They're rolling-out the list for this year. They've unveiled 50-25 and a list of "big names" that didn't make the Top 50. I guess they'll drag it out one name at a time for 24-1. A couple of familiar names so far:

No. 47: Bob Hoffman, Mercer
Hoffman has long been a respected member of the coaching fraternity. But it wasn't until March, when his Bears upset Duke (and potential No. 1 pick Jabari Parker) and Nay Nay'd their way into our hearts, that Hoffman crossed over into the mainstream.

No. 37: Rick Byrd, Belmont
Belmont is the best indie act in college hoops, a consistent offensive (and efficiency margin) powerhouse whose lack of a Cinderella run has kept the Bruins, and Byrd, under the radar. But those of us who spend all year obsessing over college hoops know and respect Tennessee's best-kept secret.


Oddly, the other Bruins head coach was #36.


http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=top...s50-25&wjb



Here's something to ponder: Per ESPN, "Which coaches are doing the best job right now?" Consider that:

(1) Mercer went to the NCAA's, Belmont went to the NIT.
(2) Hoffman did something this season in just one try that Byrd failed to do twice in previous seasons . . . beat Duke (Belmont lost to them by 1 point both times . . . once in the NCAA's and once at Duke).
(3) Hoffman also did something this year in a single try that Byrd has failed to do in 7 tries . . . advance in the NCAA's.

So, did Byrd wrongly (not erroneously, but wrongly) get ranked higher than Hoffman? I would say that, historically, Byrd is a better coach than Hoffman. But, did ESPN get it wrong for this particular list? Should Hoffman be ranked hire than Byrd this year because of Mercer's success this past season?

(06-05-2014 01:23 AM)BucSinceTheSixties Wrote:  They're rolling-out the list for this year. They've unveiled 50-25 and a list of "big names" that didn't make the Top 50. I guess they'll drag it out one name at a time for 24-1. A couple of familiar names so far:

No. 47: Bob Hoffman, Mercer
Hoffman has long been a respected member of the coaching fraternity. But it wasn't until March, when his Bears upset Duke (and potential No. 1 pick Jabari Parker) and Nay Nay'd their way into our hearts, that Hoffman crossed over into the mainstream.

No. 37: Rick Byrd, Belmont
Belmont is the best indie act in college hoops, a consistent offensive (and efficiency margin) powerhouse whose lack of a Cinderella run has kept the Bruins, and Byrd, under the radar. But those of us who spend all year obsessing over college hoops know and respect Tennessee's best-kept secret.


Oddly, the other Bruins head coach was #36.


http://espn.go.com/ncb/notebook?page=top...s50-25&wjb



Here's something to ponder: Per ESPN, "Which coaches are doing the best job right now?" Consider that:

(1) Mercer went to the NCAA's, Belmont went to the NIT.
(2) Hoffman did something this season in just one try that Byrd failed to do twice in previous seasons . . . beat Duke (Belmont lost to them by 1 point both times . . . once in the NCAA's and once at Duke).
(3) Hoffman also did something this year in a single try that Byrd has failed to do in 7 tries . . . advance in the NCAA's.

So, did Byrd wrongly (not erroneously, but wrongly) get ranked higher than Hoffman? I would say that, historically, Byrd is a better coach than Hoffman. But, did ESPN get it wrong for this particular list? Should Hoffman be ranked hire than Byrd this year because of Mercer's success this past season?

Just the fact that Byrd is on the list is impressive to me. Hoffman has had a great few years and deserves to be considered. And, he has accomplished something Byrd hasn’t done, so I am okay with those who consider Hoffman ranked higher. It will be interesting to see what Hoffman does this year since he lost so much due to graduation. It will also be interesting to see how his teams do in the new league.

Consider the fact that Bob Hoffman was an assistant to Kelvin Sampson @ Oklahoma when Sampson was found guilty of making illegal calls to recruits and his assistants (which included Hoffman) admitted to helping Kelvin hide the phone records. Somehow, Bob was such a commodity in college coaching he ended up in the NBA Developmental League for a couple of years, and then lands the job @ Mercer.

And somehow, Mercer has ended up w/ some pretty good recruits the past few years, you think?

Honestly I think Byrd is under-ranked in this. I dont think that there are 25 coaches in the country better than him. The fact that he has stayed at Belmont might have hurt him in terms of achieving more success on the national stage. But I would rather have him than most SEC coaches right now.

(06-11-2014 05:13 AM)etsubuc Wrote:  Honestly I think Byrd is under-ranked in this. I dont think that there are 25 coaches in the country better than him. The fact that he has stayed at Belmont might have hurt him in terms of achieving more success on the national stage. But I would rather have him than most SEC coaches right now.

I wholeheartedly agree, etsubuc. I might even take it one step further and say that he's a top-10 coach. He's transformed a NAIA school into a perennial D1 midmajor contender--and done so with integrity and class. When it's all said and done, Byrd will have around 800 total wins. I think Byrd is in the conversation with Coach K, Boeheim, and the like.

While Hoffman has done a stellar job at Mercer, I don't think he's in the same category as Byrd.

(06-11-2014 05:57 AM)Bucfaithful Wrote:  

(06-11-2014 05:13 AM)etsubuc Wrote:  Honestly I think Byrd is under-ranked in this. I dont think that there are 25 coaches in the country better than him. The fact that he has stayed at Belmont might have hurt him in terms of achieving more success on the national stage. But I would rather have him than most SEC coaches right now.

I wholeheartedly agree, etsubuc. I might even take it one step further and say that he's a top-10 coach. He's transformed a NAIA school into a perennial D1 midmajor contender--and done so with integrity and class. When it's all said and done, Byrd will have around 800 total wins. I think Byrd is in the conversation with Coach K, Boeheim, and the like.

While Hoffman has done a stellar job at Mercer, I don't think he's in the same category as Byrd.

I have a ton of respect for Coach Byrd, but I think he will have to make some considerable noise in the tournament to even be considered in any conversation with the Coach K etc. Who knows what Belmont's future holds but you need final four runs and a few rings to be in a conversation with those guys. He may do it but he better get on the stick. If he does, props to him.
But he owns us and always will as long as Bartow is here. I was looking for him on the list. Must have missed him.

You will find Bartow on the 20 win seasons list and nowhere else, because that's all he's strived to achieve. Rick Byrd is a class act, and Hoffman is getting it done class or no class.

Did you all know Byrd is rules committee chairman?

Interesting article:

Comittee to look at upping scoring

Not enamored with HUFF-man. Byrd is a class act.

Rick Byrd retiring:

Byrd announces retirement