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Uconn’s next coach

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Stainmaster said:
A page ago, you argued that the 2014 title was won "with [Calhoun]'s recruits." If that were the case, would his "handpicked guy" have really made a difference? Couldn't an outside hire have gotten the same results from players whose development you claim JC is responsible for?

I do agree fully with your last point re. Benedict though.
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They were (at least the major players) his recruits. He brought that talent to UConn. Is that somehow up for debate? Shabazz, DeAndre, Niels, Ryan came to UConn to play for Jim Calhoun. I said nothing about JC developing them and I give Kevin Ollie full credit for coaching them to a National Championship. What am I missing?
 
Uconnfanatic said:
Eric Konkol sounds like he would be a great choice. I don't think Hurley is the answer. Might only be marginally better than Ollie. I think a Konkol coached team would be good defensively and fun to watch offensively. And I think he would be a good recruiter and return UConn to the pinnacle. Time for an entirely new face anxious to build his own legacy here with his own style. He's an up and coming coach seemingly ready to step up to the big stage. Make it happen DB.
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Have you looked at Konkols record this year?
 
Sonova said:
They were (at least the major players) his recruits. He brought that talent to UConn. Is that somehow up for debate? Shabazz, DeAndre, Niels, Ryan came to UConn to play for Jim Calhoun. I said nothing about JC developing them and I give Kevin Ollie full credit for coaching them to a National Championship. What am I missing?
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Sonova said:
Just wondering...what actions are you referring to? The ‘09 Final Four? The ‘11 Big East Championship? The ‘11 National Championship? The ‘14 National Championship with his recruits?
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I took this phrase to mean that you felt Calhoun should've gotten the credit for that title. My apologies for misconstruing it if that wasn't the case.
 
Stainmaster said:
All of this “pinnacle” talk is wishful thinking, as is the idea that regional recruiting ties can be pulled out of thin air on the fly. They’re the result of carefully crafted relationships that coaches spend years working on and building for up.
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Which is why choice of all assistants is critical.

Something we don't discuss often, but I'd like as full a compliment of top shelf assistants as possible. The guys at the end of the bench should have significant experience/ties as possible.
 
No matter what happens we need to make some kind of change, if the buyout proves prohibitive I'd still prefer we give Ricky Moore or Freeman a shot next year over the current situation.
 
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Sonova said:
His handpicked guy won a National Championship in his 2nd year. You’re welcome.

If you want someone to blame 2015 and beyond on, start with Kevin Ollie. If you want to blame the buyout situation, Dave Benedict is Public Enemy #1 for that.
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That's the killer sticking piece of all of this too.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd take that 2014 NC over having respectable seasons the last few years. Those NCs are so, so rare. Especially when looked in concert with what the program was facing at the time. That was a truly special (and needed).

But the buyout is complicating this process immensely. Perhaps even limiting what we can offer going forward.
 
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intlzncster said:
That's the killer sticking piece of all of this too.

I know I'm in the minority here, but I'd take that 2014 NC over having respectable seasons the last few years. Those NCs are so, so rare. Especially when looked in concert with what the program was facing at the time. That was a truly special (and needed).

But the buyout is complicating this process immensely. Perhaps even limiting what we can offer going forward.
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This particular buyout represents a level of ineptitude that may sting UConn athletics for a long, long time. A buyout in general is standard practice these days. But to have given this buyout to Kevin Ollie in December of 2016 was borderline negligent. He wasn’t in such demand that the university “had”to be so generous. He had “arguably” underachieved despite making the tournament the year prior. And there were still questions about whether he could succeed on his own. Nevermind that the school KNEW that it didn’t have the money to pay him should it wish to get rid of him in a couple of years/if the questions about his coaching and ability proved to be real. It’s really an all-world dumb move by a 1st time AD and a UConn novice (suggesting here that $10m “problems” aren’t as easy to manage at UConn as they are at Auburn). Benedict is on the hook for this.
 
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Banta55 said:
Have you looked at Konkols record this year?
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Yes this year was barely above .500 after two strong years. Not sure why but certainly needs to be explained.

Here's what La Tech said when they hired him:

"McClelland added that "140 to 150" names were initially floated around using a search firm. Konkol's name didn't initially come up, but when narrowing the search using six guiding principles —recruiting, player development, cultural fit, like-ability, driven, and style of play — Konkol checked all the boxes to jump toward the top of McClelland's list."

Brad Stevens also spoke very highly of him and his BB intelligence.

I'd rather take a chance on a young, up and coming coach like this than someone like Hurley. So many here have anointed Hurley but I'm not sure he is that much of an upgrade over Ollie. I don't want us to hire someone just because we hear he's interested or because he's coaching in New England. Rather do a national search.
 
Uconnfanatic said:
Yes this year was barely above .500 after two strong years. Not sure why but certainly needs to be explained.

Here's what La Tech said when they hired him:

"McClelland added that "140 to 150" names were initially floated around using a search firm. Konkol's name didn't initially come up, but when narrowing the search using six guiding principles —recruiting, player development, cultural fit, like-ability, driven, and style of play — Konkol checked all the boxes to jump toward the top of McClelland's list."

Brad Stevens also spoke very highly of him and his BB intelligence.

I'd rather take a chance on a young, up and coming coach like this than someone like Hurley. So many here have anointed Hurley but I'm not sure he is that much of an upgrade over Ollie. I don't want us to hire someone just because we hear he's interested or because he's coaching in New England. Rather do a national search.
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"I think he would be a good recruiter and return UConn to the pinnacle."

That's "anointing" too.
 
Olliewood216 said:
Oats signed a 5 year extension yesterday at Buffalo...not happening. Hurley is still our best option
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Ugh. I missed that. That one really hurts.
 
Uconnfanatic said:
Yes this year was barely above .500 after two strong years. Not sure why but certainly needs to be explained.

Here's what La Tech said when they hired him:

"McClelland added that "140 to 150" names were initially floated around using a search firm. Konkol's name didn't initially come up, but when narrowing the search using six guiding principles —recruiting, player development, cultural fit, like-ability, driven, and style of play — Konkol checked all the boxes to jump toward the top of McClelland's list."

Brad Stevens also spoke very highly of him and his BB intelligence.

I'd rather take a chance on a young, up and coming coach like this than someone like Hurley. So many here have anointed Hurley but I'm not sure he is that much of an upgrade over Ollie. I don't want us to hire someone just because we hear he's interested or because he's coaching in New England. Rather do a national search.
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Hurley is a young up and comer. Hurly is 45. Konkol is 41.

Hurley just has more experience. He's had multiple programs trend upwards. Konkol might be trending down after taking over White's program--we've no idea yet.

The main reason for your argument appears to be that the LA Tech AD liked Konkol, and Brad Stevens complimented him.
 
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Huskymagic said:
Eric Konkol would be my pick. He's a great upcoming coach.
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Uconnfanatic said:
Yes this year was barely above .500 after two strong years. Not sure why but certainly needs to be explained.

Here's what La Tech said when they hired him:

"McClelland added that "140 to 150" names were initially floated around using a search firm. Konkol's name didn't initially come up, but when narrowing the search using six guiding principles —recruiting, player development, cultural fit, like-ability, driven, and style of play — Konkol checked all the boxes to jump toward the top of McClelland's list."

Brad Stevens also spoke very highly of him and his BB intelligence.

I'd rather take a chance on a young, up and coming coach like this than someone like Hurley. So many here have anointed Hurley but I'm not sure he is that much of an upgrade over Ollie. I don't want us to hire someone just because we hear he's interested or because he's coaching in New England. Rather do a national search.
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Konkol has shown absolutely nothing in his three years at La Tech...I don't understand why so many are throwing his name out. In his time as HC they have finished 154, 93 and 153 in Kenpom. That is considered good or even solid nowadays?
 
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If not Ollie, then Tom Crean. Richard or Rick Pitino ain't bad. The Pitinos love the Northeast
 
intlzncster said:
Hurley is a young up and comer. Hurly is 45. Konkol is 41.

Hurley just has more experience. He's had multiple programs trend upwards. Konkol might be trending down after taking over White's program--we've no idea yet.

The main reason for your argument appears to be that the LA Tech AD liked Konkol, and Brad Stevens complimented him.
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Not really. I like his overall resume and skill set. Of course none of us have enough information or knowledge to really know. I just hope DB does a thorough search and finds the coach that can restore the program to its previous elite level and not just go with a guy who is nearby and has expressed interest in the job. Some of the next generation of elite coaches are currently in lower level programs waiting for an opportunity just like JC was three decades ago. Time to do a thorough search and find that coach.
 
Uconnfanatic said:
Not really. I like his overall resume and skill set. Of course none of us have enough information or knowledge to really know. I just hope DB does a thorough search and finds the coach that can restore the program to its previous elite level and not just go with a guy who is nearby and has expressed interest in the job. Some of the next generation of elite coaches are currently in lower level programs waiting for an opportunity just like JC was three decades ago. Time to do a thorough search and find that coach.
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They’re gonna pay someone to do that research.

Probably the same firm they used to hire AD Dave.
 
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