Coaching Alternatives

[quote="rawdognyc" post=333901][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=333899][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=333895][quote="Knight" post=333891][quote="Beast of the East" post=333859]When we hired Lavin, I put forth Cluess as someone we should consider. Back then he read this site, and thought it ridiculous that anyone on here suggested him as coach (he was killing it at cw post then) I didn't tell him it was me .

8 years at iona, 6 trips to the dance. The 2 years he didn't make it, they were conference regular season champs. Last night Iona gave North Carolina a mild scare, leading at halftime. They go out as a 16 with their head high.

If Mullin were to leave, this would be a great hire. The guy has won everywhere and there's no question he can coach and no question he is a winner.[/quote]

Easier conference to win than the Big East. I don't know if Cluess' style translates. Like Mullin's.[/quote]

Think outside the box time - hire Cluess' protege, Jared Grasso of Bryant. My criteria:

1. Young and very hungry. 38 years old. All he does is eat, sleep, family and basketball. That's it.
2. Excellent recruiter. All of Cluess' players are Grasso recruits. All of them.
3. Learned under Cluess.
4. NY guy through and through.
5. Would be big step up from Bryant, but you know what - that means he will actually covet and appreciate the hell out of this job and not make it seems like he's doing everyone a favor by being here. I don't want someone who wants the job because he wants to move back to the East Coast.
6. Knows X & O's
7. Tripled Bryant's win total in his first year there and gave 1 seed St Peters a scare in 1st round in NEC.
8. I know knock will be has no record as a head coach or proven he can recruit etc. at this level. Guys we are not an attractive job anymore. Need to take a chance with someone at the ground floor. By the time they become Nate Oats, they have other better options for more $$.
9. I am not a relative by the way LOL.[/quote]

By the way if there is no appetite for someone this young or inexperienced, then my preference is we just bite the bullet and hire Pitino, baggage be damned. I agree with someone else on here that a sideways move that doesn't move the needle is pointless - guys like Bobby Hurley and Shaka Smart have not been successful elsewhere with more resources.[/quote]

St John's would hire you to coach before they'd hire Pitino[/quote]

I'm available LOL
 
[quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=333895][quote="Knight" post=333891][quote="Beast of the East" post=333859]When we hired Lavin, I put forth Cluess as someone we should consider. Back then he read this site, and thought it ridiculous that anyone on here suggested him as coach (he was killing it at cw post then) I didn't tell him it was me .

8 years at iona, 6 trips to the dance. The 2 years he didn't make it, they were conference regular season champs. Last night Iona gave North Carolina a mild scare, leading at halftime. They go out as a 16 with their head high.

If Mullin were to leave, this would be a great hire. The guy has won everywhere and there's no question he can coach and no question he is a winner.[/quote]

Easier conference to win than the Big East. I don't know if Cluess' style translates. Like Mullin's.[/quote]

Think outside the box time - hire Cluess' protege, Jared Grasso of Bryant. My criteria:

1. Young and very hungry. 38 years old. All he does is eat, sleep, family and basketball. That's it.
2. Excellent recruiter. All of Cluess' players are Grasso recruits. All of them.
3. Learned under Cluess.
4. NY guy through and through.
5. Would be big step up from Bryant, but you know what - that means he will actually covet and appreciate the hell out of this job and not make it seems like he's doing everyone a favor by being here. I don't want someone who wants the job because he wants to move back to the East Coast.
6. Knows X & O's
7. Tripled Bryant's win total in his first year there and gave 1 seed St Peters a scare in 1st round in NEC.
8. I know knock will be has no record as a head coach or proven he can recruit etc. at this level. Guys we are not an attractive job anymore. Need to take a chance with someone at the ground floor. By the time they become Nate Oats, they have other better options for more $$.
9. I am not a relative by the way LOL.[/quote]


I LOVE this idea. I’ve been very high on Grasso for a while and I agree with all the points you stated above. Having a guy as hungry as him who would actually appreciate the job would be a huge breath of fresh air.

Obviously if we could get Oats or another rising star like him that would be ideal, but at this point I doubt he would come here over other options he would have.

In the past few hires SJU has gone for the big name over the under the radar option and it hasn’t been working out to say the least. I think it’s time to get a basketball junkie who is hungry to prove themself.
 
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[quote="Manhattan1" post=333712]I think it is Cragg's job to be an influencer and make Mullin realize changes need to be made..[/quote]

Truth!

An entire fan base has consistently called out two specific problems for multiple years (Need for for competent big men and more than one recruiter). Chris has decided he knows better. After doing it his way, there is empirical evidence that those two concerns are indeed impacting performance. This is exactly a scenario were an AD should interject.
 
I'm pretty sure the only constant for next year's team will be the head coach.
 
Really should stop bringing up Pitino. Think it was Rhode Island that was considering him, checked with the NCAA and was told if they did they would have the snot investigated out off them.
 
[quote="Knight" post=333891]Easier conference to win than the Big East. I don't know if Cluess' style translates. Like Mullin's.[/quote]

IMO, I don't think it does re: Cluess' style translating.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=333924]Winning at every single level in his career is a pretty good style[/quote]

Maybe, but he doesn't excite me at all. He mainly does it at Iona with transfers from "bigger" schools and JUCO's. I'll give him props for taking those kids and successfully win games in the MAAC. But his teams doesn't play much defense, and his advantages (what I mentioned above) would no longer be superior in a bigger and better conference.

Mike Dunlap also won at his previous collegiate stops (NCAA D-II and D-III), but looks to be having trouble on the "bigger stage." No way would I want Dunlap as a head coach here. I kinda envision the same for Cluess in a bigger conference.
 
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[quote="Beast of the East" post=333924]Winning at every single level in his career is a pretty good style[/quote]
Cleuss is a good coach but is winning enough? We just finished 21-13 that's winning and yet it seems like 80% of the fan base is not happy. Think you have to try to project ceiling level of winning with a coach at a program and I'm skeptical KC could reach the level we aspire to.
 
[quote="bamafan" post=333927][quote="Beast of the East" post=333924]Winning at every single level in his career is a pretty good style[/quote]
Cleuss is a good coach but is winning enough? We just finished 21-13 that's winning and yet it seems like 80% of the fan base is not happy. Think you have to try to project ceiling level of winning with a coach at a program and I'm skeptical KC could reach the level we aspire to.[/quote]

I somewhat agree here. But I think part of the reason most people are angry is not because of the record. I think just everyone realizes that Mullin just isn’t fully invested in the job and the way he’s running the program is not sustainable and bound to fail.

If we finished 21-13 but the future was bright and the program seemed to be thriving, and there seemed to be a foundation in place that could breed future success, I doubt as many people would be unhappy.

I mean look at Seton Hall this year. They probably expected to have the type of season we’re thinking we’re gonna have next year. They lost Carrington, Delgado and Rodriguez but Willard kept the remaining troops together and ended up having a great season in what was supposed to be a down year. What are the chances Mullin can do that next year? I would say extremely low.
 
[quote="SJU11phd" post=333947][quote="bamafan" post=333927][quote="Beast of the East" post=333924]Winning at every single level in his career is a pretty good style[/quote]
Cleuss is a good coach but is winning enough? We just finished 21-13 that's winning and yet it seems like 80% of the fan base is not happy. Think you have to try to project ceiling level of winning with a coach at a program and I'm skeptical KC could reach the level we aspire to.[/quote]

I somewhat agree here. But I think part of the reason most people are angry is not because of the record. I think just everyone realizes that Mullin just isn’t fully invested in the job and the way he’s running the program is not sustainable and bound to fail.

If we finished 21-13 but the future was bright and the program seemed to be thriving, and there seemed to be a foundation in place that could breed future success, I doubt as many people would be unhappy.

I mean look at Seton Hall this year. They probably expected to have the type of season we’re thinking we’re gonna have next year. They lost Carrington, Delgado and Rodriguez but Willard kept the remaining troops together and ended up having a great season in what was supposed to be a down year. What are the chances Mullin can do that next year? I would say extremely low.[/quote]

We will find out next year
 
[quote="SJU11phd" post=333947][quote="bamafan" post=333927][quote="Beast of the East" post=333924]Winning at every single level in his career is a pretty good style[/quote]
Cleuss is a good coach but is winning enough? We just finished 21-13 that's winning and yet it seems like 80% of the fan base is not happy. Think you have to try to project ceiling level of winning with a coach at a program and I'm skeptical KC could reach the level we aspire to.[/quote]

I somewhat agree here. But I think part of the reason most people are angry is not because of the record. I think just everyone realizes that Mullin just isn’t fully invested in the job and the way he’s running the program is not sustainable and bound to fail.

If we finished 21-13 but the future was bright and the program seemed to be thriving, and there seemed to be a foundation in place that could breed future success, I doubt as many people would be unhappy.

I mean look at Seton Hall this year. They probably expected to have the type of season we’re thinking we’re gonna have next year. They lost Carrington, Delgado and Rodriguez but Willard kept the remaining troops together and ended up having a great season in what was supposed to be a down year. What are the chances Mullin can do that next year? I would say extremely low.[/quote]

Willard just finished hid 9th year, his first 5, he made the NIT once. Mullin made the NCAA in his 4th year. I certainly think we should change the coaching staff because of philosophy but I laugh because you guys who obsess on the staff would have been advocating for both Wright and Willard to have been fired long before they were able to build their programs to where they are now. It takes time; believe me, if I agreed with what Mullin is installing I would be arguing like a MFer to keep him. We had the talent to win and win big this year and it all fell apart because of style of play and players who, outside of Figueroa, IMO played too often for themselves, whether that meant trying to do too much on their own or not putting in consistent, committed effort.
 
[quote="SJU11phd" post=333905][quote="Windy City Johnny Fan" post=333895][quote="Knight" post=333891][quote="Beast of the East" post=333859]When we hired Lavin, I put forth Cluess as someone we should consider. Back then he read this site, and thought it ridiculous that anyone on here suggested him as coach (he was killing it at cw post then) I didn't tell him it was me .

8 years at iona, 6 trips to the dance. The 2 years he didn't make it, they were conference regular season champs. Last night Iona gave North Carolina a mild scare, leading at halftime. They go out as a 16 with their head high.

If Mullin were to leave, this would be a great hire. The guy has won everywhere and there's no question he can coach and no question he is a winner.[/quote]

Easier conference to win than the Big East. I don't know if Cluess' style translates. Like Mullin's.[/quote]

Think outside the box time - hire Cluess' protege, Jared Grasso of Bryant. My criteria:

1. Young and very hungry. 38 years old. All he does is eat, sleep, family and basketball. That's it.
2. Excellent recruiter. All of Cluess' players are Grasso recruits. All of them.
3. Learned under Cluess.
4. NY guy through and through.
5. Would be big step up from Bryant, but you know what - that means he will actually covet and appreciate the hell out of this job and not make it seems like he's doing everyone a favor by being here. I don't want someone who wants the job because he wants to move back to the East Coast.
6. Knows X & O's
7. Tripled Bryant's win total in his first year there and gave 1 seed St Peters a scare in 1st round in NEC.
8. I know knock will be has no record as a head coach or proven he can recruit etc. at this level. Guys we are not an attractive job anymore. Need to take a chance with someone at the ground floor. By the time they become Nate Oats, they have other better options for more $$.
9. I am not a relative by the way LOL.[/quote]


I LOVE this idea. I’ve been very high on Grasso for a while and I agree with all the points you stated above. Having a guy as hungry as him who would actually appreciate the job would be a huge breath of fresh air.

Obviously if we could get Oats or another rising star like him that would be ideal, but at this point I doubt he would come here over other options he would have.

In the past few hires SJU has gone for the big name over the under the radar option and it hasn’t been working out to say the least. I think it’s time to get a basketball junkie who is hungry to prove themself.[/quote]

This presumes Mullin leaves on his own for whatever reasons—which I doubt absent a buyout—but you never know.
If Chris were to leave, I like either of the two, Cluess or Grasso.
Cluess is a Johnnie to his bones and a successful coach and Grasso seems to be a very promising young and hungry talent.
 
Cluess would have been great with our team this year, but it's essentially the same style as Mullin -- TC is just much better at it. But how well would it work with next year's team with no Ponds, Heron, Simon, Clark, and ___?

He clearly wins, but how excited would kids be to play for him? I think we need a brand name if Mullin were for some reason not be here.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=333979]Cluess would have been great with our team this year, but it's essentially the same style as Mullin -- TC is just much better at it. But how well would it work with next year's team with no Ponds, Heron, Simon, Clark, and ___?

He clearly wins, but how excited would kids be to play for him? I think we need a brand name if Mullin were for some reason not be here.[/quote]

Like a Bobby Hurley, if available?
 
I'm not ready to speculate too much on CM successor as there is no indication he's leaving, but I would not be in favor of Cluess at this point in his career. IMHO, next coach should be either a rising star (such as Oates) or a promising young guy from a smaller school like Grasso, who has talent and will work his butt off. Probably more realistic to get the second type.
 
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Iona finished 17-16 so Cluess is not exactly a world beater. Someone in that conference has to make the NCAA's and he is the best in a less than mediocre conference.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=333981][quote="L J S A" post=333979]Cluess would have been great with our team this year, but it's essentially the same style as Mullin -- TC is just much better at it. But how well would it work with next year's team with no Ponds, Heron, Simon, Clark, and ___?

He clearly wins, but how excited would kids be to play for him? I think we need a brand name if Mullin were for some reason not be here.[/quote]

Like a Bobby Hurley, if available?[/quote]

He's not my first choice, but I'd initially be excited to see if we could lure Jersey kids.
 
[quote="Chicago Days" post=333981][quote="L J S A" post=333979]Cluess would have been great with our team this year, but it's essentially the same style as Mullin -- TC is just much better at it. But how well would it work with next year's team with no Ponds, Heron, Simon, Clark, and ___?

He clearly wins, but how excited would kids be to play for him? I think we need a brand name if Mullin were for some reason not be here.[/quote]

Like a Bobby Hurley, if available?[/quote]

Why would Bobby Hurley leave for SJU?
 
[quote="NCJohnnie" post=333982]I'm not ready to speculate too much on CM successor as there is no indication he's leaving, but I would not be in favor of Cluess at this point in his career. IMHO, next coach should be either a rising star (such as Oates) or a promising young guy from a smaller school like Grasso, who has talent and will work his butt off. Probably more realistic to get the second type.[/quote]

Might as well speculate about the ‘next’ coach NCJ, as ‘everything’ seems in the mix for us this off-season.
I’ve surrendered!
Join in, it might be fun to be part of a guessing marathon.
Lol.
 
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