Mitch Richmond

beast of the east

beast of the east

Active member
Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

That was actually him requesting a Perrier from a manager. He was then overheard saying "come on guys, do better". After that statement, he reportedly yawned and took a nap in Mullin's office.
 
Or maybe now that there's someone watching the shop ....

I did notice you moving down to the seatback section.
 
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[quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

Beast, Mr. P and all the other well connected and active posters (do not want to name names in fear of slighting someone but omitting their names) should request a meeting with the new AD so he can absorb our observations and insights - consider it please!
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

Was thinking the same thing as I sit right across from the bench. That is a promising sign.
If he is engaged and wants to do this as a full time job it will only help the program.
 
[quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=300107][quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

Beast, Mr. P and all the other well connected and active posters (do not want to name names in fear of slighting someone but omitting their names) should request a meeting with the new AD so he can absorb our observations and insights - consider it please![/quote]

Right now Cragg is really trying to absorb as much as he can. He appears to have engaged many fans (apparently our own Mike Zaun). He's reached out to me and I hope to sit down with him soon. More than anything I would welcome him in person to our great school, and emphasize what a great community we have. There's plenty of time for him to assess what is going on, and begin to assert his authority as a long needed high functioning AD. More than our advice, he needs our support.
 
[quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=300107][quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

Beast, Mr. P and all the other well connected and active posters (do not want to name names in fear of slighting someone but omitting their names) should request a meeting with the new AD so he can absorb our observations and insights - consider it please![/quote]

I know that Cragg has heard a lot of fans concerns via lengthy telephone calls and face to face discussions. Feedback from folks I know in that equation all noted his attentiveness and professionalism. I am from the position of letting him get his bearings without too much disruption. I have the sense he will evaluate his staff over a reasonable period of time, begin to formulate the basis of fundraising and facilities needs assessments and immerse himself in developing relationships with key stakeholders.

The last thing I would want is a series of quick fixes and suspect MC is a strategic leader and manager who will get his ducks in a row before implementing changes of substance. I personally welcome that and see the benefit of giving him some space in year one. Of course he may do some things sooner than later, but creating cultural change as a whole merits deliberation and time. My gut says SJU has the right guy to do that.
 
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[quote="Paultzman" post=300113][quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=300107][quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

Beast, Mr. P and all the other well connected and active posters (do not want to name names in fear of slighting someone but omitting their names) should request a meeting with the new AD so he can absorb our observations and insights - consider it please![/quote]

I know that Cragg has heard a lot of fans concerns via lengthy telephone calls and face to face discussions. Feedback from folks I know in that equation all noted his attentiveness and professionalism. I am from the position of letting him get his bearings without too much disruption. I have the sense he will assess his staff over a reasonable period of time, begin to formulate the basis of fundraising and facilities needs assessments and immerse himself in developing relationships with key stakeholders.

The last thing I would want is a series of quick fixes and suspect MC is a strategic leader and manager who will get his ducks in a row before implementing changes of substance. I personally welcome that and see the benefit of giving him some space in year one. Of course he may do some things sooner than later, but creating cultural change as a whole merits deliberation and time. My gut says SJU has the right guy to do that.[/quote]

Well articulated.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

I'm glad to hear he's talking to the players. That seems like a fairly important component to the job he gets paid to do.
 
I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=300113][quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=300107][quote="Beast of the East" post=300096]Did anyone else notice how engaged Mitch was on the sidelines last night. I actually took a couple of picture of him talking to players and gesticulating with his arms. Ity appeared he was going to lead a time out. I don't think I saw that before in him, and that's a good sign.[/quote]

Beast, Mr. P and all the other well connected and active posters (do not want to name names in fear of slighting someone but omitting their names) should request a meeting with the new AD so he can absorb our observations and insights - consider it please![/quote]

I know that Cragg has heard a lot of fans concerns via lengthy telephone calls and face to face discussions. Feedback from folks I know in that equation all noted his attentiveness and professionalism. I am from the position of letting him get his bearings without too much disruption. I have the sense he will assess his staff over a reasonable period of time, begin to formulate the basis of fundraising and facilities needs assessments and immerse himself in developing relationships with key stakeholders.

The last thing I would want is a series of quick fixes and suspect MC is a strategic leader and manager who will get his ducks in a row before implementing changes of substance. I personally welcome that and see the benefit of giving him some space in year one. Of course he may do some things sooner than later, but creating cultural change as a whole merits deliberation and time. My gut says SJU has the right guy to do that.[/quote]

I agree with you Paultz. I only hope that the "higher ups" at St John's allow him to do his job and not be a puppet. I've got to believe that he would not have left Duke unless he was assured that such would be the case.

We shall see. Time will tell. Fingers crossed.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The difference between Al LoBalbo and Richmond is that the former was an experienced and highly regarded coach.
 
[quote="Las Vegan" post=300132][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The difference between Al LoBalbo and Richmond is that the former was an experienced and highly regarded coach.[/quote]

So was Gene Keady. That did not stop people on here from complaining about him.
 
[quote="SJU61982" post=300133][quote="Las Vegan" post=300132][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The difference between Al LoBalbo and Richmond is that the former was an experienced and highly regarded coach.[/quote]

So was Gene Keady. That did not stop people on here from complaining about him.[/quote]

And the point was really no one cared what LoBalbo, Rutledge or Mahoney did or didn't do back then.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The problem in a nutshell is that Mitch is taking the spot of a potential assistant that is a high-powered recruiter, which we really need. While he sits in that spot not recruiting, it’s hurting our future. The sell on him in that spot is apparently offering kids to be taught skills by a great former player which should in turn, should be a sell for kids to come here... Well it isn’t at all because he isn’t recruiting and we aren’t landing kids because of him. Matt is doing all of it.

Most coaches aren’t pounding the pavement. They have great recruiters at the assistant spots. Jim Boeiheim had assistants like Mike Hopkins, Louis Orr and Bernie Fine out landing kids. Bernie Fine was such a good recruiter he used to let recruits bang his wife to get em to sign... Bottom line is that Mitch is in too high of a position here at SJU. The top few assistants should all be very good recruiters.
 
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[quote="MCNPA" post=300139][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The problem in a nutshell is that Mitch is taking the spot of a potential assistant that is a high-powered recruiter, which we really need. While he sits in that spot not recruiting, it’s hurting our future. The sell on him in that spot is apparently offering kids to be taught skills by a great former player which should in turn, should be a sell for kids to come here... Well it isn’t at all because he isn’t recruiting and we aren’t landing kids because of him. Matt is doing all of it.

Most coaches aren’t pounding the pavement. They have great recruiters at the assistant spots. Jim Boeiheim had assistants like Mike Hopkins, Louis Orr and Bernie Fine out landing kids. Bernie Fine was such a good recruiter he used to let recruits bang his wife to get em to sign... Bottom line is that Mitch is in too high of a position here at SJU. The top few assistants should all be very good recruiters.[/quote]

Maybe just me. I can only name one Jarvis assistant, two of Norm's and can't remember any of Fran's.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=300140][quote="MCNPA" post=300139][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The problem in a nutshell is that Mitch is taking the spot of a potential assistant that is a high-powered recruiter, which we really need. While he sits in that spot not recruiting, it’s hurting our future. The sell on him in that spot is apparently offering kids to be taught skills by a great former player which should in turn, should be a sell for kids to come here... Well it isn’t at all because he isn’t recruiting and we aren’t landing kids because of him. Matt is doing all of it.

Most coaches aren’t pounding the pavement. They have great recruiters at the assistant spots. Jim Boeiheim had assistants like Mike Hopkins, Louis Orr and Bernie Fine out landing kids. Bernie Fine was such a good recruiter he used to let recruits bang his wife to get em to sign... Bottom line is that Mitch is in too high of a position here at SJU. The top few assistants should all be very good recruiters.[/quote]

Maybe just me. I can only name one Jarvis assistant, two of Norm's and can't remember any of Fran's.[/quote]

Forgot Deuce so can name 2 of Jarvis assistants
 
[quote="we are sju" post=300140][quote="MCNPA" post=300139][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The problem in a nutshell is that Mitch is taking the spot of a potential assistant that is a high-powered recruiter, which we really need. While he sits in that spot not recruiting, it’s hurting our future. The sell on him in that spot is apparently offering kids to be taught skills by a great former player which should in turn, should be a sell for kids to come here... Well it isn’t at all because he isn’t recruiting and we aren’t landing kids because of him. Matt is doing all of it.

Most coaches aren’t pounding the pavement. They have great recruiters at the assistant spots. Jim Boeiheim had assistants like Mike Hopkins, Louis Orr and Bernie Fine out landing kids. Bernie Fine was such a good recruiter he used to let recruits bang his wife to get em to sign... Bottom line is that Mitch is in too high of a position here at SJU. The top few assistants should all be very good recruiters.[/quote]

Maybe just me. I can only name one Jarvis assistant, two of Norm's and can't remember any of Fran's.[/quote].

One was Darren Savino who happens to be a very good recruiter and is the AHC at Cincy now. The other I forget, but Fran was a really good recruiter and closer himself. That’s already one more recruiter than we have right now...
 
[quote="we are sju" post=300137][quote="SJU61982" post=300133][quote="Las Vegan" post=300132][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The difference between Al LoBalbo and Richmond is that the former was an experienced and highly regarded coach.[/quote]

So was Gene Keady. That did not stop people on here from complaining about him.[/quote]

And the point was really no one cared what LoBalbo, Rutledge or Mahoney did or didn't do back then.[/quote]

The obvious response is Louie, Fran and, to some extent Jarvis, were successful, and when things are going good, there is little need to over- analyze the team. The twenty plus years of losing records and fired coaches changed the way SJU fans react to events.
 
[quote="we are sju" post=300141][quote="we are sju" post=300140][quote="MCNPA" post=300139][quote="we are sju" post=300122]I continue to be fascinated by this fan base's fascination with assistant coaches. It is a good thing these boards were not around when I was a kid. Despite having the reputation as a defensive genius, 12 year old WASJU would have come on here wondering who let Al LoBalbo sit on the bench and what exactly did he do. I mean this board would have had a field day with poor Al's toupee and terrible suits.[/quote]

The problem in a nutshell is that Mitch is taking the spot of a potential assistant that is a high-powered recruiter, which we really need. While he sits in that spot not recruiting, it’s hurting our future. The sell on him in that spot is apparently offering kids to be taught skills by a great former player which should in turn, should be a sell for kids to come here... Well it isn’t at all because he isn’t recruiting and we aren’t landing kids because of him. Matt is doing all of it.

Most coaches aren’t pounding the pavement. They have great recruiters at the assistant spots. Jim Boeiheim had assistants like Mike Hopkins, Louis Orr and Bernie Fine out landing kids. Bernie Fine was such a good recruiter he used to let recruits bang his wife to get em to sign... Bottom line is that Mitch is in too high of a position here at SJU. The top few assistants should all be very good recruiters.[/quote]

Maybe just me. I can only name one Jarvis assistant, two of Norm's and can't remember any of Fran's.[/quote]

Forgot Deuce so can name 2 of Jarvis assistants[/quote]

Nobody could hold up flash cards quite as well as Deuce, : B)
 
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