[new flame]

To a great degree, Barber's fortunes rise or fall with RMK's.

Wasn't trying to be hard on anyone, sorry if it sounded that way. A supporter of the overall program takes a look at what JB's been doing and sees a beautiful forest growing. A biased observer can't see the forest for the tree with "GRM loves RD" carved in it.

[paradox]

Bringing McKay in here is really a no-brainer. To my knowledge, LU has never landed a coach in any sport that even faintly compares with McKay's D1 head coaching experience. This is truly a unique opportunity for LU, and he's a young 42 as well.

I really can't envision this not working out.

[TIMSCAR20]

Bringing McKay in here is really a no-brainer. To my knowledge, LU has never landed a coach in any sport that even faintly compares with McKay's D1 head coaching experience. This is truly a unique opportunity for LU, and he's a young 42 as well.

I really can't envision this not working out.

Agreed. But Rutigliano was a much higher profile hire. Also no one is a bigger legend than former Yankee Great Bobby Richardson who coached our baseball team in the 80's. Also as far as credentials and high level people go, Former Wrestling coach Don Shuler (I think that was his name) may have been in the olympics but I am not sure. Bill Gillesbie and coach Dave Williams are 2 of the most highly respected coaches in all of America in terms of what they do with Strength and conditioning. Bill G has worked for U of Wash and the Seattle Seahawks. Just a little more context added to your point Dox

[grm]

grm, Not sure why u think Barber's fortunes rise and fall with RMK. That's extremely narrow-focused, given all the other facets of the athletics program - not the least of which is large (READ: VERY LARGE) financial gifts - that have been raised to higher levels since his arrival. And if RMK does take the bball program to the next level, will you be the first to acknowledge that he's at LU b/c JB had the rocks to make a coaching change?

Well Barney, let me first say, "Good job on your digging into the dollars." Next, obviously, RMK is at LU because Jeff made the coaching change - that cannot be denied, so I'll acknowledge that right now, regardless of the future. As far as "the next level," Randy had the program on the threshold of the next level himself - so, if RMK gets it there, he's only done what Randy was about to do. (See Chris Lang's old articles about the state of the program when Randy was dumped, as well as the current roster, plus the part of the roster that is now playing for Greg Marshall, plus the Nigerian pipeline that now coaches for Greg). And lastly, it sure does look like Jeff Barber has some money behind him. I wonder where the money trail leads, but it's always great to have money in your pocket. I'd look a lot smarter if I could build a new school building, a gym, and do some freshening
up on the church. Yes - money is good to have, and if he brings money with him somehow, then it does get a lot of things done.

I had pretty much decided not to talk about Randy, because things go downhill in a hurry when we do, so, everyone please understand that I am answering questions here, and that's about all. I'm not especially trying to bring things up, - the jobs are now in the hands of the people that have them, and, as I believe Bill Clinton said at one of his first inauguration balls "It's our turn now." (It might have been one of the other democratic leaders
that said it, but you get the point - it's their turn now).

As far as JB's fortunes being tied, AD's obviously can refocus attention quite quickly, and can frame situations
depending on their own wishes and desires, so, if the money is a constant, then perhaps Jeff Barber's fortunes
are completely independent of RMK's success.

[grm]

To a great degree, Barber's fortunes rise or fall with RMK's.

A supporter of the overall program takes a look at what JB's been doing and sees a beautiful forest growing. A biased observer can't see the forest for the tree with "GRM loves RD" carved in it.

Man, the poetical-literary portion of this thing is being taken to the next level. Maybe JB should hire you to do his press releases!!!

[new flame]

Well said, grm. We can disagree on issues, that's okay; we're on the same team and, more importantly, in the same family. Love you man. But I won't carve our initials in a tree anytime soon.

[grm]

OK, but we can still like each other... just no initials. My wife might get mad anyway.

[blwall1416]

Agreed. But Rutigliano was a much higher profile hire.

Coach Sam....my coach. Man, I do miss him. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Rocco is here & doing what he is doing. I'm referring to being able to have a general conversation with Coach Sam. He could tell some stores...Really funny guy.

[flameshaw]

You could also add Al Worthington, who was really the first "name" hire LU made. He pitched in the major leagues for many years and actually left the Minnesota Twins pitching coach position to come to LU. I should also be careful to add a great gentleman and one of the funniest men I have ever met. "Out front and on top" was his favorite phrase I think, at least to the pitchers.

How did this get on men's hoops? Oh well.

[TIMSCAR20]

Agreed. But Rutigliano was a much higher profile hire.

Coach Sam....my coach. Man, I do miss him. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled that Rocco is here & doing what he is doing. I'm referring to being able to have a general conversation with Coach Sam. He could tell some stores...Really funny guy.

Coach Sam is one of my favorite people in the world to engage in a conversation. Just the meter and tempo that he uses with that NY accent makes him very entertaining, let alone all the experience and his sense of humor. He and I talk TV whenever I see him and he reminds me that he was on one of the 1st ESPN studio shows back in the early days with Chris Berman. He is amazed at how far that little station has come over the years. I am a huge Rocco fan as well but I do miss coach Sam. Rocco Sr kind of has that same engaging way of talking but I have only spoken to him on a couple of occasions.

[JK37]

grm, I disagree that Randy had us on the cusp of the next level. Yes, we had talent, and that is undeniable. But we all know its about more than talent, and if RMK is successful at all beyond 07-08, it will be with a roster already his. Also, to use the Nigerian pipeline as evidence just yet is too early to tell. Plus, let's not forget that we STILL weren't close to cracking the Winthrop dominance of the Big South last season.

On the court/field, I agree that JB's legacy will probably be RMK and Rocco. I say Rocco because while JB didn't make the hire, he is the one who has ushered in all of the changes that have enabled Rocco to do what he's doing.

Now to the REAL reason for my post: I believe JB's true legacy will be all of that "enabling" throughout the department. Enabling which included an infusion of money, much of it NEW money to the athletic dept. And it was enabling which also included making a change in men's basketball, with only one-tenth of it having anything to do with supposedly being "on the cusp of the next level." I'd also watch out for that "enabling" to continue, with volleyball and men's soccer the two programs under the most pressure to do well this year.

JB & Co. have got us going in the right direction, and at a fast pace to boot. Its a great day to be a Flame!

[LUconn]

If you recall, the last AD was chosen to be a "fund raiser". And while he was a giant flop, I'm sure the fundraising quality was a big quality they were looking for to replace him. There's a lot of money coming in from somewhere.

[grm]

grm, I disagree that Randy had us on the cusp of the next level. Yes, we had talent, and that is undeniable. But we all know its about more than talent, and if RMK is successful at all beyond 07-08, it will be with a roster already his. Also, to use the Nigerian pipeline as evidence just yet is too early to tell. Plus, let's not forget that we STILL weren't close to cracking the Winthrop dominance of the Big South last season."


Now to the REAL reason for my post: I believe JB's true legacy will be all of that "enabling" throughout the department. Enabling which included an infusion of money, much of it NEW money to the athletic dept. And it was enabling which also included making a change in men's basketball, with only one-tenth of it having anything to do with supposedly being "on the cusp of the next level." I'd also watch out for that "enabling" to continue, with volleyball and men's soccer the two programs under the most pressure to do well this year.

JB & Co. have got us going in the right direction, and at a fast pace to boot. Its a great day to be a Flame!

I'm going to avoid the reference to my friend the basketball coach, trying to do what most people here want done, and that's "let it go."

But now you've got me worried that "The Enabler" may have the great Volleyball Coach, Shane Pinder, in his sights.

[LUconn]

I'm impressed by your self control grm. That was probably a legitimate chance for you talk about RD in the context of the conversation.

[Sly Fox]

I'm glad to see the high road being taken here.

[FlameNForest]

As far as "the next level," Randy had the program on the threshold of the next level himself - so, if RMK gets it there, he's only done what Randy was about to do.

Good one grm...

I'm sure Matt Doherty and his friends said the same thing about what Roy Williams did at UNC a couple of years ago.

[JK37]

My comments were not an intended pot shot at anyone. Rather, just an addition to the context of the conversation. I'll join all on that high road.

My last comments in my previous post were in reference to the two programs which, in my opinion, have had the most opportunity to be successful and have yet to do so on a level compatible with our AD's expectations. That said, I know Coach Pinder to be a good human being, but he was still referring to his program as being in the "rebuilding stage" after his third season. I just think its time to put up or shut up (I only use that phrase for its meaning; I don't intend its inherently harsh tone).

[blwall1416]

I'm sure Matt Doherty and his friends said the same thing about what Roy Williams did at UNC a couple of years ago.

Slightly different. UNC was already at the next level from Coach Smith's accomplishments, & Coach Gut's 2 Final Fours in 3 years. Matt had them at #1 in his first season. It went downhill from there. Roy had to put them back.

[grm]

At the College level, you can't hire George Allen and have him bring in every high character veteran, then mold them together, and get to a super bowl in one year. It's almost always a process, although, as has been pointed out, not so much so at the highest profile schools where they are in range of the final four on a regular basis. It usually takes time and hard work on the recruiting trail, plus building the right team of asst coaches. There is no magic wand on this stuff.

When the AD told Zach etc that "if they had made the final four they might have kept their jobs" (paraphrase but close) I guess it was meant as a joke, but it didn't exactly leave them rolling in the aisles, since somehow it was lost that these men were now seeking employment. Again, I see it as a process, not an overnight transition. The reference here is our volleyball program, which everyone is excited about. I hate to see it even mentioned (with all due respect to free speech) that "The Enabler" is ready to pounce.

[JK37]

I didn't realize that just by my saying, you now apparently believe there is extra pressure from the top. The moment he was hired, JB added the pressure -- to every program. I simply said that in my opinion, those two programs were the next ones who really needed to begin producing.

[grm]

Fair enough, and I'll do my best to keep a civil tongue in my head. God Bless ....

[lufanprof]

After going silent for a while I have to say that on the surface McKay is a great fit for LU. Not only well-qualified, but he has the spiritual leadership these young guys need. Win or lose I can say that the climate has changed in a good way. Dutton was a great recruiter, but we had too many prima donna's.

Don't forget Bill Bell in the discussion of big fish coaches. This guy played against Pele' at the highest level

[paradox]

Welcome to the board, prof.

I have to agree with your initial observations.

[Sly Fox]

Welcome to the board, lufanprof. We could use more professorial input around this place.

[Cider Jim]

Welcome, lufanprof. Now there are 3 of us: Fumble was first, I followed, and now you complete the trifecta of profs here.