Alex Kline Article

[OttosShoes]

1. Yes, Red is a stand-up dude. 100%.
2. Yes, some fans took it way too far.
3. And yet...if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen.

It's, basically, the 2nd highest level of the sport. I'm not excusing the vitriol, but there are *many* other levels with significantly less exposure and, after reading the article, I suspect those will likely be a better fit for Kline at this time.

 

[TheCusian]

I get the “whoever followed a legend” thing. But in addition to that - he was a continuation hire when the the last 3 years under JAB sucked. His leash was that much shorter and then he failed to get results. None of that speaks to his character, commitment, or love for the program. But he failed.

And that’s why a continuation hire would be the worst thing now. Fresh break, clean start is what’s needed

 

[richmondcuse03]

You know what the most likely way to ensure that a coach following a legend fails? By replacing said icon with someone unqualified, into a high-profile, results driven, performance based role.

It was a dumb gamble for a program on the decline to make, at that inflection point in our program's history. And justifying it was complete rationalization, given the decline.

Had we hired a more competent head coach, the results would have been better. This year's roster -- just for example -- was much better than what our record was. Losses to Hofstra and BC... talk about underachievement.

Red inherited a team, lost control, but still managed to win 20 games. But it was with Boeheim's players.

Nobody questions that he is a great guy, that he cared a lot about the players, or that he didn't do his best. But this is a outcome driven role. Those articles toward the end of his tenure were really eye opening about how over his head he was.

And at the end of the day, that's the bottom line. I thought GRob was a "good guy," too. Ditto Scott Shafer -- by all accounts, a great guy. But they weren't up to the challenge.

And neither was Red. Being honest about that assessment isn't being "mean." And it's not piling on.

I look forward to having a competent coach who can reverse this trend.

People love nice guys as head coaches but if they don't win, they bump that priority down.

Wins are only thing that matter. People excuse bad behavior and everything else if you win. They overlook how nice you are when you lose.

 

[Chip]

My advice is that if you are a coach or any part of a struggling program with high expectations, don't read twitter or message boards.

Or listen to a radio call in show.

 

[DoubleDee]

Excluding cruel posts etc, should a fan base not be "critical" of the way things have been?

 

[Scooch]

“ But if Syracuse “fans” really want the best for their program, they will stop being part of the problem online. Support your players and coaches. Adrian Autry deserved better”

This is such a generational comment that Kline made, and it's one that I just can't connect with. Alex didn't HAVE to be online, nor did any of the players. They chose that, and they chose to engage with people.

As always, Syracuse fans in the real world are an incredibly gentle bunch. There was very little booing at home games. There was just one bad incident during Red's weekly call-in show. The local media coverage was largely even-handed.

We've all seen truly toxic coaching situations. Just 18 months ago I watched the Patriots fandom and local Boston media utterly eviscerate Jerod Mayo for an entire season. Red didn't face anything remotely close to that.

 

[richmondcuse03]

Reality: Social media is toxic and damaging.

Reality: People who post toxic and damaging things on social media will never, ever stop.

Reality: The best way for anyone, and certainly a public figure, to preserve their mental health is to delete social media. Or limit it in a way where you're not engaging with people (never read the comments, don't allow DMs from strangers, etc.).

Our society is deeply and horribly addicted to social media. Someday we're going to think about this era the way we now think about cigarette usage in the 1950s.

very very true.

I've worked a lot with social media companies -- the damage this technology has inflicted on society is insane.

 

[jdubs30]

Stuff like just shows how we missed the mark with Autry and his whole staff. Such a weird article in general and such a Syracuse thing to do.

Any staffers writing articles on Kim English? Or Wes Miller?

 

[Fly Rodder]

Goodwill from the fans is a limited commodity. Those who are associated with JAB (including Jim himself) used most of that up during his final years. That's the problem with a continuity hire. They get the benefit of a full tank of goodwill if things are going great. But the flip side is that they don't get a full tank of goodwill if things aren't going well. They don't erase the recent history. Red is associated with JAB. So is Gerry. So is Hopkins. They're asking fans to forget JAB's decline years and give them a full tank of goodwill when that's not how it works. Anywhere.

Imagine working for a great boss, they have the office humming and everybody is getting paid and they're winning work and it's great. The great manager is more and more retired on the job but asks for continued support. The downturn starts small, the friday happy hour gets cut, bonuses are reduced, insurance costs increase, clients are leaving and revenue is down, layoffs start and more clients are going elsewhere. Then the board decides they need to remedy the situation but promote the formerly great manager's long time VP who was running some of the day to day things for the boss, seems to be out of touch with the current business environment, and frankly doesn't command the room like the former boss. Three more years ago by and there's no improvement, more layoffs, more promises that they need more time and support. You and the other employees are going give the the other VP who has been there a full tank of goodwill?

 

[pearl31]

I'm just glad some on here are able to do the (correct) 'and' framing-

Red had to deal with a lot of inexcusable/undeserved cruel BS from students/fans/alum
AND
Red did an increasingly poor job as coach, probably was not cut out to be a HC, deserved to be let go

 

[Cusefan0307]

I used to be criticized for my play in HS by the townies in my stick upstate NY town. And that was almost 25 years ago.

 

[MSOrange]

This is such a generational comment that Kline made, and it's one that I just can't connect with. Alex didn't HAVE to be online, nor did any of the players. They chose that, and they chose to engage with people.

As always, Syracuse fans in the real world are an incredibly gentle bunch. There was very little booing at home games. There was just one bad incident during Red's weekly call-in show. The local media coverage was largely even-handed.

We've all seen truly toxic coaching situations. Just 18 months ago I watched the Patriots fandom and local Boston media utterly eviscerate Jerod Mayo for an entire season. Red didn't face anything remotely close to that.

But I think being online is a big part of recruiting these days as far as connecting with prospective players. But that being said, it is possible to limit it to that and ignore everything else if you have discipline.

 

[MSOrange]

I used to be criticized for my play in HS by the townies in my stick upstate NY town. And that was almost 25 years ago.

What are we supposed to say when you're shooting them up there like this???

 

[rocklloyd]

I’m sure they are all great people, unfortunately they sucked at their jobs while here. Maybe it changes as they land somewhere else, but the basketball here was awful for last 2 years.

 

[Irishsecra1]

I found the article kind of sad. I think everyone believes Red is a great guy, but he is a lousy coach.
And nothing in this article changes my opinion on that.
And frankly, considering how bad the team has been the last 2 years, and the incredibly bad downward trend this year from the Vegas games, I am surprised he wasn't fired earlier.

I also think fans may have underestimated the effect Gerry leaving had on the program.
By the accounts of players on that last 20 win team, Gerry would go above and beyond to work with the players even outside his area.

On a side note, kind of cool on strictly a personal level, that Gerrys team will play against arguably one of the best players (Maliq) that he brought to the SU program.

 

[RyanCuse44]

He Aged 20 years in 3 years on the hill.

So did a lot of us.

 

[Cusefan78]

I think the tweets and this article are all revisionist history. Not one person has claimed red wasn’t a good man. He clearly
Is. The facts unfortunately do not stop there. He is also not a very good head coach. Both can be said. The writing was on the wall last year and if he was at a big time school he would have been fired. He was granted third year here because of his buy out. Any school would have started planning incase he failed again, To think otherwise is crazy

 

[Trueblue25]

You want the promotion? You accept what comes with it.

 

[orangefog]

I'm just glad some on here are able to do the (correct) 'and' framing-

Red had to deal with a lot of inexcusable/undeserved cruel BS from students/fans/alum
AND
Red did an increasingly poor job as coach, probably was not cut out to be a HC, deserved to be let go

Agreed...AND he was well compensated.

 

[Newhouser]

You want the promotion? You accept what comes with it.

Yeah I don't get the woe is me from the removed. This is a business and you were all compensated.

 

[Orangefan1]

Everybody will be nice to Red now that he's not the coach. He stepped into an impossible role and was not equipped for it.

Everything said here tells me Red is still an elite assistant coach for many of the reasons Kline wrote. He will land on his feet no problem.

Was it really impossible? He had full control of who he wanted player wise

 

[Scooch]

But I think being online is a big part of recruiting these days as far as connecting with prospective players. But that being said, it is possible to limit it to that and ignore everything else if you have discipline.

Totally agree. But as you say, that can be very focused interaction. Kline seems to be suggesting that he, Red and the players were personally hurt by reading comments and messages directed their way. That it was 100% a choice to read those. It’s very easy to post on Insta or Tik Tok and never engage with comments or DMs from unknown people.

I mean, who is taking comments from “burner accounts” to heart? Immature and poorly guided people, that’s who.

 

[AZOrange]

I used to be criticized for my play in HS by the townies in my stick upstate NY town. And that was almost 25 years ago.

It was deserved!!

 

[im4cuse]

I have lived in DMV for 50 years. Original Hoya Hater. But their fan base, such as it is, drove out the son of an icon coach. And their most decorated player. Back to back. High profile high expectations. What we are accused of here is SOP.

 

[ManleyRocks]

I had a super high stress well paying job. Retired after 23 years on my terms. Early on I embraced the fact that 99 percent of the people at my firm ultimately get fired at some point in time, even the chairman of the firm. Accepting this reality allowed me to perform each and every day. It is like being in combat….unless you accept the fact you are already dead, you will not be able to fight. Same is true for a head coach….on day 1, you know it is likely going to come to an end so accept that fact and battle your a_s off each and everyday. Plain and simple.