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A lot of external names are being tossed around, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if someone on the staff gets promoted. Like Clayton Bates. That would be the easy/lazy hire for this athletic director/department.

I mean nothing against him personally when I say that. One could even argue his experience/resume stacks up well to many others.

I just think this program has gotten stale and needs a fresh reboot that someone external can bring in. He would have a very difficult job convincing the public things are different.

This administration blew its risky hire wad on the PJ hire... I think it was so emotionally draining to them that we will likely continue to be underwhelmed by all of their decisions until there’s a change at the top.

I'd be fine with Bates. As OP stated, his experience/resume is likely just as good as anyone else who'd be interested.

I don't think 'this is an internal candidate' will steer fans away; what'll fans people away is if we continue to lose.

Lester was hired b/c of the established working relationship w/ KB.....I don't think there's anyone like that that was part of the latest campaign. I'd be shocked if someone was promoted.

At the start of last season I posted on this board that I hoped Steve Hawkins would earn (with is performance) a contract extension. That didn’t happen.

Since then.

Saddi said “no thanks”. As reportedly have others (MSU...DJ, Fife, etc).

I’ve known Clayton Bates for many years. Because of this I’ve refrained from commenting on this issue. I understand why people are hesitant to consider him a serious candidate. I don’t blame them.

But folks who feel this way are wrong.

Given the current state of the program.

CB (absolutely) should be considered.

I have no doubt that he would do a great job here.

Clayton has been a loyal soldier for many years. But he is not meant to be a soldier. He's a leader. And he’s ready.

He has vision, and a plan, and he is driven (really, really driven) to succeed.

His expectation going forward would be that WMU men’s basketball compete for MAC championships.

He also knows the recruiting landscape, and he is relentless.

Current "Bates recruits": Wright (GA), Barrs (FLA), Johnson (IL), Flowers (MI), Squeaky (IL), Martin (GA)

Former “Bates recruits": Kool, Dugan, Whittington, Reitz, Rost, Moore, Davis, Drews, Gary, Hershberger, Jones, Stainbrook, etc.

Ask any of them what they think about Clayton.

Currently there are “CB kids" (20 and 21) that want to visit WMU, and/or commit. They are waiting to see what happens.

Quote:"That would be the easy/lazy hire for this athletic director/department."

Hiring Clayton Bates would be the (exact) opposite of “easy”. It would take insight, and courage.

It (admittedly) might not be an easy sell (to the public) for KB.

It wouldn’t take Clayton long to change people’s minds.

My 2 cents…..

(03-21-2020 03:10 PM)ess Wrote:  At the start of last season I posted on this board that I hoped Steve Hawkins would earn (with is performance) a contract extension. That didn’t happen.

Since then.

Saddi said “no thanks”. As reportedly have others (MSU...DJ, Fife, etc).

I’ve known Clayton Bates for many years. Because of this I’ve refrained from commenting on this issue. I understand why people are hesitant to consider him a serious candidate. I don’t blame them.

But folks who feel this way are wrong.

Given the current state of the program.

CB (absolutely) should be considered.

I have no doubt that he would do a great job here.

Clayton has been a loyal soldier for many years. But he is not meant to be a soldier. He's a leader. And he’s ready.

He has vision, and a plan, and he is driven (really, really driven) to succeed.

His expectation going forward would be that WMU men’s basketball compete for MAC championships.

He also knows the recruiting landscape, and he is relentless.

Current "Bates recruits": Wright (GA), Barrs (FLA), Johnson (IL), Flowers (MI), Squeaky (IL), Martin (GA)

Former “Bates recruits": Kool, Dugan, Whittington, Reitz, Rost, Moore, Davis, Drews, Gary, Hershberger, Jones, Stainbrook, etc.

Ask any of them what they think about Clayton.

Currently there are “CB kids" (20 and 21) that want to visit WMU, and/or commit. They are waiting to see what happens.

Quote:"That would be the easy/lazy hire for this athletic director/department."

Hiring Clayton Bates would be the (exact) opposite of “easy”. It would take insight, and courage.

It (admittedly) might not be an easy sell (to the public) for KB.

It wouldn’t take Clayton long to change people’s minds.

My 2 cents…..

I hope you can look back in 3 years, and say “I told you so”

“THE KEY” to Clayton being hired is what the players asked of KB during their interviews.

17 years ago the TEAM asked her to hire Steve Hawkins.

I have to wonder is Bates gets the nod if he brings Kool in as an assistant.

This would only happen if COVID makes the normal interview process impossible, or if WMU is broke.

I wonder about his loyalty to Hawk...will he even consider the job?

(03-21-2020 05:20 PM)wmutkelaw Wrote:  I wonder about his loyalty to Hawk...will he even consider the job?

Of course he would. He’s got people carrying water for him here already.

(03-21-2020 03:10 PM)ess Wrote:  At the start of last season I posted on this board that I hoped Steve Hawkins would earn (with is performance) a contract extension. That didn’t happen.

Since then.

Saddi said “no thanks”. As reportedly have others (MSU...DJ, Fife, etc).

I’ve known Clayton Bates for many years. Because of this I’ve refrained from commenting on this issue. I understand why people are hesitant to consider him a serious candidate. I don’t blame them.

But folks who feel this way are wrong.

Given the current state of the program.

CB (absolutely) should be considered.

I have no doubt that he would do a great job here.

Clayton has been a loyal soldier for many years. But he is not meant to be a soldier. He's a leader. And he’s ready.

He has vision, and a plan, and he is driven (really, really driven) to succeed.

His expectation going forward would be that WMU men’s basketball compete for MAC championships.

He also knows the recruiting landscape, and he is relentless.

Current "Bates recruits": Wright (GA), Barrs (FLA), Johnson (IL), Flowers (MI), Squeaky (IL), Martin (GA)

Former “Bates recruits": Kool, Dugan, Whittington, Reitz, Rost, Moore, Davis, Drews, Gary, Hershberger, Jones, Stainbrook, etc.

Ask any of them what they think about Clayton.

Currently there are “CB kids" (20 and 21) that want to visit WMU, and/or commit. They are waiting to see what happens.

Quote:"That would be the easy/lazy hire for this athletic director/department."

Hiring Clayton Bates would be the (exact) opposite of “easy”. It would take insight, and courage.

It (admittedly) might not be an easy sell (to the public) for KB.

It wouldn’t take Clayton long to change people’s minds.

My 2 cents…..

I’m in agreement on numerous points.

CB has been the better recruiter for the most part. But on the flip side the argument is what resulted? 1 dance ticket.

Continued issues inbounding the ball, against zones and quality depth raise questions. How did CB play a role? For the most part he was #2 guy if I recall. How did his relentlessness not impact further?

I’m sure CB is his own guy. Not a mindless yes man. Who doesn’t agree with toughness, sharing the ball, emphasis on D and rebounding? Exactly how that is excecuted and by whom leaves room for differing opinions. When you lose regularly by a handful of possessions (like this year) that supports you can be more alike than different but in how it’s executed and by whom ( the Header’s choice) are the deciding factors.

I think there is a reasonable level of talent to come back if all do. The issue has been either not enough depth. And or how it’s used.

My crusty penny.

I think Bates is a reasonable choice. Should be no higher than second choice after Bronkema IMO.

Bronkema has shown he can manage and adjust a game plan. IMO that’s huge.

Did he inherit a mature and talented squad as Hawk did for ‘04? If not then the above point has more weight. You can screw it up (Hawk didn’t) or you can prep, execute and adjust it. Those who coach champions do that. Granted the other “side” is working to do the same for the most part but there the winner and losers.

Even for WMU I’m not a fan of putting my recruiting eggs into being able to recruit the Mitten or Detroit. Both over rated. You recruit where you have connections and influence. CB has connections in the SE and the northern half of Indiana. Add or have someone who can recruit the east side and another to recruit NE Illinois. Of these 2 one or both should have a foot in Juco.

WMU is uniquely positioned geographically. 2-3.5 hours from a fertile talent field. A college town feel and major transport crossroads in a regional airport, Amtrak and interstates.

Yet as a directional school in a MM Conference that only gets crumbs compared to U of M and MSU it has limited appeal to those without knowledge and appreciation for what iWMU can offer.

If you’re going to hire Clayton Bates, why fire Hawkins? You’re going to see the same product on the court.
It’s time for a change from the Hawk’s system.

https://twitter.com/tonypaul1984/status/...78561?s=21

(03-28-2020 10:11 AM)WMU95 Wrote:  If you’re going to hire Clayton Bates, why fire Hawkins? You’re going to see the same product on the court.
It’s time for a change from the Hawk’s system.

Agree. But it's probably a cost cutting measure. Bates would be offered less than what Hawk was getting.

(03-28-2020 11:27 AM)Flashboski Wrote:  https://twitter.com/tonypaul1984/status/...78561?s=21

Wow, I'm stunned. this would be a fireable offense against Kathy, IMO.

Of course the current players are in favor of the status quo! They always are. People are generally afraid of change. Why is this consistently mentioned by reporters as if it's news, or as if it's a good thing?

(03-28-2020 02:33 PM)holybovine Wrote:  

(03-28-2020 11:27 AM)Flashboski Wrote:  https://twitter.com/tonypaul1984/status/...78561?s=21

Wow, I'm stunned. this would be a fireable offense against Kathy, IMO.

Of course the current players are in favor of the status quo! They always are. People are generally afraid of change. Why is this consistently mentioned by reporters as if it's news, or as if it's a good thing?

Couldn’t agree more

(03-28-2020 10:11 AM)WMU95 Wrote:  If you’re going to hire Clayton Bates, why fire Hawkins? You’re going to see the same product on the court.
It’s time for a change from the Hawk’s system.

It would NOT be same with Clayton in charge

Bates may be a good guy, good coach, but you can't promote an assistant who's been part of the downturn in the program of the last five years.