E-mailed 3/30/11
Alright, I have a meeting from 1:30-2:30 pm so I'm out for a bit. If the world ends or we secure a head coach someone text me. Where we stand:
(1) Competing reports as to if Painter has called Alden
(2) Competing reports as to where Painter is physically located (either FL or Purdue's campus)
(3) No second news outlet confirming Painter's acceptance of Mizzou (St. Louis Post Dispatch) and no second news outlet confirming no call to Alden or Purdue has been made (Indy Star)
The wait continues...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Something is not quite right (12:22 update)
E-mailed 3/30/11
I haven't ever known Bernie to call something wrong before, but...no other reports about this are going out. Any other mention references his report. Additionally, Purdue assistant coach says he's "heard nothing."
I also don't see Painter being a guy who wouldn't tell his team/coaches first and then call Alden. Gene Keady, Painter's coach and mentor said he would "be shocked" if Post Dispatch's reports are true.
In fact, Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star is confirming neither Purdue nor Mizzou have been called by Painter.
Something is not quite right about all of this...
I haven't ever known Bernie to call something wrong before, but...no other reports about this are going out. Any other mention references his report. Additionally, Purdue assistant coach says he's "heard nothing."
I also don't see Painter being a guy who wouldn't tell his team/coaches first and then call Alden. Gene Keady, Painter's coach and mentor said he would "be shocked" if Post Dispatch's reports are true.
In fact, Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star is confirming neither Purdue nor Mizzou have been called by Painter.
Something is not quite right about all of this...
GOOD NEWS? (11:43 am update)
E-mailed 3/30/11
Nanno seconds after I hit send, Bernie Miklasz, columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who is generally the MOST conservative (read: slowest) to report news is reporting "good news" on the Painter front. Allegedly Alden got the call and Painter accepted. Might be introduced to Mizzou Nation next Thursday at the Cards home opener at Busch. Stay tuned. Needless to say...lots of updates from me today.
Nanno seconds after I hit send, Bernie Miklasz, columnist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch who is generally the MOST conservative (read: slowest) to report news is reporting "good news" on the Painter front. Allegedly Alden got the call and Painter accepted. Might be introduced to Mizzou Nation next Thursday at the Cards home opener at Busch. Stay tuned. Needless to say...lots of updates from me today.
Facebook Official
E-mailed 3/30/11
Ironically, or perhaps not so, this was posted this morning and it goes into more depth than my divorce e-mail yesterday: http://jetslaunchpoint.blogspot.com/2011/03/matt-painter-is-no-longer-in.html
Here is where we stand...take note until Matt Painter changes his Facebook status, we won't really know b/c journalists left and right are getting details wrong:
(1) Painter did NOT return to Purdue, he's still in FL thinking things over. He's not talking to anyone...making the decision alone with his family.
(2) The noon deadline today is NOT zero hour, instead its a request by Alden...nothing firm about it.
(3) Most national pundits think that the longer Painter thinks, the more likely he is to stay.
(4) Most national and local pundits are giving Mizzou and Alden high marks for not only pursuing Painter, but also playing everything perfectly. In other words: we've done all we can do.
(5) The Purdue President is now involved, bypassing the Athletic Director who Painter is at odds with. NOT a good development for Mizzou.
Generally speaking, people think we will know an answer today. I don't. I'm thinking tomorrow by noon...or...remember...no announcements during the Final Four...or the worst case scenario...we'll know by next Tuesday.
My take: we'll know by noon Thursday and the answer will be, "Thanks but no thanks, I'm in marriage counseling and going to try and make this relationship work." At that point, with no time before the Final Four, I think we should make Brad Stevens and Buzz Williams tell us no. I think we won't go that route and instead make a run a Mick Cronin. We could do much worse. Great coach, not much star power. I'm looking forward to this all getting done and being over with.
With a Cheer for 'Ole Mizzou,
Doug
Ironically, or perhaps not so, this was posted this morning and it goes into more depth than my divorce e-mail yesterday: http://jetslaunchpoint.blogspot.com/2011/03/matt-painter-is-no-longer-in.html
Here is where we stand...take note until Matt Painter changes his Facebook status, we won't really know b/c journalists left and right are getting details wrong:
(1) Painter did NOT return to Purdue, he's still in FL thinking things over. He's not talking to anyone...making the decision alone with his family.
(2) The noon deadline today is NOT zero hour, instead its a request by Alden...nothing firm about it.
(3) Most national pundits think that the longer Painter thinks, the more likely he is to stay.
(4) Most national and local pundits are giving Mizzou and Alden high marks for not only pursuing Painter, but also playing everything perfectly. In other words: we've done all we can do.
(5) The Purdue President is now involved, bypassing the Athletic Director who Painter is at odds with. NOT a good development for Mizzou.
Generally speaking, people think we will know an answer today. I don't. I'm thinking tomorrow by noon...or...remember...no announcements during the Final Four...or the worst case scenario...we'll know by next Tuesday.
My take: we'll know by noon Thursday and the answer will be, "Thanks but no thanks, I'm in marriage counseling and going to try and make this relationship work." At that point, with no time before the Final Four, I think we should make Brad Stevens and Buzz Williams tell us no. I think we won't go that route and instead make a run a Mick Cronin. We could do much worse. Great coach, not much star power. I'm looking forward to this all getting done and being over with.
With a Cheer for 'Ole Mizzou,
Doug
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Zero Hour
E-mailed 3/29/11
Here is where we stand:
(1) All this Purdue talk about how they "demonstrated our commitment to Coach Painter and our men's basketball program" on Monday night was done in words. Just words. No offer made.
(2) Alden met in person with Painter today. Painter had called not only high school coaches, but also a random sample of the 100+ athletes that were playing for Division I basketball programs outside of the State of Missouri but went to high school in Missouri, asking both groups about their impressions about Mizzou. Needless to say, the guy is very prepared.
(3) Alden made an offer. Alden asked for word on the offer by noon tomorrow (Wednesday).
(4) Today Purdue sent out a letter to athletic boosters saying that part of the problem is none of them give enough money or recruit their friends to give money. Kind of odd strategy if you ask me.
(5) Purdue is currently busy making a concrete counter offer.
(6) In a cruel twist of fate, Purdue students are planning a "Keep Painter" pep rally for...noon tomorrow...the same time as Alden needs an answer.
So there you have it folks: Noon on Wednesday, Zero Hour.
For Mizzou,
Doug
Here is where we stand:
(1) All this Purdue talk about how they "demonstrated our commitment to Coach Painter and our men's basketball program" on Monday night was done in words. Just words. No offer made.
(2) Alden met in person with Painter today. Painter had called not only high school coaches, but also a random sample of the 100+ athletes that were playing for Division I basketball programs outside of the State of Missouri but went to high school in Missouri, asking both groups about their impressions about Mizzou. Needless to say, the guy is very prepared.
(3) Alden made an offer. Alden asked for word on the offer by noon tomorrow (Wednesday).
(4) Today Purdue sent out a letter to athletic boosters saying that part of the problem is none of them give enough money or recruit their friends to give money. Kind of odd strategy if you ask me.
(5) Purdue is currently busy making a concrete counter offer.
(6) In a cruel twist of fate, Purdue students are planning a "Keep Painter" pep rally for...noon tomorrow...the same time as Alden needs an answer.
So there you have it folks: Noon on Wednesday, Zero Hour.
For Mizzou,
Doug
Divorce (Noon Update)
E-mailed 3/29/11
These are the things I've learned about divorces:
(1) They are emotional and messy and get really personal at the end
(2) They generally aren't based on current events/behaviors or future events/behaviors, they are almost always based on events/behaviors that have occurred in the past.
Generally, one party spurns the other, the offended party doesn't communicate the hurt and it festers. By the time they ask for a divorce, the offending party falls all over itself taking blame, showing new behaviors, and promising change in the future. Divorces are called off when the offended party trusts and loves their partner enough to forget the past and agrees to start writing a new, brighter future together. Often times though, the offended party can't forget the past and can't fall back in love. They just can't see themselves happy with their old partner in the future. They've already moved on in their heads and hearts. The divorce is just the legal document sealing the deal.
What we have on our hands is an old fashion case of public divorce between Painter and Purdue. It's unfolding on the national sports scene, right before our eyes.
The take on the divorce from Purdue <http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=5da7dfb61b584f4a83ea05a31ed1e57c&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=5da7dfb61b584f4a83ea05a31ed1e57c&plckPostId=Blog:5da7dfb61b584f4a83ea05a31ed1e57cPost:6cba1972-c02c-4bb5-8b0c-df3780e7a4de&plckBlogItemsPerPage=5>
The take on the divorce from Mizzou <http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/tiger-tracker/article_ce350864-5a1c-11e0-88d8-00127992bc8b.html>
I can't see Painter leaving Purdue, his alma mater, over a few thousand dollars, some cars for his assistant coaches (really?), and the disrespect embedded in those and other minor subs throughout the years.
Then again, coaches have egos and I'm not holding any ego against Painter. You almost have to have an ego to fight through the long hours as a coach and the tough road that is March Madness. As Anderson said frequently, you have to win in a fight against a bear (?!?)....or something like that.
The question isn't whether Painter is willing to come to Mizzou or not...he is. The question is whether he can see himself at Purdue, happy and content, in the future.
These are the things I've learned about divorces:
(1) They are emotional and messy and get really personal at the end
(2) They generally aren't based on current events/behaviors or future events/behaviors, they are almost always based on events/behaviors that have occurred in the past.
Generally, one party spurns the other, the offended party doesn't communicate the hurt and it festers. By the time they ask for a divorce, the offending party falls all over itself taking blame, showing new behaviors, and promising change in the future. Divorces are called off when the offended party trusts and loves their partner enough to forget the past and agrees to start writing a new, brighter future together. Often times though, the offended party can't forget the past and can't fall back in love. They just can't see themselves happy with their old partner in the future. They've already moved on in their heads and hearts. The divorce is just the legal document sealing the deal.
What we have on our hands is an old fashion case of public divorce between Painter and Purdue. It's unfolding on the national sports scene, right before our eyes.
The take on the divorce from Purdue <http://www.jconline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/section?category=PluckPersona&U=5da7dfb61b584f4a83ea05a31ed1e57c&plckPersonaPage=BlogViewPost&plckUserId=5da7dfb61b584f4a83ea05a31ed1e57c&plckPostId=Blog:5da7dfb61b584f4a83ea05a31ed1e57cPost:6cba1972-c02c-4bb5-8b0c-df3780e7a4de&plckBlogItemsPerPage=5>
The take on the divorce from Mizzou <http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/tiger-tracker/article_ce350864-5a1c-11e0-88d8-00127992bc8b.html>
I can't see Painter leaving Purdue, his alma mater, over a few thousand dollars, some cars for his assistant coaches (really?), and the disrespect embedded in those and other minor subs throughout the years.
Then again, coaches have egos and I'm not holding any ego against Painter. You almost have to have an ego to fight through the long hours as a coach and the tough road that is March Madness. As Anderson said frequently, you have to win in a fight against a bear (?!?)....or something like that.
The question isn't whether Painter is willing to come to Mizzou or not...he is. The question is whether he can see himself at Purdue, happy and content, in the future.
Terrible Tuesday II
E-mailed 3/29/11
Purdue students holding a noon pep rally tomorrow to show "Coach Painter how much we love him" and Purdue Board of Regents opened up new money flows to men's basketball program. Facilities being renovated. Oh, ya, and Purdue is in a real athletic conference. Something I hoped I wouldn't have to do, but here are the current list of other candidates with those having jobs already removed (I also deleted some unrealistic ones):
Terrible Choices:
Shaka Smart -- Head Coach of VCU. Plays a similar style of defense as our team does now. Only been at VCU two years. He would jump at the chance to come to Mizzou. I think this would be a terrible choice. The next Quinn Snyder (says Jason Witlock)
Scott Sutton -- Head Coach of Oral Roberts since 1999. Taken Oral Roberts to the NCAA Tourney three times, exiting in first round each time. Another terrible choice.
Anthony Grant -- Head Coach at Alabama for two years, three before that at VCU. Two NCAA appearances (both at VCU). Pass. Not enough experience and a habit of jumping teams every 2-3 years.
Gregg Marshall -- Head coach of Wichita State. St. Louis media are obsessed with the Missouri Valley Conference and he's allegedly the best coach in that conference. I would file him under "Terrible Choices" but I hate the MVC. I
Greg Kampe -- Head Coach of Oakland since...1984. Not a misprint. 1984. 7 NCAA trips during that time. File under "Terrible Choices." The only things he has going for him are (1) He looks the part of someone from Missouri, and (2) Pat Forde (an ESPN Alumn) mentioned his name as a possible replacement.
Hopefully We Can Do Better:
Chris Mooney -- Head Coach of Richmond since 2005. Turned the program around and just now coming into his own as a coach with two back-to-back NCAA appearances.
Randy Bennett -- Head Coach at St. Mary's since 2001. Has shown he can run a program but the bottom line is he couldn't get over the hump and be better than Gonzaga. Can he really get over the hump and be better than kU?
Ben Jacobson -- Head Coach of Northern Iowa since 2006. Two NCAA appearances, one to the Sweet 16. Makes under 500,000 a year. Last time we hired someone from Northern Iowa to coach our team, we ended up naming out basketball court after him. Can beat Kansas.
Hopefully We Can Seal the Deal:
Mick Cronin -- Head coach of Cincinnati. The Big East has around 96 schools in their basketball conference and he is in the lower half in terms of pay and UC sucks so bad as a University they can't afford to pay him more. He turned around a program that under Bob Huggins hadn't graduated a single student. Oh, ya, he also out-coached Anderson this year in the tournament.
Dave Rose -- Head Coach of BYU for six years. Went to the NIT his first year, NCAA all years after. Currently in Sweet 16. Has won 20 games every year as head coach. He's coaching BYU and is Mormon. BYU is starting its own national TV network. No reason for him to leave. He's at his dream job. National media keeps saying he's interested...and would come.
Kevin Stallings -- Head Coach of Vanderbilt since 99. Coached IL State before that. 7 NCAA appearances and two Sweet 16's. The world wouldn't end, but I wonder if its better to chose someone with more upside than someone who is established, yet not spectacular.
Get Real:
Brad Stevens -- Head Coach of Butler. Four years as head coach, four NCAA tournaments, one final four. He can go anywhere he wants. He's not coming to Mizzou.
Buzz Williams -- Head Coach of Marquette for three years, all three with NCAA tournament appearances. He coaches in the Big East, best college basketball conference in the country. He has Big 12 ties. And let's just say, he looks the part of a Missourian. Perfect choice, but I don't know if heading to Mizzou from Marquette and Big East (where is both successful and worshiped) is the right move for him. He's not coming to Mizzou.
When Painter tells us no and then says lots of good things about us in the national news media, I hope that Mick Cronin gets in his bullet ridden car (he lives in Cincinnati) and starts driving straight to Columbia. After that I've got Rose, Stallings, and *GULP* Jacobson on my wish list. Post Cronin but pre-Rose/Stallings I would call both Williams and Stevens and make them tell me no. At this point I'm just hoping and praying its not Scott Sutton.
On a light note, after Hall of Fame Journalist Dick Weiss ripped my beating heart out of my chest last night, Jason Whitlock went after him passive-aggressively. First he said that Painter had signed a crazy contract with Ball State (Whitlock's alma mater...he has been on past search committees). He was clearly joking and taking a shot at Weiss. An hour later her says that Bob Night agreed on a 10 million--TEN MILLION--a year contract with Purdue. Clearly joking, clearly taking a shot at Weiss and others who believe him (me?). A giant number of people for some reason seemed to believe that. As in thousands.
Wow...what a 24 hour stretch. The next 24 seem equally as interesting. Something to note: If an announcement isn't made about Painter by Thursday nothing will happen until after next Tuesday. The NCAA puts a black-out on major announcements during the Final Four.
Later,
Doug
Purdue students holding a noon pep rally tomorrow to show "Coach Painter how much we love him" and Purdue Board of Regents opened up new money flows to men's basketball program. Facilities being renovated. Oh, ya, and Purdue is in a real athletic conference. Something I hoped I wouldn't have to do, but here are the current list of other candidates with those having jobs already removed (I also deleted some unrealistic ones):
Terrible Choices:
Shaka Smart -- Head Coach of VCU. Plays a similar style of defense as our team does now. Only been at VCU two years. He would jump at the chance to come to Mizzou. I think this would be a terrible choice. The next Quinn Snyder (says Jason Witlock)
Scott Sutton -- Head Coach of Oral Roberts since 1999. Taken Oral Roberts to the NCAA Tourney three times, exiting in first round each time. Another terrible choice.
Anthony Grant -- Head Coach at Alabama for two years, three before that at VCU. Two NCAA appearances (both at VCU). Pass. Not enough experience and a habit of jumping teams every 2-3 years.
Gregg Marshall -- Head coach of Wichita State. St. Louis media are obsessed with the Missouri Valley Conference and he's allegedly the best coach in that conference. I would file him under "Terrible Choices" but I hate the MVC. I
Greg Kampe -- Head Coach of Oakland since...1984. Not a misprint. 1984. 7 NCAA trips during that time. File under "Terrible Choices." The only things he has going for him are (1) He looks the part of someone from Missouri, and (2) Pat Forde (an ESPN Alumn) mentioned his name as a possible replacement.
Hopefully We Can Do Better:
Chris Mooney -- Head Coach of Richmond since 2005. Turned the program around and just now coming into his own as a coach with two back-to-back NCAA appearances.
Randy Bennett -- Head Coach at St. Mary's since 2001. Has shown he can run a program but the bottom line is he couldn't get over the hump and be better than Gonzaga. Can he really get over the hump and be better than kU?
Ben Jacobson -- Head Coach of Northern Iowa since 2006. Two NCAA appearances, one to the Sweet 16. Makes under 500,000 a year. Last time we hired someone from Northern Iowa to coach our team, we ended up naming out basketball court after him. Can beat Kansas.
Hopefully We Can Seal the Deal:
Mick Cronin -- Head coach of Cincinnati. The Big East has around 96 schools in their basketball conference and he is in the lower half in terms of pay and UC sucks so bad as a University they can't afford to pay him more. He turned around a program that under Bob Huggins hadn't graduated a single student. Oh, ya, he also out-coached Anderson this year in the tournament.
Dave Rose -- Head Coach of BYU for six years. Went to the NIT his first year, NCAA all years after. Currently in Sweet 16. Has won 20 games every year as head coach. He's coaching BYU and is Mormon. BYU is starting its own national TV network. No reason for him to leave. He's at his dream job. National media keeps saying he's interested...and would come.
Kevin Stallings -- Head Coach of Vanderbilt since 99. Coached IL State before that. 7 NCAA appearances and two Sweet 16's. The world wouldn't end, but I wonder if its better to chose someone with more upside than someone who is established, yet not spectacular.
Get Real:
Brad Stevens -- Head Coach of Butler. Four years as head coach, four NCAA tournaments, one final four. He can go anywhere he wants. He's not coming to Mizzou.
Buzz Williams -- Head Coach of Marquette for three years, all three with NCAA tournament appearances. He coaches in the Big East, best college basketball conference in the country. He has Big 12 ties. And let's just say, he looks the part of a Missourian. Perfect choice, but I don't know if heading to Mizzou from Marquette and Big East (where is both successful and worshiped) is the right move for him. He's not coming to Mizzou.
When Painter tells us no and then says lots of good things about us in the national news media, I hope that Mick Cronin gets in his bullet ridden car (he lives in Cincinnati) and starts driving straight to Columbia. After that I've got Rose, Stallings, and *GULP* Jacobson on my wish list. Post Cronin but pre-Rose/Stallings I would call both Williams and Stevens and make them tell me no. At this point I'm just hoping and praying its not Scott Sutton.
On a light note, after Hall of Fame Journalist Dick Weiss ripped my beating heart out of my chest last night, Jason Whitlock went after him passive-aggressively. First he said that Painter had signed a crazy contract with Ball State (Whitlock's alma mater...he has been on past search committees). He was clearly joking and taking a shot at Weiss. An hour later her says that Bob Night agreed on a 10 million--TEN MILLION--a year contract with Purdue. Clearly joking, clearly taking a shot at Weiss and others who believe him (me?). A giant number of people for some reason seemed to believe that. As in thousands.
Wow...what a 24 hour stretch. The next 24 seem equally as interesting. Something to note: If an announcement isn't made about Painter by Thursday nothing will happen until after next Tuesday. The NCAA puts a black-out on major announcements during the Final Four.
Later,
Doug
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