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Message: [QUOTE="pj, post: 3329864, member: 2524"] When Ollie was hired, I thought it was a dubious hire but thought JC deserved to have his desires for a successor respected, and hoped it would work out. When Ollie won the national championship, I was optimistic that it would work out, but aware that Calhoun, Blaney, and others had contributed in a big way to the championship. Then after another year, it was clear Ollie had certain serious weaknesses. I hoped he could fix them. But the breach between Ollie and JC suggested it wasn't going to happen. If you know you need to grow in a job, you don't drive away a Hall of Fame mentor. As time went on it became clear his weaknesses were difficult or impossible to fix. He was the classic B- guy who surrounds himself with C level people. Moreover his heart didn't seem to be in coaching the way it had been in playing. I'm grateful for Ollie but I never thought he would be a superstar. I thought he had a chance to be a quality coach who could build a great story around himself, based on 13 years surviving in the NBA on meager talent, and a quick national championship. The story would have been: he knew the little things necessary for success, and could pass them on to players, helping a player get over the hurdle from non-NBA to NBA. This would have to be validated by actually developing players. When he failed to develop players, his pitch was busted. [/QUOTE]