Multi-year Extension for Ollie

[Dann]

He's a UMass fan, he comes over and goes back and forth various posters all the time. I have him blocked. It's fantastic.

lol

i think ppl here should know that both clothy and fishy come from the same family, they are cousins.

 

[upstater]

First semester grades... Academics extremely important to SH and WM. Needed to see that proper focus was being placed where it should be. This was the last hurdle.

This was never about just wins and loses.

Sigh. I don't even know where to begin with this. Man, oh, man. If they hired Shaka Smart, they would've had an out clause after the first semester? I mean, the players took 3 intersession courses in August, then Ollie had what to do with their grades? He insisted they go to class? Of course he did!

And if one of the new guys slept in instead and never made it to class, then Ollie wouldn't have been given a contract?

I'm seriously shaking my head here. Manuel even acknowledged this probably hurt UConn in recruiting. What a charade.

 

[upstater]

Grades you nut. That's all this was ever about. Unlike you and some of us Warde and Susan care about grades and eliminating the negative view (right or wrong) that the nation has about our academics

Yes, everyone now has a very different view of UConn academics, due to the 2 month delay in signing the basketball coach.

 

[upstater]

It is not just grades. It's competence. KO had never been a head coach before. Not even AAU or HS. Playing basketball does not make one qualified to coach. I think we all thought Kevin did have the skill set, but I think WM would have been an imbecile to sign him long term before he demonstrated it. Handled exactly the right way.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

And how is this different from other assistant coaches who get promoted? Like Izzo or Hopkins at Syracuse? No one knows. Or Guthridge or Esherick? No one knows.

 

[Richmondhsky]

If the APR thing is a big deal then put a clause in Ollie's original contract. That way you don't lose recruits and you maintain the ability to get rid of Ollie if he doesn't live up to expectations. It's over now, so whatever, but count me among those who think that Manuel handled this extremely poorly. Seemed pretty transparent that he was waiting on this so that he could claim that it was he, and not Jim Calhoun, who decided that Kevin Ollie should be the next coach.

It has a more dramatic effect on CR when you wait until first semester grades are posted. We are not UNC where everyone looks the other way on the fallout. I didn't like the wait for the contract but in the long run, it will benefit the University in getting to the next step out of the wilderness. Really, three months wasn't that long of a time to wait...bet KO is ok with it. Think long term

 

[huskiesnyc]

Congrats to KO! There is no coach I would rather have lead this program post Calhoun

 

[upstater]

Apparently, if I'm listening to this board, the UConn braintrust had concerns that Ollie might not be capable of adequately emphasizing academics.

 

[Kitaman]

Glad he got it before this game and before the BE season begins.

 

[huskymedic]

Sigh. I don't even know where to begin with this. Man, oh, man. If they hired Shaka Smart, they would've had an out clause after the first semester? I mean, the players took 3 intersession courses in August, then Ollie had what to do with their grades? He insisted they go to class? Of course he did!

And if one of the new guys slept in instead and never made it to class, then Ollie wouldn't have been given a contract?

I'm seriously shaking my head here. Manuel even acknowledged this probably hurt UConn in recruiting. What a charade.

There was clearly more to this "evaluation period" than first semester grades. I won't/can't argue that the whole process hasn't been a charade (including the timing on both ends of the saga) i would imagine that the APR contract language would have been there no matter who they hired. WM/SH had the chance to make a stand on the academics and they took it.

Upstater - Would you agree that based on the situation this year (ban) that it plays well to the media and other university president?

 

[Husky25]

This is the right move, but I am still confused as to why the AD needed to wait 2 months. Basically he has watched KO coach these guys against no-so-tough out of conference schedule. I don't see how he has discovered anything that we didn't know back in October.

Because theoretically they are STUDENT-Athletes and the lack of student part = a post season ban.

 

[upstater]

There was clearly more to this "evaluation period" than first semester grades. I won't/can't argue that the whole process hasn't been a charade (including the timing on both ends of the saga) i would imagine that the APR contract language would have been there no matter who they hired. WM/SH had the chance to make a stand on the academics and they took it.

Upstater - Would you agree that based on the situation this year (ban) that it plays well to the media and other university president?

I really don't think it plays well. For me, it does the opposite. It says that unlike college coaches everywhere else, there was some question about how Ollie emphasizes academics.

I think the PR value has the half-life of a housefly. Not worth it in the end. If anything, it emphasizes the farcical nature of bigtime college sports.

 

[businesslawyer]

And how is this different from other assistant coaches who get promoted? Like Izzo or Hopkins at Syracuse? No one knows. Or Guthridge or Esherick? No one knows.

Were they appointed in September when the departing coach left a new AD no choice? Seriously -- do you ever have an opinion on anything that you see the other side of.?

 

[upstater]

Were they appointed in September when the departing coach left a new AD no choice? Seriously -- do you ever have an opinion on anything that you see the other side of.?

No I never see the other side of things. Whereas you do, oh wise one. Yeah right.

The departing coach happened to have a broken hip, and Blaney (a liar apparently) says that was the real reason Calhoun left. We've been through this a million times. What else do you want? The other side makes absolutely no sense other than shoring up Manuel's sense of self-worth. If they had doubts about Ollie, give him a 3 year contract for short money with a buy out. Don't announce to the world that you don't think he deserves what every other single coach in America receives.

This was badly handled by either Manuel or whoever the heck made these bizarre decisions.

 

[huskymedic]

I really don't think it plays well. For me, it does the opposite. It says that unlike college coaches everywhere else, there was some question about how Ollie emphasizes academics.

I think the PR value has the half-life of a housefly. Not worth it in the end. If anything, it emphasizes the farcical nature of bigtime college sports.

Fair enough - don't agree but get/ understand your point. thx

 

[businesslawyer]

No I never see the other side of things. Whereas you do, oh wise one. Yeah right.

The departing coach happened to have a broken hip, and Blaney (a liar apparently) says that was the real reason Calhoun left. We've been through this a million times. What else do you want? The other side makes absolutely no sense other than shoring up Manuel's sense of self-worth. If they had doubts about Ollie, give him a 3 year contract for short money with a buy out. Don't announce to the world that you don't think he deserves what every other single coach in America receives.

This was badly handled by either Manuel or whoever the heck made these bizarre decisions.

On this, all sides are easy to see. I understand why you might have signed Ollie on day one. I understand at least watching him coach for six weeks. And I would have understood if we "interimed" through the year while we put feelers out on others. (Which, for all we know ....)

Hopefully, in 20 years not having committed to KO on day one will look dumb. But this situation was full or differing rational paths for the AD to follow.

 

[UConn5]

I think it is fair to criticize Manuel. We know nothing more about Ollie now than we did back in September. If academics were the issue back then, he should have said so. Everyone knows the real reason is that he didn't want to make it seem like he was being held hostage by JC's choice to retire when he did so as to force Manuel's hand. If the guys on the team didn't perform in the classroom this semester I would have found it very hard to believe that it was because KO didn't properly emphasize it.

Regardless, I am glad that it is finally done with.

 

[sdhusky]

On this, all sides are easy to see. I understand why you might have signed Ollie on day one. I understand at least watching him coach for six weeks. And I would have understood if we "interimed" through the year while we put feelers out on others. (Which, for all we know ....)

Hopefully, in 20 years not having committed to KO on day one will look dumb. But this situation was full or differing rational paths for the AD to follow.

If Ollie is the right guy, it won't matter.

If he is the wrong guy, it won't matter.

Time will reveal everything.

 

[caw]

I think it is fair to criticize Manuel. We know nothing more about Ollie now than we did back in September. If academics were the issue back then, he should have said so. Everyone knows the real reason is that he didn't want to make it seem like he was being held hostage by JC's choice to retire when he did so as to force Manuel's hand. If the guys on the team didn't perform in the classroom this semester I would have found it very hard to believe that it was because KO didn't properly emphasize it.

Regardless, I am glad that it is finally done with.

We know a ton more about Ollie than we did in September. In September we hoped (some/most of us) that he was this good or better. Now we know he is.

 

[CL82]

First semester grades... Academics extremely important to SH and WM. Needed to see that proper focus was being placed where it should be. This was the last hurdle.

This was never about just wins and loses.

Nah, it was mostly about saving face and giving the illusion of control.

 

[Joe Menchetti]

I'd like to see KO develop a hobby...football. Head coach. Couldn't be worse than PP.

 

[fgbrault]

I think it is fair to criticize Manuel. We know nothing more about Ollie now than we did back in September. If academics were the issue back then, he should have said so. Everyone knows the real reason is that he didn't want to make it seem like he was being held hostage by JC's choice to retire when he did so as to force Manuel's hand. If the guys on the team didn't perform in the classroom this semester I would have found it very hard to believe that it was because KO didn't properly emphasize it.

Regardless, I am glad that it is finally done with.

I know a lot more now than I did then. I know that Ollie can motivate his players, can coach and apparently run a big-time program (time will tell how good he is at recruiting). I did not know those things then, as he had never coached a single game in his life and never been in charge of a basketball program. I think it would have been foolish for Manuel to have signed Ollie to a long term contract, at that time. I think Ollie has now shown he can do these things and deserves the 5 year contract.

 

[Dann]

dd, boat ad were all ko recruits. jc took ko around on the trail and formed relationships, ko has been THE recruitier for 3 years now. thats not a joke. many here though it wa syears ago when a select few were talking about nit on these forums, it wasn't. he was telling kids back then this program was his but not until next year. things changed a bit and warde did his dance. but recruiting wise we know he can recruit big boys. now lets watch him fish.

 

[whaler11]

its all fine and jolly to have this type of talk in the contract and job descriptions but u dont live in the real world if u think coach k or roy or izzo etc give 2 ****s about a report card. they each have 30 ppl under them in the ath dept whose sole jobs are to keep those players gradesa nd **** in check. we had only a few and hathaway ****ed us over letting it get out of hand. 2 of the ppl who had those jobs were bad apples who viewded the job as a playful time with players as much as a serious part of the program. thats ****ed us. no matter how much iu want to make a bball coach job out to be everything good in college sports, its not. its a business and he is here to win games and ships. with ko we also have the family dynamic which is great also. school does not factor into it past media and talk to make sure u cover yourself. running the program is all talk bs. is he the leader? sure but school work comes right after play station time on his list of things 2 handle, which is its not on the list. the closest he gets to grades type **** is he calls in the advisors once a week to have the 30 minute meeting and make sure each kid is doing what he has to do. thats it.

A lot of coaches do actually care about graduating players. They aren't holding study hall themselves - but they are the CEO and they understand those results fall to them at the end of the day.

 

[whaler11]

Nah, it was mostly about saving face and giving the illusion of control.

Illusion of control is a great way to put it.
It's spin you can sell with a straight face and plays well given the APR challenges.

Things actually worked. Ollie got his 5 years. Warde got to give the illusion of being in charge. They can show they value academics. Beat Washington and played pretty well.

Now if we could get a 2014 football game on the schedule that would be great.

 

[whaler11]

No I never see the other side of things. Whereas you do, oh wise one. Yeah right.

The departing coach happened to have a broken hip, and Blaney (a liar apparently) says that was the real reason Calhoun left. We've been through this a million times. What else do you want? The other side makes absolutely no sense other than shoring up Manuel's sense of self-worth. If they had doubts about Ollie, give him a 3 year contract for short money with a buy out. Don't announce to the world that you don't think he deserves what every other single coach in America receives.

This was badly handled by either Manuel or whoever the heck made these bizarre decisions.

Even if Calhoun didn't manipulate the situation... Really give that benefit of the doubt.

He still left at a time where they had no choice. Ollie waited 2 months to get 5 years instead of getting 3 out of the gate so I guess it worked out ok for him.

Everyone knows why he got 7 months. If you are upset they won't be honest about it - how could they? Would you prefer they go to war publicly with Calhoun? Or would you prefer an administration that is so weak the retired coach is clearly calling the shots? Which of those outcomes is better?

 

[3rdbass]

Congrats to Ollie!!! I was at the game at game with my brothers. We got great seats 7 rows behind the UCONN bench since there was nobody there. I'm up here visiting family as I always do during Christmas from Atlanta now. It was great to see Ollie give a nice speech thanking the players, fans and administration for being behind him and that he will still be working this hard for 25 years to keep UCONN a national power. I'm glad he is also pushing academics so much as it is a refreshing take to a new exciting regime.

 

[Excalibur]

Amazing the criticism considering how a lose-lose situation turned into a win.

 

[8893]

Interesting tidbit in today's Courant:

With Jim Calhoun vacationing in Florida, Ollie was not able to reach him Saturday night. "I know he's ecstatic for me," Ollie said. "He'll be the first call I make in the morning." Calhoun had been at every previous game this season.

Whether orchestrated or not, Calhoun's absence for this certainly plays into the theme of Manuel wanting to appear to be as free from Calhoun's influence as possible.

 

[djct1999]

love the extension and the irony. we go from having an elite program with a coach the college world loved to hate to a coach now that college world simply loves.

 

[HuskyHawk]

ok being the ast coach at a big boy school or playing 15 years in the nba isn't the fastlane? jc was out health wise over half of jc's time he was under him. who do u think killed it on the trail all that time? blaney? you are all unreal. ko was the man of the program back then. several here inclding me wrote about it seeing hin in gyms and it was obvious. before jc even fell of that dam bike several here including me were 100% ko and we wanted things to go smooth. there was thread after thread abotu him being the right guy and so much more. wtf is the fast lane? if its not playing 15 years in the nba and then coaching under a legend but also for a legend while hes hurt/sick then i'm not sure wtf the fast lane is?

i love the brad stevens crowd here for example. do u clowns know anything about him? he playing college ball at some school that ****ed up the name deapul took years ago. he then spent like 5 years working his way thru the buytler staff. back then, butler was not todays butler. he then got the hc job and sice he has turned that school into a very nice mid major program. a ton of respect for the guy and i am a fan. but where is his expierence or qualifications? you want to talk fast lane? the siena coach years ago spent years working his way up the ladder and finally got a call to like iowa or something was what he could get. fastlane my ass.



its fun when every single argument the 75% here makes gets torn apart right away isn't it? i don't know wtf happened in buffalo, but a lot of uconn fans sure love it i guess.


umass fan

Yeah, who would want a guy that played at a small college. Then spent several years coaching a HS team. Then moved on to coach at a smaller program for a few more years where he built it up and made the tournament behind a superstar. Then took on a job with a school in an exciting major conference, but one that was a doormat at the time. What kind of experience is that compared to playing in the NBA?

Coaching and playing are not the same. Different skills and different levels of intelligence are needed. Most NBA players do not possess the skills or brains to coach. Please show me the list of great college coaches that had long NBA careers? It's a short list of zero.