Blaney

[freescooter]

Did anybody notice Ollie kind of taking over at the end of the game? The camera would point to the bench and you saw Ollie yelling something at Blaney like getting Drummond in the game and Blaney listening. He was also talking to the guys in the huddle at the very end of the game. I think he would be a much better replacement coach than Blaney as does everyone else here.

Yeah, but for all you know he was telling George that the post game buffet was going to be late. You have absolutely no idea whether Ollie would be a good or a bad coach, and neither do I. Neither does Calhoun. given the relatively modest success of his former assistants once they get on their own, his lack of a successful coaching tree which has been commented on for years, I'm not sure where you come to the knowledge that Ollie would be better. for that matter, I I were tryin gto insure that Ollie was my replacement, I would very likely not want him coaching during this stretch. If George blaney goes .500 or worse he isn't getting the job permanently anyway. He isn't even looking for it. if Ollie goes .500 or worse, he isn't getting it even if Calhoun holds his breath until he turns purple. Why would you put him in that position wiht a team that isn't exactly playing like UCLA cira 1963-75?

 

[RuffRuff]

Hysterical how every game raises the who should be the next head coach thread. I guarantee this thread is recreated at least 5 more times this year. Blaney blows - to that person who argued that he was a cool cucumber down 18, argument is a decent coach would have never allowed it to get that bad. That could have been Nova's largest BE lead all season. Does Blaney know anything other than cool? When you are a deer in headlights and your team somehow wins, it's funny that it's interpreted as cool. When you're losing, that cool is ...deer in headlights.

Back to the win - when you're savoring a win in the worst way, even an O/T win against a good brand on the road/albeit a downright bad team, feels good. But that was a bad team - let's not make any mistake there. I'm not sure Nova without their best player beats DePaul on the road. Other than a nice emotional uplift that hopefully turns into confidence/momentum for the players, not sure that one gives me a ton to rest on in feeling they can win this weekend. But a win is a win.

As far as Calhoun goes - the guy is human, not almighty. He is good at what he does - recruiting, motivating. It doesn't mean he's great about picking assistant coaches - if he was so good at it, you'd think one would actually transpire into a good head coach somewhere else at some point. And at the end of the day, if Ollie is closely aligned sitting one spot behind Blaney on the bench, does it even matter who is technically the current "head" coach? Doubtful.

 

[HeGotGame]

Who tweeted that, Gottlieb?

Gottlieb is correct.

I think Blaney is a downright terrible in-game coach, but I am not sure if Ollie would be better, no one does. If Calhoun does not come back this year Blaney will finish out the season, and he will flush the season down the toilet, Ollie is not taking over at any point this year no matter what, so there is no point in arguing about it.

 

[Joobie]

The last practice I caught (not that long ago), Karl Hobbs was running it. Not Blaney. Not Ollie.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

Of course "everyone" else here does. He's the equivalent of the back-up QB. Not a single person here knows what he can do, so everyone assumes he's better than what they see someone else doing.

We know what Blaney can do, and most of that is bad. This was a guy who was a lifer at Holy Cross until he finally found a "big time" program willing to take him, Seton Hall. He then proceeded to not only suck, but his best recruit was a rapist.

I don't know what Blaney is on the staff because I can't see what he does behind the scenes. I also don't know why Blaney is the acting Head Coach, except in this case I can see a lot of what he does, and most of it is bad. I really wouldn't care if Miller, Hobbs or Ollie were the acting HC, as long as it isn't Blaney.

 

[businesslawyer]

We know what Blaney can do, and most of that is bad. This was a guy who was a lifer at Holy Cross until he finally found a "big time" program willing to take him, Seton Hall. He then proceeded to not only suck, but his best recruit was a rapist.

I don't know what Blaney is on the staff because I can't see what he does behind the scenes. I also don't know why Blaney is the acting Head Coach, except in this case I can see a lot of what he does, and most of it is bad. I really wouldn't care if Miller, Hobbs or Ollie were the acting HC, as long as it isn't Blaney.

You know one fact -- that Calhoun thinks Blaney should be coaching in Calhoun's absence. Is Calhoun infallible? Of course not. But is the smart money on you being right on this or Calhoun?

Blaney was an outstanding coach at Holy Cross. Period. Both by record and what people thought of him. And Holy Cross was at a higher level then than it is now. (Probably A-10 equivalent.) He was no more than fair at Seton Hall, and certainly failed in the program's eyes, but there are certainly good reasons why coaches aren't likely to succeed at Seton Hall.

 

[HeGotGame]

You know one fact -- that Calhoun thinks Blaney should be coaching in Calhoun's absence. Is Calhoun infallible? Of course not. But is the smart money on you being right on this or Calhoun?

Blaney was an outstanding coach at Holy Cross. Period. Both by record and what people thought of him. And Holy Cross was at a higher level then than it is now. (Probably A-10 equivalent.) He was no more than fair at Seton Hall, and certainly failed in the program's eyes, but there are certainly good reasons why coaches aren't likely to succeed at Seton Hall.

Slow down, he made the NCAA tournament three times at Holy Cross and won 0 games in the tournament. They played in the ECC, MAAC and Patriot League, not exactly the ACC.

Blaney took over in 1972:

Following the team's championsip years in the 1950s, the Crusaders have been ranked only occasionally by the Associated Press. After appearing in 65 of 116 total weekly polls (56%) in the 1950s, the Crusaders appeared in only 5 of 126 weekly polls (4%) in the 1960s and 9 of 148 (6%) in the 1970s. The Crusaders have not been ranked nationally since 1977.

Is he your grandfather?

 

[businesslawyer]

Slow down, he made the NCAA tournament three times at Holy Cross and won 0 games in the tournament. They played in the ECC, MAAC and Patriot League, not exactly the ACC.

Blaney took over in 1972:

Following the team's championsip years in the 1950s, the Crusaders have been ranked only occasionally by the Associated Press. After appearing in 65 of 116 total weekly polls (56%) in the 1950s, the Crusaders appeared in only 5 of 126 weekly polls (4%) in the 1960s and 9 of 148 (6%) in the 1970s. The Crusaders have not been ranked nationally since 1977.

Is he your grandfather?

Are you serious? You think there was a 68 team tournament those years? You think A-10 schools are routinely ranked? He was a good coach. Find someone who covered New England basketball in the 70s and early 80s who didn't think he was a good coach and then talk to me. Instead of trying to reinvent that career a generation later.

And yes -- anyone who disagrees with ludicrous crap thrown at a good individual must have skin in the game. God forbid there are people who just think you should make sure you are correct before blasting another human being.

 

[freescooter]

You know one fact -- that Calhoun thinks Blaney should be coaching in Calhoun's absence. Is Calhoun infallible? Of course not. But is the smart money on you being right on this or Calhoun?

Blaney was an outstanding coach at Holy Cross. Period. Both by record and what people thought of him. And Holy Cross was at a higher level then than it is now. (Probably A-10 equivalent.) He was no more than fair at Seton Hall, and certainly failed in the program's eyes, but there are certainly good reasons why coaches aren't likely to succeed at Seton Hall.

That is a good assessment. Blaney was well respected at Holy Cross. In fact, he did a pretty nice job of reviving the Holy Cross program which was struggling in the later years of Jack Donahue's tenure. Donahue was a good coach, I think but his teams never could quite get over th ehump against first BC during the Cousy years, they Providence, and UMass and UCONN.

 

[HeGotGame]

The program was in the dumps until Willard took over. Even if he was a "good" coach in the 70s and 80s you seem to think that is relevant now. It is not. Do you want to hire Rollie Massimino? The game has changed.

Anyone who has a clue about basketball could tell you that his coaching over this stretch has been terrible. I am not saying he is bad person, I am sure he is a great guy, but if my best friend worked for me and could not get the job done I wouldn't sit here and ignorantly defend his job performance while my company went down the shitter.

 

[businesslawyer]

The program was in the dumps until Willard took over. Even if he was a "good" coach in the 70s and 80s you seem to think that is relevant now. It is not. Do you want to hire Rollie Massimino? The game has changed.

Anyone who has a clue about basketball could tell you that his coaching over this stretch has been terrible. I am not saying he is bad person, I am sure he is a great guy, but if my best friend worked for me and could not get the job done I wouldn't sit here and ignorantly defend his job performance while my company went down the ****ter.

Well, if I by your definition don't know anything about basketball why in the world are you engaging me?

He is not whom I would hire to be UConn's coach. I am not claiming that he is today the same coach he was when at Holy Cross. I am merely saying that there is mot likely a reason Calhoun has handed him, and not Lefty, KO or Hobbs, the reigns, and that in any event George Blaney is not really coaching the team -- he is babysitting it. Which, given his track record, there is no reason to doubt he is capable of doing.

It is Jim Calhoun's team, and it is playing pretty much the same unfortunate way it was playing while Jim Calhoun is on the bench.

 

[HeGotGame]

It is Jim Calhoun's team, and it is playing pretty much the same unfortunate way it was playing while Jim Calhoun is on the bench.[/quote]


With Calhoun coaching we lost 5 games, 3 without Boatright. The loses with Boat were to ND and GTown, pretty good teams.

Blaney has lost 5 games already, all with Boatright, to teams like Seton Hall and Ruty.

Not sure how that is the same????? But hey he is a good guy so why question he is ability to "babysit"

 

[RuffRuff]

Blaney is probably just JC's little Massachusett's binkey who gives him the warm and fuzzies as the ying to his yang. Well this yang ain't meant to be the head of the dragon at a top tier D1 program - at this point probably better off in a pair of yellow slacks with a 9 iron down in Palm Beach.

 

[freescooter]

Slow down, he made the NCAA tournament three times at Holy Cross and won 0 games in the tournament. They played in the ECC, MAAC and Patriot League, not exactly the ACC.

Blaney took over in 1972:

Following the team's championsip years in the 1950s, the Crusaders have been ranked only occasionally by the Associated Press. After appearing in 65 of 116 total weekly polls (56%) in the 1950s, the Crusaders appeared in only 5 of 126 weekly polls (4%) in the 1960s and 9 of 148 (6%) in the 1970s. The Crusaders have not been ranked nationally since 1977.

Is he your grandfather?

I think you have no idea what you're talking about. In a time when it was much tougher to get to the NCAA tournament, there were only 32 teams in 1977, Blaney got Holy Cross there for the first time in 21 years. Yeah, they lost, but unlike today's seeding, they ended up against the favorite, Michigan in the first round. That wouldn't have been the matchup in the "modern" tournament, either. Seeding actually began the following year. Prior to that teams were assigned mostly by geography with some modifications for balance, to avoid playing on your home court (Rupp arena was a venue so Kentucky played in the East that year and holy Cross was sent to play in Rupp). he got back 2 additional times, in 1980 in a 48 team format and 1993 by which the 64 team field had been established. he also went to a bunch of NITs when the NIT still meant something. And he did it at a time when Holy Cross, under Fr. Brooks, was de-emphasising athletics.

 

[Chief00]

I believe George is a Jersey boy.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I think you have no idea what you're talking about. In a time when it was much tougher to get to the NCAA tournament, there were only 32 teams in 1977, Blaney got Holy Cross there for the first time in 21 years. Yeah, they lost, but unlike today's seeding, they ended up against the favorite, Michigan in the first round. That wouldn't have been the matchup in the "modern" tournament, either. Seeding actually began the following year. Prior to that teams were assigned mostly by geography with some modifications for balance, to avoid playing on your home court (Rupp arena was a venue so Kentucky played in the East that year and holy Cross was sent to play in Rupp). he got back 2 additional times, in 1980 in a 48 team format and 1993 by which the 64 team field had been established. he also went to a bunch of NITs when the NIT still meant something. And he did it at a time when Holy Cross, under Fr. Brooks, was de-emphasising athletics.

How did Blaney do at Seton Hall?

 

[Danzz]

No, Calhoun should seriously reach out to Brad Stevens. With no head coaching experience Ollie is as positioned to take over this program as you and I are. Turn Ollie loose to gain head coaching experience and come and see us in six years. He might end up doing as well as Leitao or Hobbs. Which will simply reinforce the need for Stevens or someone like him.

Except for a few differences: You and I didn't play Div 1 college basketball and spend a dozen years in the NBA runing the offense. College is a lot more about recruiting than x's and o's.
Ollie deserves a shot even if he only has a 2 year window.

 

[Matt (Chicago)]

well at least we can all agree that "Calhoun should seriously reach out to Brad Stevens" is probably one of the stupidest posts we've seen here in recent history.

 

[uconnfan68]

Villanova is limping in without their best player in a lost season. If Blaney screws this up, Calhoun has to seriously look at giving Ollie the reins. While the last month has been horrendous, UConn still has a solid tournament resume and has the #1 SOS in the country. This season is slipping away, and I think Blaney has gotten way more leash than he deserves because he is Calhoun's buddy. I think Blaney was a mistake from the start, and I have not seen a single thing to prove that wrong.

In his prime, Blaney was a below average game coach, and he is well past his prime. I think his adjustments are terrible, he never calls any kind of offensive play, he is incapable of stopping negative momentum, the team looks lost, and they don't seem to respect him like they should. When the coach is on ice, the 72 year old short timer assistant has to work a little harder to light a fire under everyone. Blaney is barely awake.

Ollie should have been the head coach from the beginning of Calhoun's injury. Everyone within 3 degrees of separation from the program knows Ollie runs practices and basically has all year. He commands respect with his resume and he has more fire than anyone else wearing a suit on that bench. He isn't Calhoun, but who is? Certainly not Blaney.

We might need Calipari to come in a rebuild us after the NCAA gets their pound of flesh.

 

[freescooter]

We might need Calipari to come in a rebuild us after the NCAA gets their pound of flesh.

If we got him and he won, he'd be a hero. Even if all the wins were vacated 2 years later...

 

[John Fryer]

I have no confidence in Ollie either, Uconn needs to start recruiting a top coach for next season. I doubt Calhoun coaches next year.

Would you care to share with the rest of us: "Exactly why you don't have any confidence in Ollie?"

Peace,

John Fryer

 

[HeGotGame]

Would you care to share with the rest of us: "Exactly why you don't have any confidence in Ollie?"

Peace,

John Fryer

Care to share why you do?

 

[businesslawyer]

I'm not sure whether I would or wouldn't anoint KO, assuming that's JC wants, or do an outside search, but the answer to the last question seems obvious -- until someone has proven that they are a good college basketball coach at some level, isn't it fair not to have confidence in them?

 

[freescooter]

John,

How did kevin Ollie do in his last head coaching gig? did he get his team to the conference championship game? the NCAA tournament? Oh wait...he hasn't had any head coaching experience! that I think is the issue. Do you want to turn the program over to a guy who has never coached a game at any level? I say no. I happen to think that UCONN is a big enough name that we don't have to do that.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I'm not sure whether I would or wouldn't anoint KO, assuming that's JC wants, or do an outside search, but the answer to the last question seems obvious -- until someone has proven that they are a good college basketball coach at some level, isn't it fair not to have confidence in them?

What if they have proven that they are a terrible game coach?

I am not talking about the future, I am talking about the next three games and the BET. Blaney is a disaster on the bench. Wright spent 45 minutes coaching circles around Blaney, and if Wright had a team that could win an all-campus intramural championship, he would have beaten Blaney and his 3-4 future NBA'ers by 10+. Within about a 6 minute stretch in the last 10 minutes of regulation, UConn got caught in 4 double teams at the top of the key off dribble penetration with no outlet for the dribbler. WTF!!!!!!!!!?????????? That is unacceptable for a coach of a team of 8 year olds, much less the interim coach of a defending National Championship. Wright must have been laughing his ass off at Blaney's stupidity.

Blaney was never that good a coach, and now he is just a mess. I don't care if it is Miller, Hobbs or Ollie. Hell, I would let Dogmania call the plays. ANYONE BUT BLANEY!!!!