Expectations post Blaney era

[GemParty]

If George is wrapping up his career, what direction would you like to see Ollie go? Other than Ray Allen someday, who would top your list. Someone from the UConn family? Rash Jones? DMarsh? Somebody to work with the bigs? An excellent well connected recruiter? Do you think Miller/Hobbs look elsewhere this off season or do they stay longer? What are you views on the staff going forward.

 

[mauconnfan]

Donyell? Jake? Travis? ...............all kidding aside KO has connections and it will be an impact decision in one way or another!!

 

[Dogbreath2U]

A super well-connected recruiter would be my thought. Enough of the staying in the family, get someone to bring in top players. KO seems to work very hard in recruiting and every other way, but getting someone who could really help develop pipelines would be a great addition.

 

[Hugo]

A super well-connected recruiter would be my thought. Enough of the staying in the family, get someone to bring in top players. KO seems to work very hard in recruiting and every other way, but getting someone who could really help develop pipelines would be a great addition.

Agree 100%.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Yes. We need a recruiter. Uconn guy or not.

 

[upstater]

Apparently, Ollie already has a good relationship with a top gun recruiter out there. I forget who the kid is, but Ollie has worked with him in the past at the NBA level.

 

[BFieldHusky]

Apparently, Ollie already has a good relationship with a top gun recruiter out there. I forget who the kid is, but Ollie has worked with him in the past at the NBA level.

Wasn't it the assistant coach at Iowa State?

 

[RichZ]

I think we need a big man coach.

 

[upstater]

Wasn't it the assistant coach at Iowa State?

Thanks, yes.

Matt Abdelmassih

"Sources said that if Ollie were eventually to get a long term deal with the Huskies, he would target Iowa State assistant Matt Abdelmassihas a potential lead recruiter. Abdelmassih worked with the Timberwolves when Ollie played in Minnesota and was the point man when the Cyclones signed current Houston Rockets forward Royce White. Abdelmassih also has Iowa State as a top suitor for Rashad Vaughn, the number one shooting guard in the Class of 2014."

CBS Local NYC News

 

[microfich]

Apparently, Ollie already has a good relationship with a top gun recruiter out there. I forget who the kid is, but Ollie has worked with him in the past at the NBA level.

And, considering the 12 NBA cities in which he played, I think we can presume KO has a fine breadth of contacts on his own. For the Blaney position, I think it's important to have someone with ample coaching and recruiting experience. Love former Huskies growing their chops down the bench but not for the #2 guy. I'd be fine with Hobbs or Miller if they still want to hit the trail.

 

[huskiesnyc]

Donyell Marshall is the perfect fit in my opinion, especially with our need for a big man coach. I tweeted Dmarsh a few weeks ago telling him he should join the staff post Blaney. He replied that he wants nothing more than to be an assistant at UConn but it's not his decision. Sounds to me like he's the front runner to fill Blaney's spot. Talk about a coaching dream team!

 

[microfich]

So, we need a #2 guy for George, a lead recruiter and a big man coach. I agree. How many coaching spots will these three needs take up? I still think other than Hobbs and Miller, we don't have a #2 candidate currently on staff. Abdelmassih, while heralded for his recruiting, is young and has only been a true coach for 2 years. I'd still prefer a seasoned #2 coach next to a young Ollie. Contract in hand, I think we'll see several coaching changes as he builds his program.

 

[upstater]

So, we need a #2 guy for George, a lead recruiter and a big man coach. I agree. How many coaching spots will these three needs take up? I still think other than Hobbs and Miller, we don't have a #2 candidate currently on staff. Abdelmassih, while heralded for his recruiting, is young and has only been a true coach for 2 years. I'd still prefer a seasoned #2 coach next to a young Ollie. Contract in hand, I think we'll see several coaching changes as he builds his program.

But, why not either Hobbs or Miller? I don't understand why this would be a problem. Most programs would be incredibly lucky to have this much coaching talent.

 

[jleves]

Honestly, I really think it's time to go outside the UConn family unless you want to become the West Virginia of coaching staffs. New ideas and new connections will be important. I think we have enough guys who know the UConn system and that isn't going away. Already mentioned and reiterated, a guy with great connections in new areas (Chicago? Philly? Maryland?) would be a huge addition. Finally someone who can really work with the bigs. So a midwest guy with good connections who can teach the bigs ala Vaughn would be the perfect fit.

 

[Yonick]

I do believe the head coach and 2 assistants can go on the road recruiting. If Blaney leaves (and he doesn't go on the road recruiting) and Miller & Hobbs return, expect both Freeman & Moore to move up, and Donyell to join slipping into Rickey's position.

 

[Adesmar123]

I think we need someone who complements KO with whatever KO thinks is his own personal weak point.

 

[Tenspro2002]

The Iowa State guy sounds good to me.

I wish we had Royce White, anxiety issues aside. He basically ended our NCAA Tournament 15 seconds in, when he rebounded a horrible bricked jump shot by Drummond, took it coast to coast and flushed it in AO's grill. The game was over before it started.

 

[aceboon]

So, we need a #2 guy for George, a lead recruiter and a big man coach. I agree. How many coaching spots will these three needs take up? I still think other than Hobbs and Miller, we don't have a #2 candidate currently on staff. Abdelmassih, while heralded for his recruiting, is young and has only been a true coach for 2 years. I'd still prefer a seasoned #2 coach next to a young Ollie. Contract in hand, I think we'll see several coaching changes as he builds his program.

You took the summer off, Miller is the #2, Associate Head Coach and Hobbs is behind him now. Blaney lost the #2 spot quite a while ago.

 

[Kitaman]

I'd like to see him pull a retired NBA player/coach. KO has (or at least should have) an extensive NBA network. If a big man coach is needed all he has to do is float it around. I'm sure he can get a bite. He can be more relaxed and trusting with a long term contract.

 

[DogMania]

Donyell Marshall is the perfect fit in my opinion, especially with our need for a big man coach. I tweeted Dmarsh a few weeks ago telling him he should join the staff post Blaney. He replied that he wants nothing more than to be an assistant at UConn but it's not his decision. Sounds to me like he's the front runner to fill Blaney's spot. Talk about a coaching dream team!

I might be wrong, but I don't sere Donny leaving his TV gig and I don't think Ray will go the coaching route either.

A big mans coach and/or one with recruiting ties would seem to be the way to go

 

[huskiesnyc]

I might be wrong, but I don't sere Donny leaving his TV gig and I don't think Ray will go the coaching route either.

A big mans coach and/or one with recruiting ties would seem to be the way to go

I said Donyell not Donny

 

[caw]

The two obvious choices are Burrell and Donyell in the UConn family. They may just promote within though. Not sure Donyell would take Kevin or Rickys position. I'm pretty sure Burrell would have to be higher.

I'm not a huge fan of getting a recruiter, when they leave they take the recruits with them.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Donyell Marshall is the perfect fit in my opinion, especially with our need for a big man coach. I tweeted Dmarsh a few weeks ago telling him he should join the staff post Blaney. He replied that he wants nothing more than to be an assistant at UConn but it's not his decision. Sounds to me like he's the front runner to fill Blaney's spot. Talk about a coaching dream team!

Donyell is who I want. He's coaching in the NBDL (Maine I believe) so landing him in Storrs wouldn't be a stretch.

 

[brasssbonanzaa]

Don't be shocked if Miller goes elsewhere and takes a head/associate job at a lesser school. He's wanted to work his way back up to the top of the bench, Hobbs too.

That said, I don't think we necessarily need a UConn guy, there's already a bunch of them on the bench, including the head honcho, so there isn't going to be a lack of coaches who know what brought our program to the top of the heap. We need the right guy, who if he happens to be a UConn guy, that's an added bonus.