Staff Changes Needed

[Marty Jackson]

The coaching has been a big problem for 2 years now.

KO deserves to coach his own recruits, and has at least 2 years beyond this one to prove he's the right guy long-term. But he will be on notice if this season continues the way it has, with two big disappointments in a row.

The rest of the staff needs a shake-up. This "all in the family" coaching staff is a cute look and maybe it fits the "family" storyline we pitch to recruits. But I'm not convinced the guys we have now add a G-D thing when it comes to
1) recruiting
2) player development
3) in-game tactics

Recruiting was a concern for some time, but KO -- essentially on his own -- seems to have righted the ship.

The bigs, plainly, have not significantly improved during KO's tenure. Because of the horrific recruiting, none of the bigs we have (Nolan, Facey, Brimah) were going to morph into Olajuwon. But after 3 or 4 years, we should have seen much more than we have.

It's become cliche to say it, but we need to bring in an assistant who can challenge, instill toughness in, and improve the skills of our bigs. We're not going to be recruiting the Jahlil Okafors and Karl-Anthony Townses of the world. If we can't develop bigs, our frontcourt will always be a weakness.

Whatever Glen Miller is supposed to be providing here, in terms of big-man coaching, game-planning, and strategy, it's not cutting it.

Karl Hobbs may be past his expiration date as well.

I'll say it again... Clyde Vaughn.

 

[mauconnfan]

I'll say it again... Clyde Vaughn.

Let's bring in Clyde for the bigs and Earl Kelley for the guards. Can anyone say Louisville?

 

[mauconnfan]

I'll say it again... Clyde Vaughn.

By the way Marty just busting balls. I would love Clyde back and he's probably done his time if he's been good boy and deserves to work again. Just too many variables in the rehire as we know, negative recruiting etc etc - it's unfortunate. In this case both he and Earl did wrong and both are on the path of doing more right and good for them.

 

[ctchamps]

Seems like a lot of the same individuals who cried that KO and the coaching staff can't recruit and need to go outside the family are now making the same argument about coaching.

Probably a good number of these same people felt JC could never recruit a decent five (donut arguments) and JC could never win the big one.

Given the history of the Boneyard getting it wrong, I'm going long on the coaching staff.

 

[intlzncster]

Let's bring in Clyde for the bigs and Earl Kelley for the guards. Can anyone say Louisville?

Throw Heidi Fleiss in there as the DPR (Director of Player Recreation) and you've got something.

 

[intlzncster]

By the way Marty just busting balls. I would love Clyde back and he's probably done his time if he's been good boy and deserves to work again. Just too many variables in the rehire as we know, negative recruiting etc etc - it's unfortunate. In this case both he and Earl did wrong and both are on the path of doing more right and good for them.

After the Louisville thing, Clyde's dead to a program like UCONN. Can't associate even if we wanted to.

 

[QDOG5]

Let's count the championships. KO-1 asst., 1 HC, GMiller- 2 asst., KHobbs- 3 asst., A10 coach of the year 05-06, RMoore- 1 player, 1 asst., KFree- 1 player, 1 asst. Off with their heads.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Let's count the championships. KO-1 asst., 1 HC, GMiller- 2 asst., KHobbs- 3 asst., A10 coach of the year 05-06, RMoore- 1 player, 1 asst., KFree- 1 player, 1 asst. Off with their heads.

I don't think we should start firing people, but this is a pretty terrible argument.

 

[Dogdeacon]

I wouldn't want to lose Ricky either since he seems to be a pretty strong recruiter down south. But the 2nd part is utterly meaningless. Ted Williams is arguably the greatest hitter in history and he was a terrible manager. We have a staff of heady point guards and our guards make hideous decisions. On the converse, we also have a staff of pass first, non-shooting point guards and a max effort undersized PF and our offense is embarrassing. I have no idea what each assistant brings to the table as a coach. It's impossible to know. If there's someone out there who can improve our team, then UConn loyalty, I'm sorry, should not factor in.

Interesting analogy & I was about to call on the all-timer Ted Williams comp, but thinking about it more it actually is relevant. While Ted couldn't manage, he could instruct or at least educate on the science of hitting and was a great resource for other great hitters. So likewise Ricky could be invaluable for teaching defense, however he isn't necessarily skilled at the big picture or more specifically at coaching offense.
So I think its likely that UConn needs a new offensive coordinator type coach and also a player development specialist. Very hard to find these types and to potentially dismiss loyal friends that are Husky family. Arguably change could be result of AD pressure on KO or even athletic director's job to suggest/mandate these changes.

 

[Marty Jackson]

By the way Marty just busting balls. I would love Clyde back and he's probably done his time if he's been good boy and deserves to work again. Just too many variables in the rehire as we know, negative recruiting etc etc - it's unfortunate. In this case both he and Earl did wrong and both are on the path of doing more right and good for them.

I don't know either personally. I do know the patriots are a great example of presenting a team first mentality and bringing in 'troubled' souls with the understanding they have 2 strikes. It's worked.
If Clyde has stayed out of trouble and has been clean I think it could be managed in a message. If nothing else, is there a better message about what his missteps and poor decisions have cost him? It could be a legal issue for him to be a state employee?

 

[Deadrody]

You keep bringing up this "decent shooter" argument. Any decent shooter would be hitting more than 21% in games, whether they are contested or not.

Look, if a player has been recruited and is on scholarship for a major division 1 team like Temple, AND allowed, or even encouraged by their coach to shoot 3s in crunch time, they are BY DEFINITION a "decent shooter". OK ? Good lord.

This is nonsense. The simple fact of the matter is that on paper, the talent on this team had multiple pundits picking them for the final four in the preseason. This team has under-performed. That is a simple fact. And, frankly, this problem is only more evident this year than last because the talent level is higher, but the results are not. Whether or not the assistant coaches can be blamed for that, even in part, I have no idea. But to argue that, if only for 3 fluke shots, they would have beaten Temple and then everything would be grand is MORONIC.

 

[ctchamps]

Look, if a player has been recruited and is on scholarship for a major division 1 team like Temple, they are BY DEFINITION a "decent shooter". OK ? Good lord.

This is nonsense. The simple fact of the matter is that on paper, the talent on this team had multiple pundits picking them for the final four in the preseason. This team has under-performed. That is a simple fact. And, frankly, this problem is only more evident this year than last because the talent level is higher, but the results are not. Whether or not the assistant coaches can be blamed for that, even in part, I have no idea. But to argue that, if only for 3 fluke shots, they would have beaten Temple and then everything would be grand is MORONIC.

You missed the quite chief!

 

[intlzncster]

I don't think we should start firing people, but this is a pretty terrible argument.

It does speak to experience though. Are least experienced guy, relative to importance of position, is unfortunately ou head coach. People don't seem to want to accept that it'll take some time.

 

[tcf15]

Look, if a player has been recruited and is on scholarship for a major division 1 team like Temple, AND allowed, or even encouraged by their coach to shoot 3s in crunch time, they are BY DEFINITION a "decent shooter". OK ? Good lord.

This is nonsense. The simple fact of the matter is that on paper, the talent on this team had multiple pundits picking them for the final four in the preseason. This team has under-performed. That is a simple fact. And, frankly, this problem is only more evident this year than last because the talent level is higher, but the results are not. Whether or not the assistant coaches can be blamed for that, even in part, I have no idea. But to argue that, if only for 3 fluke shots, they would have beaten Temple and then everything would be grand is MORONIC.

I don't know where you get me saying this season would be fine had we beaten Temple, so just calm down there man.

I guess we just see differently on calling the guy who's a career 25% on 3s (36/141) a decent shooter.

 

[Tacodrone]

Interesting analogy & I was about to call on the all-timer Ted Williams comp, but thinking about it more it actually is relevant. While Ted couldn't manage, he could instruct or at least educate on the science of hitting and was a great resource for other great hitters. So likewise Ricky could be invaluable for teaching defense, however he isn't necessarily skilled at the big picture or more specifically at coaching offense.
So I think its likely that UConn needs a new offensive coordinator type coach and also a player development specialist. Very hard to find these types and to potentially dismiss loyal friends that are Husky family. Arguably change could be result of AD pressure on KO or even athletic director's job to suggest/mandate these changes.

We have a good offensive coach on the bench already, he was put there by JC exactly because he's well regarded as an offensive coach. What we don't know is how much imput he's allowed considering KO runs HIS offense.

 

[selles]

Look, if a player has been recruited and is on scholarship for a major division 1 team like Temple, AND allowed, or even encouraged by their coach to shoot 3s in crunch time, they are BY DEFINITION a "decent shooter". OK ? Good lord.

This is nonsense. The simple fact of the matter is that on paper, the talent on this team had multiple pundits picking them for the final four in the preseason. This team has under-performed. That is a simple fact. And, frankly, this problem is only more evident this year than last because the talent level is higher, but the results are not. Whether or not the assistant coaches can be blamed for that, even in part, I have no idea. But to argue that, if only for 3 fluke shots, they would have beaten Temple and then everything would be grand is MORONIC.

I had the same expression as Tacodrone's avatar after reading this.

 

[Tacodrone]

If I read the phrase "on paper" one more gd time...

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

What "pundits" had UConn in the final four pre-season? Scrappy?

 

[Tacodrone]

Look, if a player has been recruited and is on scholarship for a major division 1 team like Temple, AND allowed, or even encouraged by their coach to shoot 3s in crunch time, they are BY DEFINITION a "decent shooter". OK ? Good lord.

This is nonsense. The simple fact of the matter is that on paper, the talent on this team had multiple pundits picking them for the final four in the preseason. This team has under-performed. That is a simple fact. And, frankly, this problem is only more evident this year than last because the talent level is higher, but the results are not. Whether or not the assistant coaches can be blamed for that, even in part, I have no idea. But to argue that, if only for 3 fluke shots, they would have beaten Temple and then everything would be grand is MORONIC.

I can't even find a preseason top 25 that has them ranked.

 

[OkaForPrez]

@BigErnMcCracken I still think were going.

 

[CallMeBruce]

Look, if a player has been recruited and is on scholarship for a major division 1 team like Temple, AND allowed, or even encouraged by their coach to shoot 3s in crunch time, they are BY DEFINITION a "decent shooter". OK ? Good lord.

This is nonsense. The simple fact of the matter is that on paper, the talent on this team had multiple pundits picking them for the final four in the preseason. This team has under-performed. That is a simple fact. And, frankly, this problem is only more evident this year than last because the talent level is higher, but the results are not. Whether or not the assistant coaches can be blamed for that, even in part, I have no idea. But to argue that, if only for 3 fluke shots, they would have beaten Temple and then everything would be grand is MORONIC.

Taking on TCF. This is a gutsy move. Let's see if it pays off.

 

[Chief00]

Who is our offensive coach? We have not had one since George. Calhoun wanted to keep Clyde but the bureaucrats above him made that impossible. It also did not help that Ckyde denied it to begin with and other episodes came out.

 

[Tacodrone]

Who is our offensive coach? We have not had one since George. Calhoun wanted to keep Clyde but the bureaucrats above him made that impossible. It also did not help that Ckyde denied it to begin with and other episodes came out.

How can you postulate on the coaching staff when you don't even know these guys' resumes or what they were brought in here to do?

Clyde, are you kidding me right now?

You know the dude on the bench who took a high scoring team to a d3 championship (which Bo Ryan won) and then ran a 4 guard motion offense that led the Ivys in scoring for 3 years producing 2 of the top 3 scoring leaders in school history? He's sitting on the bench while this team runs pro sets, pick & roll and 32 different broken plays a game and you think the answer is to bring in another guy? Why can't you accept that the only one running o is KO & it doesn't matter who they bring in, and if KO gets his head out of his ass he could be teaching motion this afternoon? Cuz you don't know who's on this team?

 

[Stainmaster]

How can you postulate on the coaching staff when you don't even know these guys' resumes or what they were brought in here to do?

Clyde, are you kidding me right now?

You know the dude on the bench who took a high scoring team to a d3 championship (which Bo Ryan won) and then ran a 4 guard motion offense that led the Ivys in scoring for 3 years producing 2 of the top 3 scoring leaders in school history? He's sitting on the bench while this team runs pro sets, pick & roll and 32 different broken plays a game and you think the answer is to bring in another guy? Why can't you accept that the only one running o is KO & it doesn't matter who they bring in, and if KO gets his head out of his ass he could be teaching motion this afternoon? Cuz you don't know who's on this team?

Don't argue with Chief. He played golf and smoked cigars with Arnold Auerbach.

 

[intlzncster]

How can you postulate on the coaching staff when you don't even know these guys' resumes or what they were brought in here to do?
Clyde, are you kidding me right now?
?

Who is our offensive coach? We have not had one since George. Calhoun wanted to keep Clyde but the bureaucrats above him made that impossible. It also did not help that Ckyde denied it to begin with and other episodes came out.

Chief has elevated Clyde in his head to be the greatest big man coach of all time. Here are the facts:

1. Clyde was here for 2yrs. As such, he was hardly responsible for a ton of big man development. He was also gifted Okafor, a rare talent, who anybody could have developed.

2. If Clyde was so great, he'd have a much better job right now. Talent can overcomes all but the most severe past transgressions.

That said, I'd take Clyde on staff right now.