Cragg and the SJU “Culture”

monte

monte

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One of the take-aways for me from watching the tourney games is the “culture” that exists at so many of the other programs. There seems to be a true comraderie between the coaching staffs and the kids, and a brotherhood between teammates. These kids take pride in wearing the uniform of the school they represent, even if they only plan on representing that school for one year. Usually this culture starts at the top; with the head coach. That culture is clearly lacking here. I can’t say for certain what kind of bond there is between the staff and the kids, but my sense is that it’s not nearly as close as it is elsewhere. And this brings me to Cragg. IMO it is imperative that he help (re)create a culture here if we are to ever again reach sustained success.. It not going to be easy, especially since we’ve been down so long, but we are one of the winningest programs in the history of college basketball and once had a wonderful culture here. Besides, I don’t think he would have taken the job it he wasn’t confident that he could lead the resurgence of the basketball program. With all due respect to anyone who left here or is about to leave, my feeling is: don’t let the door hit you on the way out. Let’s rebuild the staff with people who have the same goal in mind, and find kids who feel the same way and who are not just looking to use our school as a stopover on their way to someplace else. I’ve heard some things in the last few days that lead me to believe that Cragg is already in the process of righting the ship. I, for one, fully expect him to be successful.
 
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+1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
All work and no play makes John a dull boy. (Jack Nicholson in The Shining).
 
When I think of player-coach connection, this is the image that always pops in my mind. Obviously don't want to see the injury part, but the love for his player was evident.

 
I hope you're right, Monte. But at the end of the day, I'm just very skeptical with Mullin at the helm. I'm not exactly sure how Cragg goes about having the conversation, "Listen Chris, I think you are doing a great job, but I'm letting you know your entire staff is gone. I still believe in you though..."

Plus, we can't un-see what we've seen the last few years. Not recruiting, not replacing unqualified assistants with qualified ones, taking entire summers off, not meeting with recruits when they are on campus, tying your shoe for 45 minutes while in a huddle. I'm not privy with what goes on behind the scenes, but I haven't been impressed with him or his decision making abilities. Will I root for him? Of course I will. At the end of the day, you root for the program and the jersey. Coaches and players come and go. But still need to see it before I believe it.
 
Great post Monte! I always say the glaring problem with the program is the culture. It begins with Mullin but truthfully it’s been a perpetual problem for years. I too hope AD Cragg can turn it around.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=335993]When I think of player-coach connection, this is the image that always pops in my mind. Obviously don't want to see the injury part, but the love for his player was evident.

[/quote]

Wow.
 
Winning makes everything better. Of course the programs still playing looknlike they are best friends.

If we are going to talk culture then we can’t ignore the citizenship of the players. I don’t recall there being any major problems the past few years. Our players refer to the staff and teammates as a family.

No arrests. No failed drug tests. No major academic issues. No fights. No hint of NCAA violations.

I think Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt in part because he can’t contribute anywhere else and that was a mistake, but not a fatal one. I’d like to see a more balanced approach with contributions from all coaches in all areas. I don’t think Matt’s ego allowed for that. That why I want a guy like Hsu who has the contacts to be creative like I believe we need here, while also being able to properly identify and evaluate talent as well as help with coaching and player development.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=336006]Winning makes everything better. Of course the programs still playing looknlike they are best friends.

If we are going to talk culture then we can’t ignore the citizenship of the players. I don’t recall there being any major problems the past few years. Our players refer to the staff and teammates as a family.

No arrests. No failed drug tests. No major academic issues. No fights. No hint of NCAA violations.

I think Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt in part because he can’t contribute anywhere else and that was a mistake, but not a fatal one. I’d like to see a more balanced approach with contributions from all coaches in all areas. I don’t think Matt’s ego allowed for that. That why I want a guy like Hsu who has the contacts to be creative like I believe we need here, while also being able to properly identify and evaluate talent as well as help with coaching and player development.[/quote]

Please tell me what it is that Mullin himself contributes. Pretty much most agree that Matt did the recruiting, St. Jean the coaching, Mitch keeps Mullin company. What does Mullin do?
 
[quote="ron " post=336007][quote="Marillac" post=336006]Winning makes everything better. Of course the programs still playing looknlike they are best friends.

If we are going to talk culture then we can’t ignore the citizenship of the players. I don’t recall there being any major problems the past few years. Our players refer to the staff and teammates as a family.

No arrests. No failed drug tests. No major academic issues. No fights. No hint of NCAA violations.

I think Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt in part because he can’t contribute anywhere else and that was a mistake, but not a fatal one. I’d like to see a more balanced approach with contributions from all coaches in all areas. I don’t think Matt’s ego allowed for that. That why I want a guy like Hsu who has the contacts to be creative like I believe we need here, while also being able to properly identify and evaluate talent as well as help with coaching and player development.[/quote]

Please tell me what it is that Mullin himself contributes. Pretty much most agree that Matt did the recruiting, St. Jean the coaching, Mitch keeps Mullin company. What does Mullin do?[/quote]

What does Ewing do?
 
[quote="DoodyNY33" post=335998]I hope you're right, Monte. But at the end of the day, I'm just very skeptical with Mullin at the helm. I'm not exactly sure how Cragg goes about having the conversation, "Listen Chris, I think you are doing a great job, but I'm letting you know your entire staff is gone. I still believe in you though..."

Plus, we can't un-see what we've seen the last few years. Not recruiting, not replacing unqualified assistants with qualified ones, taking entire summers off, not meeting with recruits when they are on campus, tying your shoe for 45 minutes while in a huddle. I'm not privy with what goes on behind the scenes, but I haven't been impressed with him or his decision making abilities. Will I root for him? Of course I will. At the end of the day, you root for the program and the jersey. Coaches and players come and go. But still need to see it before I believe it.[/quote]

Doody my jury is still out on Chris as well, but my hope is that Cragg surrounds him with people that know more than him, and that he can grow in to the job and help rebuild the program. Then turn the reigns over to one of his erstwhile assts. I started a construction business nearly 30 years ago, knowing very little about the trade. The first thing I did was make sure to surround myself with people who knew more than me. IE project managers, skilled tradespeople, etc. Chris, OTOH, has been trying to learn how to be a head coach while surrounded by people who have the same head coaching experience as him: zero. There’s no one for him to turn to in crucial situations who has actually coached. And that’s ridiculous and not a formula for success. And if being a great player translated to being a great HC, then the HOF would be filled with guys who were both players and coaches. And while there may be some, there ain’t many.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=336009][quote="ron " post=336007][quote="Marillac" post=336006]Winning makes everything better. Of course the programs still playing looknlike they are best friends.

If we are going to talk culture then we can’t ignore the citizenship of the players. I don’t recall there being any major problems the past few years. Our players refer to the staff and teammates as a family.

No arrests. No failed drug tests. No major academic issues. No fights. No hint of NCAA violations.

I think Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt in part because he can’t contribute anywhere else and that was a mistake, but not a fatal one. I’d like to see a more balanced approach with contributions from all coaches in all areas. I don’t think Matt’s ego allowed for that. That why I want a guy like Hsu who has the contacts to be creative like I believe we need here, while also being able to properly identify and evaluate talent as well as help with coaching and player development.[/quote]

Please tell me what it is that Mullin himself contributes. Pretty much most agree that Matt did the recruiting, St. Jean the coaching, Mitch keeps Mullin company. What does Mullin do?[/quote]

What does Ewing do?[/quote]
Hires a better staff and recruits good HS prospects for 2.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=336006]

I think Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt in part because he can’t contribute anywhere else and that was a mistake, but not a fatal one. I’d like to see a more balanced approach with contributions from all coaches in all areas. I don’t think Matt’s ego allowed for that. That why I want a guy like Hsu who has the contacts to be creative like I believe we need here, while also being able to properly identify and evaluate talent as well as help with coaching and player development.[/quote]

I have no problem with your proselytizing for your buddy, but everything else in this paragraph is pure comedy. Matt is, was and will be a recruiter, and primarily a transfer one at that. That's why he was hired, not only by Mullin but by Hoiberg . . . twice. Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt because he didn't know how to do it and didn't have any interest in doing it. He needed to hire a HS/AAU recruiter as well. To be fair I think he was hoping Slice would do it but that didn't work out for anyone concerned.
 
[quote="Marillac" post=336006]Winning makes everything better. Of course the programs still playing looknlike they are best friends.

If we are going to talk culture then we can’t ignore the citizenship of the players. I don’t recall there being any major problems the past few years. Our players refer to the staff and teammates as a family.

No arrests. No failed drug tests. No major academic issues. No fights. No hint of NCAA violations.

I think Mullin handed over recruiting to Matt in part because he can’t contribute anywhere else and that was a mistake, but not a fatal one. I’d like to see a more balanced approach with contributions from all coaches in all areas. I don’t think Matt’s ego allowed for that. That why I want a guy like Hsu who has the contacts to be creative like I believe we need here, while also being able to properly identify and evaluate talent as well as help with coaching and player development.[/quote]

There ya go twisting my words again. I never said that my take-away was from “the programs still playing”. I said is was from watching the entire tourney, including the teams that got knocked out early, like us. I am not going to rehash the staff and roster turnover, and the other issues that we’ve had since Chris arrived. My intent of this post was not to knock Chris or anyone else. But if you think that things are just hunky dory around here, which is what you seem to think, then I don’t even know what to say.
 
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[quote="Monte" post=336010][quote="DoodyNY33" post=335998]I hope you're right, Monte. But at the end of the day, I'm just very skeptical with Mullin at the helm. I'm not exactly sure how Cragg goes about having the conversation, "Listen Chris, I think you are doing a great job, but I'm letting you know your entire staff is gone. I still believe in you though..."

Plus, we can't un-see what we've seen the last few years. Not recruiting, not replacing unqualified assistants with qualified ones, taking entire summers off, not meeting with recruits when they are on campus, tying your shoe for 45 minutes while in a huddle. I'm not privy with what goes on behind the scenes, but I haven't been impressed with him or his decision making abilities. Will I root for him? Of course I will. At the end of the day, you root for the program and the jersey. Coaches and players come and go. But still need to see it before I believe it.[/quote]

Doody my jury is still out on Chris as well, but my hope is that Cragg surrounds him with people that know more than him, and that he can grow in to the job and help rebuild the program. Then turn the reigns over to one of his erstwhile assts. I started a construction business nearly 30 years ago, knowing very little about the trade. The first thing I did was make sure to surround myself with people who knew more than me. IE project managers, skilled tradespeople, etc. Chris, OTOH, has been trying to learn how to be a head coach while surrounded by people who have the same head coaching experience as him: zero. There’s no one for him to turn to in crucial situations who has actually coached. And that’s ridiculous and not a formula for success. And if being a great player translated to being a great HC, then the HOF would be filled with guys who were both players and coaches. And while there may be some, there ain’t many.[/quote]

Most college coaches played college ball. Being a star player doesn't make you a better coach and doesn't qualify or disqualify you to coach. Wooden , who was national player of the year, is the only man in the college HOF as player and coach.

The greatest college coaches of this generation all played. Coach K for knight at army, boeheim at Syracuse, Jay Wright at bucknell. it goes on and on
 
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"He jests at scars that never felt a wound." is Romeo's balcony scene comment about Mercutio's mocking his scars from Romeo and Juliet. Commentary from high up in the arena that lacks empathy and shows no appreciation for how bad the supervision received by all our coaches (not just men's basketball which is in the spotlight) was prior to Cragg's arrival, seems a bit off to me. (I last coached football working with street gangs on the south side of Chicago, 54 years ago).
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=336094][quote="Monte" post=336010][quote="DoodyNY33" post=335998]I hope you're right, Monte. But at the end of the day, I'm just very skeptical with Mullin at the helm. I'm not exactly sure how Cragg goes about having the conversation, "Listen Chris, I think you are doing a great job, but I'm letting you know your entire staff is gone. I still believe in you though..."

Plus, we can't un-see what we've seen the last few years. Not recruiting, not replacing unqualified assistants with qualified ones, taking entire summers off, not meeting with recruits when they are on campus, tying your shoe for 45 minutes while in a huddle. I'm not privy with what goes on behind the scenes, but I haven't been impressed with him or his decision making abilities. Will I root for him? Of course I will. At the end of the day, you root for the program and the jersey. Coaches and players come and go. But still need to see it before I believe it.[/quote]

Doody my jury is still out on Chris as well, but my hope is that Cragg surrounds him with people that know more than him, and that he can grow in to the job and help rebuild the program. Then turn the reigns over to one of his erstwhile assts. I started a construction business nearly 30 years ago, knowing very little about the trade. The first thing I did was make sure to surround myself with people who knew more than me. IE project managers, skilled tradespeople, etc. Chris, OTOH, has been trying to learn how to be a head coach while surrounded by people who have the same head coaching experience as him: zero. There’s no one for him to turn to in crucial situations who has actually coached. And that’s ridiculous and not a formula for success. And if being a great player translated to being a great HC, then the HOF would be filled with guys who were both players and coaches. And while there may be some, there ain’t many.[/quote]

Most college coaches played college ball. Being a star player doesn't make you a better coach and doesn't qualify or disqualify you to coach. Wooden , who was national player of the year, is the only man in the college HOF as player and coach.

The greatest college coaches of this generation all played. Coach K for knight at army, boeheim at Syracuse, Jay Wright at bucknell. it goes on and on[/quote]

My point was that a HOF player rarely becomes a HOF coach. As you noted, it's happened one time.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=336157]https://twitter.com/brandontierney/status/1112780891842142211?s=21[/quote]

See my previous post about Xavier guys LOL
 
[quote="Monte" post=336159][quote="Paultzman" post=336157]https://twitter.com/brandontierney/status/1112780891842142211?s=21[/quote]

See my previous post about Xavier guys LOL[/quote]
Was there a reunion at your house yesterday? No uniforms I hope :)
 
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