RE: It is Burno
I talked to Monty at the beginning of last year and asked him what a difference it made to have 3 seniors on the team that had been with the program for four years. James was a transfer but did sit out a year practicing so it was really four years in the program. He said it was a major factor. Unfortunately is was unusual in Montys tenure.
It is the norm these days to lose players each year but there were a few recruiting classes that really hurt Monty due to players leaving the program. His first year was a late start due to his hiring in the Spring although he did get Nader that year, but he left after two years.
His first big class came the next year with Akeem Springs, Mike Davis, Darrell Bowie, Trevon Baker, Sam Mader, Pete Rokavich and Petey Balls. Springs left for UWM after that year and ended up at Minnesota, Davis left after that year, Bowie left after his junior year for Iowa State, Sam Mader transferred after that year and Balls left after his sophomore year. Only Baker and Rakovich finished with the program. Baker was a good four year player.
Monty recovered the next year bringing in the Armstead brothers Highsmith, Anthony Johnson, Maric, Treloff and Orris. Highsmith and Orris transferred, and Maric was a grad transfer.
The 2015-16 recruiting class was Wilson, Porter, Key, Bradley, Pagua, Siu, and Zelis. Wilson, Porter, Key, Siu and Pagua all transferred out. Bradley was a four year player.
The other big class that failed to produce was 17-18. Thorpe was a good transfer pick up, but Daow, Marrio Brown, Demorgerantes, Henry Hayes, and Owen Hamilton either transferred or did not produce.
The lack of four year quality players in the program was the demise of Monty.
Hopefully Bruno has better success. That is the key to winng the MAC
|