Past UConn precedent for current situation

[Waquoit]

It just came to me how similar the current BB team’s situation mirrors the situation faced by the men’s soccer program back in the mid-90’s. Both teams were led by legendary, Hall of Fame championship coaches. Both took their programs from obscurity to the top of their respective sports. Both were/are difficult men that didn’t mellow with age. In fact, they became more difficult in the late stages of their career, neither seeing eye-to-eye with their AD’s. Both had an alum that had played for their coach as their top assistant. Both players were long-time journeymen pros in their sports before joining the staff. They became effective recruiters and both were considered unannounced “coaches-in-waiting.”
As the time went by in these late-stages, the AD’s were put in tough situations, trying to determine whether or not the legendary coaches should be able to go out on their own terms. Of course, everybody wants a happy ending, but what if the program is at risk? Is a happy ending even possible given the intransigence of the two men? In the first case, the strong AD decided enough was enough. He forced out the legendary coach and sent the “coach-in-waiting” packing. He hired a new coach that had great success at a lower-level program. The program became reinvigorated, won another championship, and had been consistently at the top of the standings and the attendance rankings ever since.

 

[freescooter]

It just came to me how similar the current BB team’s situation mirrors the situation faced by the men’s soccer program back in the mid-90’s. Both teams were led by legendary, Hall of Fame championship coaches. Both took their programs from obscurity to the top of their respective sports. Both were/are difficult men that didn’t mellow with age. In fact, they became more difficult in the late stages of their career, neither seeing eye-to-eye with their AD’s. Both had an alum that had played for their coach as their top assistant. Both players were long-time journeymen pros in their sports before joining the staff. They became effective recruiters and both were considered unannounced “coaches-in-waiting.”
As the time went by in these late-stages, the AD’s were put in tough situations, trying to determine whether or not the legendary coaches should be able to go out on their own terms. Of course, everybody wants a happy ending, but what if the program is at risk? Is a happy ending even possible given the intransigence of the two men? In the first case, the strong AD decided enough was enough. He forced out the legendary coach and sent the “coach-in-waiting” packing. He hired a new coach that had great success at a lower-level program. The program became reinvigorated, won another championship, and had been consistently at the top of the standings and the attendance rankings ever since.

You are not allowed to bring that up...

 

[nomar]

It just came to me how similar the current BB team’s situation mirrors the situation faced by the men’s soccer program back in the mid-90’s. Both teams were led by legendary, Hall of Fame championship coaches. Both took their programs from obscurity to the top of their respective sports. Both were/are difficult men that didn’t mellow with age. In fact, they became more difficult in the late stages of their career, neither seeing eye-to-eye with their AD’s. Both had an alum that had played for their coach as their top assistant. Both players were long-time journeymen pros in their sports before joining the staff. They became effective recruiters and both were considered unannounced “coaches-in-waiting.”
As the time went by in these late-stages, the AD’s were put in tough situations, trying to determine whether or not the legendary coaches should be able to go out on their own terms. Of course, everybody wants a happy ending, but what if the program is at risk? Is a happy ending even possible given the intransigence of the two men? In the first case, the strong AD decided enough was enough. He forced out the legendary coach and sent the “coach-in-waiting” packing. He hired a new coach that had great success at a lower-level program. The program became reinvigorated, won another championship, and had been consistently at the top of the standings and the attendance rankings ever since.

I can't pretend to know a lot about the soccer program. They hired Ray Reid from SCSU, right?

Well, I'll tell you this: Whatever HCIW they fired was no Kevin Ollie, a guy who every recruit will have heard of and will respect. And I'll ask you this: Do you want to bet that Tom Moore or Steve Pikiell (let alone a D2 coach) is going to be Ray Reid 2.0?

I assume you're pointing out the similarities to make a point about the wisdom of handing the reins to Ollie.

 

[Waquoit]

Well, I'll tell you this: Whatever HCIW they fired was no Kevin Ollie, a guy who every recruit will have heard of and will respect.

The HCIW was an All-American and played on the National team. He's now the head coach of Rutgers.

 

[husky8273]

see http://www.scarletknights.com/soccer-men/coaches/donigan.asp

 

[zls44]

Is Jim Calhoun going to give a rabblerousing speech at Willington Pizza? When he does, THEN he's channeling Joe Morrone.

 

[freescooter]

The biggest difference between the current situation and the Morrone situation is Calhoun's Hamlet impersonation. If he leaves late September there is little choice but to appoint someone on the current staff "interim" but given all the issues this season, it will be hard to hold them to much of a standard. I mean if Ollie takes over and goes 10-20, maybe you conclude he's not ready. If he goes 20-10 that is a very good sign but if he's between 14 and 17 wins...doesn't tell you much.

 

[willie99]

Calhoun has just a tad more influence than Morrone did