensive deficiencies and the comments to the press. You seem much more objective when it comes to critiquing the men's team than the women's. Greater distance, perhaps, lends a better perspective.

(03-08-2016 03:50 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:58 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:45 AM)hwut1 Wrote:  I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

Interesting take. I find his naming names refreshing. And good coaches don't always keep it in house. K is clearly a good coach. Not great, but you can't realistically deny that he's good. Bob Knight was good, too. He called players out right on the floor and often in the press. I get sick of coach-speak. I get actual insight when K says "Yeah, Lauf brings something to the table, but not enough". Like it or not these guys are pro players in many respects and get called out by fans and the press. The coach, at least, can best determine how to use the press as a motivational tool.

There is a reason the great coaches don't name names in public unless it is positive. Bobby Knight made negative comments about his team not individuals. Check the comments from top coaches, it doesn't happen period. Motivation isn't a negative concept it is suppose to be positive. If you have coached or are a parent, you understand that negative comments are kept in family. The players are not close to be "pro players." Most are 18 to 21 yrs. olds. No one including us, wants to be criticized by parents, bosses, or anyone in public. Listen to the difference in the press conferences and interviews after a game between the men's coach and Coach Cullop. One mentions things that need to be work on but says like it is a team thing not individual. I will let you decide who that is. The same coach whose team has grow stronger and more confident as the season has progressed. The other one's team seems to quit on him at times during games.

I've been a coach and am a parent. So was Bob Knight. Bob Knight choked a player and kicked his son. Pretty negative comments. And 18-20 year olds get called out in the press all the time and make millions. If you can't handle the minor admonishments Coach K gives you probably aren't going to make it in this world. Different styles work for different people.

(03-08-2016 04:05 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 03:50 PM)hwut1 Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:58 AM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 11:45 AM)hwut1 Wrote:  I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

Interesting take. I find his naming names refreshing. And good coaches don't always keep it in house. K is clearly a good coach. Not great, but you can't realistically deny that he's good. Bob Knight was good, too. He called players out right on the floor and often in the press. I get sick of coach-speak. I get actual insight when K says "Yeah, Lauf brings something to the table, but not enough". Like it or not these guys are pro players in many respects and get called out by fans and the press. The coach, at least, can best determine how to use the press as a motivational tool.

There is a reason the great coaches don't name names in public unless it is positive. Bobby Knight made negative comments about his team not individuals. Check the comments from top coaches, it doesn't happen period. Motivation isn't a negative concept it is suppose to be positive. If you have coached or are a parent, you understand that negative comments are kept in family. The players are not close to be "pro players." Most are 18 to 21 yrs. olds. No one including us, wants to be criticized by parents, bosses, or anyone in public. Listen to the difference in the press conferences and interviews after a game between the men's coach and Coach Cullop. One mentions things that need to be work on but says like it is a team thing not individual. I will let you decide who that is. The same coach whose team has grow stronger and more confident as the season has progressed. The other one's team seems to quit on him at times during games.

I've been a coach and am a parent. So was Bob Knight. Bob Knight choked a player and kicked his son. Pretty negative comments. And 18-20 year olds get called out in the press all the time and make millions. If you can't handle the minor admonishments Coach K gives you probably aren't going to make it in this world. Different styles work for different people.

Top coaches mention their players by name all the time.I have no problem. They're big boys.

I'd like to see how a coach would react if a player criticized the coach to the press. I suspect that the coach wouldn't be such a "big boy" then. He'd probably use his position of authority to penalize the player.

It is part of a coach's job to offer constructive criticism to help the player improve, but it need not be public. If a coach wants to find fault publicly, then he should take responsibility for his team's performance and find fault with himself.

I don't think part of being a big boy is accepting public criticism from your coach. I certainly wouldn't like it if my boss did that to me, and I'm a big boy, if you're just measuring by age.

(03-08-2016 04:21 PM)Dwight Wrote:  I'd like to see how a coach would react if a player criticized the coach to the press. I suspect that the coach wouldn't be such a "big boy" then. He'd probably use his position of authority to penalize the player.

It is part of a coach's job to offer constructive criticism to help the player improve, but it need not be public. If a coach wants to find fault publicly, then he should take responsibility for his team's performance and find fault with himself.

I don't think part of being a big boy is accepting public criticism from your coach. I certainly wouldn't like it if my boss did that to me, and I'm a big boy, if you're just measuring by age.

Sometimes its a call out to the 10,000 people who watch our local news that will get the players fired up... Lets be honest. These are not Duke ESPN press conferences. And Coach K, the real one at Duke... Calls out players who got into foul trouble and lazy D all the time. When a good coach loses, they are usually fired up and will call out players if need be. Sometimes its not one player tho, so its a team call out. You may not see good coaches naming players because good coaches teams dont lose very often.

(03-08-2016 05:23 PM)UofToledoFans Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 04:21 PM)Dwight Wrote:  I'd like to see how a coach would react if a player criticized the coach to the press. I suspect that the coach wouldn't be such a "big boy" then. He'd probably use his position of authority to penalize the player.

It is part of a coach's job to offer constructive criticism to help the player improve, but it need not be public. If a coach wants to find fault publicly, then he should take responsibility for his team's performance and find fault with himself.

I don't think part of being a big boy is accepting public criticism from your coach. I certainly wouldn't like it if my boss did that to me, and I'm a big boy, if you're just measuring by age.

Sometimes its a call out to the 10,000 people who watch our local news that will get the players fired up... Lets be honest. These are not Duke ESPN press conferences. And Coach K, the real one at Duke... Calls out players who got into foul trouble and lazy D all the time. When a good coach loses, they are usually fired up and will call out players if need be. Sometimes its not one player tho, so its a team call out. You may not see good coaches naming players because good coaches teams dont lose very often.

Must not be a good coach.

IMO opinion, it's ok for a coach to name names to the press, if he is also willing to name himself and the coaching staff for the mistakes they made too. The coach is the CEO the bottom line has to begin and end with him. If he's willing to step up and say "I" didn't call the right plays or "MY" defensive scheme isn't working, or "I" should have called my timeouts, then he can continue on and point out which players didn't do enough. That's a characteristic of a great coach, and there aren't many that you see take responsibility directly for things like that.

(03-08-2016 06:47 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  IMO opinion, it's ok for a coach to name names to the press, if he is also willing to name himself and the coaching staff for the mistakes they made too. The coach is the CEO the bottom line has to begin and end with him. If he's willing to step up and say "I" didn't call the right plays or "MY" defensive scheme isn't working, or "I" should have called my timeouts, then he can continue on and point out which players didn't do enough. That's a characteristic of a great coach, and there aren't many that you see take responsibility directly for things like that.

Kowalczyk does that regularly. And his criticism of others is pretty mild. Much ado about nothing.

(03-08-2016 07:17 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 06:47 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  IMO opinion, it's ok for a coach to name names to the press, if he is also willing to name himself and the coaching staff for the mistakes they made too. The coach is the CEO the bottom line has to begin and end with him. If he's willing to step up and say "I" didn't call the right plays or "MY" defensive scheme isn't working, or "I" should have called my timeouts, then he can continue on and point out which players didn't do enough. That's a characteristic of a great coach, and there aren't many that you see take responsibility directly for things like that.

Kowalczyk does that regularly. And his criticism of others is pretty mild. Much ado about nothing.

Yes, he does take his share of the blame. He mentioned two specific instances last night in which he should have called a timeout late in the game.

(03-08-2016 04:21 PM)Dwight Wrote:  I'd like to see how a coach would react if a player criticized the coach to the press. I suspect that the coach wouldn't be such a "big boy" then. He'd probably use his position of authority to penalize the player.

It is part of a coach's job to offer constructive criticism to help the player improve, but it need not be public. If a coach wants to find fault publicly, then he should take responsibility for his team's performance and find fault with himself.

I don't think part of being a big boy is accepting public criticism from your coach. I certainly wouldn't like it if my boss did that to me, and I'm a big boy, if you're just measuring by age.

Ezekiel Elliot (RB) from Ohio State called out the offensive staff in a post game press conference, including Urban Meyer, about the play calling against Michigan State. Meyer actually agreed with him.

(03-08-2016 08:14 PM)RocketBBallFan Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 07:17 PM)H2Oville Rocket Wrote:  

(03-08-2016 06:47 PM)northcoastRocket Wrote:  IMO opinion, it's ok for a coach to name names to the press, if he is also willing to name himself and the coaching staff for the mistakes they made too. The coach is the CEO the bottom line has to begin and end with him. If he's willing to step up and say "I" didn't call the right plays or "MY" defensive scheme isn't working, or "I" should have called my timeouts, then he can continue on and point out which players didn't do enough. That's a characteristic of a great coach, and there aren't many that you see take responsibility directly for things like that.

Kowalczyk does that regularly. And his criticism of others is pretty mild. Much ado about nothing.

Yes, he does take his share of the blame. He mentioned two specific instances last night in which he should have called a timeout late in the game.

Not only late in the game - what about when EMU went on the run in the first half and Toledo had like 3 turnovers in a row. No T.O. taken then - and lead continued to grow. That was when I stopped watching.

(03-08-2016 11:45 AM)hwut1 Wrote:  I agree with others, he has done a good job of cleaning up the academics and behavior of the players. He deserves a lot of credit for that.
My negatives on his coaching are simple. Since his first game as the Rocket coach until this past game, his defense has been horrible at best. Weak side wing open for a three and giving up penetration through the middle of the key. Players don't play "help" defense. It hasn't mattered who the players have been, same problem. That means the only common thread is the coach.
The biggest negative I have about his coaching style is he constantly mentions his players by name in press conferences or in the media with negative comments. That is handled in house, at practice, in the locker room, or in his office. I have to wonder what effect that has the attitude and desire of the players. Good coaches never do that in public.

+1