Long Goodman article on the program

[EricSD]

Personally I enjoyed the article a lot - not because I liked what I read (which I did not), but because it seemed for the most part honest, and he took the time (according to him) to interview 30 former UCONN players, coaches, and "people close to the program". We all know the program is in the $h!++er at this point, so why sugar coat it? The one line that stood out to me as a huge red flag were the pair of top 100 kids that...

Ollie was in the mix for current Kentucky freshman Hamidou Diallo and also had a verbal commitment from freshman guard Makai Ashton-Langford, who ended up choosing Providence. Sources with direct knowledge of both recruitments said Ollie's lack of effort cost him in both cases

I mean come on. That's a huge red flag. Not putting in the effort? On one hand I find that hard to believe as it seems no one worked harder at his craft in the NBA with the limited talent he had, so to think he's just not putting in the effort as the UCONN head coach is mystifying at best.

Ollie's comment that "scavengers and rats are the first to jump off a sinking ship" was almost amusing, but more sad than anything else given that by all accounts, he's the guy that punched the holes in the boat.

"KO's a great guy," one former UConn assistant said. "But he's not getting paid $3 million to be a great guy."

It's possible that the NCAA investigation gives the university and the state an out -- if Ollie is implicated in NCAA violations, he could be fired for cause, which would negate the buyout. One source told ESPN there is a chance that the two sides also could come to an agreement after the season, with Ollie walking away with a portion of the money.

Frankly that's what I hope happens. I fear that with the cloud over his head, even if he put in 100% effort and then some, top kids still wouldn't come here due to uncertainty, and I'm not sure he can fix what's wrong, or that he's even the right guy to do it.

 

[auror]

The most concerning thing I read, regarding Vance:

"Jackson, who averaged 8.1 points and 26 minutes per game as a freshman, met with Ollie after last season and wanted to know what the plan was for him to be able to develop into more than just a spot-up shooter."

"[Jackson] wanted a clear plan going forward," the source said. "He didn't want to transfer, but there was no plan."

Huh? No plan for a player that we could've really used this season and beyond? No plan for a player who actually wanted to stay? If this is true then this is finally does it for me. He needs to be gone and we need a change.

Good article. The only thing I’m not buying is the Vance Jackson story. He was gone regardless of how his meeting with Ollie went at the end of the season.

Jackson didn't like that there wasn't a plan for him to be the number 1 option. How could he be? He was slow, not a great ball handler, didn't have a great post game and played below the rim.

The truth, as always, probably lies in the middle. Vance wanted to be #1 option or at least on the path to becoming it. Ollie probably also didn't offer specifics on how he could achieve that. We don't know if Jackson would have left even if Ollie had a better improvement plan. Maybe. But is it damning either way? I'd say yes. Your job as Head Coach is to assemble, retain, and improve your talent. Any legal means necessary. We've seen the results of doubling down on "the guys that want to be here", and that strategy has not borne fruit.

 

[Waquoit]

You're absolutely right. He didn't quote the BY. Instead, he uses the same tactic the "Fire Ollie" crowd here uses.

What makes more sense? That the article was written in good faith or that Goodman made it up?

 

[pj]

Jackson didn't like that there wasn't a plan for him to be the number 1 option. How could he be? He was slow, not a great ball handler, didn't have a great post game and played below the rim.

Getting in the gym and working on his handle and his strength and speed may have been the plan. He didn't like the plan. Maybe he didn't find a better plan elsewhere and that's why he ended up at New Mexico.

 

[jorge34]

Personally I enjoyed the article a lot - not because I liked what I read (which I did not), but because it seemed for the most part honest, and he took the time (according to him) to interview 30 former UCONN players, coaches, and "people close to the program". We all know the program is in the $h!++er at this point, so why sugar coat it? The one line that stood out to me as a huge red flag were the pair of top 100 kids that...

Ollie was in the mix for current Kentucky freshman Hamidou Diallo and also had a verbal commitment from freshman guard Makai Ashton-Langford, who ended up choosing Providence. Sources with direct knowledge of both recruitments said Ollie's lack of effort cost him in both cases

I mean come on. That's a huge red flag. Not putting in the effort? On one hand I find that hard to believe as it seems no one worked harder at his craft in the NBA with the limited talent he had, so to think he's just not putting in the effort as the UCONN head coach is mystifying at best.

Ollie's comment that "scavengers and rats are the first to jump off a sinking ship" was almost amusing, but more sad than anything else given that by all accounts, he's the guy that punched the holes in the boat.

"KO's a great guy," one former UConn assistant said. "But he's not getting paid $3 million to be a great guy."

It's possible that the NCAA investigation gives the university and the state an out -- if Ollie is implicated in NCAA violations, he could be fired for cause, which would negate the buyout. One source told ESPN there is a chance that the two sides also could come to an agreement after the season, with Ollie walking away with a portion of the money.

Frankly that's what I hope happens. I fear that with the cloud over his head, even if he put in 100% effort and then some, top kids still wouldn't come here due to uncertainty, and I'm not sure he can fix what's wrong, or that he's even the right guy to do it.

He's not. It's over.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Being outworked on Diallo who was a 5 star burger boy in our backyard who had sincere interest interest in coming here is cause for firing alone. We knew about MAL and many of us didn’t use that as a major indictment on him and considered there were other factors. But to find out Diallo didn’t come here because Ollie was simply outworked is infuriating

Infuriating is the right word, especially with you consider the ripple effect that Diallo could have had on the program had he come here.

Getting Diallo, even if he stayed for 1 year, or even 0.5 year, would have signaled to years of recruits that UConn is (still) a destination for top talent.

Now we're in a position that we're fretting about retaining the #97 ranked recruit.

That KO failed to grasp the importance of that situation is firable in itself.

 

[upstater]

Good article. The only thing I’m not buying is the Vance Jackson story. He was gone regardless of how his meeting with Ollie went at the end of the season.

The Diallo thing is difficult to understand too. He was on campus a lot, surely Ollie was recruiting him hard, and we had posters here constantly noting Ollie was at his games. The final tel was that we had word he was going to commit to UConn for the spring, then a day before he was going to enroll, Calipari ends up in Connecticut and convinces him not to. Hard to conclude from that that little effort was made.

Mind you, I don't believe that Ollie had a sudden switch and started recruiting less after his divorce. Ollie had these problems recruiting in his first year as well. Remember when Abu's people in Boston said that Ollie and staff weren't hardly recruiting (a kid who used to go around in UConn gear)? So I do buy the idea that Ollie doesn't recruit hard. I question it though in Diallo's case.

 

[8893]

live look at 8893 on the ship

But where's my orchestra? They said there would be music, dammit!

You don't technically have to be standing when the ship sinks. 8893 already has his lounge chair picked out.

Except I'm not saying to keep Ollie as our coach; to the contrary, I've said that ship has sailed with me, too.

I'm simply suggesting that people have some class and discretion if they understand what is best for the school. But yeah, I realize that's blood from a stone with respect to you.

 

[Tenspro2002]

Chosen in the sense that JC chose him. We should have had a national search.

Picking a woefully inexperienced assistant screamed "small time", and the results and perception over the last few years have been exactly that.

 

[Travelman6]

"It's not fair to compare anyone to a top-five coach," one of UConn's most prominent boosters said. "I stand 100 percent behind Kevin until something happens."

-----------------------------------

What about this? I just want to shake/slap repeatedly this person/these people out of their doldrum(s) until they freakin' get it. This allegiance is obnoxious, it is stupid and it is not helping.


Who wants to line up with me?

 

[JMick]

But where's my orchestra? They said there would be music, dammit!



Except I'm not saying to keep Ollie as our coach; to the contrary, I've said that ship has sailed with me, too.

I'm simply suggesting that people have some class and discretion if they understand what is best for the school. But yeah, I realize that's blood from a stone with respect to you.

it's a little unfortunate that you seem to imply fans on a messageboard are worthy of more scorn than the captain of the sinking ship

 

[JMick]

"It's not fair to compare anyone to a top-five coach," one of UConn's most prominent boosters said. "I stand 100 percent behind Kevin until something happens."

-----------------------------------

What about this? I just want to shake/slap repeatedly this person/these people out of their doldrum(s) until they freakin' get it. This allegiance is obnoxious and is not helping.


Who wants to line up with me?

that was clearly Mike Melio. He is one of those "if you think it you can do it" people. not my cup of tea

 

[8893]

it's a little unfortunate that you seem to imply fans on a messageboard are worthy of more scorn than the captain of the sinking ship

When the fan finds such glee in setting the sinking ship on fire, yeah I have no place for that.

The captain did a lot for this school and this program and I take no joy in seeing him sink. And I do hope he rises again somewhere.

 

[Travelman6]

that was clearly Mike Melio. He is one of those "if you think it you can do it" people. not my cup of tea

well it is obnoxious. I guess being blind to things also helps.

 

[JMick]

When the fan finds such glee in setting the sinking ship on fire, yeah I have no place for that.

The captain did a lot for this school and this program and I take no joy in seeing him sink. And I do hope he rises again somewhere.

it's not glee. i'm not sure why people keep saying that. Do I personally enjoy the vindication from the article? yeah, only because some people here chose to repeatedly call me and others liars and describe us as "rats" solely for providing answers to why the program is a mess right now. you know what I'd enjoy more, though? if kevin ollie was a good coach and uconn basketball was competitive.

 

[Penfield]

It's time to make a change, but this process is not going to be fun. There are two camps in this fight and both seem to have a pretty strong influence and some weight to throw around. Seismic changes coming to Storrs

 

[Travelman6]

It's time to make a change, but this process is not going to be fun. There are two camps in this fight and both seem to have a pretty strong influence and some weight to throw around. Seismic changes coming to Storrs

No, it is not going to be fun. But what we have is not fun in the least either. At least if it continues to not be fun it is with something new and we at least tried...some of these boosters though, really.

 

[jorge34]

I don't think anybody wants to see him fail. But he has failed. Maybe he would be better served as lead recruiter or in the nba as an assistant somewhere. And I genuinely hope he becomes a huge success. But right now, in this situation, he's not the guy.
Stringing this along beyond this year helps no one.

 

[superjohn]

But where's my orchestra? They said there would be music, dammit!



Except I'm not saying to keep Ollie as our coach; to the contrary, I've said that ship has sailed with me, too.

I'm simply suggesting that people have some class and discretion if they understand what is best for the school. But yeah, I realize that's blood from a stone with respect to you.

Lol, so predictable. You argued with me for months that Ollie should stay. Now that you know he's going to be fired you're a guy who knows the ship has sailed. Get the farck out of here.

 

[superjohn]

I don't think anybody wants to see him fail. But he has failed. Maybe he would be better served as lead recruiter or in the nba as an assistant somewhere. And I genuinely hope he becomes a huge success. But right now, in this situation, he's not the guy.
Stringing this along beyond this year helps no one.

Lead recruiter actually involves recruiting.

 

[SouthBayHusky]

I think this was a well sourced article. I’m no fan of Goodman, but I do not think ESPN or Goodman or anyone else has an agenda or conspiracy against Kevin Ollie. Speaking with over 30 former players, coaches etc. does not smack of a hit piece. However what I found most compelling, beyond the obvious lack of effort recruiting Hammie and Mal, and no plan for development of Vance and Durham but to hit the gym, was the obvious no confidence statement from Calhoun on Ollie. I think it speaks volumes when he states he states in the 1 sentence for the record merely that he loves Uconn, loves the program and is rooting for Kevin Ollie, without wanting to go any further or expressing anything positive like he’s doing a good job etc. If he had any serious confidence in Kevin he would have stated it on the record knowing full well this article is covering the state of affairs concerning KO future with the program. I think that speaks volumes. Reminds me of the lack of confidence expressed by Benedict at his last press conference with regard to Kevin. With The NCAA investigation looming in the background, I see this ending in some type of mutual agreement between Kevin and the school concerning separation and buyout. I just can’t see how this can be turned around at this point and given how far we have come and how this much attention and ink spent covering the problems/issues with KO

 

[Penfield]

No, it is not going to be fun. But what we have is not fun in the least either. At least if it continues to not be fun it is with something new and we at least tried...some of these boosters though, really.

I don't understand what they think is going to change. Wish I had some serious dough to throw around.

 

[jorge34]

Lead recruiter actually involves recruiting.

Touche

 

[Stinger92860]

My brother-in-law is a member of Glastonbury Country Club. Last year, on the first “live” day of recruiting where every coach is flying around the country and visiting with their top targets, he saw KO playing golf with Ray Allen.

Are you saying that Ray was not a good recruit

 

[Stainmaster]

"It's not fair to compare anyone to a top-five coach," one of UConn's most prominent boosters said. "I stand 100 percent behind Kevin until something happens."

-----------------------------------

What about this? I just want to shake/slap repeatedly this person/these people out of their doldrum(s) until they freakin' get it. This allegiance is obnoxious, it is stupid and it is not helping.


Who wants to line up with me?

How are you not mad at the people who do treat top-five coach as the baseline, independent of whether that standard is applied to Ollie or his replacement?

 

[Stainmaster]

it's a little unfortunate that you seem to imply fans on a messageboard are worthy of more scorn than the captain of the sinking ship

Well the reason we're in this situation is because bad fans lowered their expectations...or so I've been told at least

 

[TRest]

Are you saying that Ray was not a good recruit

Was the original post deleted? Jeebus.

 

[3rdbass]

Despite some ridiculous claims to the contrary here, no one wanted him to fail.

But all of the reasons listed in that article have been mentioned here for some time....he doesn’t work hard enough.

This is all on Kevin Ollie. All of it.

Which is so surprising since how hard he had to work as an NBA player to stay in the league for so long with limited skills. I think we can all contribute his lack of effort from around the time he got divorced. Some people just never recover to be the same person after a divorce. Sad but true.

 

[D$]

Vance will be the gift that keeps giving....Sr that is.....

This makes me feel sick, if true. Is there truth to this?

 

[superjohn]

This makes me feel sick, if true. Is there truth to this?

That's the word. Hope for the best but fear it's going to be really painful.