If Ollie Can't Run The Program Now, With Help, How Can He Take It Over Alone?**

[zls44]

nm.

 

[Chin Diesel]

nm.

You are right. NM to say on the subject.

As a matter of fact, you are so right, you shouldn't have bothered starting the thread.

 

[Vuce]

I totally agree. I brought this up in another thread. Let's say JC just cant do this anymore, we miss the dance and have the NCAA Tourney ban hanging over our heads. THAT is what we want to hand over to KO who the staff didn't even trust enough to have take over during this season? We will have the new practice facility started soon so that is good. But I really think Uconn needs to look outside for its next coach. We shall see. Maybe JC gives then 2 or 3 more years.

 

[Adios]

At least Ollie finally got a ring. We can keep him for recruiting.

 

[zls44]

My real fear if they make the correct decision and go outside the program is with cutting all ties to the past. UConn's basketball alumni are, by and large, closer to JC than they are to the university. I don't know that JC would turn his back on the school, but it wouldn't shock me. And I could see guys like Ray, Rudy, Rip, etc. doing the same to keep in his good graces. That would serve nobody.

 

[zls44]

At least Ollie finally got a ring. We can keep him for recruiting.

 

[Huskies2324]

Folks there is a basic rule when managing people...great mangers set their people up to succeed. Handing KO the keys to a program that has been run by a HOF coach that is coming off a NC season at a time when the season hangs in the balance is setting him up for failure. Ollie has not been a HC yet at any level so you can't just toss him in there with no practical experience. That is what he was to be learning this year and next year. If he took over and the team went down in flames that would be just awful and would have been setting him up to fail. I mean look at the current results. I would not want that for Ollie at this stage of his potential coaching career.

 

[caw]

My real fear if they make the correct decision and go outside the program is with cutting all ties to the past. UConn's basketball alumni are, by and large, closer to JC than they are to the university. I don't know that JC would turn his back on the school, but it wouldn't shock me. And I could see guys like Ray, Rudy, Rip, etc. doing the same to keep in his good graces. That would serve nobody.

It's not necessarily that those guys would "turn their back on the program" but they certainly wouldn't be as engaged as they would with Ollie in charge, including recent and future NBA guys like Drummond/Lamb/Kemba/etc. who are not only close to Ollie the coach but also to potential future recruits.

I really have no issue if UConn can get a great up and coming coach to come here. I do have a problem if they get a mediocre coach to come here instead of Ollie.

When interviewing for the job, it shouldn't be a given you hire Ollie, but it also shouldn't be a given you don't consider him.

There is a short list of coaches I interview with Ollie but you can be darn certain Ollie is interviewed and considered.

A lot depends on what happens next year with Calhoun. If he is coming back for another year or two, Ollie moves up the list, if he doesn't then you have to see what else is out there more seriously.

 

[Huskies2324]

Do we view our program to be on the same level of UNC or Kansas? When Dean Smith left UNC Roy WIlliams left KU and Bill Self went from Illinois to KU. Do we think we can't get a proven coach to come to UConn and continue to build on the established program that we have here?

 

[caw]

Do we view our program to be on the same level of UNC or Kansas? When Dean Smith left UNC Roy WIlliams left KU and Bill Self went from Illinois to KU. Do we think we can't get a proven coach to come to UConn and continue to build on the established program that we have here?

UNC had to go through Guthridge and Doherty first and Williams was a UNC guy which made him easier to get. Kansas made a great hire of a guy from the mid-west who started his coaching career at Kansas.

UConn does not have anyone like that. UConn has always hoped someone like Moore or Leitao or Hobbs could do it but none have been able to for extended periods of time. Moore's record has been decent at Q but...

 

[Husky1964]

Herbst is friendly with KO but no way is she handing him the job .He will be satisfied with staying on as an Asst.The new coach will be running a D1 prog most likely in a BCS conf. Would love to get Sean Miller or John Belein---fat chance. How about Randy Bennett?

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Herbst is friendly with KO but no way is she handing him the job .He will be satisfied with staying on as an Asst.The new coach will be running a D1 prog most likely in a BCS conf. Would love to get Sean Miller or John Belein---fat chance. How about Randy Bennett?

A point that I haven't seen discussed here is that the new AD was hired without meeting JC. He apparently had no role in the process. Manuel was the one to say that he would want JC's input, but he was hired by Herbst and is not beholden to JC. I would assume that input will not be the same as decision-making, but it will be a fine line to walk to avoid alienating JC if he expects to name his predecessor. I sure hope that JC does not have that idea unless he has been told that he can make the call. I would rather there be a national search and KO be considered if interested, but not hired unless there is not a proven head coach available.

 

[zls44]

Bennett is good...but...man, it's a tough watch.

 

[caw]

Finding a coach to replace Calhoun will be tough regardless if it's Ollie or not.

I mean Calhoun is perhaps the best in the business at quite a few things:

• Talent evaluation (I don't mean going after the top 10 kids but finding the kid in the top 50, top 100 or even outside the top 100 who is underrated)
• Or, he is one of the best teachers out there. Considering the number of top 10-top 20 kids UConn has had, the shear number of kids that have played in the NBA is outstanding
• Tournament preparation. There is a reason he has only lost 1 first round game (because AJ got injured). Considering he has won 3 in 15 years only amplifies how good he is at this.
• Grit, there is probably not a better lead by example coach out there. His will and determination is second to none and it shows in most of his teams.

No coach can replace Calhoun on all fronts and I can understand why analysts doubt UConn's ability to continue to be great when Calhoun leaves. It would be one thing if a stream of top 10 players were coming to UConn, because then it's a bit easier to keep that going. When you are depending on evaluating players that should be in the top 10 but aren't and getting them to come, the evaluation needs to be great and I'm not sure if any/many coaches are up to that task. Even Calhoun has his misses as seen by the 2009 class, but he hits far more than he misses.

 

[UC990411]

Folks there is a basic rule when managing people...great mangers set their people up to succeed. Handing KO the keys to a program that has been run by a HOF coach that is coming off a NC season at a time when the season hangs in the balance is setting him up for failure. Ollie has not been a HC yet at any level so you can't just toss him in there with no practical experience. That is what he was to be learning this year and next year. If he took over and the team went down in flames that would be just awful and would have been setting him up to fail. I mean look at the current results. I would not want that for Ollie at this stage of his potential coaching career.

Managers also tell you one thing, act like you're in the role you strive to be in one day. KO hasn't shown that he wants to be there.

 

[champs99and04]

My real fear if they make the correct decision and go outside the program is with cutting all ties to the past. UConn's basketball alumni are, by and large, closer to JC than they are to the university. I don't know that JC would turn his back on the school, but it wouldn't shock me. And I could see guys like Ray, Rudy, Rip, etc. doing the same to keep in his good graces. That would serve nobody.

Eh...that seems like a stretch. JC will voice for Ollie I'm sure, but I think he'll support whoever replaces him.

I do agree with you that they should go outside for the next coach. That's not to say Ollie won't be a good coach, but if you can get the sure thing, that's what you have to do. They owe it to JC to pay the extra dollars to carry on the tradition he has built here.

Ollie might be a great coach, he might not be. We already know Brad Stevens, or whatever other name is floated out there, is a great coach.

 

[Dann]

its KO/KH the year after the facility is done being built. JC won't let them step into it early and set them up to fail, hes not a stupid guy. the recruits have been great lately and when the ncaa stuff is all over we will have a nice facility to go with a new staff and everything else. future is very bright and we will be fine. people just need to understand that the next years or so will be rough cookies becuase of all the crap going on. enjoy the ride fair weather fans.

 

[Adios]

People can say whatever they want about UConn not being able to remain elite after Calhoun retires. We have the largest market without a pro sports franchise. UConn athletics fills the void. Get the new facility built and we are fine. We're here to stay. We have an elite tradition established. Calhoun's name should be put on the floor of Gampel Pavilion before he retires. Heck, even put his name on the facility or a new arena. Rupp was a freaking racist and African-American kids want to play in an arena named after a racist?? The University of Connecticut is so indebted to him for what he did for the school. He's going to be a college basketball legend forever.

We can definitely win more titles after he retires. Hire the right coach and anything is possible.

 

[Deadrody]

Come one, people. Have you seriously never worked anywhere that the management is even a little complex ?

Ollie is not even #2, he's the #3. And when George Blaney is running things in Calhoun's absence, you think the best thing for the team is for Ollie to exert his will to show he wants the job ? What is he supposed to do, show up Blaney during a timeout or something to prove he's really into it ?

What idiocy. Kevin Ollie's job right now is to do whatever George Blaney asks of him. And the only one that knows if he's doing that or not - is George Blaney.

 

[Danzz]

nm.

How do you know Ollie can't run the program? He isn't running the program now, JC was for a bunch of losses and now Blaney.Your post made no sense.

 

[Rico444]

Kemba Walker couldn't save the 2009-2010 Huskies, and he had help. How can he take it over alone?

 

[djct1999]

UConn is definitely at a dangerous crossroads.....yet there is no question in my mind that UConn can remain elite. I think that UConn's best option is to throw a ton of money at a big name guy (Miller, Donovan) who can recruit 5 star players and hope that Ollie remains on the staff. We need someone with Big East roots who knows the northeast, knows our history and has the utmost respect for what Coach Calhoun and the program has accomplished over the past 25 years.

 

[Cheddie]

Managers also tell you one thing, act like you're in the role you strive to be in one day. KO hasn't shown that he wants to be there.

On what exactly do you base that opinion? Do you know how KO relates to the players at practice, in the locker room or off-court; how he works with the other coaches; how he relates to recruits? All you likely see is KO on the bench, and he certainly seems to be as involved as any other coach. He's not going to jump up and elbow Blaney out of the way, and say, "Move over, George."