De La Salle High School

D

dustyj

Member
I am making this another subject on purpose because I think these facts need to be highlighted. Many of you have voiced concerns about Frank Allocco's lack on NBA experience and the fact that none of his players have reached the highest levels. Hopefully this post will allay those concerns.

De La Salle High School is a sports powerhouse like few in the country. The Barry Brothers went there. The MLS's leading scorer Chris Wondolowski is an alum, as is the NFL's leading rusher Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Mullen's, Chris Jr. (before he transferring to Cushing Academy in Massachusetts). To be frank with you there is no high school in the whole Northeast that can even remotely compete with De La Salle in terms of athletics, it is in a different league all together. As someone whole played high school sports in the Northeast but married a someone who attended De La Salle's sister school I can tell you it mine as well be on another planet.

The primary reason coach Allocco does not produce NBA players is because De La Salle is a Football school and it's most talented basketball players like TJ Ward (Cleveland Browns), DJ Williams (Denver Broncos), and Amani Toomer (NY Giants) are always aiming for the NFL first even if they have NBA potential.

The fact is Coach Allocco comes a pro environment. An environment that over the last 5 years that has turned out more pros than St. Johns itself. Just check out their Wikipedia page if you doubt mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_La_Salle_High_School_(Concord,_California).
 
 Not in the Northeast per se, but Dematha huge in sports in Maryland. Most big sports programs out west in Cali (Poly, Mater Dei, Lasalle), Hawaii, Colorado etc. northeast doesn't have quite the same types of programs, although there are some good ones.
 
 I believe there are hundreds of big time HS coaches who would do a creditable job for us as Lavin's assistant. What concerns me though is what happens if, after a couple of good years, the Lakers or someone come along dangling 5 mil in Steve.s face. Do we promote the guy with no D1 background or do we start all over with a whole new staff? I'm getting a little old to go for that again with all the attendant recruiting horror shows, etc. All I'm saying is that we have a chance to secure the future here and to fail to do so is dumb to me. Sorry but I've been a fan for a long time and seen what happens when we don't plan ahead, you know, "it takes three years to turn a program around" and "wait till so and so gets his own players in place." I don't care if De Lasalle is a football powerhouse. I just care whether the assistant can step in smoothly if the need arises.
 
 I believe there are hundreds of big time HS coaches who would do a creditable job for us as Lavin's assistant. What concerns me though is what happens if, after a couple of good years, the Lakers or someone come along dangling 5 mil in Steve.s face. Do we promote the guy with no D1 background or do we start all over with a whole new staff? I'm getting a little old to go for that again with all the attendant recruiting horror shows, etc. All I'm saying is that we have a chance to secure the future here and to fail to do so is dumb to me. Sorry but I've been a fan for a long time and seen what happens when we don't plan ahead, you know, "it takes three years to turn a program around" and "wait till so and so gets his own players in place." I don't care if De Lasalle is a football powerhouse. I just care whether the assistant can step in smoothly if the need arises.
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IMO, assistants should not be primed for th HC job. If Lavin does go somewhere else down the line, yes we should start with a whole new staff. Rarely do those promotions work out favorably. This hire should not be looked at as anything more than it is. If Lavin leaves, a new coaching search is the way to go, and that person hires their assistants. I just hope next time around they are smart and do like they did with Lavin and hire big.
 
 I believe there are hundreds of big time HS coaches who would do a creditable job for us as Lavin's assistant. What concerns me though is what happens if, after a couple of good years, the Lakers or someone come along dangling 5 mil in Steve.s face. Do we promote the guy with no D1 background or do we start all over with a whole new staff? I'm getting a little old to go for that again with all the attendant recruiting horror shows, etc. All I'm saying is that we have a chance to secure the future here and to fail to do so is dumb to me. Sorry but I've been a fan for a long time and seen what happens when we don't plan ahead, you know, "it takes three years to turn a program around" and "wait till so and so gets his own players in place." I don't care if De Lasalle is a football powerhouse. I just care whether the assistant can step in smoothly if the need arises.
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I agree with what MCNPA said above, but I understand your point Bob.
I don't think you can compare past frustrations from coaching searches done poorly here with what would happen if Steve left. It appears the administration and the elite boosters have made a significant allocation of resources to the basketball program. That should make any future job search completely different than the Norm and Jarvis hires. (Fraschilla I actually wasn't opposed to).

And I most likely would want a national search if Steve left for greener pasture. If he's here for 20 years and it's a situation akin to what Calhoun or Boehim are facing... that would be different. Than you look for an assistant to mold along the way.

But if Steve were to leave in five years, I would want to do a national coaching search and bring in the best available. I don't think you're going to find that kind of person available on the assistant market right now. And if they were available (ie Dunlap) they'd be looking to leave as soon as the right job came along.
 
 I believe there are hundreds of big time HS coaches who would do a creditable job for us as Lavin's assistant. What concerns me though is what happens if, after a couple of good years, the Lakers or someone come along dangling 5 mil in Steve.s face. Do we promote the guy with no D1 background or do we start all over with a whole new staff? I'm getting a little old to go for that again with all the attendant recruiting horror shows, etc. All I'm saying is that we have a chance to secure the future here and to fail to do so is dumb to me. Sorry but I've been a fan for a long time and seen what happens when we don't plan ahead, you know, "it takes three years to turn a program around" and "wait till so and so gets his own players in place." I don't care if De Lasalle is a football powerhouse. I just care whether the assistant can step in smoothly if the need arises.
Click to expand...
 

IMO, assistants should not be primed for th HC job. If Lavin does go somewhere else down the line, yes we should start with a whole new staff. Rarely do those promotions work out favorably. This hire should not be looked at as anything more than it is. If Lavin leaves, a new coaching search is the way to go, and that person hires their assistants. I just hope next time around they are smart and do like they did with Lavin and hire big.
Click to expand...
 

I hear you but the statement that assistants shouldn't be primed for the HC job is where we differ. I don't see the problem with that. There is only one Steve Lavin and he would be damn hard to replace and the greatest likelihood is that we would be stepping down regardless of who we find. I would just prefer a familiar "up and comer" to an overpriced question mark.. That's all.
 
 I believe there are hundreds of big time HS coaches who would do a creditable job for us as Lavin's assistant. What concerns me though is what happens if, after a couple of good years, the Lakers or someone come along dangling 5 mil in Steve.s face. Do we promote the guy with no D1 background or do we start all over with a whole new staff? I'm getting a little old to go for that again with all the attendant recruiting horror shows, etc. All I'm saying is that we have a chance to secure the future here and to fail to do so is dumb to me. Sorry but I've been a fan for a long time and seen what happens when we don't plan ahead, you know, "it takes three years to turn a program around" and "wait till so and so gets his own players in place." I don't care if De Lasalle is a football powerhouse. I just care whether the assistant can step in smoothly if the need arises.
Click to expand...
 

IMO, assistants should not be primed for th HC job. If Lavin does go somewhere else down the line, yes we should start with a whole new staff. Rarely do those promotions work out favorably. This hire should not be looked at as anything more than it is. If Lavin leaves, a new coaching search is the way to go, and that person hires their assistants. I just hope next time around they are smart and do like they did with Lavin and hire big.
Click to expand...
 

I hear you but the statement that assistants shouldn't be primed for the HC job is where we differ. I don't see the problem with that. There is only one Steve Lavin and he would be damn hard to replace and the greatest likelihood is that we would be stepping down regardless of who we find. I would just prefer a familiar "up and comer" to an overpriced question mark.. That's all.
Click to expand...
 

There is a very good coach in Riverdale right now that is an up and comer and wouldnt be overpriced that will soon be coaching at the top level. Just have to find the right person.
 
I am making this another subject on purpose because I think these facts need to be highlighted. Many of you have voiced concerns about Frank Allocco's lack on NBA experience and the fact that none of his players have reached the highest levels. Hopefully this post will allay those concerns.

De La Salle High School is a sports powerhouse like few in the country. The Barry Brothers went there. The MLS's leading scorer Chris Wondolowski is an alum, as is the NFL's leading rusher Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Mullen's, Chris Jr. (before he transferring to Cushing Academy in Massachusetts). To be frank with you there is no high school in the whole Northeast that can even remotely compete with De La Salle in terms of athletics, it is in a different league all together. As someone whole played high school sports in the Northeast but married a someone who attended De La Salle's sister school I can tell you it mine as well be on another planet.

The primary reason coach Allocco does not produce NBA players is because De La Salle is a Football school and it's most talented basketball players like TJ Ward (Cleveland Browns), DJ Williams (Denver Broncos), and Amani Toomer (NY Giants) are always aiming for the NFL first even if they have NBA potential.

The fact is Coach Allocco comes a pro environment. An environment that over the last 5 years that has turned out more pros than St. Johns itself. Just check out their Wikipedia page if you doubt mehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_La_Salle_High_School_(Concord,_California).
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Dom Bosco Prep on the NY/NJ border beat De La salle in 2008 and then dominated them in 2009, 30-6.
 
There is a very good coach in Riverdale right now that is an up and comer and wouldnt be overpriced that will soon be coaching at the top level. Just have to find the right person.
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Does he really have enough of a body of work to justify the accolades?

He did well his first season at Manhattan and may be one to watch. But folks seem to be fawning over him. How come?
 
 Bobre, I prefer up-and-comers too, but as said, it has to be the right guy and from a new search. I like Massielo, Danny Hurley amongst others. I rarely have seen top assistants take over after a HC leaves and become a dominant power. One of the few is Jamie Dixon after Howland. Plenty of other misses though. 
 
 One thing that must be added. Lavin has done more for this program than just revamp the roster and hire some great talent. It has been decades that the SJU job has been viewed as a bad job. That idea has been turned on its head now. Lavin has shown the potential at SJU. It's more valuable than anything that we've done on the court to date. I hope Lavin is around for a long, long time but if not this job is being seen in a much different light than before.
 
There is a very good coach in Riverdale right now that is an up and comer and wouldnt be overpriced that will soon be coaching at the top level. Just have to find the right person.
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Does he really have enough of a body of work to justify the accolades?

He did well his first season at Manhattan and may be one to watch. But folks seem to be fawning over him. How come?
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Pitino coaching tree. He's been his right hand man for awhile.

He pretty much had most of the team Slice had and turned them around. Love watching him coach. Just my gut that he will be a good one. Question is how long he stays in Riverdale. What kind of career path is he looking for? Will he jump at the first job thrown his way? Does he want to stay local. I think A-10 would be next step for him, then BCS level. I would be very happy down the road for whatever reason if he coaches my team.
 
I rarely have seen top assistants take over after a HC leaves and become a dominant power. One of the few is Jamie Dixon after Howland. Plenty of other misses though. 
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Pitt won 70 games in the two years before Howland left. Off the top of my head, successful promotions: Dean Smith, Joe B Hall, Thad Matta, Jim Boeheim, Sean Miller, Mark Few, Bobby Knight, Josh Pastner, Buzz Williams, and oh yeah Louie and TGAPL. Plenty of misses and plenty of hits = zero correlation.
 
I rarely have seen top assistants take over after a HC leaves and become a dominant power. One of the few is Jamie Dixon after Howland. Plenty of other misses though. 
Click to expand...
 

Pitt won 70 games in the two years before Howland left. Off the top of my head, successful promotions: Dean Smith, Joe B Hall, Thad Matta, Jim Boeheim, Sean Miller, Mark Few, Bobby Knight, Josh Pastner, Buzz Williams, and oh yeah Louie and TGAPL. Plenty of misses and plenty of hits = zero correlation.
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Not an absolute rule, obviously, but more often than not I think assistants promoted to HC workout well for well-known programs whose brand recruits for itself. Generally speaking.
When your program hasn't been viewed as a destination for awhile, it's probably better to hire a former head coach who can raise the program's visibility, and who has recruiting channels of his own that weren't typically available to that school.
 
Not an absolute rule, obviously, but more often than not I think assistants promoted to HC workout well for well-known programs whose brand recruits for itself. Generally speaking.
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More often than not anyone hired at a well known program whose brand recruits itself does well, generally speaking. Which again is evidence that there's no correlation. What happens and impresses those swayed by anecdotal evidence is that coaches who are hired to replace legends don't achieve legenday success themselves and are thus deemed failures. See also, TGAPL. Whereas there's zero evidence that an assistant promoted at Marist is going to fail at Marist any worse than any other slug.

When your program hasn't been viewed as a destination for awhile, it's probably better to hire a former head coach who can raise the program's visibility, and who has recruiting channels of his own that weren't typically available to that school.
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It's better to hire a well known coach because coaches get well known for winning and winning translates. It's pointless to hire a well known former head coach whose proven he stinks.
 
 I believe there are hundreds of big time HS coaches who would do a creditable job for us as Lavin's assistant. What concerns me though is what happens if, after a couple of good years, the Lakers or someone come along dangling 5 mil in Steve.s face. Do we promote the guy with no D1 background or do we start all over with a whole new staff? I'm getting a little old to go for that again with all the attendant recruiting horror shows, etc. All I'm saying is that we have a chance to secure the future here and to fail to do so is dumb to me. Sorry but I've been a fan for a long time and seen what happens when we don't plan ahead, you know, "it takes three years to turn a program around" and "wait till so and so gets his own players in place." I don't care if De Lasalle is a football powerhouse. I just care whether the assistant can step in smoothly if the need arises.
Click to expand...
 

IMO, assistants should not be primed for th HC job. If Lavin does go somewhere else down the line, yes we should start with a whole new staff. Rarely do those promotions work out favorably. This hire should not be looked at as anything more than it is. If Lavin leaves, a new coaching search is the way to go, and that person hires their assistants. I just hope next time around they are smart and do like they did with Lavin and hire big.
Click to expand...
 

Tell that to Boeheim who announced Hopkins was going to be his replacement at least a couple of years ago. And I wouldn't doublt for a minute that when Stutterin' Jim steps down he's going to name his replacement from among his assistants, Kevin Ollie might get the job. Same with K down there. It's all about the dynasty.

Now when it comes to mere mortals, a lot of colleges knee-jerk react by hiring an assistant. That may or may not be the best choice but you have to look at every situation on an individual basis. 
 
Wouldn't be surprised if Syr when Jimmy B steps down goes in a different direction from Hopkins. They will get interest from many proven head coaches and Hopkins lacks head coaching experience. Plus Jimmy B may have lost some of his cache due to the Bernie Fine fiasco. 
 
Wouldn't be surprised if Syr when Jimmy B steps down goes in a different direction from Hopkins. They will get interest from many proven head coaches and Hopkins lacks head coaching experience. Plus Jimmy B may have lost some of his cache due to the Bernie Fine fiasco. 
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Uconn and them interested me most, but seems Uconn is going Kevin Ollie route from hearing their fans. I agree with you on Cuse.
 
I rarely have seen top assistants take over after a HC leaves and become a dominant power. One of the few is Jamie Dixon after Howland. Plenty of other misses though. 
Click to expand...
 

Pitt won 70 games in the two years before Howland left. Off the top of my head, successful promotions: Dean Smith, Joe B Hall, Thad Matta, Jim Boeheim, Sean Miller, Mark Few, Bobby Knight, Josh Pastner, Buzz Williams, and oh yeah Louie and TGAPL. Plenty of misses and plenty of hits = zero correlation.
Click to expand...
 

Don't thin Bob Knight fits in a "successful promotions" category - espeically one where the criteria is "becoming a dominant power". A Hall of Fame coach, no doubt. But when he was promoted from Assistant to head coach, it was for Army - where he was 18-8 with inherited talent his 1st year, but then dropped to 13 wins. He then had 3 nice years of NIT appearances, but his last year at West Point was 11-13, before leaving for Indiana...
 
Don't thin Bob Knight fits in a "successful promotions" category - espeically one where the criteria is "becoming a dominant power". A Hall of Fame coach, no doubt. But when he was promoted from Assistant to head coach, it was for Army - where he was 18-8 with inherited talent his 1st year, but then dropped to 13 wins. He then had 3 nice years of NIT appearances, but his last year at West Point was 11-13, before leaving for Indiana...
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If the criteria is becoming a dominant power then Joe B Hall doesn't fit either. If that's the criteria nearly nobody fits -- nobody who gets hired out-of-house and no assistant who gets promoted, because rarely do schools go from nowhere to superpower in a coaching generation. It was a stupid criteria, which is why I dismissed it half a dozen posts ago. Coaches who turn nothing schools into dominant powers go to the hall of fame: Jim Calhoun for example. Mike Ktryckshrinski. Johnny Clamchowder. Even the deepest of deep thinkers on this site don't sit around navel gazing about whether SJ should replace TGAPL should he leave with a hall of fame coach. Except for one or two of the really sooper genyiouses they'd all agree that was a good idea. The real question was whether an assistant can be successful when promoted and the answer is obviously yes.

Knight was 102-50 in five years at Army. That's a winning percentage of .67. That's pretty successful. It might not meet muster at UCLA but we SJ fans have lower standards. By way of contrast, TGAPL had a winning percentage of .65 at UCLA. His percentage at SJ is .52. Over the last three years of his career he's 44-50 and he should be on his knees thanking Norm Roberts for the class that got him even there. From that perspective 7 wins every 10 games looks perty good. And anyway someone will be a long in a tick to tell you how prestigious the NIT was during the Coolidge administration.
 
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