(02-12-2018 06:53 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: edit: never mind. Someone else’s problem. I’d take Tubberville back before AK.
Yep. Tommy's destruction of the football program was largely due to being passive and lazy. Kennedy's destruction of MBB program was active from what I've heard.
Didn’t Kennedy encourage Devon Downey to transfer elsewhere?
The story I always heard was Downey was going to transfer then changed his mind. Then Mick denied his comeback. I don't think those first few years would have been so bad if DD was here. I'm not sure what people were wanting out of AK. He was a babysitter for a year, his hands were tied.
(02-12-2018 06:53 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: edit: never mind. Someone else’s problem. I’d take Tubberville back before AK.
Yep. Tommy's destruction of the football program was largely due to being passive and lazy. Kennedy's destruction of MBB program was active from what I've heard.
Didn’t Kennedy encourage Devon Downey to transfer elsewhere?
(02-12-2018 10:12 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: If he was a babysitter, put nanny cams in the house.
Yeah, part of the baby sitter job for his six figure checks were to make sure the players kept up academically. He looked the other way when many stopped going to class or taking exams, because hey, what did he care if they actually got their degrees? Of course, when the NIT games ran over into the Spring Quarter, several starters ended up ineligible. Whoops!
From what I understand, he also allowed Downey to go on "recruiting visits" to other schools during the season. WTF?
Some people here can all misty eyed about AK if they want, but the guy was an a$$.
(02-12-2018 10:12 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: If he was a babysitter, put nanny cams in the house.
Yeah, part of the baby sitter job for his six figure checks were to make sure the players kept up academically. He looked the other way when many stopped going to class or taking exams, because hey, what did he care if they actually got their degrees? Of course, when the NIT games ran over into the Spring Quarter, several starters ended up ineligible. Whoops!
From what I understand, he also allowed Downey to go on "recruiting visits" to other schools during the season. WTF?
Some people here can all misty eyed about AK if they want, but the guy was an a$$.
I've heard so many differing stories on much of this, I feel like many just have an ax to grind against the guy. I heard from some people I consider reliable on the subject that AK didn't know those 2 were skipping their exams. I don't know which is true, really it doesn't matter.
As far as allowing Downey to go on a recruiting visit, I don't know whether it is true or not, but if so good for him. This is a kid who committed to play for a coach and his coach was fired before he ever stepped foot on campus. If I'm coaching I absolutely allow the kid make an informed decision on what he wants to do the next season even if that includes him checking out another school. Too often the student athletes are the ones we care least about during something like this and that is an awful thing.
The bottom line is this. If AK handled everything exactly like his harshest critics seem to have wanted too, the program still would have been decimated when the next guy came in. AK couldn't recruit and there were two legitimate players on the roster. Even if AK worked his ass off to convince Downey and Ced to stay, said nothing but great things about the administration and the job and personally walked every kid to class, UC would have been facing the same issues. There is no need to demonize the man.
(This post was last modified: 02-13-2018 09:20 AM by bearcatmark.)
(02-12-2018 10:12 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: If he was a babysitter, put nanny cams in the house.
Yeah, part of the baby sitter job for his six figure checks were to make sure the players kept up academically. He looked the other way when many stopped going to class or taking exams, because hey, what did he care if they actually got their degrees? Of course, when the NIT games ran over into the Spring Quarter, several starters ended up ineligible. Whoops!
From what I understand, he also allowed Downey to go on "recruiting visits" to other schools during the season. WTF?
Some people here can all misty eyed about AK if they want, but the guy was an a$$.
I've heard so many differing stories on much of this, I feel like many just have an ax to grind against the guy. I heard from some people I consider reliable on the subject that AK didn't know those 2 were skipping their exams. I don't know which is true, really it doesn't matter.
As far as allowing Downey to go on a recruiting visit, I don't know whether it is true or not, but if so good for him. This is a kid who committed to play for a coach and his coach was fired before he ever stepped foot on campus. If I'm coaching I absolutely allow the kid make an informed decision on what he wants to do the next season even if that includes him checking out another school. Too often the student athletes are the ones we care least about during something like this and that is an awful thing.
The bottom line is this. If AK handled everything exactly like his harshest critics seem to have wanted too, the program still would have been decimated when the next guy came in. AK couldn't recruit and there were two legitimate players on the roster. Even if AK worked his ass off to convince Downey and Ced to stay, said nothing but great things about the administration and the job and personally walked every kid to class, UC would have been facing the same issues. There is no need to demonize the man.
He actively wanted to see UC fail after it was clear they were not going to hire him...him laughing with Huggins about UC further rubbed a few the wrong way. Even if is beef was just with the Zimpher's of the world, he still helped implode UC basketball. I chanted "Hire Andy" during the WVU game and was rooting for him, until some of the uglier stuff and his actions / inaction came to light. No ill will for him on my part but I have no rooting interest him anymore. He was actively a part in creating this divide among UC fans that still lingers to this day and people still demonize him because he helped hurt the Cincinnati brand.
(02-12-2018 10:12 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote: If he was a babysitter, put nanny cams in the house.
Yeah, part of the baby sitter job for his six figure checks were to make sure the players kept up academically. He looked the other way when many stopped going to class or taking exams, because hey, what did he care if they actually got their degrees? Of course, when the NIT games ran over into the Spring Quarter, several starters ended up ineligible. Whoops!
From what I understand, he also allowed Downey to go on "recruiting visits" to other schools during the season. WTF?
Some people here can all misty eyed about AK if they want, but the guy was an a$$.
I've heard so many differing stories on much of this, I feel like many just have an ax to grind against the guy. I heard from some people I consider reliable on the subject that AK didn't know those 2 were skipping their exams. I don't know which is true, really it doesn't matter.
As far as allowing Downey to go on a recruiting visit, I don't know whether it is true or not, but if so good for him. This is a kid who committed to play for a coach and his coach was fired before he ever stepped foot on campus. If I'm coaching I absolutely allow the kid make an informed decision on what he wants to do the next season even if that includes him checking out another school. Too often the student athletes are the ones we care least about during something like this and that is an awful thing.
The bottom line is this. If AK handled everything exactly like his harshest critics seem to have wanted too, the program still would have been decimated when the next guy came in. AK couldn't recruit and there were two legitimate players on the roster. Even if AK worked his ass off to convince Downey and Ced to stay, said nothing but great things about the administration and the job and personally walked every kid to class, UC would have been facing the same issues. There is no need to demonize the man.
I think you're leaving out that AK told people that he wanted UC to fail. Once you know that, all the stuff that happened under his watch looks less like he was a passive participant and more like he was actively doing his best to kill the program. I understand that he's a Huggins guy and thought that UC treated Huggs badly, so some people might not blame Kennedy for wanting UC hoops to suffer. But UC fans aren't likely to see it that way, you know?
Wow, 12 seasons...I'm surprised he lasted that long. Some mid-major program is going to pick up an extremely mediocre coach.
AK is not a mediocre coach. It's not easy recruiting quality talent to Oxford, Mississippi. Kennedy has had as much success there as any Ole Miss coach has ever had.
"Most successful coach in Ole Miss history" absolutely screams mediocre.
(02-13-2018 09:41 AM)SeniorBearcat Wrote: He actively wanted to see UC fail after it was clear they were not going to hire him...him laughing with Huggins about UC further rubbed a few the wrong way. Even if is beef was just with the Zimpher's of the world, he still helped implode UC basketball. I chanted "Hire Andy" during the WVU game and was rooting for him, until some of the uglier stuff and his actions / inaction came to light. No ill will for him on my part but I have no rooting interest him anymore. He was actively a part in creating this divide among UC fans that still lingers to this day and people still demonize him because he helped hurt the Cincinnati brand.
Actively? The only evidence I've heard of that is some alleged after the season dinner where he joked with Huggins about UC that I only know about through some message board conjecture.
Actively part in creating the divide? Really? The divide came because of the outrage over the Huggins firing. The fans that got off board for a few years got off board for that reason. He did far more to keep people on board through coaching his likeable team than anything he did to hurt it. No casual fan has any clue what any of you are talking about when it comes to stuff AK may or may not have done behind closed doors. I know many many casual fans who loved that team and stayed with UC through that tough year because of it. The idea that anything AK did had a negative long term impact on this University is silly.
You ask any casual fan UC fan about AK and they'll say positive things about him and that team. Publicly he was nothing but positive about the University and continued that even after leaving. People act like this alleged event that took place and he ripped on the University is common knowledge and everyone who follows UC heard about and took to heart.
The fact is the program was decimated no matter what AK did. If he actively tried to destroy it or worked tirelessly to save it the next guy would have been dealing with the exact same issues. Throughout the season AK tried to keep people on board, he celebrated the program...that's what the casual fan remembers about AK, not some closed door BS.
(This post was last modified: 02-13-2018 09:57 AM by bearcatmark.)
It became obvious early on that he was a very solid coach, and his subsequent decent record at a dyed-in-the-wool football-first school has borne this out. If he had been hired on a permanent basis, the de facto death penalty would have been avoided, and UC basketball would have been in a better place for years to come. Whether he would still be here, nobody can say.
(This post was last modified: 02-13-2018 10:05 AM by Former Lurker.)
Wow. I see the wounds are still fresh for many on something that happened (in some version or another) over a decade ago. AK is no Pitino, Calipari and the like. If the man was so bad in character (Lord knows none of us are perfect) then how did he last for 12 seasons in Mississippi? Move on folks. Forgive and forget.
(02-13-2018 10:02 AM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: Wow. I see the wounds are still fresh for many on something that happened (in some version or another) over a decade ago. AK is no Pitino, Calipari and the like. If the man was so bad in character (Lord knows none of us are perfect) then how did he last for 12 seasons in Mississippi? Move on folks. Forgive and forget.
For some reason many like to disparage former coaches. I love all things Bearcat, he wasn't the right fit for the program but I'm thankful for his coaching during that god awful time. Mick's own tweet says a lot IMO.
(02-13-2018 09:41 AM)SeniorBearcat Wrote: He actively wanted to see UC fail after it was clear they were not going to hire him...him laughing with Huggins about UC further rubbed a few the wrong way. Even if is beef was just with the Zimpher's of the world, he still helped implode UC basketball. I chanted "Hire Andy" during the WVU game and was rooting for him, until some of the uglier stuff and his actions / inaction came to light. No ill will for him on my part but I have no rooting interest him anymore. He was actively a part in creating this divide among UC fans that still lingers to this day and people still demonize him because he helped hurt the Cincinnati brand.
Actively? The only evidence I've heard of that is some alleged after the season dinner where he joked with Huggins about UC that I only know about through some message board conjecture.
Actively part in creating the divide? Really? The divide came because of the outrage over the Huggins firing. The fans that got off board for a few years got off board for that reason. He did far more to keep people on board through coaching his likeable team than anything he did to hurt it. No casual fan has any clue what any of you are talking about when it comes to stuff AK may or may not have done behind closed doors. I know many many casual fans who loved that team and stayed with UC through that tough year because of it. The idea that anything AK did had a negative long term impact on this University is silly.
You ask any casual fan UC fan about AK and they'll say positive things about him and that team. Publicly he was nothing but positive about the University and continued that even after leaving. People act like this alleged event that took place and he ripped on the University is common knowledge and everyone who follows UC heard about and took to heart.
The fact is the program was decimated no matter what AK did. If he actively tried to destroy it or worked tirelessly to save it the next guy would have been dealing with the exact same issues. Throughout the season AK tried to keep people on board, he celebrated the program...that's what the casual fan remembers about AK, not some closed door BS.
Very well done. Bottom line is that we fans and the players had one last somewhat magical ride that year despite the best efforts of our own administration to cripple the program. Even if you believe he left with a bad taste in his mouth for UC, who can blame him? Ultimately, nobody can destroy something that's already been decimated, not even AK. Case closed imo.
Actively? The only evidence I've heard of that is some alleged after the season dinner where he joked with Huggins about UC that I only know about through some message board conjecture.
Actively part in creating the divide? Really? The divide came because of the outrage over the Huggins firing. The fans that got off board for a few years got off board for that reason. He did far more to keep people on board through coaching his likeable team than anything he did to hurt it. No casual fan has any clue what any of you are talking about when it comes to stuff AK may or may not have done behind closed doors. I know many many casual fans who loved that team and stayed with UC through that tough year because of it. The idea that anything AK did had a negative long term impact on this University is silly.
You ask any casual fan UC fan about AK and they'll say positive things about him and that team. Publicly he was nothing but positive about the University and continued that even after leaving. People act like this alleged event that took place and he ripped on the University is common knowledge and everyone who follows UC heard about and took to heart.
The fact is the program was decimated no matter what AK did. If he actively tried to destroy it or worked tirelessly to save it the next guy would have been dealing with the exact same issues. Throughout the season AK tried to keep people on board, he celebrated the program...that's what the casual fan remembers about AK, not some closed door BS.
Very classy response of Coach Cronin and water under the bridge is a good thing for Cincinnati basketball (winning helps as well ). I said I have no ill will nowadays towards AK but I likewise have no rooting interest in him. I believe he was paid well to do a job that he failed at and then took shots at my University...both publicly and privately (2 of my cousins are Ole Miss grads and VERY connected there) that rub me the wrong way. Cooler heads prevail over time but some people hold grudges longer than others.
Go Bearcats!
(This post was last modified: 02-13-2018 10:52 AM by SeniorBearcat.)
Actively? The only evidence I've heard of that is some alleged after the season dinner where he joked with Huggins about UC that I only know about through some message board conjecture.
Actively part in creating the divide? Really? The divide came because of the outrage over the Huggins firing. The fans that got off board for a few years got off board for that reason. He did far more to keep people on board through coaching his likeable team than anything he did to hurt it. No casual fan has any clue what any of you are talking about when it comes to stuff AK may or may not have done behind closed doors. I know many many casual fans who loved that team and stayed with UC through that tough year because of it. The idea that anything AK did had a negative long term impact on this University is silly.
You ask any casual fan UC fan about AK and they'll say positive things about him and that team. Publicly he was nothing but positive about the University and continued that even after leaving. People act like this alleged event that took place and he ripped on the University is common knowledge and everyone who follows UC heard about and took to heart.
The fact is the program was decimated no matter what AK did. If he actively tried to destroy it or worked tirelessly to save it the next guy would have been dealing with the exact same issues. Throughout the season AK tried to keep people on board, he celebrated the program...that's what the casual fan remembers about AK, not some closed door BS.
Very classy response of Coach Cronin and water under the bridge is a good thing for Cincinnati basketball (winning helps as well ). I said I have no ill will nowadays towards AK but I likewise have no rooting interest in him. I believe he was paid well to do a job that he failed at and then took shoots at my University...both publicly and privately (2 of my cousins are Ole Miss grads and VERY connected there) that rub me the wrong way. Cooler heads prevail over time but some people hold grudges longer than others.
Go Bearcats!
Even if he did joke about hoping that UC did poorly... did he say anything different than 1/3 of the people on this board were saying in 2005? Almost all of them are back now, but it took some people 5 years to be able to cheer for a Cronin-coached UC team.