[Th3rd]

idk, JVP is a great player and we can use his size, i want a great coach as much as anyone, but at what cost? Say we get a great coach and both Carter and Jesse decide that they don't like him and transfer, was it worth it?

[SuperJon]

i know he loves it here, but from what i have heard he wants soucie as head coach.... which is why i am worried if soucie leaves does that mean he leaves as well

Of course he wants Soucie. He knows Soucie. He doesn't know the new guy yet.

And as much as you guys love Joel Vander Pol, and as good as he could potentially be, he's not the end all be all of college basketball.

A great coach once told me "everyone is replaceable, even me."

[Schfourteenteen]

The fact of the matter is this: Jeff Barber has been bringing in great coaches thus far. He hasnt brought one in that has been a failure. Sure maybe not everyone likes the coaches, but the coaches have turned programs around for the better.

Did Barber bring in the Womens Soccer coach?

[Th3rd]

i know he loves it here, but from what i have heard he wants soucie as head coach.... which is why i am worried if soucie leaves does that mean he leaves as well

Of course he wants Soucie. He knows Soucie. He doesn't know the new guy yet.

And as much as you guys love Joel Vander Pol, and as good as he could potentially be, he's not the end all be all of college basketball.

A great coach once told "me everyone is replaceable, even me."

great quote, but the quotations are off SJ, and yea i realize he isn't the be all end all, just like Seth isn't, just was wondering what it would mean for JVP's decision if Soucie left

[SuperJon]

Could mean everything.

Could mean nothing.


All depends on who we bring in.

[Th3rd]

Yea, I'm almost to the point where i am done with talking college basketball, and will be moving on to bigger and brighter things.. aka football

haha

[jinxy]

I mean I think getting the right coach is more important than any players. If we get a coach that wont screw us over and will continue to advance the program we wont have to worry constantly about losing players, gainging players, scouting new players, I dont know about you but it gets old seeing a new target pop up everyday. I mean usually you dont get good players this late in the signing class unless they have been released from letter of intents because of coaching changes. I def. dont think you base a coach off of Vander Pol, I mean big men are sheerly based on potential so it's just as likely he could be another bust. I would certainly like to have him, but i dont think you hinge that on the coaching decision

[Hold My Own]

under RMK JVP was going to redshirt anyways so if the new coaching see's things the same way JVP does then next year with JVP wont be happening it would be in 2 years

[flames1971]

you guys are not getting the point, Layer was fired by Colorado State on March 12th, 2007. His career record at Colorado State as a Head Coach was 103-106, and was only 31-71 in conference play After taking over for Mckay. After Mckay pick up and left Colorado state for a better job, sounds familar doesnt it[/b] Layer is not a Good head coach, which hes proven at Colorado state going 103-106 and 31-71, What makes you all think he will do better at Liberty with allot less resources and talent then he had colorado state. I do believe soucie and Layer are good assistant coaches, but thats all they are. Plus its clear that, its a matter of time when Mckay will get another shot at head coach at a bigger school and when that happens Layer and Soucie will Leave Liberty and Go with Mckay.If we loose Recruits and current players transfer, then so be it we will be much better with a new coach and staff. We want a head coach like Danny Rocco who truly beliieves in LU and has a passion for Liberty, not just somebody using us to get a better Job. What makes you think Soucie can even be a good Head Coach anyway, hes always been in Mckays Shadow. I pray that Jeff Barber not only gets a great coach, but somebody who will truly wants to be here for more than 2 seasons.

I agree- like Carey Green!

[ToTheLeft]

The fact of the matter is this: Jeff Barber has been bringing in great coaches thus far. He hasnt brought one in that has been a failure. Sure maybe not everyone likes the coaches, but the coaches have turned programs around for the better.

Did Barber bring in the Womens Soccer coach?

What was a new coach supposed to do with the program? I mean really... Toman and Ritchie were good hires and you can't deny that.

[flames1971]

The fact of the matter is this: Jeff Barber has been bringing in great coaches thus far. He hasnt brought one in that has been a failure. Sure maybe not everyone likes the coaches, but the coaches have turned programs around for the better.

Did Barber bring in the Womens Soccer coach?

I think so- but hey- give her a year or two and we'll have the best program ever

On second thought................

[JK37]

Having to secure a new head coach 2 seasons after is certainly taxing. But in reading these last 25 pages (on my Blackberry), there is one reassuring silver lining.

You guys are only speaking with any decisiveness about 2 candidates. One would be the only potential for an in-house hire, and the other apparently shared his cell # with HMO when he went to Marquette. 20+ individuals have expressed interest in this position, and more than half of those names do not show up in this thread once.

Previously, the open discussion on this board of potentially sensitive material would cloud a situation of this nature. I believe the absence of information "leaks" is a testament to the professionalism of LU's athletic department, as well as the success that JB will have with this hiring. As general fans, we may wish we knew more, but maybe we should consider our lack of info a good sign.

In addition, the volume of talent and quality in this interest pool dwarfs that of the pool just 2 years ago. You can hate the way in which RMK severed ties, but he unequivocally left us better than he found us.

[belcherboy]

In addition, the volume of talent and quality in this interest pool dwarfs that of the pool just 2 years ago. You can hate the way in which RMK severed ties, but he unequivocally left us better than he found us.

I would TOTALLY agree from a publicity standpoint. We got more ESPN time because of RMK and Curry than probably in the history of our school. (by ESPN time I'm talking about PTI, Dick Vitale, Sportscenter, etc.) I'm sure there are more than a few people who would give us a serious look at getting into this program now, that may have not known we really existed before.

As for the players he left us with, I don't think we are worse than when RMK came, but I'm not sure we are noticeably better. I'm sure the locals can give a better analysis of this, but it seems like we are going to be in the bottom half of the league, unless some new talent comes in here.

[coolhandluke]

In addition, the volume of talent and quality in this interest pool dwarfs that of the pool just 2 years ago. You can hate the way in which RMK severed ties, but he unequivocally left us better than he found us.

I would TOTALLY agree from a publicity standpoint. We got more ESPN time because of RMK and Curry than probably in the history of our school. (by ESPN time I'm talking about PTI, Dick Vitale, Sportscenter, etc.) I'm sure there are more than a few people who would give us a serious look at getting into this program now, that may have not known we really existed before.

As for the players he left us with, I don't think we are worse than when RMK came, but I'm not sure we are noticeably better. I'm sure the locals can give a better analysis of this, but it seems like we are going to be in the bottom half of the league, unless some new talent comes in here.

I think you are very wrong there. As long as we get a good hire and do that rather quickly, then I think we will still be in the top half of the league. We lost Curry, Floyd, and Stephene... And yeah that's rough, but still have a lot of talent here.

David Minaya will help out a lot. Jeremy Anderson will contribute. Hopefully Austin and Carter will step up. And if we have a good recruiting class we will look really good for next year. Don't panic right now, because we will be fine next year.

[jcmanson]

http://www.collegeinsider.com/wilson/

Wilson has seen not only how the game has evolved in recent years, but he also is very much aware of how the business side has changed. The turnover in college basketball coaching and the transfer rate of student athletes is somewhat of a concern for many in college athletics. "The pressure on coaches to win at every level is greater than it has ever been, and it has become far more difficult for people to live up to their commitments because circumstances change so rapidly in today's world of college and professional sports, he says. I want to be a guy to bring stability back to college basketball so that the primary focus remains on the players, their educations, and the overall experience of the student-athletes."

[olldflame]

http://www.collegeinsider.com/wilson/

Wilson has seen not only how the game has evolved in recent years, but he also is very much aware of how the business side has changed. The turnover in college basketball coaching and the transfer rate of student athletes is somewhat of a concern for many in college athletics. "The pressure on coaches to win at every level is greater than it has ever been, and it has become far more difficult for people to live up to their commitments because circumstances change so rapidly in today's world of college and professional sports, he says. I want to be a guy to bring stability back to college basketball so that the primary focus remains on the players, their educations, and the overall experience of the student-athletes."

Head coach at Rice for 16 years with a 219-246 record. Rice plays in Conference USA. Let go after the 07-08 season. His replacement, Ben Braun, went 10-22 this year. This is the coach who recruited Jesse Sanders, who decomitted when they made the coaching change.

[Sly Fox]

Willis was the first name that popped into my head and he knows our program. But whether or not he'd be willing to move away from Houston is a major factor here.

[Hold My Own]

the other apparently shared his cell # with HMO when he went to Marquette. 20+ individuals have expressed interest in this position, and more than half of those names do not show up in this thread once.

Actually no havent spoke one time, dont have a number or email...guess I found a "leak"


Speaking of "leaks" dont look for to many names to be outted on here...last time I did that I got a call from someone within 5 minutes to take it down...it was pretty interesting to say the least

[JK37]

the other apparently shared his cell # with HMO when he went to Marquette. 20+ individuals have expressed interest in this position, and more than half of those names do not show up in this thread once.

Actually no havent spoke one time, dont have a number or email...guess I found a "leak"


Speaking of "leaks" dont look for to many names to be outted on here...last time I did that I got a call from someone within 5 minutes to take it down...it was pretty interesting to say the least

I remember.

[EarlLacker]

I'm not sure how significant or relevant it is, but we went from a white coach with an all black staff to a black coach with an all white staff. I think LU has proven itself to be an equal opportunity employer at this point. We just need to pick the best man for the job.

Hey, Flame fans -- UNM fan here. I gotta say I'm real surprised by the McKay news. I called it on a couple of the LOBO boards when he was fired at New Mexico two years ago that he would be Liberty's next coach. His beliefs really came under fire while he was at the school and I think he got a bum rap from a lot of fans who were offended that he wore his religion on his sleeve.

And maybe, just maybe, with Seth leaving, he figured he'd hit the glass ceiling with the Flames, so it was time to throw the two year plan into effect and scoot out of town just before the posse.

Layer is not the answer. CSU was the doormat of the MWC under his leadership.

I think if he thinks he's ready, Soucie deserves a shot.

[olldflame]

Charlottesville may not be quite as hostile an environment as Albuquerque EarlLacker, but if Tony and Richie are open about their faith, they will take flack there too. In case you didn't catch it, he says his primary reason for making the move is that he no longer wants to be a head coach. We'll see.

[Hold My Own]

I think if he thinks he's ready, Soucie deserves a shot.

Well he's not going to UVa....he's a great guy I wouldnt mind that at all

[panfan01]

CSU is still a doormat, it has nothing to do with the coach. I believe that Layer won a championship in his 1st or second year at CSU, but that was a aberration !

jk37, its good to see your input on here. Pm me when you get a chance.

[olldflame]

I think the same could be said for WW at Rice. Not a great W-L record, but a real challenge to win in that conference for Rice. Even if you set Memphis aside because they are at an entirely different level from the rest of the conference, I don't think Rice has the resources or drawing power to compete with a lot of the other teams in Conference USA.

[TIMSCAR20]

I think Willis Wilson would be good. I think Layer would be good too. I got to meet Wilson briefly at the final 4 and hear his testimony. I know why the Sanders boys wanted to play for him. He sounds like a really good Christian. The Rice Athletic Staff was sad to have to let him go. He knows Leary and Juice too I believe. I am happy to know that Liberty is a viable option for a lot of coaches. I believe it is a more attractive job than ever with the resources being poured into the program and the fan base has grown considerably. Add to that a conference that is winnable, Television games and a Christian environment and I can see why there are 20 quality applicants (although I am making an assumption about the quality I guess). I asked a couple of my coaching friends who are division 1 head coaches what they thought of the job and they weren't interested in it for themselves but they think it is a good job. Also HPU's Scott Cherry was at GMU and I asked coach Larranaga to get in touch with Barber to recommend Scott for the Liberty job 2 years ago. I think they got a good young coach in Scott....Last thing. I had a brief conversation with Ritchie yesterday and I have to tell you guys that he feels terrible about this from a Liberty perspective. Despite what is said and what will be said about him I believe he will be a Liberty fan and will hope and pray for success of the program. I also believe him when he says he had no plans of leaving but he saw an opportunity he couldn't refuse. It really, really stinks for us but it is good for him. I wish he hadn't left so abruptly but I wonder how many of us would react if we had the same opportunity. The timing was horrible considering the Curry situation and the fact that a few days before Ritchie was saying he wanted to retire here. But I still wish him well. I don't care if that is not popular or not. The guy is still a man in one of the toughest business around in terms of loyalty. One of his friends Billy G got fired after 2 seasons. If RMK was 500 and not meeting expectations some would have been calling for him to leave anyway. Just because he didn't leave on our terms it seems like we as fans are mad. I have moved on from Curry really fast and soon we will move forward from McKay. I am still glad he came and the success he had the last 2 years put Liberty hoops in a great position to advance.