Fire Lavin!

[paultzman]

Vaccaro is and always will be my favorite columnist. He has a pulse of the fan while not coming across as an arse (unlike Mighty Mouse Mike Lupica).

He has always written with a certain passion about SJU that makes you conclude he believes this program is worth saving because it does have a special place in the NYC sports scene.

Agree on Vacc. He seems to have a good BS detector too.

 

[1and1sju]

It really is sad to see the program crumbling. I hate it.

However, I also think this was necessary. I have been long afraid that Lavin would successfully position himself for an extension. It's clear, he was only going to bring us heartache, head-scratch, and repetitive disappointment.

Let's change the coach now and start the climb.

The pain will end.

Your gut telling you something or just hoping? Praying it's the former.

Former

Drinks (and steaks if you want them) on me if you're right!

As much as it may be time to move on, what I'm worried about is us going through this a month after we could have gotten the process started. I know there are premium jobs open so the domino effect has not completely taken place yet, but even just missing out on the opportunities we have already in terms of potential hires puts us at a disadvantage. We are not a good enough job to enter the market whenever we want and get our guy.

Our hand may be forced if Lavin leaves. But if it's SJU's move, again even if it seems like it is time to move on, I think our prospects of making a really quality replacement hire now vs. this time next year (right after the season ends) has to be a huge consideration. We need to find a sustainable winner!

I think there are still quality candidates available, but this is a fair point.
I also think we're not going to be able to offer the next guy the same amount of money we're paying Lavin right now.

 

[basketballjones]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

 

[kranmars]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

 

[basketballjones]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

 

[paultzman]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

Part of the sacrifice unfortunately.

 

[GardenCity62]

I can't imagine Lavin would refuse a buy out. He came on board to join the top conference in the country playing a top ten team every week during league play to a league that will struggle to be a high mid major in the future. He took over a program with bad fan support to one that has deteriorated to dismal.
Prior to this season expectations were somewhat hopeful and attendance averaged about 4,000 at CA and 7,000 at MSG without the SYR and GEO vs MI ST games. I attended my first SJU game in 1952 and I never witnessed anything like the NIT game. It was scheduled quickly but in other years without students on campus NIT games drew decent. Sitting in the stands I thought to myself why would Lavin or any top recruit want this? The next two years will be worse than this one.

 

[westchesterjoe]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

Part of the sacrifice unfortunately.

So true Whopper..The dye seemingly has already been cast and your comments today and yesterday , have a strong connotation that a Coaching change is imminent..Without putting you on the spot, is that a possibility?

 

[gman]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

Next year is looking painful either way

 

[paultzman]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

Part of the sacrifice unfortunately.

So true Whopper..The dye seemingly has already been cast and your comments today and yesterday , have a strong connotation that a Coaching change is imminent..Without putting you on the spot, is that a possibility?

Don't know.

 

[kranmars]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

Part of the sacrifice unfortunately.

Next year will be painful one way or anothet. Might as well just take the medicine now.

And who knows, maybe with a new coach, we could see surpriding results like in Lavin's first year here when we thought that was a throw away year too.

 

[westchesterjoe]

Who's gonna coach this team with the roster the way it is now? Can't see Greenberg, Howland or any major program experienced coach wanting to take this on now.

I disagree, if for no other reason, SJU has shown a lot of patience with their coaches. Who ever thst is will get a nice honeymoon period.

Yes. They would get time to get it right, but next year would be painful.

Part of the sacrifice unfortunately.

So true Whopper..The dye seemingly has already been cast and your comments today and yesterday , have a strong connotation that a Coaching change is imminent..Without putting you on the spot, is that a possibility?

Don't know.

GOOD Answer.. I respect your reply.. It tells me events are happening that are important to the immediate future of this BB program but, decisions are going to be made. One way, or, the other..

 

[TonyinFairfield]

Vaccaro is and always will be my favorite columnist. He has a pulse of the fan while not coming across as an arse (unlike Mighty Mouse Mike Lupica).

He has always written with a certain passion about SJU that makes you conclude he believes this program is worth saving because it does have a special place in the NYC sports scene.

Well said, karnmars.

 

[ras]

Another problem we have is . How can a recruit commit when he doesn't even know who will be coaching?

 

[NYCRedmen]

I can't imagine Lavin would refuse a buy out. He came on board to join the top conference in the country playing a top ten team every week during league play to a league that will struggle to be a high mid major in the future. He took over a program with bad fan support to one that has deteriorated to dismal.
Prior to this season expectations were somewhat hopeful and attendance averaged about 4,000 at CA and 7,000 at MSG without the SYR and GEO vs MI ST games. I attended my first SJU game in 1952 and I never witnessed anything like the NIT game. It was scheduled quickly but in other years without students on campus NIT games drew decent. Sitting in the stands I thought to myself why would Lavin or any top recruit want this? The next two years will be worse than this one.

Just to further illustrate Enright's point for those who were not there, I took this picture at the NIT game, not during a tour of CA

 

[SJU1512]

It really is sad to see the program crumbling. I hate it.

However, I also think this was necessary. I have been long afraid that Lavin would successfully position himself for an extension. It's clear, he was only going to bring us heartache, head-scratch, and repetitive disappointment.

Let's change the coach now and start the climb.

The pain will end.

Your gut telling you something or just hoping? Praying it's the former.

Former

Drinks (and steaks if you want them) on me if you're right!

As much as it may be time to move on, what I'm worried about is us going through this a month after we could have gotten the process started. I know there are premium jobs open so the domino effect has not completely taken place yet, but even just missing out on the opportunities we have already in terms of potential hires puts us at a disadvantage. We are not a good enough job to enter the market whenever we want and get our guy.

Our hand may be forced if Lavin leaves. But if it's SJU's move, again even if it seems like it is time to move on, I think our prospects of making a really quality replacement hire now vs. this time next year (right after the season ends) has to be a huge consideration. We need to find a sustainable winner!

I think there are still quality candidates available, but this is a fair point.
I also think we're not going to be able to offer the next guy the same amount of money we're paying Lavin right now.

Agreed, there are definitely still quality candidates available. But, for example, the thought of Marquette, a conference rival, getting the first crack at a Duke assistant who has been exposed to nothing but first class winning for the last 20 years would drive me crazy.

Not that Wojo would have come here or that he would have been the best candidate for us, but that's where I'm going.

That said, and this goes back to your point that quality candidates are still available now, if something is going to happen it needs to happen soon. There will not be as many quality candidates available in 3-4 weeks.

 

[JackofVirginia]

It really is sad to see the program crumbling. I hate it.

However, I also think this was necessary. I have been long afraid that Lavin would successfully position himself for an extension. It's clear, he was only going to bring us heartache, head-scratch, and repetitive disappointment.

Let's change the coach now and start the climb.

The pain will end.

Your gut telling you something or just hoping? Praying it's the former.

Former

Drinks (and steaks if you want them) on me if you're right!

As much as it may be time to move on, what I'm worried about is us going through this a month after we could have gotten the process started. I know there are premium jobs open so the domino effect has not completely taken place yet, but even just missing out on the opportunities we have already in terms of potential hires puts us at a disadvantage. We are not a good enough job to enter the market whenever we want and get our guy.

Our hand may be forced if Lavin leaves. But if it's SJU's move, again even if it seems like it is time to move on, I think our prospects of making a really quality replacement hire now vs. this time next year (right after the season ends) has to be a huge consideration. We need to find a sustainable winner!

I think there are still quality candidates available, but this is a fair point.
I also think we're not going to be able to offer the next guy the same amount of money we're paying Lavin right now.

Hopefully, Repole is bugging the hell out of the administration to get with it.

 

[redfazed]

My guess--and it is only a guess--is that Lavin's fate right now all comes down to Rysheed Jordan and whether he is going to transfer. His "handlers" have got to be thinking about hardship waiver at this point and Temple.

But if Lavin can keep Jordan and land Delarosa plus Thomas, then he's got a shot at keeping his job for more than a couple of years. We'll find out soon enough.

 

[tom in salem]

My guess--and it is only a guess--is that Lavin's fate right now all comes down to Rysheed Jordan and whether he is going to transfer. His "handlers" have got to be thinking about hardship waiver at this point and Temple.

But if Lavin can keep Jordan and land Delarosa plus Thomas, then he's got a shot at keeping his job for more than a couple of years. We'll find out soon enough.

But if he stays, that's the biggest problem

 

[88grad]

My guess--and it is only a guess--is that Lavin's fate right now all comes down to Rysheed Jordan and whether he is going to transfer. His "handlers" have got to be thinking about hardship waiver at this point and Temple.

But if Lavin can keep Jordan and land Delarosa plus Thomas, then he's got a shot at keeping his job for more than a couple of years. We'll find out soon enough.

But if he stays, that's the biggest problem

Tom, I just noticed you changed your tag line at the bottom....HILARIOUS!!! (I needed a good laugh amidst all of this depressing news!)