Dean Simons has impeccable credentials Academically and has long standing ties to the University .. I don't think the next President has to be a Priest or, Alum of the school.
It would be important for him or her, to understand the importance of the school's tradition in College BB.. Having graduated from Chaminade in the 1980's, I'm sure he was aware of our Final 4 run in 1985 and the importance that had for the school.
Wonder if him being a Harvard Law Grad would lead him to consider Tommy Amaker, if/when LaVIN is gone?
Tommy and Harvard are a nice fit. I don't see that being the case here.
In any event(from Wiki): Amaker was credited for helping to restore the ethical reputation of a Michigan program which had been tarnished by scandal.[124][125]
However, he was criticized in the press for being unable to take the Wolverines to the NCAA tournament in six seasons at the helm.[126] Some fans and sportswriters argued that Amaker's Michigan teams tended to underachieve and fall apart in pressure situations, particularly in conference, on the road and at the end of the regular season.[127] On March 17, 2007, Amaker was fired by the University of Michigan.[126] Amaker was paid $900,000 to buy out the remaining years on his contract.[128]
Sounds like a cross between Norm and Lavin.
I personally don't see Amaker leaving Harvard until Coach K retires and he becomes the next Duke head coach. I also think Amaker was hurt to a degree by the Michigan scandal because werent they sanctioned first year or two under him? Based on his success at SHU followed by his success at Harvard, I think he's proven to be an excellent coach, though its possible he just got lazy and had too big a head after rising so quickly to head coach of Michigan.
Additionally, I believe Amaker's wife is a professor at Harvard now so I imagine she'd have to be OK with becoming a professor here as well.
I think he did OK at SH(3 NITs and 1 NCAA in 4 years). Recruited well. He may have been hurt by the scandal at Mich, but was given plenty of time to get beyond that. No tourney appearances in 6 years is inexcusable at Mich. Just think he's more suited for the Ivy league.
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/29/sports/basketball-amaker-quits-hall-for-the-job-at-michigan.html
Sometimes this board goes crazy. And the craziest thing I have ever heard is support for Tommy Amaker.
Here is the reasons why:
1. We already have a coach, whether you like it or not.
2. The board criticizes the coach for not getting a team full of studs to gel. Well the Hall had a top 10 preseason ranking with what bleacher reports called one of the top 21 recruiting classes in the last 20 years and they finished with 16 wins. Lavin on the other hand finished with 20.
2a. The in fighting was so intense the team actually came to physical blows. Ty Shine getting the worst of it (in a fight with Eddie Griffen).
2b. Sammy Dalembert + Eddie Griffin + Andre Barrett had more talent and basketball skills at that point in their career than Rasheed, CO, and Jakarr and it still only amounted to 16 wins.
3. The board hates FF for looking at other jobs and Lavin for being silent during these uncertain times. Amaker jumped ship to Michigan as soon as the going got tough.
4. The board thinks Lavin sullied the universities name due to the transfers and draft declaration. Amaker lower Harvard's admission standards got investigated by the Ivy League and the NCAA for recruiting oddities, not to mention having two kids dismissed for being involved in a cheating scandal.
I blindly support St. John's and will not throw my coaches or players under the bus for any reason, but the day we look to Amaker is the day I reconsider my opinion.
