(12-01-2018 10:29 PM)JMURocks Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 10:08 PM)Mikeyp Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 10:00 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 09:47 PM)Mikeyp Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 09:37 PM)JMad03 Wrote:  IF Houston stays (and I really don't think he will), he has a lot of bridges to mend. I think he needs to do something to his contract or something that would make it almost impossible for him to leave in the next 4-5 years. Otherwise we're just talking about this again next year.

Well ECU dealt with this crap pretty much every year with skip holtz and we kept him as long as he would stay. If you have a coach that wins, keep him as long as you can because you never know what the next coach may bring! Trust me, we know! Best of luck to ya'll!

Just curious because I really don't know, but did Skip Holtz when he was a East Carolina ever come out and state he's talking to other programs...and then, tell one of them he's not coming there because he's pursuing others?

Yes, and he was very open about it. He openly interviewed at Syracuse and a few other places in his 4'th and 5'th year and then finally took the S. Fla. job after his 6th year.

Edit:
I have not heard about Mike Houston saying that he has been pursuing employment at other universities. So no I don't know about that.

This is what Mike Hill (Charlotte AD) stated Houston told him. Houston himself did not say this, but he also did not deny it, and it sounds pretty credible. It’s possible he really wants the App State job, it’s a lot easier to win there and move to a P5 job in a couple years. ECU will likely take some time to turn around. When Houston came to JMU we had an App State like record the year before (9-3) with a not great coach (Withers)

Houston did publically confirm he interviewed with and was interested in the Charlotte job. So it follows that if he didn’t accept it, he was likely waiting/fishing for other (better) jobs.

Was Houston responsible for the initial leaks? Likely not, though there is some speculation his agent may have been. If Charlotte leaked it, someone there is pretty damn stupid (which is a possibility).

A lot of people work in athletic departments. It's impossible to keep things secret. I don't blame Charlotte. Look at JMU's department. Any person could catch wind of an interview and reveal it to any random reporter who puts it on twitter and the cat is out of the bag.

https://jmusports.com/staff.aspx?path=administration

Houston has a right to interview. I seriously doubt that he or his professional "team" was the source of the uncc leak. In fact, I bet he was pretty pissed about it. He handled the situation well after others messed up. My only beef was timing ... and that is no longer an issue.

I for one want him back. That said, if you wanna be mad at him - be mad at him for that dumb*** fake punt call.

Maybe something will change, but it sure feels like the ECU deal was already done (probably well before the game today). Likely Houston's agent has already worked out all the paperwork and the interview is a formality.

ECU flying in tomorrow on a flight with tail number N124PP
Rumored press conference at ECU Monday evening.

Sure does make you wonder if he was really putting his full effort into winning today. Also makes his post-game interview today look like an act.

(12-02-2018 12:30 AM)JMURocks Wrote:  Maybe something will change, but it sure feels like the ECU deal was already done (probably well before the game today). Likely Houston's agent has already worked out all the paperwork and the interview is a formality.

ECU flying in tomorrow on a flight with tail number N124PP
Rumored press conference at ECU Monday evening.

Sure does make you wonder if he was really putting his full effort into winning today. Also makes his post-game interview today look like an act.

I agree. If he is ECU’s coach anytime soon, it’s crystal clear he phoned in today’s game on purpose and his post game and comments this week is nothing but bull****.

Here is the flight landing at Shenandoah tomorrow morning at 9:02 AM:

https://flightaware.com/photos/view/5356...ttype/BE40

You may not like Houston weighing options while still trying to coach the Dukes, but I think EVERYONE that was actually at the game at Colgate sitting directly behind the JMU bench, would agree that Coach was totally engaged and showed absolutely no signs of not doing everything in his power to motivate his players.

Now, if you want to argue the decision to do the fake punt, that is simply a tough decision that has worked 4 times previously (with no failures) with O'Kelly. Was it a gamble? Perhaps. But to imply Houston was doing anything other than coach his heart out is just WRONG.

The only fact that is needed to understand why we lost is .... 5 INTERCEPTIONS.

That was just to much to overcome and Houston had nothing to do with those happening.

clt says Houston has no leverage. Charlotte has moved on, and so has JMU.

One interception was on a Hail Mary to end the first half so let’s call it four interceptions. Still way too many either way. Even with that, we had the ball well into Colgate territory on first down on our last drive and blew it. We should have won the game with a score of some type and did not. Disappointing to say the least.

(12-02-2018 01:25 AM)Oldduke Wrote:  You may not like Houston weighing options while still trying to coach the Dukes, but I think EVERYONE that was actually at the game at Colgate sitting directly behind the JMU bench, would agree that Coach was totally engaged and showed absolutely no signs of not doing everything in his power to motivate his players.

Now, if you want to argue the decision to do the fake punt, that is simply a tough decision that has worked 4 times previously (with no failures) with O'Kelly. Was it a gamble? Perhaps. But to imply Houston was doing anything other than coach his heart out is just WRONG.

The only fact that is needed to understand why we lost is .... 5 INTERCEPTIONS.

That was just to much to overcome and Houston had nothing to do with those happening.

Well said, Oldduke! +1000

I don’t see any way Houston comes back, but if he wants to I say you take him back IF he’s willing to make changes to his contract to reassure recruits. Which probably wouldn’t be much issue if he’s willing to pass up ECU and maybe App State to stay.

I don’t remember all the details, but I’m pretty sure Florida did similar with Billy Donovan when he backed out of the Orlando Magic job in 2007. I remember people talking about how there was no way he was going anywhere any time soon with the new contract(I think some may have been with the Magic preventing him going to any other NBA team), but again I don’t remember the details. He then got the #1 class in 2007 and stayed until 2015 going to two more Elite Eights and a Final Four along the way.

Also, I do think this had an impact on the team today but I probably wouldn’t say Houston phoned it in or anything. The only way you can say he threw the game is if he told DiNucci to throw four picks. We would’ve won if it weren’t for that.

(12-01-2018 10:08 PM)Mikeyp Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 10:00 PM)Wear Purple Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 09:47 PM)Mikeyp Wrote:  

(12-01-2018 09:37 PM)JMad03 Wrote:  IF Houston stays (and I really don't think he will), he has a lot of bridges to mend. I think he needs to do something to his contract or something that would make it almost impossible for him to leave in the next 4-5 years. Otherwise we're just talking about this again next year.

Well ECU dealt with this crap pretty much every year with skip holtz and we kept him as long as he would stay. If you have a coach that wins, keep him as long as you can because you never know what the next coach may bring! Trust me, we know! Best of luck to ya'll!

Just curious because I really don't know, but did Skip Holtz when he was a East Carolina ever come out and state he's talking to other programs...and then, tell one of them he's not coming there because he's pursuing others?

Yes, and he was very open about it. He openly interviewed at Syracuse and a few other places in his 4'th and 5'th year and then finally took the S. Fla. job after his 6th year.

Edit:
I have not heard about Mike Houston saying that he has been pursuing employment at other universities. So no I don't know about that.

Skip Holtz, that was the guy. I came up with Logan, Holtz was who i was trying to come up with.

It’s unfortunately part of the carousel coaches game. These guys (and gals) are glad handing, back slapping and “networking” from day one on whatever gig they may have.

Yea, some will say it’s like any other job where folks do this, but it’s not. These coaches often have a 2-3 yr window or they’re doing one of two things-

Making a shitton of money, or looking for a job. Any job.

I get it. I don’t like it, but I get it.

But, to swerve the subject a bit, this debacle wasn’t due to coaching deficiencies or distractions or bad play calling.
Someone please tell me the last playoff team to lose nearly half their possessions and lose by a last minute FG.
Not hating on the kid, but hating on the performance and decision making.

That was just horrendous. Time to open up a wiiiiiiide field for that position. Taint getting it done. Not even close

(12-01-2018 10:45 PM)RichmondDuke2 Wrote:  Houston has a right to interview. I seriously doubt that he or his professional "team" was the source of the uncc leak. In fact, I bet he was pretty pissed about it. He handled the situation well after others messed up. My only beef was timing ... and that is no longer an issue.

I for one want him back. That said, if you wanna be mad at him - be mad at him for that dumb*** fake punt call.

I'm not sure that the best thing to have said to Charlotte, "I am interested but need to get though this post season before any official interview. I would hope you will respect my desire to give full attention to JMU until our season ends." Why is this so difficult? If you are confident in yourself, no big deal if they say we'll go looking someplace else.

I have empathy for HM because it seems he had a couple phone calls, insisted on confidentiality; then Charlotte violated the trust agreement.

(12-02-2018 01:25 AM)Oldduke Wrote:  You may not like Houston weighing options while still trying to coach the Dukes, but I think EVERYONE that was actually at the game at Colgate sitting directly behind the JMU bench, would agree that Coach was totally engaged and showed absolutely no signs of not doing everything in his power to motivate his players.

Now, if you want to argue the decision to do the fake punt, that is simply a tough decision that has worked 4 times previously (with no failures) with O'Kelly. Was it a gamble? Perhaps. But to imply Houston was doing anything other than coach his heart out is just WRONG.

The only fact that is needed to understand why we lost is .... 5 INTERCEPTIONS.

That was just to much to overcome and Houston had nothing to do with those happening.

Like I’ve said on 2 other threads, Houston had everything to do with those 5 interceptions. An HC in his 3rd season is responsible for:
-recruiting the QBs,
-coaching & developing them (hiring the assistants to do the same)
-instaling a QB as the starter.
-the calling of the plays (whether he or the OC is calling them) that play to the QB’s strengths & minimize his weaknesses.

If the QB fails facing equal to lesser talent,, that’s the HC’s fault for either not coaching & developing him better, or having someone better to put in his place.

(12-02-2018 08:14 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(12-02-2018 01:25 AM)Oldduke Wrote:  You may not like Houston weighing options while still trying to coach the Dukes, but I think EVERYONE that was actually at the game at Colgate sitting directly behind the JMU bench, would agree that Coach was totally engaged and showed absolutely no signs of not doing everything in his power to motivate his players.

Now, if you want to argue the decision to do the fake punt, that is simply a tough decision that has worked 4 times previously (with no failures) with O'Kelly. Was it a gamble? Perhaps. But to imply Houston was doing anything other than coach his heart out is just WRONG.

The only fact that is needed to understand why we lost is .... 5 INTERCEPTIONS.

That was just to much to overcome and Houston had nothing to do with those happening.

Like I’ve said on 2 other threads, Houston had everything to do with those 5 interceptions. An HC in his 3rd season is responsible for:
-recruiting the QBs,
-coaching & developing them (hiring the assistants to do the same)
-instaling a QB as the starter.
-the calling of the plays (whether he or the OC is calling them) that play to the QB’s strengths & minimize his weaknesses.

If the QB fails facing equal to lesser talent,, that’s the HC’s fault for either not coaching & developing him better, or having someone better to put in his place.

Maybe it's based on recent events, but I don't feel all that bad about him leaving.

Houston had everything to do with this loss - and in the last minute.

Total, and I believe intentional, mis-use and non-use of TOs at the end of the game. He stole a chance from the O to drive for the win. Total joke w THREE timeouts remaining.

The only thing I can think of for this is that he just did not want to win - another week and he may have lost the ECU job.

Post game show was guilt more than humility. Followed by crocodile tears.

Effin weak.

(12-02-2018 11:29 PM)bcp_jmu Wrote:  Houston had everything to do with this loss - and in the last minute.

Total, and I believe intentional, mis-use and non-use of TOs at the end of the game. He stole a chance from the O to drive for the win. Total joke w THREE timeouts remaining.

The only thing I can think of for this is that he just did not want to win - another week and he may have lost the ECU job.

Post game show was guilt more than humility. Followed by crocodile tears.

Effin weak.

"I dont know what my future holds for me" but 12 hours from now when ECU flies to the valley I will

(12-03-2018 07:50 AM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  "I dont know what my future holds for me" but 12 hours from now when ECU flies to the valley I will

"I don't know what my future holds for me, but it's a sheer coincidence that ECU flew to Harrisonburg the next morning and then I suddenly got offered their job."

Yeah, his postgame press conference was his final lie to JMU. I can't wait for the next era. Maybe we'll luck out and get a winning coach who can be bothered to stay for 4 years. He's more like Everett Withers than we care to acknowledge. We just accept it more since he won, myself included.

Still a snake oil salesman at the end of the day.

(12-03-2018 07:50 AM)fishingduke12 Wrote:  "I dont know what my future holds for me" but 12 hours from now when ECU flies to the valley I will

“I don’t know what my future holds for me” but when that plane landed and I saw that big a$$ contract we had negotiated last week, I knew just where to sign and that it was “God’s will” ... I expect to spend at least 6 months in Greenville before I start talking with the P5 schools for that job I really really want.

Maybe a few recruits will fall for this bull**** but hopefully most are not dumb.

Bottom line, he will be asking them to join a losing program and give their all for 4 years. If they can turn it around in a year or two, *poof* he’s gone again...