[HenryGale]

Agree, however if you have two coach's that you are having a tough time choosing between then IMO the edge goes with that who could seal up the recruits. If we lose all the recruits it will set us back a year...maybe two

No it wouldn't. Chances are they have their own recruits. When McKay came, he brought Jeremy Anderson. Whoever the head coach is has his own recruits that he's recruiting at his school. The verbals (note: verbal, they haven't even signed with us yet) we have right now might not even fit the system of the new coach.

But to play Devil's Advocate (I LOVE that movie)....

The new coaches recruits may not fit Liberty....

[SuperJon]

Agreed completely.


That's why you pick the best coach. You don't factor in current recruits. That's completely short-sited. You pick what will be best for Liberty over the next five years.

[JK37]

Agree, however if you have two coach's that you are having a tough time choosing between then IMO the edge goes with that who could seal up the recruits. If we lose all the recruits it will set us back a year...maybe two

So, the argument could be stated: Better Short Term vs. Better Long-Term?

Of course, if one person fits both, great. I just don't believe there's a tie involved now. I believe we have one, maybe two prospects externally who are ahead of the one internal prospect. If the externals refuse, we hire internally.

It's a nice predicament to have multiple very good options from which to choose. IMHO, at least two of the externals possess excellent credentials. But all 3 would keep us going in the right direction.


ps - winning at Colorado St. is kind of similar to winning at Charleston Southern. It's good that Layer was just able to keep them respectable. one CSU = another CSU.

[Hold My Own]

I am simply saying if two guys are identical but one can keep our current recruits, I go in that direction

guys scroll up...please show me anywhere I said a less qualified coach

We should have some answers very soon though

[RagingTireFire]

I am simply saying if two guys are identical but one can keep our current recruits, I go in that direction

Completely disagree. Hire the guy who can recruit his own players. Keeping the previous coach's recruits should have no bearing whatsoever on the hiring process.

[jcmanson]

When you take a step back from this, it’s kinda funny to read through this thread. We all act as though our .02 cents matter.

[olldflame]

I agree with LUconn here about not painting ourself into a corner, and while I reserve the right to change my mind, for now I don't plan on ripping any of these candidates or the one who is chosen. There's no point in it. There is no "perfect" choice for this job, so there will be something to criticize about any of them.

To paraphrase Rick Pitino "Roy Williams isn't walking through that door" Neither is Bill Self Mike Izzo (or Rick Pitino for that matter.) We are not going to get a coach who has a high winning % as a HC at a high level. I's just not gunna happen, and I'm not even talking about whether they would be compatible in the faith area. The guy we hire will probably fall into one of 3 categories.

1) Someone who has experience as a HC at a high level with a less than stellar won-loss record. Dale Layer and Willis Wilson both fall into this category. Dale has also been a successful D2 HC, and has had some success as a high level assistant. Willis was about a .500 coach at Rice before the disastrous 3-27 season that got him fired.

2) Someone who has been an assistant at a successful high level program, but does not have head coaching experience. On our current list, that would be Odom, Cline, Moxley, and to a lesser extent Soucie, because his record is essentially the same as Richie's, which is above .500, but nothing to write home about.

3) Someone who has had a high level of success as a HC at a lower level (Haize's preference). With the exception of rumors about the guy from Lee college, we don't have anyone in this category.

If JB picks one with HC experience, he can be ripped because they don't have a good record. If he picks someone with no experience as a HC, someone can nail him for that, and if it's a coach from a lower level, you can say he doesn't know D1.

Sorry if I come across as a huge company man here, and I've never even met Jeff Barber, but I really think we just need to trust him to factor in everything and bite our tongues and support the man he chooses, even if it wasn't your first choice.

[JK37]

I agree with LUconn here about not painting ourself into a corner, and while I reserve the right to change my mind, for now I don't plan on ripping any of these candidates or the one who is chosen. There's no point in it. There is no "perfect" choice for this job, so there will be something to criticize about any of them.

To paraphrase Rick Pitino "Roy Williams isn't walking through that door" Neither is Bill Self Mike Izzo (or Rick Pitino for that matter.) We are not going to get a coach who has a high winning % as a HC at a high level. I's just not gunna happen, and I'm not even talking about whether they would be compatible in the faith area. The guy we hire will probably fall into one of 3 categories.

1) Someone who has experience as a HC at a high level with a less than stellar won-loss record. Dale Layer and Willis Wilson both fall into this category. Dale has also been a successful D2 HC, and has had some success as a high level assistant. Willis was about a .500 coach at Rice before the disastrous 3-27 season that got him fired.

2) Someone who has been an assistant at a successful high level program, but does not have head coaching experience. On our current list, that would be Odom, Cline, Moxley, and to a lesser extent Soucie, because his record is essentially the same as Richie's, which is above .500, but nothing to write home about.

3) Someone who has had a high level of success as a HC at a lower level (Haize's preference). With the exception of rumors about the guy from Lee college, we don't have anyone in this category.

If JB picks one with HC experience, he can be ripped because they don't have a good record. If he picks someone with no experience as a HC, someone can nail him for that, and if it's a coach from a lower level, you can say he doesn't know D1.

Sorry if I come across as a huge company man here, and I've never even met Jeff Barber, but I really think we just need to trust him to factor in everything and bite our tongues and support the man he chooses, even if it wasn't your first choice.

Excellent points.

[TDDance234]

I am simply saying if two guys are identical but one can keep our current recruits, I go in that direction

Completely disagree. Hire the guy who can recruit his own players. Keeping the previous coach's recruits should have no bearing whatsoever on the hiring process.

Yep. We're courting a coach not the players he recruited at his previous location.

[ToTheLeft]

I get this idea that I, and people who agree with me, will be very happy sometime this afternoon.

[RagingTireFire]

I get this idea that me, and people who agree with me, will be very happy sometime this afternoon.

Do I agree with you? After all this, I have no idea who I'm agreeing with.

[ToTheLeft]

Well, do you like cake or pie? That should decide whether you agree with me.

[RagingTireFire]

Pie. Cake can suck my juicy apple filling.

[SuperJon]

Interesting scenario:

Dale Layer is very close with Bart Lundy.

Bart Lundy currently doesn't have a job.

Bart Lundy would make a very good assistant coach.

Just saying...

[ToTheLeft]

Pie. Cake can suck my juicy apple filling.

You will be sorely disappointed.

[olldflame]

Any chance Soucie stays if Layer is hired?

[ToTheLeft]

Any chance Soucie stays if Layer is hired?

I would say that would be a very good chance.

[RagingTireFire]

Pie. Cake can suck my juicy apple filling.

You will be sorely disappointed.

{Unwholesome expletive deleted.}!!!

[olldflame]

I would have no problem with Lundy as an assistant from a basketball perspective. I have no idea if he would be a "fit" for LU.

[LUconn]

Interesting scenario:

Dale Layer is very close with Bart Lundy.

Bart Lundy currently doesn't have a job.

Bart Lundy would make a very good assistant coach.

Just saying...

http://www.flamefans.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12141

let's get him on staff

[Hold My Own]

Done deal. We might even get the best of a few worlds

[LUconn]

Done deal. We might even get the best of a few worlds

I was right wasn't I.

[Rooster Cogburn]

[jcmanson]

I get this idea that I, and people who agree with me, will be very happy sometime this afternoon.

I don't agree with you, but I'll still be happy.

[ballah09]