- July 6th, 2007, 12:39 pm
#96000
Truth, we have talked about this in PM's but to say that the three alums were not interviewed is not totally correct. One did not apply, (hard to interview him) the other two were spoken to, and maybe they were not given a formal on-site interview, (which appears to be your definition of an interview) I am confident they were given the status of the interview process and what Barber was looking for.
To say that Barber had his mind made up before the process began is assuming a lot of things. Would Toman be interested, could we pay him, would he be a good fit, etc. I know for a fact that there were other candidates, who were as qualified as Toman who applied for the job, and were given very careful consideration. Sometimes in the business world, the thing that helps a leader when making hiring decisions is past experiences with a candidate. Many times, I have considered two equally qualified candidates but have hired the person with whom I had a favorable past association, or a peer manager has had a positive experience with. Sometimes this can also make the difference between candidates when they are not equally, but closely qualified and the decision is made to hire the less qualified candidate.
So, I know you said you were not talking about HC, you were talking about assistants now. Don't you think that Toman should be able to hire who he wants? Should he be told you have to hire this guy ot that guy? IF I was the HC, I would not have taken the position if those guidelines were in place. After all his performance is going to be measured ultimately by how successful the program is. They are not going to fire the assistants if the program is not meeting expectations, they will fire Toman (remember Pastors).
On another note, do we know that any of these three guys have applied for an assistant position, were they interviewed, is the salary something they can live with/on? We don't know that, especially based on how you have chosen to define interview. I also know for a fact that other alums have applied for the assistant positions. Does that mean Toman "owes" them an interview? I also know for a fact that other alums applied for the HC position, were talked to on the phone (not an in-person interview, probably just like many others), and have zero interest in becoming an assistant, because they have better opportunities in their current positions. Should Toman interveiw them anyway so maybe he can talk one of them into joining his staff to tell prospective players they have to go to convo 3 times a week, and "I have been there and done that" and it is not that bad? Kinda seems like a waste to me.
Finally, IF Sid goes to Raturd, that will be his decision and he may make them a very good coach. Personally, I would root for him to win every game that does not have a bearing on LU's record or ability to win the conference. Does that mean we made the wrong decision in hiring our HC or assistants becuase we let a former alum go to another school, and we may not have someone on our staff to say I went to LU and the rules aren't really that strict?
Until JB makes a decision that is obvioulsy not in the best interest of LU sports, I think we have to trust him and the people whom he has hired to make the correct personnel decisions. Believe me, in the best of times, no one here knows 100% of the entire picture.
- By LU Armchair coach