[LUconn]

Let's get this started off on the right foot

http://www.coachritchiemckay.com/

This website is amusing because it's all focused around UNM. You should read the "what they are saying" link on his bio. Good stuff



http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_5328799

"So often a perception is created for us by others, most of whom don't know it," Fisher said. "When Ritchie was first hired, I vividly remember someone writing, 'Why does New Mexico have to settle for someone from the C list?' If that doesn't plant a perception to fans and others, nothing does. I do know, having coached against Ritchie, that he's an exceptional basketball coach."

[jcmanson]

On his website, there is a good paragraph regarding his faith and relationship with Christ. At least we don't have to worry about someone being ashamed of the faith. This could really work out to be something great, but only time will tell.

[LUconn]

Provided he's successful here, he really seems like a "Liberty" coach.

[JDUB]

i hope he does good with the students like rocco did! that is the key to getting good attendence at the games. i'm sure he will though. i'm really looking forward to the future!

[WWJFD]

I truly believe that McKay was slightly in over his head at NM and OSU. I think Liberty is a good fit for him. This is a new beginning for him. His effectiveness as a speaker will capture our attention immediately.

Let's all hope this is the decision that JB is making and get behind McKay and the program.

If it is not, what a waste of space we are creating.

[El Scorcho]

From an article on Scout.com about McKay being dismissed from UNM...

McKay never had a chance. Fans crushed him from the first moment he was named head coach. Genius fans said, ‘Why settle for McKay, Pat Riley is available”. “McKay, he’s not good enough for us! We were ranked #3 in the country for a week in 1978”. Ha! What a joke!

http://newmexico.scout.com/2/621017.html

Let's not be like the UNM fans. We're better than that.

[thepostman]

I think he did get himself over his head like many of you guys have said...He has said himself that maybe he will be more suited for a smaller school. He seems to think his style would work better in a smaller setting...we shall see

He seems like a very good man, and someone Liberty can be very proud of. This is not somebody that will put the fact we are a Christian school on the backburner....and I think that is important if we want Liberty to continue to be the special place that it is...

So who will be the rep for flamefans at the press conference?? haha....that is a joke in case someone thinks I am being serious

[Hold My Own]

Everyone just needs to simply relax..nothings been announced and no one can prove anythings been signed

[Knucklehead]

Everyone just needs to simply relax..nothings been announced and no one can prove anythings been signed

What fun is that?

[thepostman]

Everyone just needs to simply relax..nothings been announced and no one can prove anythings been signed

What fun is that?

exactly....no harm in this....and if he does end up being out coach then we have already started off on the right foot...if not, then well....it doesn't matter anymore

plus, this is as close do a done deal as they come...but you're right HMO its not done yet...

[Hold My Own]

but you're right HMO its not done yet...

It's worth repeating!

[PAmedic]

killjoy

[thepostman]

but you're right HMO its not done yet...

It's worth repeating!

so what you're trying to tell me is you want us to calm down because its not a completely done deal yet???

I just thought I would ask for clarification, because I am not quite sure what you are getting at!!!

[EarlLacker]

Ritchie led UNM to its only NCAA appearance this decade in '04 - '05 with a team led by current Indiana Pacer Danny Granger. That team notched the second most wins for a season in New Mexico history with 26, so he is capable of getting the job done.

He was just behind the eight ball from day one. And its too bad, because his father played basketball for the man for whom the PIT floor is now named, the father of LOBOMANIA, Bob King. Ritchie made a gallant effort, but the chips were stacked against him. A lot of fans just never accepted him, even after that trip to the dance. This year was supposed to be a great season where we competed for the Conference title, and we started fine, going 5-0. But then everything went real bad, real fast. It was probably one of the worst seasons I've ever gone through as a LOBO fan. You've probably done the research so I won't rehash it all here.

The day your coach's firing was announced, I predicted on one of the UNM message boards that Ritchie would be your next coach. It's a natural fit. And a fresh start could do wonders for him.

Good luck with your search.

[Fumblerooskies]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Earl.

[olldflame]

I appreciate your insite EarlLacker. Most of what we have heard/read from Loboland has been pretty brutal toward McKay. I personally have taken the position "consider the source" on that. I'd be interested in your opinion as to whether his openly professed Christian beliefs were a factor in his unpopularity there. From what I know, Albequerque is about as far as you can get from the "bible belt" geographically, philisophically and politically. If he is coming here, I really think he will get a much warmer welcome, and it will be a much better fit.

[EarlLacker]

I appreciate your insite EarlLacker. Most of what we have heard/read from Loboland has been pretty brutal toward McKay. I personally have taken the position "consider the source" on that. I'd be interested in your opinion as to whether his openly professed Christian beliefs were a factor in his unpopularity there. From what I know, Albequerque is about as far as you can get from the "bible belt" geographically, philisophically and politically. If he is coming here, I really think he will get a much warmer welcome, and it will be a much better fit.

I do think McKay took a lot of abuse for his beliefs on the message boards -- one of his earliest criticisms was that people thought he recruited only "choir boys" even going as far to disparage one of our best players, Tony Danridge whose father is a pastor, as "Son of a Preacher Man" his freshman year. Look up Tony Danridge on YouTube -- you'll see some of the most gravity defying dunks you've ever witnessed. And as you've read with some of the problems our players have had with the law, some of these guys are complete opposites of "choir boys."

Bottom line, I also think winning would have cured everything for LOBO fans. His abysmal road record and collapse this season were what ultimately did him in. You don't lose five conference games at home in the PIT. That's never been done before, and even casual fans couldn't accept that. A lot of UNM followers are a strange bunch. They have a great sense of entitlement and seem to think the program is bigger than it really is. We did reach the final game of the NIT back in '64 when it was "the" tourney, but have never even won a second round game in the NCAA tourney.

[panfan01]

If LU hires Mckay that would put 3 ex Queens coaches in the Big South.

[olldflame]

He is referring to Queen's College in Charlotte. Both Bart Lundy and Barkley Radabough coached there. I didn't see it on McKay's resume, but if he was there it would at least give him some experience in this part of the country

[panfan01]

Mckay was assist. to Layer before Lundy.

[Sly Fox]

Thanks for the insight, Earl. Its cool of you to drop by and give us some direct knowledge.

You guys over your boards are incredibly tough critics. I agree that the rabid fanbase (and it it for those of you unfamiliar with anythign west of the Appalachians) has unrealistically high expectations. Basically the Lobos hoops team is for all intents and purposes the professional franchise of the state (despite what Reggie Theus has done way down there near El Paso). Perhaps the change of scenery to a school where his faith will be considered a strong bonus will be just what Ritchie needs to regain his footing careerwise.

[PeterParker]

I appreciate your insite EarlLacker. Most of what we have heard/read from Loboland has been pretty brutal toward McKay. I personally have taken the position "consider the source" on that. I'd be interested in your opinion as to whether his openly professed Christian beliefs were a factor in his unpopularity there. From what I know, Albequerque is about as far as you can get from the "bible belt" geographically, philisophically and politically. If he is coming here, I really think he will get a much warmer welcome, and it will be a much better fit.

I do think McKay took a lot of abuse for his beliefs on the message boards -- one of his earliest criticisms was that people thought he recruited only "choir boys" even going as far to disparage one of our best players, Tony Danridge whose father is a pastor, as "Son of a Preacher Man" his freshman year. Look up Tony Danridge on YouTube -- you'll see some of the most gravity defying dunks you've ever witnessed. And as you've read with some of the problems our players have had with the law, some of these guys are complete opposites of "choir boys."

Bottom line, I also think winning would have cured everything for LOBO fans. His abysmal road record and collapse this season were what ultimately did him in. You don't lose five conference games at home in the PIT. That's never been done before, and even casual fans couldn't accept that. A lot of UNM followers are a strange bunch. They have a great sense of entitlement and seem to think the program is bigger than it really is. We did reach the final game of the NIT back in '64 when it was "the" tourney, but have never even won a second round game in the NCAA tourney.

If McKay can consistently bring in kids like this, that will make for some entertaining basketball:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c07ep2GJ6Zc

2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_eFGABv ... ed&search=

3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huVvyyq3 ... ed&search=

4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVW0FWRn ... ed&search=

[Sly Fox]

From the Sunday morning Albuquerque fishwrap:

UNM Men's Basketball: McKay To Take Liberty Job

By Jeremy Fowler
Saturday, March 24, 2007

Recovering smoothly from his recent firing, former University of New Mexico coach Ritchie McKay has agreed to take the Liberty University job, according to a source close to the team ... Liberty won't be the only school paying McKay, who receives close to a $600,000 buyout from UNM for his firing. McKay made around $500,000 per season with UNM. Alford, the former Iowa coach, is receiving a six-year deal worth $975,000 per season.

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