[TIMSCAR20]

I tried to stay out of this thread (was it obvious?) and I survived 12 pages and about a weeks worth of posts but I have to say something about the recruiting. I think if we had any post play whatsoever that we would all have a much better appreciation for what Rell Porter brings to this team. Also Damien Hubbard and Anthony Smith are really good players. Doug Stewart has shown signs even though he is a 3 man playing the 5! Russell's not being ready to play at this level at this point in his career has tainted how you guys feel about him but I still think he will help this program win someday soon. And what about Dees and Miller? Good players that were recruited and signed by Liberty. Unfortunately things didn't work out for those guys here for whatever reason but I think it is not fair to say we have not or do not have players. If we even had a Glyn Turner or a Jason Sarchett or Louvon Sneed in the middle right now things would be different especially in conference play. As far as the current coaching staff, I hold Chuck Martin, Zach Jones and Alexis Sherrard in high regard as I have been to many practices and have sat with each of them and watched them do their jobs. I know they are good at what they do. I told you guys I don't like to hype recruits until they hit the floor that is why I didn't say too much about Anthony Smith until pre-season. Dwight Brewington seems to be special. We will find out next winter. Again, there is a lot of hoops to be played this season and there are still goals that can be met, like making the Big South tournament and even trying to make a big run at a 4 seed and possibly getting a home game, although the margin of error on the latter is slim. My 2 cents.

[Hold My Own]

Scar, I'm glad to see you post b/c most people know your past and you've had the opportunity to know and work for or play under the two of the main coach's that are being discussed and stay in contact with those from the past, therefore I think your opinion is as unbiased as it comes and people recognize it and will listen

[fsn32]

Scar,

I have tried to stay out of this as well but I wanted to add one final point. I have friends that are on both sides of this issue and I find myself hearing all kinds of stories and opinions, many out in the Living Room and others on here (since I know who some of the people are on here and assuming I am right on who some of the others are.)

The point is that there can be division and sometimes bad feelings in any environment... but that shouldn't affect our support of the uniform. I have known every person involved with Liberty basketball for 10 years and in my dealings I have never had a personal problem with anyone. Disagreements? Sure. Did they get worked out? Absolutely. Have there been many? Nope.

(Everyone seems to be using this method of asking themselves questions and answering their own question, so I thought I would too )

Ultimately, God is not going to honor anything that is not honoring Him. Having one bad year is not judgment, but in the long run this program, and any program, will be accountable. So as long as the coaches and players keep their focus on Him they will come out of this valley and will regain success. It is not for us to judge the hearts of men... if there are issues they will come to the surface. If not, this year will just be a hick-up and we can look back on it as a building block.

If anything, this board has taught me to take everything said with a grain of salt and that we all seem to live in a "Two Story" house. That's fine, these type of confrontations only make us stronger.

[bigsmooth]

again there are two factions...dunton supporters and dunton haters. i myself have much respect for coach D. i think he has addressed every criticism, and all of this should be dropped. this is a board for people to post their thoughts and for people to debate, but a lot of people have really taken things over the top, and their tones are quite malicious. let's not lose our testimony here guys. the bottom line there are two factions, it will not change. Coach D is our guy, either support him or not. do not lose sight on our players who need our support too. this board will be here for a long time, so everyone should just know that when teams struggle, the coaching situation will come up, and it will usually heat up. i think sometimes we take things a bit personal including myself, and when we disagree, lets step back form the keyboard and think a bit and not be malicious. let's get behind our coach and players and support the flames down the stretch.

[Rocketfan]

Scar, normally i agree with just about everything you post, but i got to disagree with you on just one small point. Glyn turner playing the 5 right now would not translate into more wins for the program. I get your point about post play with Sarchet and Sneed, but I think Turner is taking things a bit to far.

[Rocketfan]

Good post, appreciate you honesty. My only question is if you attend all these things and don't agree with the direction of the program, why not take coach up on his invite for lunch? If you disagree, fine but maybe the direction of this team can be better explained better one on one. Coach isn't scared about responding to negative comments as we have seen here, and he might give you the answers you are looking for (whatever those may be). Maybe i am crazy but, if am investing money into something but don't understand the direction of my funds, i am going to ask questions not " keep my negativity more private" - what good does bottling it up do for you or the program in the end? Just my thought, not trying to be inconsiderate by any means.

[Hold My Own]

Scar, normally i agree with just about everything you post, but i got to disagree with you on just one small point. Glyn turner playing the 5 right now would not translate into more wins for the program. I get your point about post play with Sarchet and Sneed, but I think Turner is taking things a bit to far.

I dunno man, I think if your willing to take Sneed then you should be willing to take Turner I havent looked at the numbers in years but I dont think there would be a huge difference, not to mention how physical Glyn was...I think back to the VMI game and the points in the paint, Glyn may have fouled out within the first 5 minutes but they would have known he was there...heck I'd take Rashad from last year at this point.....ALRITE ALRITE now i'm reachin

[TDDance2345]

heck I'd take Rashad from last year at this point.....ALRITE ALRITE now i'm reachin

Don't cuss like that..

[PAmedic]

wow- you guys outdid yourselves on this one, and w/out my help.

the only thing I'll add is to echo the sentiments of those who advocate that you guys who are interested please take Coach D up on his invite to lunch or a sit-down convo.

You may then agree to disagree- but from experience, I can tell you that a mere 3 minutes w/ this guy will tell you what you need to know to understand his drive and passion for LU MBB.

He is a very empassioned man, and I respect for him for sharing that with me personally.

GO FLAMES! (I shall now rest my eyes for the remainder of the day!)

[belcherboy]

I know my post is the first one on here and I'm now back 13 pages later. I don't know Coach Dunton personally and absolutely don't hate him. To come as far as he has, he must be a brilliant coach, but he has a job to do. If my car mechanic doesn't do a good job, I don't hate him, I just go somewhere else. If I have a salesman who is doing poorly, it doesn't mean I hate him or am unsupportive of him, it just means that he has to meet my expectations or find employment elsewhere. I would not advocate firing Dunton, but I would advocate accountability and an examination of his program due to such a horrible season. Is it time to think about a different direction and if not when is the right time? I support the team and the coach, but want to see a program that is the elite of a weak conference like the Big South. I can't tell you how AWESOME it is to see Coach Dunton respond to our concerns on this board. I think he truly wants to see a big change in our program, but I don't want to see our program become the laughingstock of the nation again. Again, I hope Coach D puts up some big wins this season and the following seasons, but I don't want to see another single digit win season in the upcoming years. Not necessarily a winning season but we should have a minimum of 12-15 wins a season especially when playing in the Big South. If the dreams of Dr. Falwell will ever come true (i.e. the equivalent of BYU or ND) than we have GOT to outgrow the Big South. The only way that happens is by winning 80-90% of your Big South games. We are several steps away from that right now in Mens BB. Just my 2 cents.

Coach D, I wish you the best and hope to be praising you 20 years from now as our head coach!! (hopefully with you hoisting a national championship trophy)

[Guest]

belcherboy-it is great to read a post that is laced with the proper perspective on NCAA div. I
athletics. Believe me...the number #1 things in Liberty basketball is winning. A player is
recruited here to help us do one thing WIN. Do I think it is a process to establish a program
with a year in year out structure to sustain the levels needed to perform? Why is Wake Forest
1-8 and Notre Dame 1-8? A winning team is dependent on the people who work in that en-
vironment. Success is not about a team's technical resources; it is about the human
resources. At Liberty the first hurdle is to create a culture where the pursuit of victory is
#1. Unfortunately this was not accomplished in my first three years. Attitudes that prioritize
others competing (although important) virtues needed to be purged. Players and coaches
need to know that our efforts are to build a winner. I am confident the structure and
perspective of the people will produce a commitment to take the next step. Unlike some of
you I view our program like the stock market taking a dip on a down turn. Some of you
choose to write the obituary but we are not obligated to die. Don't sell your stock the
closing bell has not rung yet. It is great to be a Flame and I look forward to working with
you to get the job done!

[coachdunton]

I find it tough to log in correctly--sorry-rd

[jcmanson]

Hey coach,
God bless tonight. I am confident that you will have the boys ready to play.

[prototype]

I would not advocate firing Dunton, but I would advocate accountability and an examination of his program due to such a horrible season. Is it time to think about a different direction and if not when is the right time? I support the team and the coach, but want to see a program that is the elite of a weak conference like the Big South.

This posting hit me two ways - when I first read it, it fired me up and then later, I felt like he was a huge supporter of Coach D. Well the first part won the fight and this posting bothers me. Who are we to judge and say that Coach D needs accountability? Coach D has been great for this program and is quickly developing this program to the top of the Big South. So we didn't win this year - SO WHAT - most every team has to go through a rebuilding period. Coach D. lost a lot when Rashad, Monceaux, Dees, Lightbourne, Turner, Woodson either left or Graduated. He has replaced his whole staff, making them one of the best in the Big South. But let's be serious when everyone wants to evaluate - what would you do? Would you be able to anything better? Doubt it. Coach has a young team with little experience. We need to be patient - so Coach can be patient. He will never be able build a program if he has one bad season and everyone's calling for his head. I'm not sure what everyone was expecting - us to win 90% of our Games and just buck all history by having the most fully developed, ready to step in Freshman and Transfers. Coach D and his staff have worked out getting the biggest transfer in LU history to play next year, has other players coming in that will be able to play along side Blair, Smith and crew.

Coach D. - Keep up the good work. Winning at the Division 1 level is not easy - it's not just standing on the sidelines calling timeouts for the players to get breathers. It's the ability to recruit (Dunton has proven that he can bring in talent), the ability to lead (Dunton has done tremendous things with such a young squad, the ability to take criticism (Do I even have to answer this one - he answers questions on this board), the ability to juggle administrative functions and family life (Coach D is the only person I know that can live on 3 hours of sleep).

[TDDance234]

I'd love to take Coach up on his lunch offer.... to pick his brain as a coach to a (hopefully) future coach in myself.

[Guest]

This posting hit me two ways - when I first read it, it fired me up and then later, I felt like he was a huge supporter of Coach D. Well the first part won the fight and this posting bothers me. Who are we to judge and say that Coach D needs accountability?

We are the Alumni. The ones who have spent our money at their school. The ones who they want us to send our kids to their school. Again, it is a BUSINESS. If Liberty is losing money each year due to poor business practices, should their not be some accountability? I think Dunton has done a good job here, but a program with the aspirations that its Chancellor has sold to the student body and donors cannot have multiple seasons like this one. We are not playing in the ACC, Big East, Big Ten, etc. A rebuilding year for a program like Liberty in the Big South should be middle top end IMO. We have fallen well short this year so far. (I'm still hoping for the best)

Coach D has been great for this program and is quickly developing this program to the top of the Big South. So we didn't win this year - SO WHAT - most every team has to go through a rebuilding period. Coach D. lost a lot when Rashad, Monceaux, Dees, Lightbourne, Turner, Woodson either left or Graduated.

I agree that he has lost a lot. I can't follow the program very good from 600 miles away, but I just want the assurance that one year in single digits is all. From what I have read from message boards and scouting things, I'm optimistic about next year. But what if we do have another year like this one, is that the time or does he get another year? (Which I am not opposed to giving Coach D at least 2 more years after this one)

He has replaced his whole staff, making them one of the best in the Big South. But let's be serious when everyone wants to evaluate - what would you do? Would you be able to anything better? Doubt it.

What does it matter what I would do? It doesn't matter because I don't have the job, I just support the program. I intend on sending my kids there (I don't have any yet though). I talk to everyone of the kids in my middle and high schools and on my basketball team about attending Liberty (I coach a varsity basketball team, none of which could play ball there). I want to brag about how our team has gone to the NCAA tourney several years and is an exciting place to play or watch athletics. What we are experiencing right now makes me nervous. Kids that are sports oriented only know of Liberty athletics because of the girls BB team. Men's basketball has still got a pretty good rep, I just don't want it to get the rep the football program has gotten over the past few years. (or lack of because no one knows about them, hopefully this new coach will change that)

Coach has a young team with little experience. We need to be patient - so Coach can be patient. He will never be able build a program if he has one bad season and everyone's calling for his head. I'm not sure what everyone was expecting - us to win 90% of our Games

I'll be the first to say I expect too much out of my pro, college and high school teams, but I just don't see why we can't win 80-90% of our Big South games in the near future. Again, my belief is that Liberty has too big of dreams for the Big South Conference. I hope I'm right!

Coach D and his staff have worked out getting the biggest transfer in LU history to play next year, has other players coming in that will be able to play along side Blair, Smith and crew.

That is what I like to hear!

Coach D. - Keep up the good work. Winning at the Division 1 level is not easy - it's not just standing on the sidelines calling timeouts for the players to get breathers. It's the ability to recruit (Dunton has proven that he can bring in talent), the ability to lead (Dunton has done tremendous things with such a young squad, the ability to take criticism (Do I even have to answer this one - he answers questions on this board), the ability to juggle administrative functions and family life (Coach D is the only person I know that can live on 3 hours of sleep).

I just find this a little condescending. I think most know that coaching Division 1 is not just about standing on the sideline knowing when to call timeouts. Coach D obviously has the ability and talent to coach at the D-I level. It doesn't mean he is immune to failure. I will support him, but will question him (or any Liberty Head coach) when they have a season where they are at or below 10 wins and among the bottom 30 in the RPI (bottom 10% of all teams).

Again, I was a student and remember when Coach D took over for Coach Myers back in the late 90's and thought he was more than qualified to head up this team. I had several friends on the team that spoke highly of him and thought he could take the program to the next level. I still think he can, I just want a quality program and that can only be achieved (in my opinion) by a team who wins the vast majority of its conference games in the Big South (and a BS championship about every other year). Again, just my 2 cents.

[belcherboy]

by the way, the above comments is me. I guess I too have problems signing in!! (although I know I did sign in!!)

[LUconn]

Well, I tried to not post in here hoping it would die but since it won't I'll add this:

Conference games are never going to be a cake walk. The programs and coaches know eachother too well for a team to clean up like some of you are expecting. Winthrop could be one of the best teams this conference has ever seen (I'm not saying they are because I've not been following it long enough to make that call) and they've lost twice this year already. Every game is going to be a battle. So when you're rebuilding, throw in a few injuries and transfers and it's very difficult to do so in the middle of the league.

[TallyW]

Belcher, I feel your pain.

[belcherboy]

Winthrop could be one of the best teams this conference has ever seen (I'm not saying they are because I've not been following it long enough to make that call) and they've lost twice this year already. Every game is going to be a battle. So when you're rebuilding, throw in a few injuries and transfers and it's very difficult to do so in the middle of the league.

I think Winthrop kind of proves my point. Why aren't we achieving the success that Winthrop has? Who has gone to he NCAA tourney from the Big South 5 of the past 7 years? Winthrop. They don't have to rebuild in the Big South, with that domination they can easily reload. They have positioned themselves to be picked up by a bigger conference. They always seem to be top 3 in the conference. I think it will be an upset if they don't go again this year. If they do, 6 championships out of every 8 years is the dominance it will take to become a legit sweet 16 contender. It will bring in recruits and get your name to just about every recruit out there. Liberty can be that type of team. Liberty will have to be that type of team if they want to be considered in the same breath as BYU or ND.

Again, I don't want to poo poo Liberty and Coach D in any way. I wish them the best and really want us to take that next step. I hope Coach D can do it!

[Sly Fox]

Perhaps we need to have Coach start a new thread so we can put this one to bed. I wince everytime I come to this forum and see this thread lit up.

Thanks for showing some passion, belcherboy.

[thesportscritic]

can't we just lock this thread already?!!

[PAmedic]

chill dude- thats what this forum is about. SLY will lock it down if it gets outta hand.

[Hold My Own]

Yeh somebody better check on Sly he was getting a headache on page 3...he may be jamming pens through his eyeballs so he doesnt have to look at this anymore

[thesportscritic]

chill dude- thats what this forum is about. SLY will lock it down if it gets outta hand.

I'll try