Hope they give Ollie a shot...

[uconngb]

I've been worried since the quotes from JC before the Rutgers game about how he only came back this year because of the suspension...and now more physical problems. He deserves the right to go out on his own terms and my feeling is that if at all physically possible he'd prefer to go out on top, whether they turn it around this year or next year. (As far as I'm concerned, he WOULD be going out on top after last year's coaching job if he never coaches another game.)

So all that said, I would love to see them give Ollie a shot at running the team. Blaney ain't the answer for next year and given that the team has bottomed out (at least hopefully) would be a great way for KO to get his feet wet with low expectations.

 

[superjohn]

I want Ollie to get his shot now too. We've seen what George can do, as a head coach the game passed Blaney by a long time ago.

 

[sdhusky]

I want Ollie to get his shot now too. We've seen what George can do, as a head coach the game passed Blaney by a long time ago.

Well, maybe the game has passed Calhoun by because he will entrust George contrary to what you know.

George has taken dumps with more game coaching experience that Ollie and won more games than 90% of college coaches.

Ollie will get his shot someday, but not today.

 

[superjohn]

George is like 73, of course he's coached a ton of games, that doesn't mean he's still good at it.

 

[UChusky916]

Beat writers already saying that UConn has said that Blaney will coach

https://twitter.com/#!/uconnmbbsid/status/165521277262643200

 

[huskyjawz]

Well, maybe the game has passed Calhoun by because he will entrust George contrary to what you know.

George has taken dumps with more game coaching experience that Ollie and won more games than 90% of college coaches.

Ollie will get his shot someday, but not today.

Thank you. Could not agree with you more.

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Again, George Blaney's job title is Associate Head Coach. His contract, in all likelihood, has language that specifically says that Blaney "will assume head coaching duties if the Head Coach is unable to for any reason" - or something similar.

Unless Uconn makes a public announcement that Kevin Ollie is officially the Head-Coach-In-Waiting, there is a 0% chance that they are going to let Ollie coach in Calhoun's absense.

The other three assistants have something like 965 years of D1 head coaching experience between them and one of the assistants isn't even an assistant - he's the Associate Head Coach.

 

[superjohn]

This is depressing.

 

[Hoophound]

While I really expected Ollie to get the job when JC retires, l am starting to doubt it. If JC is having any thoughts of retirement Ollie needs to get on the horse. Since Blaney keeps getting the nod I presume either JC is nowhere near retirement or KO is nowhere near getting the job.

 

[uconngb]

While I really expected Ollie to get the job when JC retires, l am starting to doubt it. If JC is having any thoughts of retirement Ollie needs to get on the horse. Since Blaney keeps getting the nod I presume either JC is nowhere near retirement or KO is nowhere near getting the job.

exactly my fear. my gut is that JC is getting much closer to hanging it up. maybe our next coach is not currently sitting on the bench if that means next year...but the thought of the deer in the headlights Blaney for any extended period of time concerns me

 

[freescooter]

You guys are absolutley ridiculous sometimes. Of course the ASSOCIATE HEAD COACH is going to take over when the head coach is out for medical or any other reason. If Calhoun retired, that would be one thing, but to think that there was even a single second of consideration of letting anyone but George Blaney take the reins for the rest of this season is just dumb.

Funny, last itme Calhoun was out for medical reasons, Blaney beat Texas who was ranked #1 and he was a genius, the perfect guy for that team, and all sorts of other foolishness. Two years later the game has passed him by...maybe I should go to the Kentucky board. At least they understand basketball...OY!

 

[superjohn]

Blaney beat Texas then they lost to everyone else. If you can't see that the game has passed ol George by then you are blind. George is a nice guy and his presonality is good for Calhoun but he's clearly not the answer as head coach.

 

[caw]

I want Ollie to be the coach, just to get a feel for how he would do.

However, I'm not sure tomorrow would be the best for the team. Blaney is much better prepared to be the head coach at a moment's notice than Ollie.

This is a good opportunity for Ollie to try and take a bigger role with coaching on the sidelines though even if it's not as the head coach.

I don't think this shows anything about whether Ollie will be the next head coach. I hope he is.

 

[freescooter]

While I really expected Ollie to get the job when JC retires, l am starting to doubt it. If JC is having any thoughts of retirement Ollie needs to get on the horse. Since Blaney keeps getting the nod I presume either JC is nowhere near retirement or KO is nowhere near getting the job.

When Calhoun retires, there will be no shortage of very well known coaches interested in coming to UCONN to take over. This idea that the job will simply be handed to Kevin Ollie is crazy. And the idea that becasue blaney is filling in righ tnow tha thas anything to do with whether Ollie will or will not take over is equally absurd. I really have to wonder if any of you guys have any clue how organizations work?

I am assuming that as long as his health permits, Calhoun will be back before the end of this season and will be here next year, too. Best thing Kevin Ollie could do if he wants to be the next UCONN coach is go out and get a head coaching job at a MAAC school or somewhere and have immediate success. UCONN IS NOT the place where you learn to be a head coach.

 

[uconNYC]

Sean Miller or KO?

 

[BarkingDog]

Either Calhoun's bad back is feeling better in a couple of weeks (presumably after a few wins) or it's not and he's out the rest of the year.
If that's the case, soon after the season ends he needs to either retire or say he is definately coming back for next year.
No more drama. The players, recruits, a search committee and anyone else who needs to know, needs to know asap.

 

[caw]

Sean Miller or KO?

Why would Sean Miller leave Arizona for UConn? I can't think of any good reason aside from $$ and I bet they offer more.

For that matter aside from UK, Kansas, Duke and UNC and maybe Pitt (grad) why would Sean Miller leave Arizona?

 

[uconngb]

When Calhoun retires, there will be no shortage of very well known coaches interested in coming to UCONN to take over. This idea that the job will simply be handed to Kevin Ollie is crazy. And the idea that becasue blaney is filling in righ tnow tha thas anything to do with whether Ollie will or will not take over is equally absurd. I really have to wonder if any of you guys have any clue how organizations work?

I am assuming that as long as his health permits, Calhoun will be back before the end of this season and will be here next year, too. Best thing Kevin Ollie could do if he wants to be the next UCONN coach is go out and get a head coaching job at a MAAC school or somewhere and have immediate success. UCONN IS NOT the place where you learn to be a head coach.

OK Einstein.....tell me what big time, established Coach is coming to UConn?

 

[superjohn]

Well Miller is an east coast guy and UConn is a better job than Arizona despite what you think. uconngb, you really don't think any big time coaches would be interested in the UConn job.

 

[jibsey]

I really think Ollie could be our guy but unless he gets a chance we will never know. This was a perfect no lose opportunity for him to be showcased. He has the recruiting chops and UCONN and NBA experience so why not? Maybe Blaney gets sick on Saturday.

 

[freescooter]

Blaney beat Texas then they lost to everyone else. If you can't see that the game has passed ol George by then you are blind. George is a nice guy and his presonality is good for Calhoun but he's clearly not the answer as head coach.

and he isn't going to be the head coach. he is going to fill in on a temporary basis while Calhoun is out. maybe its a week, maybe it is a few weeks. But it isn't permanent. It isn't like Blaney has been named Calhoun's successor for heaven sakes.

I'm curious what makes you think Kevin Ollie would even have a clue as to what to do as the head coach...it isn't as if he was one at some Division 3 school or something. He played in the NBA, but so have lots of guys. Whether a former NBA player can make the transition to being a head coach at a major program is just a huge unknown. I'm sure it happens, but usually after more than an 18 month apprenticship. He seems like a good guy and a guy who understsnds basketball, but compare his resume with the guy most of you previously were ready to annoint as Calhoun's successor.
Moore: 3 years assistant at worcester State(D3). 1 year assiatnat at Assumption (D2). 5 years Head coach Worcester State. 13 years assistant UCONN. 5 years Head coach Quinnipiac (D1).

Ollie: 2 years assistant UCONN...

Now how about this possible candidate:
9 years assistant at Duke
4 year head coach at SetonHall Returned a team to NCAA tournament for first time in 6 years.
6 years head coach Michigan. Banned form post season due to scandals duirng first 2 seasons. Won NIT.
5 years Head coach Harvard. won first Ivy League title in Havard history. first ranked team in Havard history.

 

[bpear1600]

This thread is hilarious. Has Ollie ever coached anywhere?

 

[uconNYC]

Why would Sean Miller leave Arizona for UConn? I can't think of any good reason aside from $$ and I bet they offer more.

For that matter aside from UK, Kansas, Duke and UNC and maybe Pitt (grad) why would Sean Miller leave Arizona?

East Coast guy (didn't he flirt with the Maryland gig?). His family is not settled in Tucson. PAC12 is terrible.

 

[caw]

OK Einstein.....tell me what big time, established Coach is coming to UConn?

I doubt a big time established coach is coming to UConn. There just aren't that many big time established coaches out there that aren't in similar positions. You either look at an established up and comer or someone internally.

Let's look at coaches in the top 25:

• Tier 1 (not going anywhere [or at least UConn] regardless of what you throw at me)

1. Calipari (NBA maybe) #1
2. Boehiem #2
3. Matta #3
4. Williams #5
5. K #7
6. Self #8
7. Izzo #9
8. Donovan #12 (not UConn at least)
9. Thompson III #14
10. Ryan #19
11. Creen #20
12. Fisher #17 (old)
13. Stansbury #22
14. Beilein #23
15. Few #24

• Tier 2 (Not the greatest resume)

1. Haith #4
2. McDermott #13
3. Bennett #16
4. Stallings #25

• Tier 3 (It's going to cost you and is it really worth it)

1. Drew #6
2. Buzz Williams #15 (I doubt he goes in conference when/if he moves)

• Tier 4 (Hmmm, I dunno)

1. Prohm #10
2. Rice #11
3. Randy Bennett #18
4. Hamilton #21

Now looking at the other coaches out there that might come to UConn:

1. Amaker (Harvard) - failed at previous big-time job
2. Hurley (s) - interesting
3. Smart - not sure if fluke or would work at a big-time (interesting but guarded)
4. Stevens - interesting but would be hard to pry him from the mid-west

Not sure there is anyone else that would come to UConn (Dixon, Miller, etc.), am I missing anyone.

 

[freescooter]

OK Einstein.....tell me what big time, established Coach is coming to UConn?

No idea. but I know they'll get contacted by guys with bigger resumes than Keven Ollie. I could see Sean Miller looking at it. Bet Brad Stevens would return the call, if he didn't make the call. Unless the word goes out that Ollie or someone is getting the job, there will be lots of interest. I can't get over how UCONN fans simply do not understand that we have a MAJOR high profile program. this isn't the Yankee Conference. And UCONN isn't BC. UCONN over the past 20 years is among the most successful college basketball programs in the country. since 1990 UCONN has more national championships than Kentucky, more than Kansas, more than UCLA, as many as North Carolina,more than Florida Only Duke has won more titles. You guys don't think that theere will be other coaches interested in the job? Incredible.