Kevin Ollie

[NHUConnfan]

It costs $$ at other schools too. This is a bigtime basketball.

And also a state school in a state with major debt problems.

 

[mauconnfan]

Forget it, these pinheads will NEVER get it. They think we should give a coach with zero head coaching experience a 4 year deal. What can you say to that? They live in dream world where the 1990 team had higher rated recruits and that this team is so devoid of talent it has no chance to succeed and, therfore, Ollie has no chance to succeed. I hope to god no players from our team or potential recruits are reading this crap. The 1990 team had decent talent and great team chemistry which, in part, was created by the coaching staff. Calhoun himself had to change his coaching approach as he got more talented teams but Calhoun circa 1990 absolutely could have won a ton of games with this collection of kids. We have a top 10 recruit surrounded by lots of other Top 100 and Top 50 recruits. We had great teams with the likes of Travis Knight as our center. Rod Sellers was 6'9" tall, had a bad knee and wasn't super talented. What were Chris Smith and Tate George rated coming out of high school?

I don't think anyone could coach this collection of players to a national championship but could a good coach win a lot of games with them? ABSOLUTELY! But because these whining cry babies didn't get their way, thsfeel like it is their duty to trash the team, trash the AD, trash the university president and make assumptions about the AD's confidence in the new coach. If any recruit is reading this board, THESE PINHEADS are doing more damage to our recruiting than a one year contract is. And we don't even know what Manuel or Herbst are saying to recruits. They could be telling them that they assume Ollie will do a great job and that their plan is to extend his contract to a long term one once he proves that they are right. They could be telling them that this is why he is not being termed as an interim coach.

Personally, I think this team will have a very good year. I honestly have no idea how good of a coach Ollie will be. He could be mediocre or he could be great. I hope he is great and, if he is, this team will surprise a lot of people. And he recruited a lot of these kids. He is not a stranger coming in so there is little chance of mutiny or resistance. They will rally around him. To say Ollie is being set up for failure is sour grapes to the point of being assinine. The decision has been made and the team will make the best of it. So why don't you guys shut the duck up and move the duck on already. This program needs positive energy and support, not this crap. I would be willing to bet that Ollie himself would tell you guys the same exact thing if he read what you are all writing.

Hey Huskymoronic, the only pinhead around here is you and the proof was with your comparison of 99 to this years team............just for instance we have potentially 3 Dan Cyruliks on this team!!! LOL....you don't know so it doesn't matter.......not too many people are saying this is the end all or the answer FOR SURE but you need to show some confidence to gain some respect from the recruits by at least looking like you're all in........you're just blind to reading anything because you're a idiot!!.............not sure who the duckk you think you are??

 

[Huskymaniac]

Hey Huskymoronic, the only pinhead around here is you and the proof was with your comparison of 99 to this years team............just for instance we have potentially 3 Dan Cyruliks on this team!!! LOL....you don't know so it doesn't matter.......not too many people are saying this is the end all or the answer FOR SURE but you need to show some confidence to gain some respect from the recruits by at least looking like you're all in........you're just blind to reading anything because you're a idiot!!.............not sure who the duckk you think you are??

If you are going to call anoyone a genius, you might want to make sure you get your rant straight, pinhead. I said 1990, not 1999. And if you think that team was more talented, you are hopelessly clueless and I take solace in you thinking I am a genius. The fact that you think an unproven coach should get a 4 year deal, well, more proof. The fact that your vagina was injured by me pointing out your idiocy, tough...grow a couple spanky.

 

[caw]

If you are going to call anoyone a genius, you might want to make sure you get your rant straight, pinhead. I said 1990, not 1999. And if you think that team was more talented, you are hopelessly clueless and I take solace in you thinking I am a genius. The fact that you think an unproven coach should get a 4 year deal, well, more proof. The fact that your vagina was injured by me pointing out your idiocy, tough...grow a couple spanky.

Not saying either of you are morons but his 1999 was clearly a typo as he referenced Dan Cyrulik.

Just saying.

Also the four year deal is a bit much but surely a one year deal is as moronic.

 

[dtrumpet]

You just can't sign a largely unproven Ollie to more than a one year deal in a top tier program. Calhoun's timing left them with no options. Ollie can earn the job, as long as his worth is not measured in wins and losses.

 

[Pudge]

I think Kevin Ollie is going to do great. And, any .... ANY ... comparisons to Bill Guthridge is just absolutely ... (to use the word) ... MORONIC.

 

[Dave Carlson]

You just can't sign a largely unproven Ollie to more than a one year deal in a top tier program. Calhoun's timing left them with no options. Ollie can earn the job, as long as his worth is not measured in wins and losses.

Don't be naive. Ollie can't earn a job that has quite obviously been promised to someone else.

 

[mauconnfan]

If you are going to call anoyone a genius, you might want to make sure you get your rant straight, pinhead. I said 1990, not 1999. And if you think that team was more talented, you are hopelessly clueless and I take solace in you thinking I am a genius. The fact that you think an unproven coach should get a 4 year deal, well, more proof. The fact that your vagina was injured by me pointing out your idiocy, tough...grow a couple spanky.

I meant 90.......and you began calling everyone pinheads which is just so mature since you do know this is a board of opinion? Or are you that stupid?

Anyway 90 was twice as good as the product they are going to put out there this year s relax with your solace. You are a dope when it comes to hoops and it is clear now........Sellers was better than anyone returning on the frontline, Burrell was also, Cyrulik was typical of what we may have this year without improvement, serviceable. Tate and Smitty? Think you can clearly see they had more impact on defense than Boat and Bazz and clearly both had good years offensively (if you actually watched?).....Henefeld was the difference.....you see a player with his mind, bball intellect out there anywhere? Gwynn coming off the bench as well as Murray and Lyman a defensive stopper........guess Spanky's a lot smarter than you from what I can see.....enjoy!!

 

[mauconnfan]

Not saying either of you are morons but his 1999 was clearly a typo as he referenced Dan Cyrulik.

Just saying.

Also the four year deal is a bit much but surely a one year deal is as moronic.

Agreed on 4 yrs but thought with 2 guaranteed would be okay? But 2 at least to get it going and get a proving ground........

 

[huskyniner]

Listen up buddy, President Herbst wasn't hired to freaking run the athletic program and what she has done thus far with UConn has been nothing short of amazing.

No one should call for Herbst retirement due to anything athletically related unless it's something on the scale of PSU or other NCAA sanctions that goes over multi-sports.

I'm not your buddy, pal.

I'm not calling for her retirement at all. I'm just saying that she hasn't done anything to earn my trust yet. Going forward, I'm hoping that she will.

 

[Waquoit]

1. JC knows more about basketball than Manuel.
2. He thinks Ollie is the man.

So what? JC has said he's "often wrong but never in doubt".

 

[HuskyBballFan]

So what? JC has said he's "often wrong but never in doubt".

Jim Calhoun may be Ollie's loudest supporter, but he's hardly the only one. If you've been following the coverage of him today and in recent weeks, there aren't too many people (who actually know him) who don't think the guy has what it takes.

 

[Waquoit]

If you've been following the coverage of him today and in recent weeks, there aren't too many people (who actually know him) who don't think the guy has what it takes.

Believe me, I've been reading the coverage. It was the work of a master.

 

[aceboon]

Believe me, I've been reading the coverage. It was the work of a master.

Adrian Wojnarowski hates Calhoun's guts(as the Nate Miles investigation showed) and he raved about Ollie and spoke of the the jobs waiting for him in the OKC Thunder organization. I guess that was stringpulling by Calhoun as well, huh?

 

[HuskyBballFan]

Believe me, I've been reading the coverage. It was the work of a master.

Numerous articles from several different websites in the last two days bashing Calhoun, but yet in your dream world he's such a media darling that he can convince writers to universally shower Kevin Ollie with undeserved praise.

 

[upstater]

So what? JC has said he's "often wrong but never in doubt".

So what? He has basketball expertise.

 

[upstater]

Forget it, these pinheads will NEVER get it. They think we should give a coach with zero head coaching experience a 4 year deal. What can you say to that? They live in dream world where the 1990 team had higher rated recruits and that this team is so devoid of talent it has no chance to succeed and, therfore, Ollie has no chance to succeed. I hope to god no players from our team or potential recruits are reading this crap. The 1990 team had decent talent and great team chemistry which, in part, was created by the coaching staff. Calhoun himself had to change his coaching approach as he got more talented teams but Calhoun circa 1990 absolutely could have won a ton of games with this collection of kids. We have a top 10 recruit surrounded by lots of other Top 100 and Top 50 recruits. We had great teams with the likes of Travis Knight as our center. Rod Sellers was 6'9" tall, had a bad knee and wasn't super talented. What were Chris Smith and Tate George rated coming out of high school?

I don't think anyone could coach this collection of players to a national championship but could a good coach win a lot of games with them? ABSOLUTELY! But because these whining cry babies didn't get their way, they feel like it is their duty to trash the team, trash the AD, trash the university president and make assumptions about the AD's confidence in the new coach. If any recruit is reading this board, THESE PINHEADS are doing more damage to our recruiting than a one year contract is. And we don't even know what Manuel or Herbst are saying to recruits. They could be telling them that they assume Ollie will do a great job and that their plan is to extend his contract to a long term one once he proves that they are right. They could be telling them that this is why he is not being termed as an interim coach.

Personally, I think this team will have a very good year. I honestly have no idea how good of a coach Ollie will be. He could be mediocre or he could be great. I hope he is great and, if he is, this team will surprise a lot of people. And he recruited a lot of these kids. He is not a stranger coming in so there is little chance of mutiny or resistance. They will rally around him. To say Ollie is being set up for failure is sour grapes to the point of being assinine. The decision has been made and the team will make the best of it. So why don't you guys shut the duck up and move the duck on already. This program needs positive energy and support, not this crap. I would be willing to bet that Ollie himself would tell you guys the same exact thing if he read what you are all writing.

One of the most deranged posts in the history of the Boneyard.

Impute things to others that were never said, and then go off on a screed against a strawman.

 

[Waquoit]

Numerous articles from several different websites in the last two days bashing Calhoun, but yet in your dream world he's such a media darling that he can convince writers to universally shower Kevin Ollie with undeserved praise.

That's the work of a master. He has people believing that all this praise is just spontaneous.

 

[8893]

That's the work of a master. He has people believing that all this praise is just spontaneous.

Just so we are clear on the record here: You are betting against Kevin Ollie's success as our next head coach, correct?

 

[NHUConnfan]

I'm not your buddy, pal.

I'm not calling for her retirement at all. I'm just saying that she hasn't done anything to earn my trust yet. Going forward, I'm hoping that she will.

I'm not your pal, friend.

Spoken like a UConn sports fan and not a fan of the university. If you actually read up on what she's done (that is, if you actually care about UConn) then she most definitely should have earned your trust by now.

 

[CAHUSKY]

1. JC knows more about basketball than Manuel.
2. He thinks Ollie is the man.
3. Making Hobbs the interim coach would go over like a lead balloon with the people you don't want to piss off.
4. Ollie has backers all over the USA who have seen what his advice, mentoring, impact on teaching the game to younger players, has brought over a span of 13 years in the NBA. You diminish that time he put in. People are making out as though this guy rolled off a beach chair and became a college coach 2 years ago, when one could easily argue that 13 years in the NBA on the back of your knowledge of the game (certainly not your athletic prowess) trumps sitting on the bench for more years. Billy Donovan, for instance, had 2 years at Marshall before taking the helm at Florida. Why do those two years (no tournaments, no conference championships, middling to bad record) trump 13 years being a heady player in the NBA?

I've only said this a number of times. The school is signalling to recruits that the coach is not supported and that they are not convinced he is good enough to coach.

Dean smith thought bill gutheridge was the man. Just saying. I love KO, had classes with KO and was one of the few other Californians at UCONN when KO was there. I couldn't be more solidly in his camp but I think warde made the right call with the 1 year contract

 

[huskyniner]

I'm not your pal, friend.

Spoken like a UConn sports fan and not a fan of the university. If you actually read up on what she's done (that is, if you actually care about UConn) then she most definitely should have earned your trust by now.

Considering that I graduated from UConn 3 years ago, I'm obviously interested and care about the university as a whole. Please don't question my allegiance.

 

[8893]

Nice quote by TO re KO from today's Courant:

Said Tyler Olander: "He's very much like Coach Calhoun. Their methods of getting their points across are just different. Coach Ollie is probably the most positive person I've ever met, and he's helped me with all aspects of life, in school, my personal life and especially on the court. He's always pushing everybody to go that much further and get that much better. … Nothing could knock him down that he won't get up from."

 

[upstater]

Dean smith thought bill gutheridge was the man. Just saying. I love KO, had classes with KO and was one of the few other Californians at UCONN when KO was there. I couldn't be more solidly in his camp but I think warde made the right call with the 1 year contract

It's a valid point.
But Ollie isn't Guthridge.

 

[Waquoit]

Just so we are clear on the record here: You are betting against Kevin Ollie's success as our next head coach, correct?

Where did you get that from? He's the coach of my favorite team in any sport, the team where W and L's get to me more than any other. Ollie's my guy now. I've been talking about the process here and those that think that JC didn't choreograph the whole thing starting from way back are nuts. And speaking of nuts, I think it's more important for the program overall that the new AD is left with his nuts on than to worry about what a couple of teenagers think.

 

[warbler1055]

Believe me, I've been reading the coverage. It was the work of a master.

Why are you so negative? Sure KO has never been a HC, but shouldn't we all wait and see in the next 7 months where every move and actions will be scrutinized?

 

[8893]

Where did you get that from? He's the coach of my favorite team in any sport, the team where W and L's get to me more than any other. Ollie's my guy now. I've been talking about the process here and those that think that JC didn't choreograph the whole thing starting from way back are nuts. And speaking of nuts, I think it's more important for the program overall that the new AD is left with his nuts on than to worry about what a couple of teenagers think.

I inferred that because you have been so consistently negative about anything that hints of JC's control, always assuming that he has the least noble and most insidious of intentions. You consistently fault those who support Calhoun as blind followers. Your view seems to overlook that most of us are simply fans who appreciate that Calhoun, while certainly imperfect, may just have a method to his madness, and it may not be as selfish as you think. You have stated repeatedly that this was JC's selfish, egotistical power play to ensure his death grip on the program and thus his legacy by keeping it in the family. I'll agree that that is one possible read of the situation; but I'll also admit readily that neither I nor any of us mutton heads who post here really know the truth. I remained somewhat skeptical about Kevin's ability to take over, despite all the glowing reviews from pretty much everyone who has ever encountered the man, because I needed to see it for myself. Now I have, and I am sold. I am going on record and saying I believe in this kid and I now believe that Calhoun made this power play not because he wanted to retain control over the program, but because he genuinely feels that Kevin is special and has a better ability and chance to succeed here than any other realistic option. You are saying let's wait and see the results. That's certainly your prerogative, and there are many who feel the same as you, including Warde Manuel. I think there is a huge difference between having the conviction to say you believe versus being a Doubting Thomas. And I believe that the success of our program is in large part attributable to people who took the former route, rather than the latter.

 

[Waquoit]

I inferred that because you have been so consistently negative about anything that hints of JC's control, always assuming that he has the least noble and most insidious of intentions. You consistently fault those who support Calhoun as blind followers. Your view seems to overlook that most of us are simply fans who appreciate that Calhoun, while certainly imperfect, may just have a method to his madness, and it may not be as selfish as you think. You have stated repeatedly that this was JC's selfish, egotistical power play to ensure his death grip on the program and thus his legacy by keeping it in the family. I'll agree that that is one possible read of the situation; but I'll also admit readily that neither I nor any of us mutton heads who post here really know the truth. I remained somewhat skeptical about Kevin's ability to take over, despite all the glowing reviews from pretty much everyone who has ever encountered the man, because I needed to see it for myself. Now I have, and I am sold. I am going on record and saying I believe in this kid and I now believe that Calhoun made this power play not because he wanted to retain control over the program, but because he genuinely feels that Kevin is special and has a better ability and chance to succeed here than any other realistic option. You are saying let's wait and see the results. That's certainly your prerogative, and there are many who feel the same as you, including Warde Manuel. I think there is a huge difference between having the conviction to say you believe versus being a Doubting Thomas. And I believe that the success of our program is in large part attributable to people who took the former route, rather than the latter.

I think this is pretty fair assessment of my attitude except for the way you go to extremes. I don't get this line "I think there is a huge difference between having the conviction to say you believe versus being a Doubting Thomas." JC isn't god and blind faith is no way to run a program. I will say my instincts concerning the BB program have been correct for over 30 years. I was touting JC for the head coaching job on the Boneyard of it's day (WTIC sportstalk) before Northeastern was on the schedule. Once he got here, I knew early he was the right guy. I was quoted in the Courant saying as much. I knew it when it was time to leave and said so while most folks were saying he would be here 2 more years. And now I'm saying that JC put the AD on the spot and the AD came through it as well as anyone could have. That doesn't mean I'm anti-Ollie. No one will be happier than me if KO is a huge success. UConn basketball is my team.

 

[8893]

I don't get this line "I think there is a huge difference between having the conviction to say you believe versus being a Doubting Thomas." JC isn't god and blind faith is no way to run a program.

There is a difference between blind faith and instincts based on observations, including observations of others who appear to be in position to know better than I do. I am saying that I am willing to give Calhoun the benefit of the doubt as to his motives now that I have had the chance to observe Kevin in this role. That's my instinct. I am not Warde Manuel. I am not running a program and I do not have to answer to anyone for my choice. Your wait-and-see approach makes it easy for your instincts to be right. You've been saying it was time for Calhoun to leave for a lot longer than your post a few weeks ago predicting that he would; and you were far from alone or prescient in that prediction. And your penchant for harboring conspiracy-theory grudges and analyzing everything through that backward lens seems to be a strange way to support the forward movement of a program whose success depends in large part on sustaining an enthusiastic and supportive fan base. Constructive criticism? Have at it. Your grudges appear to me to be neither constructive nor critical, but rather based solely on your constant suspicions of Calhoun's motives.

If I was Warde Manuel, I would have done everything exactly the same, except I would have made it a two-year deal because I believe that is a time-tested and well-honored compromise made by class, confident people and organizations in these situations. The Maras, owners of the New York Giants, come to mind as an example of that. It has no downside, and only upside imo. It is so little to give up for so much potential gain here.

 

[RayRay19]

Warde just needs to sit back and relax...coach calhoun will make this as seamless as possible...calhoun will be there 24/7 for ollie and there is no way this program is going anywhere but up...coach calhoun is still with the program and he is not going to let anything happen...he's probobly on a flight to the acc headquarters with his sleeves rolled up...we are in good hands...and ill tell you guys one thing...dont be surprised if the other players donate alot of $$$$$$$. Especially with a good friend of thiers at the helm...they want him to succeed as well and the way i perceive the uconn family...the nba alums will truly help out.

WOOOHOOO!!!!