The unofficial online home for fans of the University of Cincinnati Bearcats. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

I don't have a full list, but the overwhelming trend with the "former big name" player coming back to coach or be in some type of ownership/management role is mostly not good. Magic Johnson just left his position with the Lakers, and the rumblings are that he wasn't able to put in the grind like the other execs in the league do. He kind of thought his presence alone and being able to lure Lebron was enough for him to justify his job. There is a long list of star players who did not work out or the jury is still out on them...

John Elway, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin, Isaiah Thomas, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Danny Manning, Mike Singletery, etc.

The bottom line is if NVE can coach and people can vet for him on this then maybe he should be considered. But as of now his resume has not qualified him. Being a great player alone is not enough. The other bad part about hiring a legend, is that you may have to fire him which makes an awkward departure, I believe this is one of the reasons the Reds have never hired Barry Larkin as a manager despite him openly asking for it.

I'll be all in on whomever we hire just as I am with all our coaches until they prove they don't deserve it like Tubs. I just completely agree though NVE would be a complete disaster.

(04-10-2019 11:54 AM)jarr Wrote:  I don't have a full list, but the overwhelming trend with the "former big name" player coming back to coach or be in some type of ownership/management role is mostly not good. Magic Johnson just left his position with the Lakers, and the rumblings are that he wasn't able to put in the grind like the other execs in the league do. He kind of thought his presence alone and being able to lure Lebron was enough for him to justify his job. There is a long list of star players who did not work out or the jury is still out on them...

John Elway, Clyde Drexler, Chris Mullin, Isaiah Thomas, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Danny Manning, Mike Singletery, etc.

The bottom line is if NVE can coach and people can vet for him on this then maybe he should be considered. But as of now his resume has not qualified him. Being a great player alone is not enough. The other bad part about hiring a legend, is that you may have to fire him which makes an awkward departure, I believe this is one of the reasons the Reds have never hired Barry Larkin as a manager despite him openly asking for it.

Agreed, unless said candidate has already been successful as a mid-major HC.

John Wooden was an All American player. Larry Bird was a great coach and GM. Jerry West is probably the best GM of all time.

There's no set formula for finding a great coach. Looking for trends is folly.

(04-10-2019 12:17 PM)levydl Wrote:  John Wooden was an All American player. Larry Bird was a great coach and GM. Jerry West is probably the best GM of all time.

There's no set formula for finding a great coach. Looking for trends is folly.

Just to add a few more examples, Steve Yzerman was a hall of fame player and looks like he will end up a hall of fame GM. Vlade Divac is getting the Kings turned around. Some people are hoping we hire Steve Alford. Matt Painter played at Purdue for 4 years and was all big 10. Jim Boeheim played at Syracuse and went to he elite 8. Mike White played for Ole Miss. Travis Ford made the final four at UK. Both the Hurley Brothers were ballers. Johnny Dawkins and Wojo played at Duke. Tony Bennet played a few years in the NBA for Charlotte.

In order to hire Van Exel UC would need some very well connected assistants and I don’t think they have the budget for that

John Elway won a super bowl? Harbaugh has been somewhat successful at Michigan. I do agree though you don't just go for a former player as an alum or former player for that reason alone like many of the names you mentioned.

What intrigues me about NVE is he did win D-League champ which is impressive. But he is around 4 on my list.

(04-10-2019 01:13 PM)skylinecat Wrote:  

(04-10-2019 12:17 PM)levydl Wrote:  John Wooden was an All American player. Larry Bird was a great coach and GM. Jerry West is probably the best GM of all time.

There's no set formula for finding a great coach. Looking for trends is folly.

Just to add a few more examples, Steve Yzerman was a hall of fame player and looks like he will end up a hall of fame GM. Vlade Divac is getting the Kings turned around. Some people are hoping we hire Steve Alford. Matt Painter played at Purdue for 4 years and was all big 10. Jim Boeheim played at Syracuse and went to he elite 8. Mike White played for Ole Miss. Travis Ford made the final four at UK. Both the Hurley Brothers were ballers. Johnny Dawkins and Wojo played at Duke. Tony Bennet played a few years in the NBA for Charlotte.

Tony Bennett has his jersey up in the rafters at Wisconsin-Green Bay and shot 51.9% on 318 3pt attempts in his Junior and Senior years there (crazy to think about honestly). There are going to be exceptions and examples to reinforce any argument...I think having the ability to play the game at a high level definitely helps reinforce a coach's confidence in his scheme and to help rally players, but it's not essential.