E-mailed 8/22/11
Nothing much new today coming out of BoCoMo, just a few bits of further insight:
(1) Vahe Gregorian of the St. Louis P-D says MU is mulling its options while waiting on a Haith probe.
(2) Mike DeArmond of the KC Star quotes MU officials saying that MU isn't sitting still on coach Haith's future.
(3) Not so fast, say CBS Sportline's Gary Parrish. The approach Mizzou is taking is the worst thing they could do.
In summary: Parrish is right. If you read nothing else, read his very short article that is very much to the point. As Parrish says in his article: ""We're waiting for the NCAA process to carry itself out," said Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton. "We're obviously very concerned." Very foolish, too. With those 14 words, Deaton paralyzed Haith -- just left his coach swirling in unknown winds and gave every program recruiting against the Tigers the ability to cast serious doubt on Haith's future. It might've been an honest statement, but it was a stupid one. Missouri needed to either start negotiating a buyout with Haith based on the serious nature of the allegation or publicly back him against "the word of a criminal" regardless of whether his job is really in jeopardy behind the scenes. Either option would've made sense on some level. But it makes no sense for Missouri to keep Haith while acknowledging it's waiting on the results of the NCAA's investigation into Miami, because investigations take a long time and the wait could destroy one recruiting class and possibly more. It's difficult for coaches to operate with clouds above. "
He concludes: "There is no way rival schools aren't going to use this against Missouri. I get that. But I can't begin to understand why Missouri felt the need to use it against itself."
Bad news all around.
But, as Bernie from the St. Louis P-D says, at least we have Gary Pinkel.
Showing posts with label Alden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alden. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
As the Mizzou World Turns: The End is Near Edition
E-mailed 8/19/11
If you read nothing else today, read Character and Crises by Tim McKernan of InsideSTL.com. More on this at the end...now...on to sifting through the links so you don't have to:
Mizzou insiders are saying what many on the outside are feeling: there is no way Haith is going to survive this. People think he could be dismissed, possibly in the next two weeks. Money is an issue here, it will likely cost us $1.5 million to get rid of him cleanly without waiting on an NCAA investigation, which could take months.
That's a 1.5 million dollar mistake by Mike Alden. That's why Bernie Miklasz says he isn't buying the dismissal talk. He thinks Alden will try and save Haith and in the process try and save himself. The money quote: "And if Alden terminates Haith or forces him out, the move would be akin to Alden buying time on ESPN to declare: "As an AD, I am an abject failure, and I screwed up this hire about as terribly as you can botch a hire." And Alden isn't going to do that. Say what you want about him, but Alden's survival skills are impressive." Bernie isn't advocating for keeping him, he's just predicting what Alden will do.
Rock M Nation asks, "What Happens Next For Mizzou Basketball?" Whatever happens, the future looks bleak right now with the following scholarship players coming back for the 2012-2013 season (after this year):
Backcourt: Phil Pressey (Jr.), Mike Dixon (Sr.), Earnest Ross (Jr.), Keion Bell (Sr.)
Frontcourt: Kadeem Green (So.), Quantel Denson (Jr., though his status is questionable right now, to say the least), Aaron Scales (Fr.)
My guess is if we change coaches Pressey leaves for Arkansas and Denson never gets eligible. This means we have scarcely enough scholarship players to field a team.
In terms of who coaches the team, Rock M says conventional wisdom is that Ernie Nester, a solid X's and O's guy, will become interim head coach. They also point out he's as old as Norm when he retired and they make a convincing case that whoever they hire should at least be in the running for the full time gig (and that ain't Ernie Nester). Enter Tim Fuller. As per usual, Rock M Nation is pretty much right on. The best case scenario is they beg Nester to stay on and name Fuller Interim head coach. Fuller, they say, has higher upside and lower downside (agree) and he's our head recruiter. Money quotes: "Fact is, big-time recruits go to schools that are either under investigation or have a shaky head man in charge all the time." [snip] "Meanwhile, if Fuller can tell a recruit either a) the same thing or b) "I'm the top guy, and Mizzou's definitely going to retain me after this year," then it's probably fine too. The key is simply to find certainty, one way or another, in the next couple of weeks, before official visits begin. This isn't a pleasant situation, but committing to a path will help Mizzou long-term, no matter what is eventually discovered about Frank Haith."
Or as ESPN senior basketball recruiting analyst Dave Telep tells the Columbia Trib: “From now until the first of October, it’s prime fishing season. The waters have been chummed all spring and summer long, and now you’ve got to pull up the net. So the next month and a half is going to be, not just for Missouri, a pivotal month on the calendar for commitments this year.” He continues: “I really think that the best thing for Missouri to do is to take the pulse of their situation and then come out and instead of letting people draw their own conclusions, they’ve got to make a stand and make a statement about the status of everything going on,” Telep said. “That doesn’t have to be today. That doesn’t have to be tomorrow. But it can’t be six months from now.”
As stated above, if you read nothing else read Character and Crises by Tim McKernan of InsideSTL.com. Timmy goes through the Haith range of emotions from hiring to introduction, to media days and finally to the day the Miami news story broke. He also points out something important that I missed in my previous e-mails, the flat out denial that the crisis at Miami had anything to do with basketball and that Haith didn't know the donor involved. That came from Missouri Basketball Sports Information Director Dave Ritter: "Those things that are coming out with football didn’t have anything to do with Frank’s basketball program. I would say you would probably need to talk to the University of Miami if something happened on his watch. We had a chance to talk to Coach Haith and he’s had no involvement with this Mr. Shapiro guy. There’s nothing. Those are all football violations and allegations. There’s nothing dealing with basketball. Those violations have nothing involved with men’s basketball.’’
Tim's most upset about this than about the Yahoo allegations, and so am I. Mike DeArmond of The KC Star came to Ritter's defense and tweeted: "MU hoops SID was hung out to dry in defending Haith. Live and learn. But, lay off the kid. Haith used him." Timmy details the on-air convo he had with the St. Louis P-D's Vahe Gregorian who said he called athletics (he's the P-Ds Mizzou beat man) many times and they wouldn't comment because they hadn't seen the actual report, and certainly didn't know there were pictures and phone records to go with it. Hence, Haith telling Ritter to release that statement. Statement released. Full Yahoo report delivered....and the facts don't match the statement.
In other words, the bodies continue to pile up. Not only did Haith help to possibly deal a death sentence to the U's athletic program, he also managed to throw his new Sports Information Director under the bus and look even shadier in the process. This is unacceptable behavior. Not only does he make bad decisions, it appears as if he doesn't learn from them.
Its a start contrast to Gary Pinkel, who as Timmy points out, may "routinely" make questionable game decisions but always owns up to them. Timmy goes on to say that Mizzou is in lockdown mode and silence is deafening. Its not the way to handle a crisis. As Blues' Vice President and current Fleishmann-Hillard exec Jim Woodcock writes in last month's Sports Business Journal:
"On the day Derek Jeter celebrated his 3,000th hit, ESPN.com posted competing headlines detailing a player’s DUI charge, accusations of gay slurs by two athletes, a stabbing, a recruiting scandal and, of course, the NFL labor dispute. All are complex matters requiring a sound crisis communications platform. Unprepared responses by athletes, coaches and sports executives often result in spectacular breakdowns and failures that can enflame matters and, ultimately, erode faith.
The heartbreaking case of a Texas Rangers fan falling to his death while catching a foul ball tossed to him by the franchise’s iconic star, Josh Hamilton, on July 7 required nothing less than an urgent and elite crisis communications response. Under exceptionally difficult circumstances, the Rangers delivered.
Team President Nolan Ryan took command, and questions, in a postgame news conference. Hamilton followed suit by sharing thoughts with reporters. A trust fund was established on the Rangers’ website. Stadium officials were accessible and informed. Response was swift. Above all, it was accountable and believable.
In any crisis, the immediate response often determines how you are judged and how successful your strategy will ultimately become. Rather than close ranks behind a series of statements — unfortunately, a common approach to addressing sports crisis scenarios — the Rangers called on the two men considered to be the face of the franchise. As impressive, Ryan and Hamilton followed by revealing their soul. It’s not the easiest remedy, but perhaps it will provide the sports industry with a crisis communications template to consider in the future."
To conclude: Its time for someone to step forward from Mizzou Athletics and start bearing their soul. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but certainly not in six months after the NCAA investigation has concluded. We're rarely defined by our mistakes, more often we're defined by our reactions to them. As of late, Mizzou Athletics hasn't been defined very favorably.
If you read nothing else today, read Character and Crises by Tim McKernan of InsideSTL.com. More on this at the end...now...on to sifting through the links so you don't have to:
Mizzou insiders are saying what many on the outside are feeling: there is no way Haith is going to survive this. People think he could be dismissed, possibly in the next two weeks. Money is an issue here, it will likely cost us $1.5 million to get rid of him cleanly without waiting on an NCAA investigation, which could take months.
That's a 1.5 million dollar mistake by Mike Alden. That's why Bernie Miklasz says he isn't buying the dismissal talk. He thinks Alden will try and save Haith and in the process try and save himself. The money quote: "And if Alden terminates Haith or forces him out, the move would be akin to Alden buying time on ESPN to declare: "As an AD, I am an abject failure, and I screwed up this hire about as terribly as you can botch a hire." And Alden isn't going to do that. Say what you want about him, but Alden's survival skills are impressive." Bernie isn't advocating for keeping him, he's just predicting what Alden will do.
Rock M Nation asks, "What Happens Next For Mizzou Basketball?" Whatever happens, the future looks bleak right now with the following scholarship players coming back for the 2012-2013 season (after this year):
Backcourt: Phil Pressey (Jr.), Mike Dixon (Sr.), Earnest Ross (Jr.), Keion Bell (Sr.)
Frontcourt: Kadeem Green (So.), Quantel Denson (Jr., though his status is questionable right now, to say the least), Aaron Scales (Fr.)
My guess is if we change coaches Pressey leaves for Arkansas and Denson never gets eligible. This means we have scarcely enough scholarship players to field a team.
In terms of who coaches the team, Rock M says conventional wisdom is that Ernie Nester, a solid X's and O's guy, will become interim head coach. They also point out he's as old as Norm when he retired and they make a convincing case that whoever they hire should at least be in the running for the full time gig (and that ain't Ernie Nester). Enter Tim Fuller. As per usual, Rock M Nation is pretty much right on. The best case scenario is they beg Nester to stay on and name Fuller Interim head coach. Fuller, they say, has higher upside and lower downside (agree) and he's our head recruiter. Money quotes: "Fact is, big-time recruits go to schools that are either under investigation or have a shaky head man in charge all the time." [snip] "Meanwhile, if Fuller can tell a recruit either a) the same thing or b) "I'm the top guy, and Mizzou's definitely going to retain me after this year," then it's probably fine too. The key is simply to find certainty, one way or another, in the next couple of weeks, before official visits begin. This isn't a pleasant situation, but committing to a path will help Mizzou long-term, no matter what is eventually discovered about Frank Haith."
Or as ESPN senior basketball recruiting analyst Dave Telep tells the Columbia Trib: “From now until the first of October, it’s prime fishing season. The waters have been chummed all spring and summer long, and now you’ve got to pull up the net. So the next month and a half is going to be, not just for Missouri, a pivotal month on the calendar for commitments this year.” He continues: “I really think that the best thing for Missouri to do is to take the pulse of their situation and then come out and instead of letting people draw their own conclusions, they’ve got to make a stand and make a statement about the status of everything going on,” Telep said. “That doesn’t have to be today. That doesn’t have to be tomorrow. But it can’t be six months from now.”
As stated above, if you read nothing else read Character and Crises by Tim McKernan of InsideSTL.com. Timmy goes through the Haith range of emotions from hiring to introduction, to media days and finally to the day the Miami news story broke. He also points out something important that I missed in my previous e-mails, the flat out denial that the crisis at Miami had anything to do with basketball and that Haith didn't know the donor involved. That came from Missouri Basketball Sports Information Director Dave Ritter: "Those things that are coming out with football didn’t have anything to do with Frank’s basketball program. I would say you would probably need to talk to the University of Miami if something happened on his watch. We had a chance to talk to Coach Haith and he’s had no involvement with this Mr. Shapiro guy. There’s nothing. Those are all football violations and allegations. There’s nothing dealing with basketball. Those violations have nothing involved with men’s basketball.’’
Tim's most upset about this than about the Yahoo allegations, and so am I. Mike DeArmond of The KC Star came to Ritter's defense and tweeted: "MU hoops SID was hung out to dry in defending Haith. Live and learn. But, lay off the kid. Haith used him." Timmy details the on-air convo he had with the St. Louis P-D's Vahe Gregorian who said he called athletics (he's the P-Ds Mizzou beat man) many times and they wouldn't comment because they hadn't seen the actual report, and certainly didn't know there were pictures and phone records to go with it. Hence, Haith telling Ritter to release that statement. Statement released. Full Yahoo report delivered....and the facts don't match the statement.
In other words, the bodies continue to pile up. Not only did Haith help to possibly deal a death sentence to the U's athletic program, he also managed to throw his new Sports Information Director under the bus and look even shadier in the process. This is unacceptable behavior. Not only does he make bad decisions, it appears as if he doesn't learn from them.
Its a start contrast to Gary Pinkel, who as Timmy points out, may "routinely" make questionable game decisions but always owns up to them. Timmy goes on to say that Mizzou is in lockdown mode and silence is deafening. Its not the way to handle a crisis. As Blues' Vice President and current Fleishmann-Hillard exec Jim Woodcock writes in last month's Sports Business Journal:
"On the day Derek Jeter celebrated his 3,000th hit, ESPN.com posted competing headlines detailing a player’s DUI charge, accusations of gay slurs by two athletes, a stabbing, a recruiting scandal and, of course, the NFL labor dispute. All are complex matters requiring a sound crisis communications platform. Unprepared responses by athletes, coaches and sports executives often result in spectacular breakdowns and failures that can enflame matters and, ultimately, erode faith.
The heartbreaking case of a Texas Rangers fan falling to his death while catching a foul ball tossed to him by the franchise’s iconic star, Josh Hamilton, on July 7 required nothing less than an urgent and elite crisis communications response. Under exceptionally difficult circumstances, the Rangers delivered.
Team President Nolan Ryan took command, and questions, in a postgame news conference. Hamilton followed suit by sharing thoughts with reporters. A trust fund was established on the Rangers’ website. Stadium officials were accessible and informed. Response was swift. Above all, it was accountable and believable.
In any crisis, the immediate response often determines how you are judged and how successful your strategy will ultimately become. Rather than close ranks behind a series of statements — unfortunately, a common approach to addressing sports crisis scenarios — the Rangers called on the two men considered to be the face of the franchise. As impressive, Ryan and Hamilton followed by revealing their soul. It’s not the easiest remedy, but perhaps it will provide the sports industry with a crisis communications template to consider in the future."
To conclude: Its time for someone to step forward from Mizzou Athletics and start bearing their soul. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but certainly not in six months after the NCAA investigation has concluded. We're rarely defined by our mistakes, more often we're defined by our reactions to them. As of late, Mizzou Athletics hasn't been defined very favorably.
As the Mizzou World Turns
E-mailed 8/18/11
Nothing much new to report out today, just a few links/thoughts from folks around the nation. As Mizzou grad and ESPNer Pat Forde tweeted, "All coaches named in Yahoo report and now working somewhere other than The U need to have some really good answers for current employers." With that in mind, here are the links:
(1) Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Disopatch says the damage has already been done to both Haith and Mizzou. The important snippets you need to hear from the story:
"So Alden adopted an alternative strategy [rather than focusing on wins and losses], stressing Haith's skills as a recruiter. More than anything Alden portrayed Haith as a beacon of integrity. That was core of MU's hard sales pitch to a skeptical, agitated fan base that had a hostile initial reaction to the hiring. Alden played the Family Values card. "Mentoring and the development of men," said Alden as he listed Haith's attributes on the evening MU announced the hire. "Men. Not basketball players. Men. People that are going to grow as sons, and brothers and perhaps husbands some day. Fathers. Whatever that may be. And to model those behaviors and to do those in a way that are reflective of the culture of the University of Missouri. You will note that when you meet Frank and his family that he certainly represents the highest character and ideals relative to social responsibility and mentorship.""
"When introduced as the new coach by Alden in early April, Haith hardly distanced himself from the character-integrity casting. He fully embraced it. Haith explained his recruiting message on home visits: "First and foremost, I'm here to mold our young people to be great citizens, great men," Haith said in his first Mizzou news conference. "And when their time is up, I've taught them more than how to dribble a basketball. I've taught them life skills."
And perhaps most importantly, the last few lines: "If Haith's integrity isn't anything close to being as pristine as advertised by Alden, and if Haith's recruiting power is compromised by the stench of Shapiro and a looming NCAA investigation, then what does Mizzou have exactly? Answer: another coaching search."
Bernie brings up a good point I failed to yesterday: recruiting. Who wants to join a program who might not have a head coach in a few weeks?
(2) So where does all of this leave Mike Alden? He hired Quinn Snyder over Bill Self and ended up settling on Haith after the Painter dream died. Gabe DeArmond of insidestl.com says, its not Alden's fault. If Alden has a fault, he says, its trusting others too much. As stated in the paragraph's below:
"In 2007, Missouri beat Kansas. They finished ahead of Kansas in the conference. Alden felt like that should be enough. He let his team’s performance do the talking. Meanwhile, Lew Perkins (wink-wink, nod-nod, nah, he'd never do that, right?) convinced the Orange Bowl he’d bring a billion Kansas fans to SouthBeach. The Jayhawks played in the Orange Bowl. The Tigers went to Dallas.
Last year, Missouri batted its eyelashes at the Big Ten. The Big Ten winked back. Jim Delaney held Missouri’s hand and whispered sweet things to Alden (it’s kind of a disturbing analogy, but you get my point). Many around Missouri were convinced they were going to the Big Ten. They didn’t. Nebraska did. Perhaps it should have taught us all a lesson: What they say doesn’t count. It only counts when it’s on paper.
This spring, the lesson had to be learned again. Mike Anderson was talking to Arkansas. Most in the Natural State insisted he was taking the job. Those of us close to Missouri did not. In fact, we insisted on the opposite. We did it because the people we trust were telling us that Anderson was staying. They said that because that’s what he said. And they trusted him. You know the saying. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
Now, has Alden been fooled again? I don’t know. I want to be clear I have no idea what really happened in Coral Gables or what Haith has told Alden behind closed doors. But I know that when I read Charles Robinson’s article, it doesn’t appear to have a whole lot of holes."
Whatever happens to Haith, it hasn't been a good summer for Alden. It sounds like he did his due diligence in checking up on Haith but the bottom line is he's the decider and in this case he decided wrong.
(3) Who are the real victims in all of this? Clearly the Mizzou players writes Sam Mellinger of the KC Star.
Which brings us to our final point of the day: Its not how all of this ends, but when. An investigation could take months if not a year all the while our players, and fan base, twists in the wind. It's a difficult time to be in Mizzou athletic department. There is already enough that's been done to warrant voiding Haith's contract. Decisions need to be made. I feel sorry for the decider.
Nothing much new to report out today, just a few links/thoughts from folks around the nation. As Mizzou grad and ESPNer Pat Forde tweeted, "All coaches named in Yahoo report and now working somewhere other than The U need to have some really good answers for current employers." With that in mind, here are the links:
(1) Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Disopatch says the damage has already been done to both Haith and Mizzou. The important snippets you need to hear from the story:
"So Alden adopted an alternative strategy [rather than focusing on wins and losses], stressing Haith's skills as a recruiter. More than anything Alden portrayed Haith as a beacon of integrity. That was core of MU's hard sales pitch to a skeptical, agitated fan base that had a hostile initial reaction to the hiring. Alden played the Family Values card. "Mentoring and the development of men," said Alden as he listed Haith's attributes on the evening MU announced the hire. "Men. Not basketball players. Men. People that are going to grow as sons, and brothers and perhaps husbands some day. Fathers. Whatever that may be. And to model those behaviors and to do those in a way that are reflective of the culture of the University of Missouri. You will note that when you meet Frank and his family that he certainly represents the highest character and ideals relative to social responsibility and mentorship.""
"When introduced as the new coach by Alden in early April, Haith hardly distanced himself from the character-integrity casting. He fully embraced it. Haith explained his recruiting message on home visits: "First and foremost, I'm here to mold our young people to be great citizens, great men," Haith said in his first Mizzou news conference. "And when their time is up, I've taught them more than how to dribble a basketball. I've taught them life skills."
And perhaps most importantly, the last few lines: "If Haith's integrity isn't anything close to being as pristine as advertised by Alden, and if Haith's recruiting power is compromised by the stench of Shapiro and a looming NCAA investigation, then what does Mizzou have exactly? Answer: another coaching search."
Bernie brings up a good point I failed to yesterday: recruiting. Who wants to join a program who might not have a head coach in a few weeks?
(2) So where does all of this leave Mike Alden? He hired Quinn Snyder over Bill Self and ended up settling on Haith after the Painter dream died. Gabe DeArmond of insidestl.com says, its not Alden's fault. If Alden has a fault, he says, its trusting others too much. As stated in the paragraph's below:
"In 2007, Missouri beat Kansas. They finished ahead of Kansas in the conference. Alden felt like that should be enough. He let his team’s performance do the talking. Meanwhile, Lew Perkins (wink-wink, nod-nod, nah, he'd never do that, right?) convinced the Orange Bowl he’d bring a billion Kansas fans to SouthBeach. The Jayhawks played in the Orange Bowl. The Tigers went to Dallas.
Last year, Missouri batted its eyelashes at the Big Ten. The Big Ten winked back. Jim Delaney held Missouri’s hand and whispered sweet things to Alden (it’s kind of a disturbing analogy, but you get my point). Many around Missouri were convinced they were going to the Big Ten. They didn’t. Nebraska did. Perhaps it should have taught us all a lesson: What they say doesn’t count. It only counts when it’s on paper.
This spring, the lesson had to be learned again. Mike Anderson was talking to Arkansas. Most in the Natural State insisted he was taking the job. Those of us close to Missouri did not. In fact, we insisted on the opposite. We did it because the people we trust were telling us that Anderson was staying. They said that because that’s what he said. And they trusted him. You know the saying. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…
Now, has Alden been fooled again? I don’t know. I want to be clear I have no idea what really happened in Coral Gables or what Haith has told Alden behind closed doors. But I know that when I read Charles Robinson’s article, it doesn’t appear to have a whole lot of holes."
Whatever happens to Haith, it hasn't been a good summer for Alden. It sounds like he did his due diligence in checking up on Haith but the bottom line is he's the decider and in this case he decided wrong.
(3) Who are the real victims in all of this? Clearly the Mizzou players writes Sam Mellinger of the KC Star.
Which brings us to our final point of the day: Its not how all of this ends, but when. An investigation could take months if not a year all the while our players, and fan base, twists in the wind. It's a difficult time to be in Mizzou athletic department. There is already enough that's been done to warrant voiding Haith's contract. Decisions need to be made. I feel sorry for the decider.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Time to reconcile: with yourself and with others
E-mailed 4/5/11
To cap off my last foreseeable e-mail, I'll return to a quote from Rock M Nation: “…the fanbase is demoralized (and when the insecure Mizzou fanbase gets demoralized, it gets embarrassed ... and when it gets embarrassed, it gets angry).” Demoralized. Embarrassed. Angry. Think it over. That has to be what we're all feeling right now. Its what I'm feeling right now. And I'm pretty sure its what the majority of the rest of the fan base is feeling.
Last night I was real angry. I watched the Mike Alden show last night and was so mad I was going to start off today saying I've switch sides from Alden defender to Alden antagonist. Last night was, at best, amateurish and insincere and at worst was sleazy and filled with outright lies. It was the definition of a shit show. To watch in horror for yourself, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkjkqEFFE6U
Then the press conference today happened and Alden led off with Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, and Excellence and the responsibility of leading an athletic program at the premier land-grant institution in the state. I then felt pretty stupid for my anger the night before. I then felt pretty stupid for feeling pretty stupid because its clear this is one of the worst decisions--regardless of the values based reasons behind it--made by a major athletic program in recent history. Then comes the demoralization and a possible realization: maybe its true and we aren't a major athletic program. Maybe Haith is the best we can get...not just an odd Alden hire. Cue the embarrassment. And a few hours later cue the anger.
As McKernan (St. Louis radio personality) says: "At this point, whether Missouri fans---myself included---agree with this hire or not, it's obviously not going to change. That doesn't mean the incredibly odd move of hiring someone with the resume of Haith is forgotten...at all. But, cheering for Haith's failure if you're a Missouri fan is like claiming to be a proud American...but then hoping a president fails. To me, that seems rather odd. So, I'm excited to see what Haith is able to pull off. He's got his work cut out for him." (Full story here: http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLcom/McKernan/tabid/61/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6416/Timmys-Tidbits-The-insideSTL-Family-Expands.aspx ... interesting last line: "Two ways to know whether or not he's got some game off the court before the team even takes the floor? 1. Keep the Presseys in Columbia 2. Get Otto Porter to Columbia."
So today and the days after will be all about reconciliation: at the feelings within ourselves and our feelings toward each other.
The link today's press conference is here: http://www.mutigers.com/allaccess/?media=240489 From it some things are clear:
(1) He's won over the team
(2) He's won over most of the media who are glad he has...say...a personality and is...say...willing to talk to them. Stark contrasts from the previous coach.
(3) He's probably not going to fall flat on his face...immediately. The guy's pretty savvy. Combine that with a good roster that is already in place and he'll do decent enough not to get run off for at least three years.
Speaking broadly, reconciliation of the fan base will be between two big groups, those who hate Alden, and those who don't. I'll end as I started, with the links from each of those camps. BUT, if you read no other link, read this one: http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/4/5/2090070/frank-haith-what-to-expect A great overview by Rock M Nation. While they fall into the "stand by Alden" group it gives those who love him, and those who hate him, insight into his process. The key conclusion: "For that reason, if this makes sense, I admire this pick more than I like it. We'll find out if it was a good choice soon enough, but it sure was a brave one. It shows extreme confidence in the potential of both Frank Haith and the Missouri athletic department as a whole."
Links for those that love and trust Alden:
(1) As mentioned, from Rock M Nation: http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/4/5/2090070/frank-haith-what-to-expect
(2) A blast from the past from the Trib...outlines what Alden was looking for in a coach and ultimately he delivered on each point perfectly. So why is everyone so surprised by this hire? http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/03/23/missouri-athletic-director-mike-alden-gave-his-plans-missouris-search-its-next-mens-basketball-coach/
(3) From rivals.com, an interview with the head of canesports.com. Premise: hey, this guy ain't that bad: http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1207844
Links for those that hate Alden, all this values talk, and everything he stands for:
(1) From the KC Star. Basic premise, we've seen this all before. Why can't he seem to get this right the second time around? http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/04/2775625/mus-alden-faces-controversy-again.html
(2) From the KC Star. The meat of the article: "With most hires, the question is whether the new guy is the right guy. With this hire, the question is whether the new guy can do enough to fight through a fan base that is convinced he’s the wrong guy." Full article: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/04/2776458/haith-hullabaloo-all-on-aldens.html
Doug's take:
I think its cute when Haith says things "This is my destination job" and "I'm not Mike Anderson." It shows how out-of-touch he--and Alden who has to be the one coaching him at this point--is with the fan base. Trust us: WE KNOW. We know you wont get hired away by another school and we know you aren't the same coach as Anderson (at this point you might be qualified to be an assistant on his staff). But our fan base's anger towards him also shows how out-of-touch we are. If he hadn't coached at Miami and was "on the market" this off-season as a head coach, its pretty clear the list of candidates to take over Anderson would have went, in order, something like this:
(1) Painter
(2) A bunch of people we couldn't ever get: Stevens, Buzz Williams, etc.
(3) Mick Cronin
(4) Frank Haith
(5) Everyone else on the previous list
That wouldn't just be our list, it would be anyone's list who had an opening. Unless you are into Lon Kruger (looking at you OK), which I am not. The problem is that isn't how things played out. Haith did coach at Miami and didn't do a good job at that. The ACC is tough, but guess what, the Texas State Football Championship League is also very tough (at least in basketball) and if he can't win there, he can't win here. Blaming his losses on the fact he was at Miami is a fatal flaw. What that would do is basically say, "Instead of our coach making our program better, our program is going to make our coach better." Not a recipe for success. Neither is hiring the recently fired, and even more terrible, OU head coach to lead your staff: http://blog.newsok.com/ou/2011/04/05/jeff-capel-headed-to-missouri-to-assist-frank-haith/
But there is also, underneath all of that, quite a bit of hope and promise in the Haith hire. You just have to work to find it. Needless to say, I haven't fully reconciled.
To cap off my last foreseeable e-mail, I'll return to a quote from Rock M Nation: “…the fanbase is demoralized (and when the insecure Mizzou fanbase gets demoralized, it gets embarrassed ... and when it gets embarrassed, it gets angry).” Demoralized. Embarrassed. Angry. Think it over. That has to be what we're all feeling right now. Its what I'm feeling right now. And I'm pretty sure its what the majority of the rest of the fan base is feeling.
Last night I was real angry. I watched the Mike Alden show last night and was so mad I was going to start off today saying I've switch sides from Alden defender to Alden antagonist. Last night was, at best, amateurish and insincere and at worst was sleazy and filled with outright lies. It was the definition of a shit show. To watch in horror for yourself, here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkjkqEFFE6U
Then the press conference today happened and Alden led off with Respect, Responsibility, Discovery, and Excellence and the responsibility of leading an athletic program at the premier land-grant institution in the state. I then felt pretty stupid for my anger the night before. I then felt pretty stupid for feeling pretty stupid because its clear this is one of the worst decisions--regardless of the values based reasons behind it--made by a major athletic program in recent history. Then comes the demoralization and a possible realization: maybe its true and we aren't a major athletic program. Maybe Haith is the best we can get...not just an odd Alden hire. Cue the embarrassment. And a few hours later cue the anger.
As McKernan (St. Louis radio personality) says: "At this point, whether Missouri fans---myself included---agree with this hire or not, it's obviously not going to change. That doesn't mean the incredibly odd move of hiring someone with the resume of Haith is forgotten...at all. But, cheering for Haith's failure if you're a Missouri fan is like claiming to be a proud American...but then hoping a president fails. To me, that seems rather odd. So, I'm excited to see what Haith is able to pull off. He's got his work cut out for him." (Full story here: http://www.insidestl.com/insideSTLcom/McKernan/tabid/61/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/6416/Timmys-Tidbits-The-insideSTL-Family-Expands.aspx ... interesting last line: "Two ways to know whether or not he's got some game off the court before the team even takes the floor? 1. Keep the Presseys in Columbia 2. Get Otto Porter to Columbia."
So today and the days after will be all about reconciliation: at the feelings within ourselves and our feelings toward each other.
The link today's press conference is here: http://www.mutigers.com/allaccess/?media=240489 From it some things are clear:
(1) He's won over the team
(2) He's won over most of the media who are glad he has...say...a personality and is...say...willing to talk to them. Stark contrasts from the previous coach.
(3) He's probably not going to fall flat on his face...immediately. The guy's pretty savvy. Combine that with a good roster that is already in place and he'll do decent enough not to get run off for at least three years.
Speaking broadly, reconciliation of the fan base will be between two big groups, those who hate Alden, and those who don't. I'll end as I started, with the links from each of those camps. BUT, if you read no other link, read this one: http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/4/5/2090070/frank-haith-what-to-expect A great overview by Rock M Nation. While they fall into the "stand by Alden" group it gives those who love him, and those who hate him, insight into his process. The key conclusion: "For that reason, if this makes sense, I admire this pick more than I like it. We'll find out if it was a good choice soon enough, but it sure was a brave one. It shows extreme confidence in the potential of both Frank Haith and the Missouri athletic department as a whole."
Links for those that love and trust Alden:
(1) As mentioned, from Rock M Nation: http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/4/5/2090070/frank-haith-what-to-expect
(2) A blast from the past from the Trib...outlines what Alden was looking for in a coach and ultimately he delivered on each point perfectly. So why is everyone so surprised by this hire? http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/03/23/missouri-athletic-director-mike-alden-gave-his-plans-missouris-search-its-next-mens-basketball-coach/
(3) From rivals.com, an interview with the head of canesports.com. Premise: hey, this guy ain't that bad: http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1207844
Links for those that hate Alden, all this values talk, and everything he stands for:
(1) From the KC Star. Basic premise, we've seen this all before. Why can't he seem to get this right the second time around? http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/04/2775625/mus-alden-faces-controversy-again.html
(2) From the KC Star. The meat of the article: "With most hires, the question is whether the new guy is the right guy. With this hire, the question is whether the new guy can do enough to fight through a fan base that is convinced he’s the wrong guy." Full article: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/04/04/2776458/haith-hullabaloo-all-on-aldens.html
Doug's take:
I think its cute when Haith says things "This is my destination job" and "I'm not Mike Anderson." It shows how out-of-touch he--and Alden who has to be the one coaching him at this point--is with the fan base. Trust us: WE KNOW. We know you wont get hired away by another school and we know you aren't the same coach as Anderson (at this point you might be qualified to be an assistant on his staff). But our fan base's anger towards him also shows how out-of-touch we are. If he hadn't coached at Miami and was "on the market" this off-season as a head coach, its pretty clear the list of candidates to take over Anderson would have went, in order, something like this:
(1) Painter
(2) A bunch of people we couldn't ever get: Stevens, Buzz Williams, etc.
(3) Mick Cronin
(4) Frank Haith
(5) Everyone else on the previous list
That wouldn't just be our list, it would be anyone's list who had an opening. Unless you are into Lon Kruger (looking at you OK), which I am not. The problem is that isn't how things played out. Haith did coach at Miami and didn't do a good job at that. The ACC is tough, but guess what, the Texas State Football Championship League is also very tough (at least in basketball) and if he can't win there, he can't win here. Blaming his losses on the fact he was at Miami is a fatal flaw. What that would do is basically say, "Instead of our coach making our program better, our program is going to make our coach better." Not a recipe for success. Neither is hiring the recently fired, and even more terrible, OU head coach to lead your staff: http://blog.newsok.com/ou/2011/04/05/jeff-capel-headed-to-missouri-to-assist-frank-haith/
But there is also, underneath all of that, quite a bit of hope and promise in the Haith hire. You just have to work to find it. Needless to say, I haven't fully reconciled.
Monday, April 4, 2011
The only thing worse than hiring Frank Haith? At this point NOT hiring Frank Haith.
E-mailed 4/4/11
Quite a few twists and turns today on a story that was considered rather dead. Here is what we know:
(1) Board of Curators has to vote tonight via conference call at 7:45 pm about the terms of Frank Haith's contract. They are involved because it is (a) longer than five years, and (b) has a large buyout clause (everyone is guessing). Final terms aren't known at this time.
(2) Asshat Curator David Wasinger, whose term expired in January but hasn't been replaced yet because the Missouri Senate is running so smoothly, goes on a little personal media tour in Missouri today telling folks he has the votes on the Board and its 50/50 if Haith gets confirmed tonight or not. (3) Voice of Reason and current Curator, Wayne Goode, responds in the press to the Columbia Tribune that "its not the Curators job to hire head coaches" sending a salvo back toward Wasinger and his fellow asshats.
As if the whole situation didn't look bad enough already, this makes it look markedly worse. Wasinger is a self-centered prick and my guess is he has NO votes lined up behind him. If Haith does not get confirmed tonight, basically, no one other than Kim Anderson will agree to coach at Mizzou. Alden will be put into a position where he can't hire another head coach (who would trust him and agree to terms?) and he'll basically be out as Athletic Director, much to the merriment of many Mizzou "fans" (term used loosely). Asshat Wasinger basically opened up the flood gates by telling all fans dissatisfied about the Haith hire to contact the Board and quite a few mindless souls did (one example here: http://www.mizzourahblog.com/2011-articles/april/open-letter-against-frank-haiths-hiring.html). Evidently he thinks that hiring should be done by committee and the committee should be any citizen with access to an e-mail account.
Being spun into all this is English and Bower's decision to declare to the NBA draft but not hire agents. Basically, if you think you can play in the NBA and you are a junior you are nuts if you don't declare for the draft, go through the motions, and then withdraw when you get an unfavorable draft position. That's what both are doing. The announcement today had nothing to do with the Haith announcement.
If you see anyone who tries to connect the two or mentions anything about how we missed our chance and should have hired Cuonzo Martin, punch them as hard as you can in the throat.
What will happen:
I don't see the Board rejecting the hire. What I do see is a really awkward press conference in the future where Alden gets put on the spot about how he missed with Painter and had a horrible back-up plan. Its going to be interesting to see how he tries to justify hiring the coach that is just sitting a few feet away from him. Also interesting: how exactly will Haith sell himself to Missouri fans. Pinkel was taken aback when a reporter asked him how he would succeed at Mizzou when so many others have failed. He finally said, my system works. Haith, unfortunately, can't say that.
Quite a few twists and turns today on a story that was considered rather dead. Here is what we know:
(1) Board of Curators has to vote tonight via conference call at 7:45 pm about the terms of Frank Haith's contract. They are involved because it is (a) longer than five years, and (b) has a large buyout clause (everyone is guessing). Final terms aren't known at this time.
(2) Asshat Curator David Wasinger, whose term expired in January but hasn't been replaced yet because the Missouri Senate is running so smoothly, goes on a little personal media tour in Missouri today telling folks he has the votes on the Board and its 50/50 if Haith gets confirmed tonight or not. (3) Voice of Reason and current Curator, Wayne Goode, responds in the press to the Columbia Tribune that "its not the Curators job to hire head coaches" sending a salvo back toward Wasinger and his fellow asshats.
As if the whole situation didn't look bad enough already, this makes it look markedly worse. Wasinger is a self-centered prick and my guess is he has NO votes lined up behind him. If Haith does not get confirmed tonight, basically, no one other than Kim Anderson will agree to coach at Mizzou. Alden will be put into a position where he can't hire another head coach (who would trust him and agree to terms?) and he'll basically be out as Athletic Director, much to the merriment of many Mizzou "fans" (term used loosely). Asshat Wasinger basically opened up the flood gates by telling all fans dissatisfied about the Haith hire to contact the Board and quite a few mindless souls did (one example here: http://www.mizzourahblog.com/2011-articles/april/open-letter-against-frank-haiths-hiring.html). Evidently he thinks that hiring should be done by committee and the committee should be any citizen with access to an e-mail account.
Being spun into all this is English and Bower's decision to declare to the NBA draft but not hire agents. Basically, if you think you can play in the NBA and you are a junior you are nuts if you don't declare for the draft, go through the motions, and then withdraw when you get an unfavorable draft position. That's what both are doing. The announcement today had nothing to do with the Haith announcement.
If you see anyone who tries to connect the two or mentions anything about how we missed our chance and should have hired Cuonzo Martin, punch them as hard as you can in the throat.
What will happen:
I don't see the Board rejecting the hire. What I do see is a really awkward press conference in the future where Alden gets put on the spot about how he missed with Painter and had a horrible back-up plan. Its going to be interesting to see how he tries to justify hiring the coach that is just sitting a few feet away from him. Also interesting: how exactly will Haith sell himself to Missouri fans. Pinkel was taken aback when a reporter asked him how he would succeed at Mizzou when so many others have failed. He finally said, my system works. Haith, unfortunately, can't say that.
Coaching Search Debrief: You gotta have Haith
E-mailed 4/4/11
Doug's Commentary:
In graduate school my friend Marcus and I would often talk about one of our professors and try to understand in our minds how she had "blown up." One day she was a hall director working in a nondescript residential high rise in the mid-west. She was clearly very smart, methodical, dedicated to students, and had an incredible worth ethic. But when it came down to it she was in the same position as tens of thousands of other people nation-wide, a position that many consider the lower rung of working in higher education. Then one day she decides to ask students questions about their life and track those answers not only over their four-six years at the University, but after they get out of college. She doesn't know if she will find anything, but figures its worth a shot. She found something. The students experiences and stories were all remarkably similar in terms of their development. All of the stories, layered over each other, formed a pattern. She wrote, plainly, clearly, and methodically about these patterns. Now she gets annual offers of more money to leave her current university and come run another university's higher education department. She's blown up. She not a different person now than the she was the day before thought up this research project. She didn't create a new form of research, nor did she really create new theories...she simply recorded what others were telling her and found patterns in the stories. She's no smarter now than she was before the project launched. She is perhaps better informed. The point is this: she's still the same person as she always had been but is now getting much different results.
Perhaps a sports analogy is more appropriate: Albert Pujols. He's had the same swing his entire life before he was drafted. He got it in high school and kept it with him in Community College. In 1999 in the 13th round with the 402nd overall pick, the Cardinals selected José Alberto Pujols Alcántara. In 2001 Pujols was invited the major league camp in spring training not to compete for a starting spot or even to try and earn a spot on the team as a bench player, instead the Cardinals wanted to give them the opportunity to get to know the major league players. The plan was to send him down to the minors for 1-2 more years and prefect his defensive skills, most likely as a catcher. That spring on a warm sunny day in Florida, veteran IN/OF Bobby Bonilla who the Cards had signed to be the regular third basemen for the upcoming season, heard a pop and felt a burn and came up hobbling. He had torn his hamstring and ended his career but in a circle-of-life type moment another career was born. Later that day Tony LaRussa told Pujols to take ground balls at third base with IF instructor Jose Oquendo. 10 years on Pujols has put together one of the best if not the best decades in the history of professional baseball. Because someone blew out his hamstring, someone else blew up. Pujols was no better or nor worse of a player before or after he was drafted. He went to bed with the same skills before Bonilla popped his hammy and woke up with the same skills the day after he took those first grounders.
People in MLB went a bit nuts wondering how the hell they missed a player like Pujols and how he fell past every team multiple times to the 402nd pick. The problem was some people had seen Pujols, in particular Fernando Arango (great story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6189583). He tried like hell to get Tampa Bay to draft Pujols because of what he saw in him at the time: the clean smooth swing and the reaction of the ball "jumping" off his bat. Its the same swing and same action Pujols produces today as he murders NL pitchers day in and day out. Arango's problem wasn't that he wasn't respected--he was. It wasn't that he wasn't persuasive--he was. It wasn't that he hadn't had a great career--he had. It was that he wasn't the decision maker. All he could do is report what he saw, he couldn't pull the trigger.
Last night Mike Alden pulled the trigger because no one stood in his way. He was the decider and he decided on Frank Haith. It was clear that he and the rest of his search committee saw something and in the coming days they will make their case for what they saw. Some will believe them and some won't. But this much is true: Haith is the same basketball coach today as he was Saturday. He'll also be the same a year from now after his first season at Mizzou has ended. I'm interested in hearing Alden's case for the hire. I'm only assuming it will lead with a few of his pillars that he mentioned in press conference after Anderson's departure and has worked with Pinkel to build the football program on. In some of those Haith grades out very well: morals, ethics, and academics. He manged to coach at the U and not get involved in scandals or get put on probation. He also graduated 21 out of 22 (depending on your math, it could be 20 out of 21) seniors under his watch. Both are very important. What's also important is your ability to coach. Ethics, standards, and academics are on a sliding scale from very high to very low. So is the ability to coach and run a program. Those two scales aren't inner-related.
You don't have to choose one over the other. You can find a coach (i.e. Painter) that has both. The question because can you hire a coach that has both. And, if you can't, how far down on each scale do you go? Its clear Mike Alden, who has one bad hire (Snyder) and many good ones under his belt, went out on a limb and favored ethics, standards, and academics over demonstrated production as a coach.
When Fernando Arango finally got his bosses to bring Pujols in for a pre-draft workout, his swing and body type then were the same as his swing and body type now. Arango felt he saw what he always had: a gifted athlete and power hitter who will hit 40+ home runs in the major leagues multiple times in his career. His bosses saw no such thing. They passed. Albert blew up. Frank Haith is no better of a coach now as he was last week. The question for Alden and anxious Mizzou fans everywhere is: 10 years on, in which direction will Frank Haith have blown up.
Quick Reactions:
Dan Patrick, former ESPN Anchor: "Hire is uninspiring."
ESPN.com's Pat Forde: "If Missouri has really hired Frank Haith, Mike Alden better have the Explanation of The Century."
CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel: "And this, people, is why I said NC State was a better job than Mizzou. Because Yow > Alden. It matters."
CBSSports.com's Garry Parish: "Really, Missouri?"
SI.com's Seth Davis: "I like Frank Haith and have been impressed by him, but this is one of the most perplexing hires I've seen in a long, long time."
More from Davis: "First Mike Alden flies to Florida and gets played by Matt Painter. Now he is going to introduce a coach who is 23 games under .500 in conference."
ESPN's Doug Gottlieb: "Good morning, tweeps. Sorry, Mizzou fans. The Frank Haith hiring was not a bad dream."
St. L Post Dispatch Vahe Gregorian: "But by the time all was said and done late Sunday night, MU had set its aim so off the radar that the college basketball world could only say... huh?" Also called it a "curious hire."
St. L Post Dispatch Brian Burwell: "The coach from the University of Miami is not the sort of hire who will win the news conference, not after so much buzz over the past two weeks about Painter, Smith and even the one-in-a-million dreams of Smart. But that is what makes the Haith hire so intriguing. Alden has staked his legacy on this move, because he knows that Tigers fans with stars in their eyes will greet Haith with a lukewarm reception. But think about it for a moment. Haith went to an impossible job at Miami and made something of it."
St. L Radio Host Tim McKernan: "At first, I thought it may be a joke on the part of a national website. But, then Joe Walljasper, a columnist with The Columbia Daily Tribune, tweeted that he had it confirmed. And then Gabe DeArmond of insideSTL and PowerMizzou.com. And then Vahe Gregorian of the Post-Dispatch. And then a bunch of national guys. And, it began to become real. And real confusing."
Link if you still don't know who the hell Frank Haith is:
http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/4/4/2089851/meet-your-new-mizzou-basketball-coach-frank-haith#63098098
Links if you want to feel better about life:
Big 12 Hoops: http://www.big12hoops.com/2011/4/4/2089593/breaking-frank-haith-missouri-miami Premise: The U sucks ass as a basketball school. His W/L was deceiving records. He'll do good/great at Mizzou.
ESPN.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6119933 Premise: Coach K loves Coach Haith! (which probably also includes loving to beat him twice a year)
Links if you are going to get through your Monday by being irate about the Haith hiring:
CBS Sports: http://gregg-doyel.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/5881996 Premise: Everyone in Miami is happy andMizzou got nervous and hired the person that would say yes.
Rivals.com: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Irate-Missouri-fans-blindsided-by-hiring-of-Miam?urn=ncaab-wp1785 Premise: Not everyone's upset about the Haith hiring. Miami fan's are ecstatic!
Sun Sentinel: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2011/04/hyde_haith_did_um_a_favor_by_t.html Premise: Not everyone's upset about the Haith hiring. Miami fan's are ecstatic!
Link if you are interested in the Painter non-hire and subsequent media mistakes:
From the BoCoMo Trib: http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/apr/03/high-tech-rumor-mill/?sports
Summary:
Fans are pissed and national media are pretty much making fun of us--openly. Citizens of the Great State of Missouri seem to hate two people at lot: Tony LaRussa and Mike Alden. Its perplexing at best. Both put people in the seats by creating exciting products and both recently have won quite a few games. Days like today make them hate Mike Alden even more. He's no dummy, he knows this. He knows he took a risk. He has to be pretty confident in why he took the risk. I believe in the "dance with who brung ya" philosophy in life. Alden has earned the right to be proven wrong.
All that being said, I'm not optimistic. I think at best Haith grades out at Anderson's level and probably grades out a good bit below. I don't see him taking us to the next level of consistently winning Big 12 minus 2 championships and finally getting that elusive Final Four appearance.
Doug's Commentary:
In graduate school my friend Marcus and I would often talk about one of our professors and try to understand in our minds how she had "blown up." One day she was a hall director working in a nondescript residential high rise in the mid-west. She was clearly very smart, methodical, dedicated to students, and had an incredible worth ethic. But when it came down to it she was in the same position as tens of thousands of other people nation-wide, a position that many consider the lower rung of working in higher education. Then one day she decides to ask students questions about their life and track those answers not only over their four-six years at the University, but after they get out of college. She doesn't know if she will find anything, but figures its worth a shot. She found something. The students experiences and stories were all remarkably similar in terms of their development. All of the stories, layered over each other, formed a pattern. She wrote, plainly, clearly, and methodically about these patterns. Now she gets annual offers of more money to leave her current university and come run another university's higher education department. She's blown up. She not a different person now than the she was the day before thought up this research project. She didn't create a new form of research, nor did she really create new theories...she simply recorded what others were telling her and found patterns in the stories. She's no smarter now than she was before the project launched. She is perhaps better informed. The point is this: she's still the same person as she always had been but is now getting much different results.
Perhaps a sports analogy is more appropriate: Albert Pujols. He's had the same swing his entire life before he was drafted. He got it in high school and kept it with him in Community College. In 1999 in the 13th round with the 402nd overall pick, the Cardinals selected José Alberto Pujols Alcántara. In 2001 Pujols was invited the major league camp in spring training not to compete for a starting spot or even to try and earn a spot on the team as a bench player, instead the Cardinals wanted to give them the opportunity to get to know the major league players. The plan was to send him down to the minors for 1-2 more years and prefect his defensive skills, most likely as a catcher. That spring on a warm sunny day in Florida, veteran IN/OF Bobby Bonilla who the Cards had signed to be the regular third basemen for the upcoming season, heard a pop and felt a burn and came up hobbling. He had torn his hamstring and ended his career but in a circle-of-life type moment another career was born. Later that day Tony LaRussa told Pujols to take ground balls at third base with IF instructor Jose Oquendo. 10 years on Pujols has put together one of the best if not the best decades in the history of professional baseball. Because someone blew out his hamstring, someone else blew up. Pujols was no better or nor worse of a player before or after he was drafted. He went to bed with the same skills before Bonilla popped his hammy and woke up with the same skills the day after he took those first grounders.
People in MLB went a bit nuts wondering how the hell they missed a player like Pujols and how he fell past every team multiple times to the 402nd pick. The problem was some people had seen Pujols, in particular Fernando Arango (great story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6189583). He tried like hell to get Tampa Bay to draft Pujols because of what he saw in him at the time: the clean smooth swing and the reaction of the ball "jumping" off his bat. Its the same swing and same action Pujols produces today as he murders NL pitchers day in and day out. Arango's problem wasn't that he wasn't respected--he was. It wasn't that he wasn't persuasive--he was. It wasn't that he hadn't had a great career--he had. It was that he wasn't the decision maker. All he could do is report what he saw, he couldn't pull the trigger.
Last night Mike Alden pulled the trigger because no one stood in his way. He was the decider and he decided on Frank Haith. It was clear that he and the rest of his search committee saw something and in the coming days they will make their case for what they saw. Some will believe them and some won't. But this much is true: Haith is the same basketball coach today as he was Saturday. He'll also be the same a year from now after his first season at Mizzou has ended. I'm interested in hearing Alden's case for the hire. I'm only assuming it will lead with a few of his pillars that he mentioned in press conference after Anderson's departure and has worked with Pinkel to build the football program on. In some of those Haith grades out very well: morals, ethics, and academics. He manged to coach at the U and not get involved in scandals or get put on probation. He also graduated 21 out of 22 (depending on your math, it could be 20 out of 21) seniors under his watch. Both are very important. What's also important is your ability to coach. Ethics, standards, and academics are on a sliding scale from very high to very low. So is the ability to coach and run a program. Those two scales aren't inner-related.
You don't have to choose one over the other. You can find a coach (i.e. Painter) that has both. The question because can you hire a coach that has both. And, if you can't, how far down on each scale do you go? Its clear Mike Alden, who has one bad hire (Snyder) and many good ones under his belt, went out on a limb and favored ethics, standards, and academics over demonstrated production as a coach.
When Fernando Arango finally got his bosses to bring Pujols in for a pre-draft workout, his swing and body type then were the same as his swing and body type now. Arango felt he saw what he always had: a gifted athlete and power hitter who will hit 40+ home runs in the major leagues multiple times in his career. His bosses saw no such thing. They passed. Albert blew up. Frank Haith is no better of a coach now as he was last week. The question for Alden and anxious Mizzou fans everywhere is: 10 years on, in which direction will Frank Haith have blown up.
Quick Reactions:
Dan Patrick, former ESPN Anchor: "Hire is uninspiring."
ESPN.com's Pat Forde: "If Missouri has really hired Frank Haith, Mike Alden better have the Explanation of The Century."
CBSSports.com's Gregg Doyel: "And this, people, is why I said NC State was a better job than Mizzou. Because Yow > Alden. It matters."
CBSSports.com's Garry Parish: "Really, Missouri?"
SI.com's Seth Davis: "I like Frank Haith and have been impressed by him, but this is one of the most perplexing hires I've seen in a long, long time."
More from Davis: "First Mike Alden flies to Florida and gets played by Matt Painter. Now he is going to introduce a coach who is 23 games under .500 in conference."
ESPN's Doug Gottlieb: "Good morning, tweeps. Sorry, Mizzou fans. The Frank Haith hiring was not a bad dream."
St. L Post Dispatch Vahe Gregorian: "But by the time all was said and done late Sunday night, MU had set its aim so off the radar that the college basketball world could only say... huh?" Also called it a "curious hire."
St. L Post Dispatch Brian Burwell: "The coach from the University of Miami is not the sort of hire who will win the news conference, not after so much buzz over the past two weeks about Painter, Smith and even the one-in-a-million dreams of Smart. But that is what makes the Haith hire so intriguing. Alden has staked his legacy on this move, because he knows that Tigers fans with stars in their eyes will greet Haith with a lukewarm reception. But think about it for a moment. Haith went to an impossible job at Miami and made something of it."
St. L Radio Host Tim McKernan: "At first, I thought it may be a joke on the part of a national website. But, then Joe Walljasper, a columnist with The Columbia Daily Tribune, tweeted that he had it confirmed. And then Gabe DeArmond of insideSTL and PowerMizzou.com. And then Vahe Gregorian of the Post-Dispatch. And then a bunch of national guys. And, it began to become real. And real confusing."
Link if you still don't know who the hell Frank Haith is:
http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/4/4/2089851/meet-your-new-mizzou-basketball-coach-frank-haith#63098098
Links if you want to feel better about life:
Big 12 Hoops: http://www.big12hoops.com/2011/4/4/2089593/breaking-frank-haith-missouri-miami Premise: The U sucks ass as a basketball school. His W/L was deceiving records. He'll do good/great at Mizzou.
ESPN.com: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6119933 Premise: Coach K loves Coach Haith! (which probably also includes loving to beat him twice a year)
Links if you are going to get through your Monday by being irate about the Haith hiring:
CBS Sports: http://gregg-doyel.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/view/5881996 Premise: Everyone in Miami is happy andMizzou got nervous and hired the person that would say yes.
Rivals.com: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/blog/the_dagger/post/Irate-Missouri-fans-blindsided-by-hiring-of-Miam?urn=ncaab-wp1785 Premise: Not everyone's upset about the Haith hiring. Miami fan's are ecstatic!
Sun Sentinel: http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2011/04/hyde_haith_did_um_a_favor_by_t.html Premise: Not everyone's upset about the Haith hiring. Miami fan's are ecstatic!
Link if you are interested in the Painter non-hire and subsequent media mistakes:
From the BoCoMo Trib: http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/apr/03/high-tech-rumor-mill/?sports
Summary:
Fans are pissed and national media are pretty much making fun of us--openly. Citizens of the Great State of Missouri seem to hate two people at lot: Tony LaRussa and Mike Alden. Its perplexing at best. Both put people in the seats by creating exciting products and both recently have won quite a few games. Days like today make them hate Mike Alden even more. He's no dummy, he knows this. He knows he took a risk. He has to be pretty confident in why he took the risk. I believe in the "dance with who brung ya" philosophy in life. Alden has earned the right to be proven wrong.
All that being said, I'm not optimistic. I think at best Haith grades out at Anderson's level and probably grades out a good bit below. I don't see him taking us to the next level of consistently winning Big 12 minus 2 championships and finally getting that elusive Final Four appearance.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Who?
E-mailed 3/3/11
If you're asking yourself: Who? You're right in-line with all local and national media. Sports reporters are scratching their heads on this one.
I'd say there is a chance this isn't true, but everyone national and local has called it.
Since I didn't know who Haith is, I'm assuming some of you don't, either. Here goes: he's the head coach (term used loosely) at the U of Miami. While there he's never finished better than 5th in his league (the always tough ACC). In 7 years at Miami, he is 23 games under .500 and has one NCAA tournament win.
In my last email I said I'd rather have the team's academic adviser take over as Head Coach before I hired Steve Alford. To put this in perspective, I'd gladly pay Aldord $2.3 mill a year not in total salary but MORE than whatever we're paying Haith. This makes it very hard to be an Alden defender.
From an Alumni, ESPN reporter Pat Forde: If Missouri has really hired Frank Haith, Mike Alden better have the Explanation of the Century.
Monday just got a whole lot worse.
If you're asking yourself: Who? You're right in-line with all local and national media. Sports reporters are scratching their heads on this one.
I'd say there is a chance this isn't true, but everyone national and local has called it.
Since I didn't know who Haith is, I'm assuming some of you don't, either. Here goes: he's the head coach (term used loosely) at the U of Miami. While there he's never finished better than 5th in his league (the always tough ACC). In 7 years at Miami, he is 23 games under .500 and has one NCAA tournament win.
In my last email I said I'd rather have the team's academic adviser take over as Head Coach before I hired Steve Alford. To put this in perspective, I'd gladly pay Aldord $2.3 mill a year not in total salary but MORE than whatever we're paying Haith. This makes it very hard to be an Alden defender.
From an Alumni, ESPN reporter Pat Forde: If Missouri has really hired Frank Haith, Mike Alden better have the Explanation of the Century.
Monday just got a whole lot worse.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN; PAINTER REJECTS MIZZOU
E-mailed 3/30/11
Well, that was certainly a 180 wasn't it. Here is what happened:
(1) Painter called Alden say "we're a go" and went to travel to Purdue to tell his players.
(2) At meeting this afternoon with his players, had a change of heart, decided to stay.
(3) Accepted Purdue's 8 year contract.
Those outlets that called him going to Mizzou and the inter-office e-mails within Mizzou athletics weren't incorrect. He made the call to come. And then decided not to. Don't be mad at him. No anger here. Disappointment, but no anger. Great man. Hell of a coach. Don't be mad at Alden either, he did his job.
This feels an awful lot like the 5th down play or the Nebraska kicked ball. We did what we were supposed to, fate just got in our way. For those interested, below is what I was in the process of typing out and sending before this all happened, it was under the heading "What's Next." New e-mail coming under that heading. Man, that one is going to be tough to write. At any rate...I now present the e-mail that never was:
"Now What"
The day has dawned, the great news has arrived. Now what?
Here is where we stand:
(1) Everyone running on silent mode, except for Purdue athletic donors who are ready to kill the AD for sending out a snarky communication about how if they had given more money, Painter wouldn't be looking at other jobs.
(2) Depending on who you talk to Painter is at Purdue or in transit to Purdue. Will meet with players now, this afternoon, or evening.
(3) After that its on to BoCoMo, presumably to meet with team and hold some type of presser.
(4) Odd, but cool reports, stating he'll be on hand and introduced to crowd on Cards opening day (Thursday).
What to watch for:
(A) How does Painter say "I hate the Purdue Athletic Director and that's why I left" politely in front of media.
(B) Which players react. If pressed they will all say "excited" but who steps forward and who doesn't will be interesting. Under CMA everyone played b/c everyone ran their ass off. Under Painter more emphasis on precision and execution. That would lend to lesser playing time. Some players have to know they are looking at some bench time.
(C) How quickly Flip Pressley withdraws from classes and heads south. Unfortunate for us. He could have had an outstanding career in Columbia. I think he will leave for style of play concerns.
Well, that was certainly a 180 wasn't it. Here is what happened:
(1) Painter called Alden say "we're a go" and went to travel to Purdue to tell his players.
(2) At meeting this afternoon with his players, had a change of heart, decided to stay.
(3) Accepted Purdue's 8 year contract.
Those outlets that called him going to Mizzou and the inter-office e-mails within Mizzou athletics weren't incorrect. He made the call to come. And then decided not to. Don't be mad at him. No anger here. Disappointment, but no anger. Great man. Hell of a coach. Don't be mad at Alden either, he did his job.
This feels an awful lot like the 5th down play or the Nebraska kicked ball. We did what we were supposed to, fate just got in our way. For those interested, below is what I was in the process of typing out and sending before this all happened, it was under the heading "What's Next." New e-mail coming under that heading. Man, that one is going to be tough to write. At any rate...I now present the e-mail that never was:
"Now What"
The day has dawned, the great news has arrived. Now what?
Here is where we stand:
(1) Everyone running on silent mode, except for Purdue athletic donors who are ready to kill the AD for sending out a snarky communication about how if they had given more money, Painter wouldn't be looking at other jobs.
(2) Depending on who you talk to Painter is at Purdue or in transit to Purdue. Will meet with players now, this afternoon, or evening.
(3) After that its on to BoCoMo, presumably to meet with team and hold some type of presser.
(4) Odd, but cool reports, stating he'll be on hand and introduced to crowd on Cards opening day (Thursday).
What to watch for:
(A) How does Painter say "I hate the Purdue Athletic Director and that's why I left" politely in front of media.
(B) Which players react. If pressed they will all say "excited" but who steps forward and who doesn't will be interesting. Under CMA everyone played b/c everyone ran their ass off. Under Painter more emphasis on precision and execution. That would lend to lesser playing time. Some players have to know they are looking at some bench time.
(C) How quickly Flip Pressley withdraws from classes and heads south. Unfortunate for us. He could have had an outstanding career in Columbia. I think he will leave for style of play concerns.
PAINTER TO MIZZOU
Shocking. Unbelievable. Too good to be true. All of those things and more: PAINTER IS THE NEXT HEAD COACH OF YOUR MISSOURI TIGERS.
I'm calling it based on inner campus emails between athletic staff. Game over. This time we happen to win. Let's not forget, though, those folks on another campus feeling what we felt not too long ago. Keep them in your thoughts, it doesn't feel good to be where they are at right now.
Details on the announcement/introduction will be unfolding. Clearly a statue of Alden needs to be built outside of Mizzou Arena. What an incredible move.
I'm speechless.
I'm calling it based on inner campus emails between athletic staff. Game over. This time we happen to win. Let's not forget, though, those folks on another campus feeling what we felt not too long ago. Keep them in your thoughts, it doesn't feel good to be where they are at right now.
Details on the announcement/introduction will be unfolding. Clearly a statue of Alden needs to be built outside of Mizzou Arena. What an incredible move.
I'm speechless.
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
Monday, March 28, 2011
BREAKING NEWS: PAINTER TO MIZZOU?
E-mails on 3/28/11
Well, 15 minutes ago the first reporter called it. Dick Weiss says Painter agrees to terms with Mizzou on a 7 year $14 mill contract. Weiss works for the New York Daily News, has been covering college basketball for 40 years, and is a member of the USBWA college basketball writers' Hall of Fame.
Alden had a public event tonight with some boosters. Looked happy. When asked dodged the question and said "things progressing really well" in regards to the search. Said "we won't rush things."
I'm not calling it yet, but I'm 80% sure we've got him. More to come as it develops.
Well, 15 minutes ago the first reporter called it. Dick Weiss says Painter agrees to terms with Mizzou on a 7 year $14 mill contract. Weiss works for the New York Daily News, has been covering college basketball for 40 years, and is a member of the USBWA college basketball writers' Hall of Fame.
Alden had a public event tonight with some boosters. Looked happy. When asked dodged the question and said "things progressing really well" in regards to the search. Said "we won't rush things."
I'm not calling it yet, but I'm 80% sure we've got him. More to come as it develops.
Monday Roundup
E-mail on 3/28/11
What a wonderful Monday morning! The cherry blossoms are nearly in full bloom in our nation's capital and Matt Painter is sitting down to meet with Mizzou. Article found here:
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/article_95e4a9d2-594b-11e0-9b25-0017a4a78c22.html
The article puts it at "better than 50% chance" he will come to Mizzou. This guys puts it at 60% he WON'T, but we can dream can't we? Two juicy tidbits to note both via the Twitter:
(1) Painter will coach junior Team USA basketball this August (or something of the sort, I'm not familiar enough with the Olympics to fully describe what it is) and his two assistant coaches are Butler's Brad Stevens and VCU's Shaka Smart. All three mentioned as potential coaches for Mizzou. To note is the fact that Painter will be the head coach. What is clear is that he might not have the hype of Stevens and Smart but its clear he has the respect and experience on the national level.
(2) Fran Fraschilla (analysis) tweeted: "Stunned that PU would lose Painter. There are few who "take his & beat yours, take yours & beat his" to quote B. Bryant." Quite a testament to how good of a coach he is. It also shows he's not s "systems guy" but actually coaches as the talent, team, and situation warrant. I'd say this was Anderson's biggest drawback: he had a system and if the system wasn't working and/or an opponent figured it out we were toast. Not the case with Painter.
I also think the fact that we are this far along with Painter shows us where Mike Alden's head is at: he wants a proven coach not one with potential. His track record is hiring people from mid-majors and hope they can make the leap. With Anderson cleaning up our program from Quinn and getting us back on the national scene combined with the fact that the Big 12 is going to be so difficult to win in, he's going after established coaches and not taking chances on guys who "might make it" instead focusing on guys who have made it and have a record of success. Speaking of Quinn, former KC Star columnist Jason Witlock laid into Shaka Smart over the weekend saying "buyer beware anyone can make a deep tournament run. This looks a lot like Quinn Snyder."
If Painter comes to Mizzou its most likely because (1) he's in a fight with his AD, and (2) Purdue won't pay his assistants what they should. His loyalty to his assistants and frustration with the AD and playing basketball in a crowded state (Butler, Indiana, etc.) will have to outweigh his loyalty to his Alma Mater. This should all play out in 48ish hours, so we should have an answer yes or no by Wednesday.
If he doesn't come to Mizzou, I think Alden is in some hot water with the fan base. I think they are stupid to put him there but I think people are frustrated by the fact he tried to get Anderson to stay in a pretty public manner and lost out and now he would try to get Painter here in a pretty public manner and lost out. I think that's pretty dumb thinking. I think the man is just trying to do his job. If he doesn't seal the deal with Painter one would think he's go more toward the Mick Cronin's, Scott Sutton's, and Dave Rose's of the world and less toward the Missouri Valley Conference young coaches.
For what its worth--and I think not much--the connected alumni of Purdue are under the impression Painter is gone and that is a done deal him coming to Mizzou. On the flip side, connected Mizzou alums were probably saying Anderson was staying.
The prospect of going from Anderson to Painter, a major upgrade, is fascinating and is a testament to the University and Athletic Department. Should be an interesting 48 hours.
What a wonderful Monday morning! The cherry blossoms are nearly in full bloom in our nation's capital and Matt Painter is sitting down to meet with Mizzou. Article found here:
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/college/mizzou/article_95e4a9d2-594b-11e0-9b25-0017a4a78c22.html
The article puts it at "better than 50% chance" he will come to Mizzou. This guys puts it at 60% he WON'T, but we can dream can't we? Two juicy tidbits to note both via the Twitter:
(1) Painter will coach junior Team USA basketball this August (or something of the sort, I'm not familiar enough with the Olympics to fully describe what it is) and his two assistant coaches are Butler's Brad Stevens and VCU's Shaka Smart. All three mentioned as potential coaches for Mizzou. To note is the fact that Painter will be the head coach. What is clear is that he might not have the hype of Stevens and Smart but its clear he has the respect and experience on the national level.
(2) Fran Fraschilla (analysis) tweeted: "Stunned that PU would lose Painter. There are few who "take his & beat yours, take yours & beat his" to quote B. Bryant." Quite a testament to how good of a coach he is. It also shows he's not s "systems guy" but actually coaches as the talent, team, and situation warrant. I'd say this was Anderson's biggest drawback: he had a system and if the system wasn't working and/or an opponent figured it out we were toast. Not the case with Painter.
I also think the fact that we are this far along with Painter shows us where Mike Alden's head is at: he wants a proven coach not one with potential. His track record is hiring people from mid-majors and hope they can make the leap. With Anderson cleaning up our program from Quinn and getting us back on the national scene combined with the fact that the Big 12 is going to be so difficult to win in, he's going after established coaches and not taking chances on guys who "might make it" instead focusing on guys who have made it and have a record of success. Speaking of Quinn, former KC Star columnist Jason Witlock laid into Shaka Smart over the weekend saying "buyer beware anyone can make a deep tournament run. This looks a lot like Quinn Snyder."
If Painter comes to Mizzou its most likely because (1) he's in a fight with his AD, and (2) Purdue won't pay his assistants what they should. His loyalty to his assistants and frustration with the AD and playing basketball in a crowded state (Butler, Indiana, etc.) will have to outweigh his loyalty to his Alma Mater. This should all play out in 48ish hours, so we should have an answer yes or no by Wednesday.
If he doesn't come to Mizzou, I think Alden is in some hot water with the fan base. I think they are stupid to put him there but I think people are frustrated by the fact he tried to get Anderson to stay in a pretty public manner and lost out and now he would try to get Painter here in a pretty public manner and lost out. I think that's pretty dumb thinking. I think the man is just trying to do his job. If he doesn't seal the deal with Painter one would think he's go more toward the Mick Cronin's, Scott Sutton's, and Dave Rose's of the world and less toward the Missouri Valley Conference young coaches.
For what its worth--and I think not much--the connected alumni of Purdue are under the impression Painter is gone and that is a done deal him coming to Mizzou. On the flip side, connected Mizzou alums were probably saying Anderson was staying.
The prospect of going from Anderson to Painter, a major upgrade, is fascinating and is a testament to the University and Athletic Department. Should be an interesting 48 hours.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sifting Through the Articles So You Don't Have To
E-mailed 3/24/11
Since college basketball is the only college sport I'm following form here forward (or at least until our football program signs with a real conference), events in the past week have been pretty fascinating to say the least. Lots of press out there. I have the good fortune to have a pretty free day at work today. If you are interested, here are the links out there that you might want to peruse:
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/23/2748700/missouri-should-land-a-quality.html -- Very aggressive article by the KC Star. If you're feeling bitter, you HAVE to read this.
http://college-basketball-blog.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/26283066/28049887?source=rss_blogs_NCAAB -- General article that says the same thing as the Star, just less aggressively and more objectively (in the event anyone felt the first link was biased)
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/mar/23/andersons-bad-breakup-leaves-unpleasant-aftertaste/ -- This link is worth clicking even if you don't read it...look at the photo as Alden thanks Anderson for his service to Mizzou. Look at the players faces.
http://m.stltoday.com/STL/db_260518/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=BXWec6H2&full=true#display -- Solid article with a paragraph: "And there's another reason the MU job should interest some fine candidates: The new coach will instantly become the most popular man in Boone County. It wasn't easy for Snyder to succeed the living legend, Norm Stewart. It wasn't smooth for Anderson. The Anderson style of basketball, while successful over the last three years, was irritating to watch at times. Even those of us who respect Anderson's work grew tired of watching the same frenetic game — with the same, stupid mistakes — over and over again. By now, I don't think any reasonable person will resent the new coach for not being Norm Stewart. And I think a lot of people are ready for a change in strategy in Mizzou's approach to the game. And I think it's safe to say many fans are upset at Anderson for the way he duped Mizzou after the university went to great lengths to satisfy his wishes."
Also if you are interested, here is the list of potential candidates found mentioned in all of the articles I read:
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.
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.
Bob Burchard -- Currently the men’s basketball coach at Columbia College. The Cougars have advanced to the NAIA Men's National Basketball Championship 14 times during his tenure, including 13 of the past 16 seasons. The Missourian actually listed him as a candidate. My response: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Jon Sunvold -- Former Mizzou player. A great choice. If he was actually a coach.
Kim Anderson -- Current Coach at Central Missouri. Former players and assistant coach for the Tigers. At Central he has coached his teams to five NCAA DII Tournaments in the past six years. Everyone wants him to come "home." A bad choice for the program.
Cuonzo Martin -- Current Coach at Southwest Missouri State Teachers College for two years. ZERO NCAA appearances. St. Louis media is jocking him b/c he recruits well in St. Louis. I'd take Kim Anderson over him. I'd even take Bob Burchard over him.
Hopefully We Can Do Better
Mark Fox -- Head Coach of Georgia 09-11, Nevada before that 04-09. 7 years coaching, four years in NCAA, never out of second round. Almost hired over Anderson. It would worry me he would leave after only two year at Georgia.
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.
Brian Gregory -- Head Coach of Dayton since 2003. Taken them to the NCAA twice and he won the NIT in 09-10. One would think he would be on the next plane to BoCoMo if offered. I'll pass, but would take him over Scott Sutton.
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
Matt Painter -- Head Coach of Purdue since 05, Southern IL 03-04. 155-66 record, 7 NCAA appearances in 8 years as a Head Coach. Two Sweet 16's. St. Louis radio reported he wants the job. I was all over him as a candidate until I found out he's a Purdue grad. He ain't leaving. If he does, we should question his integrity at least minimally. Feel free to move him to "Get Real" list.
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.
Conclusions:
I'm guessing we'll announce Stallings, Jacobson, Bennett or Mooney. If you are overly optimistic hope for Williams or Painter.
In two days (3/26) Mike Anderson will have come into the lives of Missouri sports fans exactly five years ago. Let's recap what life was like then:
* A radio play-by-play announcer (Link) had just fired our head coach (Synder)
* Our Athletic Director (Alden) was getting called in front of the Board of Trustees to presumably get fired.
* We had no recruits in the pipeline
* Our current players were defecting...quickly
* Our program was a national embarrassment
* Our head coach was a drug user
Anderson was hired sans search committee and quickly declared himself a "Mike Alden guy" possibly saving Alden's job. In the five years since we've been to the tournament 5 times and the Elite 8 once. There have been some troubling and frustrating times sprinkled in there. Those five years, however, were much better than the five before. Five years from now I think we will look back and find that Mike Anderson era at Mizzou will be remembered for him saving Alden's job and bringing the program back into the national conversation.
Bottom line: I don't think we'll be remembering his classless appearance in the NCAA's this year and his classless avoidance of the media in Columbia on the night he resigned.
Since college basketball is the only college sport I'm following form here forward (or at least until our football program signs with a real conference), events in the past week have been pretty fascinating to say the least. Lots of press out there. I have the good fortune to have a pretty free day at work today. If you are interested, here are the links out there that you might want to peruse:
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/23/2748700/missouri-should-land-a-quality.html -- Very aggressive article by the KC Star. If you're feeling bitter, you HAVE to read this.
http://college-basketball-blog.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/26283066/28049887?source=rss_blogs_NCAAB -- General article that says the same thing as the Star, just less aggressively and more objectively (in the event anyone felt the first link was biased)
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/mar/23/andersons-bad-breakup-leaves-unpleasant-aftertaste/ -- This link is worth clicking even if you don't read it...look at the photo as Alden thanks Anderson for his service to Mizzou. Look at the players faces.
http://m.stltoday.com/STL/db_260518/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=BXWec6H2&full=true#display -- Solid article with a paragraph: "And there's another reason the MU job should interest some fine candidates: The new coach will instantly become the most popular man in Boone County. It wasn't easy for Snyder to succeed the living legend, Norm Stewart. It wasn't smooth for Anderson. The Anderson style of basketball, while successful over the last three years, was irritating to watch at times. Even those of us who respect Anderson's work grew tired of watching the same frenetic game — with the same, stupid mistakes — over and over again. By now, I don't think any reasonable person will resent the new coach for not being Norm Stewart. And I think a lot of people are ready for a change in strategy in Mizzou's approach to the game. And I think it's safe to say many fans are upset at Anderson for the way he duped Mizzou after the university went to great lengths to satisfy his wishes."
Also if you are interested, here is the list of potential candidates found mentioned in all of the articles I read:
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.
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.
Bob Burchard -- Currently the men’s basketball coach at Columbia College. The Cougars have advanced to the NAIA Men's National Basketball Championship 14 times during his tenure, including 13 of the past 16 seasons. The Missourian actually listed him as a candidate. My response: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Jon Sunvold -- Former Mizzou player. A great choice. If he was actually a coach.
Kim Anderson -- Current Coach at Central Missouri. Former players and assistant coach for the Tigers. At Central he has coached his teams to five NCAA DII Tournaments in the past six years. Everyone wants him to come "home." A bad choice for the program.
Cuonzo Martin -- Current Coach at Southwest Missouri State Teachers College for two years. ZERO NCAA appearances. St. Louis media is jocking him b/c he recruits well in St. Louis. I'd take Kim Anderson over him. I'd even take Bob Burchard over him.
Hopefully We Can Do Better
Mark Fox -- Head Coach of Georgia 09-11, Nevada before that 04-09. 7 years coaching, four years in NCAA, never out of second round. Almost hired over Anderson. It would worry me he would leave after only two year at Georgia.
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.
Brian Gregory -- Head Coach of Dayton since 2003. Taken them to the NCAA twice and he won the NIT in 09-10. One would think he would be on the next plane to BoCoMo if offered. I'll pass, but would take him over Scott Sutton.
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
Matt Painter -- Head Coach of Purdue since 05, Southern IL 03-04. 155-66 record, 7 NCAA appearances in 8 years as a Head Coach. Two Sweet 16's. St. Louis radio reported he wants the job. I was all over him as a candidate until I found out he's a Purdue grad. He ain't leaving. If he does, we should question his integrity at least minimally. Feel free to move him to "Get Real" list.
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.
Conclusions:
I'm guessing we'll announce Stallings, Jacobson, Bennett or Mooney. If you are overly optimistic hope for Williams or Painter.
In two days (3/26) Mike Anderson will have come into the lives of Missouri sports fans exactly five years ago. Let's recap what life was like then:
* A radio play-by-play announcer (Link) had just fired our head coach (Synder)
* Our Athletic Director (Alden) was getting called in front of the Board of Trustees to presumably get fired.
* We had no recruits in the pipeline
* Our current players were defecting...quickly
* Our program was a national embarrassment
* Our head coach was a drug user
Anderson was hired sans search committee and quickly declared himself a "Mike Alden guy" possibly saving Alden's job. In the five years since we've been to the tournament 5 times and the Elite 8 once. There have been some troubling and frustrating times sprinkled in there. Those five years, however, were much better than the five before. Five years from now I think we will look back and find that Mike Anderson era at Mizzou will be remembered for him saving Alden's job and bringing the program back into the national conversation.
Bottom line: I don't think we'll be remembering his classless appearance in the NCAA's this year and his classless avoidance of the media in Columbia on the night he resigned.
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