[Stevev]

Right now I think that we could be taking a step back in the LU hoops program if we get Layer. I know that it would be an upgrade from Dunton but his record at Colorado State is just not very good. I know that Colorado State plays in a lot tougher conference than the Big South and maybe Colorado State doesn't have quite the resources for hoops as all of the other teams in the conference but I don't really know. Maybe that was his problem out there at Colorado State.

If we do get Layer maybe he would work out since our recruiting budget far exceeds that of the other teams in the BS including Winthrop so maybe if recruiting is Layers strength then we might be okay. Layer seems like a good fit and seems to be a man of character but his credentials alone would put him a step behind McKay. I would think that we wouldn't bolt when a little adversity hits and would keep his committments and finish the job.

Even with these 2 weeks of losses of I think that we should be okay and not ready to revert back to the aweful "Hanky years" of about 8 years ago. I don't think that we can afford to experience that again God forbid. I think that if we can be respectful and hold our own against some the Masons and the Clemsons of the world we will be okay in the BS. Give the new coach about 2 or 3 years to get his ducks in order and then get to that "Higher Level".

[Jesus First]

Layer will Leave us as soon as Mckay gets his Dream Job, Layer will of course not tell Jeff Barber this, or perhaps just tell Jeff Barber what he wants to hear to get the Job. But my Gut feeling is Layer and Mckays Friendship is just to strong for him to resist leaving us and going with Mckay down the road

[Stevev]

Layer will Leave us as soon as Mckay gets his Dream Job, Layer will of course not tell Jeff Barber this, or perhaps just tell Jeff Barber what he wants to hear to get the Job. But my Gut feeling is Layer and Mckays Friendship is just to strong for him to resist leaving us and going with Mckay down the road

Hopefully Jeff Barber sees this situation taking place and would avoid it. Coaches talk all of the time say great things to get the job but "Talk is cheap"

[panfan01]

I think that hiring Layer, if you can get him, is a step forward. That is not meant to be a judgement on McKay's ability, I just think that Layer is better. I don't know if he was 1st asst. at Marquette or not but they are a major national basketball power as well as a power in the No.1 conference in the country. In addition to that, you know Layer, he knows you, his background both professional and personal is impeccable. No candidate that has been mentioned has those kind of credentials. Of course, I also think that Lundy is better than either one and I'm sure that will raise some furor but that is how I see things.

[olldflame]

I have absolutely nothing against Dale Layer, but to hire him as head coach would be even more "status quo" than Soucie. At least if Brad is hired, we could bring in a new assisiant who might generate some "JUICE!" With Layer, you probably end up with the same staff as 07-08, except for Getter instead of McKay. Another factor in favor of bringing Julius on staff is all the young bigs we will have next year. He would be a terrific mentor, and still has the game to school them himself on the court.

Dale Layer spent 1 year at LU. He was here because he was out of work and his friend RMK offered him a job. He was gone a year later. IMHO, hiring him as head coach would generate zero enthusiasm and significant negativity from disgruntled fans who associate him only with RMK. I would try hard not to be one of them, but...................

[panfan01]

I'm sure that Layer had a hand in recruiting your freshman class from last year. That class, you will have to admit was pretty good. Layer left LU for a much better job at Marquette. He may well make more money right now than the head coach at LU. My reasoning here is that if Layer is willing to leave a higher paying job to come to LU then I think that there is more than just money involved. You would have to agree that that scenario would be refreshing. That is also why I keep saying "if you can get him".

It makes no difference to me who is hired at LU, but I think that I know quality when I see it and Dale Layer is quality, stability, and integrity all in one package.

[scuzdriver]

It'd sure be nice to move out of the Big South to a more respectable conference. Maybe then, people would be knocking our doors down to get in. (players and coaches)

[olldflame]

I don't think Layer is even the #1 assistant at Marquette. I'm pretty sure the LU head coaching job would pay more. Is he a quality coach and a quality man? I have no doubt he is. I just know the LU community pretty well after 35 years here, and IMHO it would be a hire which would inspire

As far as his role in this years recruiting class, I believe the player he was most responsible for bringing here was Brolin Floyd.

[Stevev]

It'd sure be nice to move out of the Big South to a more respectable conference. Maybe then, people would be knocking our doors down to get in. (players and coaches)

That is the main source of our problems, I believe, with these latest deflections and other problems as well. It, unfortunately, is a big obsticle we must overcome if we are to advance the program the way we want it.

[El Scorcho]

I think it's been well-established that there is no point (at all) in discussing leaving the Big South for the foreseeable future. Even if there is some point in there somewhere, it certainly doesn't add anything to the particulars of our current coaching search. Like it or not, we need a coach to coach in the Big South right now. That's the bottom line.

[olldflame]

I think it's been well-established that there is no point (at all) in discussing leaving the Big South for the foreseeable future. Even if there is some point in there somewhere, it certainly doesn't add anything to the particulars of our current coaching search. Like it or not, we need a coach to coach in the Big South right now. That's the bottom line.

Sad........................but true.

[flames1971]

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.

Soglad Jesse decommitted

[flames1971]

It'd sure be nice to move out of the Big South to a more respectable conference. Maybe then, people would be knocking our doors down to get in. (players and coaches)

[ToTheLeft]

I think it's been well-established that there is no point (at all) in discussing leaving the Big South for the foreseeable future. Even if there is some point in there somewhere, it certainly doesn't add anything to the particulars of our current coaching search. Like it or not, we need a coach to coach in the Big South right now. That's the bottom line.

Can we make this a rule, and offenders will get their houses TP'ed or egged or something?

[olldflame]

I wonder how many of the guys moaning about the BSC holding us back are the same ones who ripped Seth for giving it as a reason for transferring?

[Purple Haize]

Before my post in the other thread was hijacked by the Grammar Police I was asked if I had any coaches in mind from Smaller Christian Schools who would be good fits here at LU. I know I am not "with the group" on this in brining in a high profile guy, but a quick look at our history shows not too much success in that area:
Meyer - Started us to D1 path. Longest tenure. Built program. Unceremoniously let go
Dunton 1 - Beat UVa. Had 1 career steal as coach, lasted a year.
Mel - Was "Big Time" from WVU. He even wrote books. NEVER leave your chair unattended and ANSWER your cell phone
Dunton 2 - Took us to the tournament. Rather rocky return and even rockier departure (Insert "Cartwheel" joke here) at admin hands
RMK - 2 years. 1 great recruit. Left on HIS terms (a rarity!)

So what does that get us? Are we any better off today then we were say 6 years ago? What has been built? Thus, the reason I feel that having a solid coach from a lower division come in to BUILD something is a good idea. Wins = Pub. Just ask Gonzaga of the late 90's

Mike Lightfoot - Bethel IN
Justin Leslie - Azuza Pacific
Doug Tolin - Oklahoma Baptist
Glen Van Wieren - Hope College
Kevin Vane Streek - Calvin College
Ralph Hodge - Olivet Nazerene (although they DID lose their first game in their new arena AND gave up 100 pts......hmm how do I know that!)
John Moore - Westmont
John Barrett - Life University (So it is a chiropractic school and just coming back....)
Scott Sutton - ORU (He has big time pedigree AND at a Christian school!)

Those are just a few, but there are DOZENS out there that I just dont feel like getting into. Why not give someone like THESE GUYS a chance.

[Cider Jim]

Meyer - Started us to D1 path. Longest tenure. Built program. Unceremoniously let go
Dunton 1 - Beat UVa. Had 1 career steal as coach, lasted a year.
Mel - Was "Big Time" from WVU. He even wrote books. NEVER leave your chair unattended and ANSWER your cell phone
Dunton 2 - Took us to the tournament. Rather rocky return and even rockier departure (Insert "Cartwheel" joke here) at admin hands
RMK - 2 years. 1 great recruit. Left on HIS terms (a rarity!)

What each coach did AFTER Liberty is rather interesting:

Meyer--never was a head coach again, but had assistant coaching jobs at Winthrop, Butler, Indiana, & Michigan.
Hanky--MIA, but I don't think he ever coached again (retired?).
Dunton--out of coaching & is now selling commercial real estate.
McKay--like Meyer, took a job as a high-level assistant at a major conference, Virginia in the ACC.

[olldflame]

Meyer - Started us to D1 path. Longest tenure. Built program. Unceremoniously let go
Dunton 1 - Beat UVa. Had 1 career steal as coach, lasted a year.
Mel - Was "Big Time" from WVU. He even wrote books. NEVER leave your chair unattended and ANSWER your cell phone
Dunton 2 - Took us to the tournament. Rather rocky return and even rockier departure (Insert "Cartwheel" joke here) at admin hands
RMK - 2 years. 1 great recruit. Left on HIS terms (a rarity!)

What each coach did AFTER Liberty is rather interesting:

Meyer--never was a head coach again, but had assistant coaching jobs at Winthrop, Butler, Indiana, & Michigan.
Hanky--MIA, but I don't think he ever coached again.
Dunton--out of coaching & is now selling commercial real estate.
McKay--like Myer, took a job as a high-level assistant at a major conference, Virginia in the ACC.

Interesting observation CJ. And according to Richie, he plans on following Jeff's path and being a career assistant from here on out.

We should put it in our ad for this position:
Liberty University.........................the last head coaching job you'll ever have!

[tshirtman]

I say we go for someone who knows LIBERTY. In ever way from school side to the basketball program.
Few guy I would say we should give a shot you know they will stay for a while.
1 Matt Hildobrand (spell check)
2 John Jones
3 Julius Nwosu

Honorable Suggestions
NAZ
SCAR
SORO HAHA

[Hold My Own]

I say we go for someone who knows LIBERTY. In ever way from school side to the basketball program.
Few guy I would say we should give a shot you know they will stay for a while.
1 Matt Hildobrand (spell check)
2 John Jones
3 Julius Nwosu

Honorable Suggestions
NAZ
SCAR
SORO HAHA

Are you speaking for an assistant or HC? I LOVE Hildo and would love to have him on staff here at LU but I believe it would have to be in the assistant role for a while as tough as that is for me to say.

[ToTheLeft]

Ryan Odom anyone?

http://www.hokiesports.com/staff/odom.html

Was a candidate for the HPU job, solid recruiter and in a coaching family.

[tshirtman]

I think lets give HILDO a shot or John Jones for that matter. You have to start somewhere in your career. Let go for it.

[ToTheLeft]

I think lets give HILDO a shot or John Jones for that matter. You have to start somewhere in your career. Let go for it.

Yeah, let them go for an assistant spot. We need someone with SOME level of DI coaching experience, of some kind. Even if it's just as an assistant, decent DI experience is a MUST! We're not some crappy cellar dwellar anymore. We're not bottom 20 in all of the NCAA. We're almost a mid range NCAA team, which means we need to get a legit coach in here.

[olldflame]

Not a bad resume (Odom). I guess there's just something about the idea of hiring someone High Point rejected that makes me say look elsewhere.

[flameshaw]

Not a bad resume (Odom). I guess there's just something about the idea of hiring someone High Point rejected that makes me say look elsewhere.

+1