[quote="redmanwest" post=342506]I was and am a St. John's and Chris Mullin fan.
But to attribute this mess to the fanbase is not acurate. Fan sites such as this exist at EVERY school and many much more negative and crirtical than this one. Tha;'s a part of the terrain now, so if a coach or admin can't handle that, thye're not fit to be in their positions.
I only wish Chris had brought his "gym rat" menhtality to the coaching job. He didn't. The writing was on the wall long before Chris' brother was sick or critical (ie, several years ago). There were issues that he neither addressed nor seemed inclined to address (ie, recruiting, roster balance and sstanbiliyt, or college oriented schemes). In short, he was not "all in" on the job, and in this competitive environment, you need to be. He had a lackluster (charitable) staff that did not adequatley fill in the gaps.
So, while his leaving here (under whatever verison of the facts are accurater) was poorly done, it was necessary long-term. But it was also regrettable (the fact that the school is apprently paying him out the final 2 years leads me to believe that he was in fact forced out and that he did not leave on his own accord).
But the program was going nowhere and the prospects were not bright. Despite the several good points you pointed out, the fundamental flaws wiith his coaching style and energy were not going to change.
Notwithstanding all that, the execution of replacing him is a horrible embarrassment, in humble opinion. It not only further tarnishes the school's reputaiton, but calls into quesiton the leadershiop of the AD.
We will see how this plays out. I will support whomever is hired, because that's what I have done for decades. Even in the severely hampered state, the program gives me pleasure and enjoyment and entertainment. I only wish it could balance itslef and retore stabiltiy. Maybe the new guy will. Chris wasn't going to do that. Sorry to say.[/quote]
Agree with it all except the “ support whomever” but I have posted that caveat elsewhere.
But to attribute this mess to the fanbase is not acurate. Fan sites such as this exist at EVERY school and many much more negative and crirtical than this one. Tha;'s a part of the terrain now, so if a coach or admin can't handle that, thye're not fit to be in their positions.
I only wish Chris had brought his "gym rat" menhtality to the coaching job. He didn't. The writing was on the wall long before Chris' brother was sick or critical (ie, several years ago). There were issues that he neither addressed nor seemed inclined to address (ie, recruiting, roster balance and sstanbiliyt, or college oriented schemes). In short, he was not "all in" on the job, and in this competitive environment, you need to be. He had a lackluster (charitable) staff that did not adequatley fill in the gaps.
So, while his leaving here (under whatever verison of the facts are accurater) was poorly done, it was necessary long-term. But it was also regrettable (the fact that the school is apprently paying him out the final 2 years leads me to believe that he was in fact forced out and that he did not leave on his own accord).
But the program was going nowhere and the prospects were not bright. Despite the several good points you pointed out, the fundamental flaws wiith his coaching style and energy were not going to change.
Notwithstanding all that, the execution of replacing him is a horrible embarrassment, in humble opinion. It not only further tarnishes the school's reputaiton, but calls into quesiton the leadershiop of the AD.
We will see how this plays out. I will support whomever is hired, because that's what I have done for decades. Even in the severely hampered state, the program gives me pleasure and enjoyment and entertainment. I only wish it could balance itslef and retore stabiltiy. Maybe the new guy will. Chris wasn't going to do that. Sorry to say.[/quote]
Agree with it all except the “ support whomever” but I have posted that caveat elsewhere.