(12-23-2010 10:01 PM)insideualr Wrote:  Refer to Jeff's book on this subject. I think the answer is in there.

I really don't need a book. I lived through it. I thought Newell would own this city when he turned down Marquette. By the time he was pushed to go to Lamar he had pissed one too many people off.

Most lower level schools who have coaches who stay for many years are normally not extremely successful. Sort of mediocre.


Hey! What's wrong with that?

(12-23-2010 09:57 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:27 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 08:15 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 07:33 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 05:02 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  A good question. But we have only had seven coaches in D1, and Wimp and Sidney did not continue in college coaching at all, so that leaves five. Steve still here, leaves four. Jury still out on Porter, leaves three - Kestenbaum, Newell and Platt. I don't know why Newell won big here but not later. Hard to figure.

Platt was a terrible coach. I challenged him one night on his radio talk show and he cratered. Newell listened to Billy Tubbs and took the Lamar job, bad decision. Their program was sanctioned and lost $$$. Marquette wanted Newell so bad it was pitiful. He chose the wrong school on the advice of Tubbs.

The Lamar offer came 5 years after the supposed Marquette offer. Absolutely no connection between the 2. Newell left for Lamar because he was told to find another job. The Chancellor finally had enough with reckless spending, players who were let to run loose, and poor academics. Platt was hired because he was the "antiNewell". He was rigid but he brought some needed discipline to the program.

Disagree on the timing of the Marquette offer. My corporate office was in Milwaukee at the time and folks were calling me daily about any rumors regarding what Newell was going to do. Can't disagree about discipline under Newell - still doesn't excuse Platt's lousy job as a coach! You don't think there's a connection between Tubbs and Newell's decision to choose Lamar! Sorry - check your facts!

I don't need to check my facts. Newell was offered the Marquette job after his NCAA defeat of Notre Dame in the 85-86 season. He left for Lamar after the 1990 season. I may not be the brightest guy in the world, but anyone on here will vouch for me knowing my UALR stuff.

Not questioning your brightness! Memories fade with time! Rick Majerus was Marquette's coach from 83 - 86. Don't dispute your assertion that Newell was courted for the job then. When Bob Dukiet left Marquette in '89 they (Marquette) were still interested in Newell. He (Newell) wasn't interested for what ever reason and left in 90 for Lamar. Platt was still a loser!

(12-23-2010 10:10 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:57 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:27 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 08:15 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 07:33 PM)RichHick Wrote:  Platt was a terrible coach. I challenged him one night on his radio talk show and he cratered. Newell listened to Billy Tubbs and took the Lamar job, bad decision. Their program was sanctioned and lost $$$. Marquette wanted Newell so bad it was pitiful. He chose the wrong school on the advice of Tubbs.

The Lamar offer came 5 years after the supposed Marquette offer. Absolutely no connection between the 2. Newell left for Lamar because he was told to find another job. The Chancellor finally had enough with reckless spending, players who were let to run loose, and poor academics. Platt was hired because he was the "antiNewell". He was rigid but he brought some needed discipline to the program.

Disagree on the timing of the Marquette offer. My corporate office was in Milwaukee at the time and folks were calling me daily about any rumors regarding what Newell was going to do. Can't disagree about discipline under Newell - still doesn't excuse Platt's lousy job as a coach! You don't think there's a connection between Tubbs and Newell's decision to choose Lamar! Sorry - check your facts!

I don't need to check my facts. Newell was offered the Marquette job after his NCAA defeat of Notre Dame in the 85-86 season. He left for Lamar after the 1990 season. I may not be the brightest guy in the world, but anyone on here will vouch for me knowing my UALR stuff.

Not questioning your brightness! Memories fade with time! Rick Majerus was Marquette's coach from 83 - 86. Don't dispute your assertion that Newell was courted for the job then. When Bob Dukiet left Marquette in '89 they (Marquette) were still interested in Newell. He (Newell) wasn't interested for what ever reason and left in 90 for Lamar. Platt was still a loser!

Okay. Maybe you have info I didn't have. But from what I heard, Marquette was extremely pissed that Newell led them on after the 86 season and then publicly turned down the job during a tearful TV press conference. Usually those things are done more quietly- ex. a coach requests that his name be withdrawn. So I would find it hard to believe that they came back and offered him the job again 4 years later. But maybe you are right- maybe there was a change in AD's by the time 1990 rolled around. However, no one ever accused Coach Newell of being stupid. Going to Lamar over Marquette would have been beyond stupid no matter what Billy Tubbs said.

(12-23-2010 10:21 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 10:10 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:57 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:27 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 08:15 PM)mjs Wrote:  The Lamar offer came 5 years after the supposed Marquette offer. Absolutely no connection between the 2. Newell left for Lamar because he was told to find another job. The Chancellor finally had enough with reckless spending, players who were let to run loose, and poor academics. Platt was hired because he was the "antiNewell". He was rigid but he brought some needed discipline to the program.

Disagree on the timing of the Marquette offer. My corporate office was in Milwaukee at the time and folks were calling me daily about any rumors regarding what Newell was going to do. Can't disagree about discipline under Newell - still doesn't excuse Platt's lousy job as a coach! You don't think there's a connection between Tubbs and Newell's decision to choose Lamar! Sorry - check your facts!

I don't need to check my facts. Newell was offered the Marquette job after his NCAA defeat of Notre Dame in the 85-86 season. He left for Lamar after the 1990 season. I may not be the brightest guy in the world, but anyone on here will vouch for me knowing my UALR stuff.

Not questioning your brightness! Memories fade with time! Rick Majerus was Marquette's coach from 83 - 86. Don't dispute your assertion that Newell was courted for the job then. When Bob Dukiet left Marquette in '89 they (Marquette) were still interested in Newell. He (Newell) wasn't interested for what ever reason and left in 90 for Lamar. Platt was still a loser!

Okay. Maybe you have info I didn't have. But from what I heard, Marquette was extremely pissed that Newell led them on after the 86 season and then publicly turned down the job during a tearful TV press conference. Usually those things are done more quietly- ex. a coach requests that his name be withdrawn. So I would find it hard to believe that they came back and offered him the job again 4 years later. But maybe you are right- maybe there was a change in AD's by the time 1990 rolled around. However, no one ever accused Coach Newell of being stupid. Going to Lamar over Marquette would have been beyond stupid no matter what Billy Tubbs said.

Amen! The run at Newell the 2nd time was probably low key. Our Corp. law dept. in Milwaukee was loaded with lawyers who got their degrees from Marquette. They were obviously large contributors to the program and were in the know about searches. I'll give you the 86 run at Newell and end here with - peace on earth and goodwill to all men - tis the season - happy holidays! Go Trojans!

(12-23-2010 10:36 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 10:21 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 10:10 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:57 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:27 PM)RichHick Wrote:  Disagree on the timing of the Marquette offer. My corporate office was in Milwaukee at the time and folks were calling me daily about any rumors regarding what Newell was going to do. Can't disagree about discipline under Newell - still doesn't excuse Platt's lousy job as a coach! You don't think there's a connection between Tubbs and Newell's decision to choose Lamar! Sorry - check your facts!

I don't need to check my facts. Newell was offered the Marquette job after his NCAA defeat of Notre Dame in the 85-86 season. He left for Lamar after the 1990 season. I may not be the brightest guy in the world, but anyone on here will vouch for me knowing my UALR stuff.

Not questioning your brightness! Memories fade with time! Rick Majerus was Marquette's coach from 83 - 86. Don't dispute your assertion that Newell was courted for the job then. When Bob Dukiet left Marquette in '89 they (Marquette) were still interested in Newell. He (Newell) wasn't interested for what ever reason and left in 90 for Lamar. Platt was still a loser!

Okay. Maybe you have info I didn't have. But from what I heard, Marquette was extremely pissed that Newell led them on after the 86 season and then publicly turned down the job during a tearful TV press conference. Usually those things are done more quietly- ex. a coach requests that his name be withdrawn. So I would find it hard to believe that they came back and offered him the job again 4 years later. But maybe you are right- maybe there was a change in AD's by the time 1990 rolled around. However, no one ever accused Coach Newell of being stupid. Going to Lamar over Marquette would have been beyond stupid no matter what Billy Tubbs said.

Amen! The run at Newell the 2nd time was probably low key. Our Corp. law dept. in Milwaukee was loaded with lawyers who got their degrees from Marquette. They were obviously large contributors to the program and were in the know about searches. I'll give you the 86 run at Newell and end here with - peace on earth and goodwill to all men - tis the season - happy holidays! Go Trojans!

Didn't mean to get in an argument with you. If Marquette went after Newell a second time, that is really fascinating information and something I never heard before. Just would seem surprising since he turned them down in a public manner once before. Turning down Marquette was a really big mistake (especially if he did it twice), since even if he was unsuccessful there (like he was at Lamar) he could certainly have gotten another midmajor job after being fired by a school like Marquette. You get fired from Lamar where do you go? I guess the answer is U of Monticello.

(12-24-2010 02:14 AM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 10:36 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 10:21 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 10:10 PM)RichHick Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 09:57 PM)mjs Wrote:  I don't need to check my facts. Newell was offered the Marquette job after his NCAA defeat of Notre Dame in the 85-86 season. He left for Lamar after the 1990 season. I may not be the brightest guy in the world, but anyone on here will vouch for me knowing my UALR stuff.

Not questioning your brightness! Memories fade with time! Rick Majerus was Marquette's coach from 83 - 86. Don't dispute your assertion that Newell was courted for the job then. When Bob Dukiet left Marquette in '89 they (Marquette) were still interested in Newell. He (Newell) wasn't interested for what ever reason and left in 90 for Lamar. Platt was still a loser!

Okay. Maybe you have info I didn't have. But from what I heard, Marquette was extremely pissed that Newell led them on after the 86 season and then publicly turned down the job during a tearful TV press conference. Usually those things are done more quietly- ex. a coach requests that his name be withdrawn. So I would find it hard to believe that they came back and offered him the job again 4 years later. But maybe you are right- maybe there was a change in AD's by the time 1990 rolled around. However, no one ever accused Coach Newell of being stupid. Going to Lamar over Marquette would have been beyond stupid no matter what Billy Tubbs said.

Amen! The run at Newell the 2nd time was probably low key. Our Corp. law dept. in Milwaukee was loaded with lawyers who got their degrees from Marquette. They were obviously large contributors to the program and were in the know about searches. I'll give you the 86 run at Newell and end here with - peace on earth and goodwill to all men - tis the season - happy holidays! Go Trojans!

Didn't mean to get in an argument with you. If Marquette went after Newell a second time, that is really fascinating information and something I never heard before. Just would seem surprising since he turned them down in a public manner once before. Turning down Marquette was a really big mistake (especially if he did it twice), since even if he was unsuccessful there (like he was at Lamar) he could certainly have gotten another midmajor job after being fired by a school like Marquette. You get fired from Lamar where do you go? I guess the answer is U of Monticello.

Or selling cars in Shreveport.

RickHick is right about Newell and Platt. Newell told me every successful coach wants his last school to fall flat on its face when they leave. That way it makes them look like a genius. Newell was a good coach. But he was also full of crap. Newell told you Plat was trying to put square pegs in a round hole because that made him look good. Newell did not take the Marquette job because they had no talent coming back. UALR had plenty. Paris McCurdy and Curtis Kidd took UALR to NIT Final Four and Ball State to the sweet 16. That was an easy decision for him. And he played Marquette and and Little Rock and he got a large CASH bonus from local businesses to stay in LR.

Back to the original question. UALR cannot afford an up and coming coach. I assume when you say an up and coming assistant you are talking about a coach from a BCS school. Top assistants at name schools are pulling down at least $200,000 or more a year. Why would a name assistant take a cut in pay (Shields makes $175,000 to $180,000) for more work and more responsibility. Look at Malzahn. He is making a million a year now and he can afford to sit and pick his next job. Midmajor jobs are tough jobs. The stars have to align just right to get the right coach and the right players, especially in this economy.

(12-24-2010 12:46 PM)ez272 Wrote:  RickHick is right about Newell and Platt. Newell told me every successful coach wants his last school to fall flat on its face when they leave. That way it makes them look like a genius. Newell was a good coach. But he was also full of crap. Newell told you Plat was trying to put square pegs in a round hole because that made him look good. Newell did not take the Marquette job because they had no talent coming back. UALR had plenty. Paris McCurdy and Curtis Kidd took UALR to NIT Final Four and Ball State to the sweet 16. That was an easy decision for him. And he played Marquette and and Little Rock and he got a large CASH bonus from local businesses to stay in LR.

Back to the original question. UALR cannot afford an up and coming coach. I assume when you say an up and coming assistant you are talking about a coach from a BCS school. Top assistants at name schools are pulling down at least $200,000 or more a year. Why would a name assistant take a cut in pay (Shields makes $175,000 to $180,000) for more work and more responsibility. Look at Malzahn. He is making a million a year now and he can afford to sit and pick his next job. Midmajor jobs are tough jobs. The stars have to align just right to get the right coach and the right players, especially in this economy.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Assistant at the really good schools are making more than we pay here. Maybe some would consider a pay cut for a head job- but probably not here (that was my point in starting this "graveyard" thread). Doesn't mean that there are not very good assistants at nonBCS schools who would jump at the chance to be a head coach at UALR. But the assumption that a coach like that would suddenly create excitement, media attention, and large crowds in Little Rock is beyond ludicrous.

(12-24-2010 01:15 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 12:46 PM)ez272 Wrote:  RickHick is right about Newell and Platt. Newell told me every successful coach wants his last school to fall flat on its face when they leave. That way it makes them look like a genius. Newell was a good coach. But he was also full of crap. Newell told you Plat was trying to put square pegs in a round hole because that made him look good. Newell did not take the Marquette job because they had no talent coming back. UALR had plenty. Paris McCurdy and Curtis Kidd took UALR to NIT Final Four and Ball State to the sweet 16. That was an easy decision for him. And he played Marquette and and Little Rock and he got a large CASH bonus from local businesses to stay in LR.

Back to the original question. UALR cannot afford an up and coming coach. I assume when you say an up and coming assistant you are talking about a coach from a BCS school. Top assistants at name schools are pulling down at least $200,000 or more a year. Why would a name assistant take a cut in pay (Shields makes $175,000 to $180,000) for more work and more responsibility. Look at Malzahn. He is making a million a year now and he can afford to sit and pick his next job. Midmajor jobs are tough jobs. The stars have to align just right to get the right coach and the right players, especially in this economy.

I was kind of thinking the same thing. Assistant at the really good schools are making more than we pay here. Maybe some would consider a pay cut for a head job- but probably not here (that was my point in starting this "graveyard" thread). Doesn't mean that there are not very good assistants at nonBCS schools who would jump at the chance to be a head coach at UALR. But the assumption that a coach like that would suddenly create excitement, media attention, and large crowds in Little Rock is beyond ludicrous.

What would create all of the excitement, media attention, and large crowds in Little Rock is a putting a product on the floor that is fun to watch, wins a lot of games, and participates in post season play. Whoever can do that, no matter where they came from, will create the above. If those things don't happen, the opposite would happen (or continue) no matter where the coach came from.

That's it in a nutshell PTJR!

(12-23-2010 05:02 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  A good question. But we have only had seven coaches in D1, and Wimp and Sidney did not continue in college coaching at all, so that leaves five. Steve still here, leaves four. Jury still out on Porter, leaves three - Kestenbaum, Newell and Platt. I don't know why Newell won big here but not later. Hard to figure.

I seem to remember that Lamar made him some promises, and then they changed presidents or ad's and promises were not kept. Maybe MJS or PTJR could tell us. I know who could. The ASU fan from Shreveport who lobbied hard for Mike to get the ASU job that went to Brady. LRTrojan knows him. We've talked with him when ASU played here or at the tournament. He flies his own plane to most of their away games. I don't know if he ever gets on our board, but he's a heck of a nice guy and real close to Mike. If anyone except Mike knows the story, he will.

(12-24-2010 04:54 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 05:02 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  A good question. But we have only had seven coaches in D1, and Wimp and Sidney did not continue in college coaching at all, so that leaves five. Steve still here, leaves four. Jury still out on Porter, leaves three - Kestenbaum, Newell and Platt. I don't know why Newell won big here but not later. Hard to figure.

I seem to remember that Lamar made him some promises, and then they changed presidents or ad's and promises were not kept. Maybe MJS or PTJR could tell us. I know who could. The ASU fan from Shreveport who lobbied hard for Mike to get the ASU job that went to Brady. LRTrojan knows him. We've talked with him when ASU played here or at the tournament. He flies his own plane to most of their away games. I don't know if he ever gets on our board, but he's a heck of a nice guy and real close to Mike. If anyone except Mike knows the story, he will.

From what I recall there was a writer in Beaumont who was not enamored with Newell's BS and would call him on it. He was a friend of Mike Hamrick and I remember Hamrick showing me some of the editorials the guy wrote. Pretty much "outed" him with regard to why he left Little Rock and the shape he left our athletic program in. Wouldn't buy into Newell's hype- ex. BJ McClendon being the best recruit to ever come out of Arkansas. When you have a powerful writer (ex. Wally Hall) against you it makes it hard. I think it hurt Newell's credibility and he quickly lost the support of the boosters at Lamar despite his recommendation from Billy Tubbs.

(12-24-2010 05:12 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 04:54 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 05:02 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  A good question. But we have only had seven coaches in D1, and Wimp and Sidney did not continue in college coaching at all, so that leaves five. Steve still here, leaves four. Jury still out on Porter, leaves three - Kestenbaum, Newell and Platt. I don't know why Newell won big here but not later. Hard to figure.

I seem to remember that Lamar made him some promises, and then they changed presidents or ad's and promises were not kept. Maybe MJS or PTJR could tell us. I know who could. The ASU fan from Shreveport who lobbied hard for Mike to get the ASU job that went to Brady. LRTrojan knows him. We've talked with him when ASU played here or at the tournament. He flies his own plane to most of their away games. I don't know if he ever gets on our board, but he's a heck of a nice guy and real close to Mike. If anyone except Mike knows the story, he will.

From what I recall there was a writer in Beaumont who was not enamored with Newell's BS and would call him on it. He was a friend of Mike Hamrick and I remember Hamrick showing me some of the editorials the guy wrote. Pretty much "outed" him with regard to why he left Little Rock and the shape he left our athletic program in. Wouldn't buy into Newell's hype- ex. BJ McClendon being the best recruit to ever come out of Arkansas. When you have a powerful writer (ex. Wally Hall) against you it makes it hard. I think it hurt Newell's credibility and he quickly lost the support of the boosters at Lamar despite his recommendation from Billy Tubbs.

I also remember being amused by the articles that Hamrick showed us. And I suppose when you use the term "powerful writer" in reference to Hall that you mean someone in a postion to have a lot of readers, not necessarily an eloquent writer.

(12-24-2010 05:23 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 05:12 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 04:54 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 05:02 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  A good question. But we have only had seven coaches in D1, and Wimp and Sidney did not continue in college coaching at all, so that leaves five. Steve still here, leaves four. Jury still out on Porter, leaves three - Kestenbaum, Newell and Platt. I don't know why Newell won big here but not later. Hard to figure.

I seem to remember that Lamar made him some promises, and then they changed presidents or ad's and promises were not kept. Maybe MJS or PTJR could tell us. I know who could. The ASU fan from Shreveport who lobbied hard for Mike to get the ASU job that went to Brady. LRTrojan knows him. We've talked with him when ASU played here or at the tournament. He flies his own plane to most of their away games. I don't know if he ever gets on our board, but he's a heck of a nice guy and real close to Mike. If anyone except Mike knows the story, he will.

From what I recall there was a writer in Beaumont who was not enamored with Newell's BS and would call him on it. He was a friend of Mike Hamrick and I remember Hamrick showing me some of the editorials the guy wrote. Pretty much "outed" him with regard to why he left Little Rock and the shape he left our athletic program in. Wouldn't buy into Newell's hype- ex. BJ McClendon being the best recruit to ever come out of Arkansas. When you have a powerful writer (ex. Wally Hall) against you it makes it hard. I think it hurt Newell's credibility and he quickly lost the support of the boosters at Lamar despite his recommendation from Billy Tubbs.

I also remember being amused by the articles that Hamrick showed us. And I suppose when you use the term "powerful writer" in reference to Hall that you mean someone in a postion to have a lot of readers, not necessarily an eloquent writer.

Exactly. He is the editorial writer on the sports page of a paper that goes State wide. Not many like that these days. Like him or not he does have a lot of readers.

(12-24-2010 07:09 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 05:23 PM)PTJR Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 05:12 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-24-2010 04:54 PM)outsideualr Wrote:  

(12-23-2010 05:02 PM)MICHAELSPAPPY Wrote:  A good question. But we have only had seven coaches in D1, and Wimp and Sidney did not continue in college coaching at all, so that leaves five. Steve still here, leaves four. Jury still out on Porter, leaves three - Kestenbaum, Newell and Platt. I don't know why Newell won big here but not later. Hard to figure.

I seem to remember that Lamar made him some promises, and then they changed presidents or ad's and promises were not kept. Maybe MJS or PTJR could tell us. I know who could. The ASU fan from Shreveport who lobbied hard for Mike to get the ASU job that went to Brady. LRTrojan knows him. We've talked with him when ASU played here or at the tournament. He flies his own plane to most of their away games. I don't know if he ever gets on our board, but he's a heck of a nice guy and real close to Mike. If anyone except Mike knows the story, he will.

From what I recall there was a writer in Beaumont who was not enamored with Newell's BS and would call him on it. He was a friend of Mike Hamrick and I remember Hamrick showing me some of the editorials the guy wrote. Pretty much "outed" him with regard to why he left Little Rock and the shape he left our athletic program in. Wouldn't buy into Newell's hype- ex. BJ McClendon being the best recruit to ever come out of Arkansas. When you have a powerful writer (ex. Wally Hall) against you it makes it hard. I think it hurt Newell's credibility and he quickly lost the support of the boosters at Lamar despite his recommendation from Billy Tubbs.

I also remember being amused by the articles that Hamrick showed us. And I suppose when you use the term "powerful writer" in reference to Hall that you mean someone in a postion to have a lot of readers, not necessarily an eloquent writer.

Exactly. He is the editorial writer on the sports page of a paper that goes State wide. Not many like that these days. Like him or not he does have a lot of readers.

Have you ever actually met any reasonably educated person, outside of maybe his drinking and running buddies, that actually thinks the guy is a good writer?

if this job were to open up there would be plenty of coaches that could take it tothe ncaa lined up to take it. the are about 350 d1 jobs. plenty of bcs asisstants would take a cut in pay tohave a chane to make it .

(12-25-2010 03:43 PM)insideualr Wrote:  if this job were to open up there would be plenty of coaches that could take it tothe ncaa lined up to take it. the are about 350 d1 jobs. plenty of bcs asisstants would take a cut in pay tohave a chane to make it .

You're right. Some would and some wouldn't. I do agree that it would be exciting to me, and I'm sure others on this board, to go through a real coaching search. Unfortunately, the vast majority of folks in Little Rock couldn't care less. Hiring an assistant would bring a collective yawn from the folks in Central Arkansas. However, we already found that hiring a legend (Sidney) did not help us and hiring a well-known, successful retread (Wimp) was only marginally successful. So I would assume that if we do have an opening in the future. we will likely go the assistant route. At this point I feel that we will do relatively well in conference this year, and Steve will be in a position to take us to the next level next season with Will Neighbour and the other recruits.

At this point I feel that we will do relatively well in conference this year, and Steve will be in a position to take us to the next level next season with Will Neighbour and the other recruits.
[/quote]


Unless we don't recruit a shooting guard.

(12-25-2010 04:53 PM)mjs Wrote:  

(12-25-2010 03:43 PM)insideualr Wrote:  if this job were to open up there would be plenty of coaches that could take it tothe ncaa lined up to take it. the are about 350 d1 jobs. plenty of bcs asisstants would take a cut in pay tohave a chane to make it .

You're right. Some would and some wouldn't. I do agree that it would be exciting to me, and I'm sure others on this board, to go through a real coaching search. Unfortunately, the vast majority of folks in Little Rock couldn't care less. Hiring an assistant would bring a collective yawn from the folks in Central Arkansas. However, we already found that hiring a legend (Sidney) did not help us and hiring a well-known, successful retread (Wimp) was only marginally successful. So I would assume that if we do have an opening in the future. we will likely go the assistant route. At this point I feel that we will do relatively well in conference this year, and Steve will be in a position to take us to the next level next season with Will Neighbour and the other recruits.

Since we have been following the team MJS, and that's pretty much for the entire Division I history of the program, only the guy who won and took the team to postseason has gotten the community fired up. I don't care if Coach K came in here. If he put a medicore product on the floor that wasn't fun to watch and didn't go to post season play, there would be nothing but a yawn from the community.

Newell is the only coach that we have ever had that did all three things: WIN at lot, FUN to watch, and regularly took the program to POST SEASON PLAY. Community support was really pretty remarkable when he was doing all of those things. I have no doubt that it would be again for any coach who did the same, whether initially his name was known or not.