Coach K said no to Amaker

[Forza Azzurri]

Didn’t Amaker end up at Harvard from Seton Hall because of some fishy stuff? Wasn’t there some recruitment irregularities or player issues etc? Didn’t he go to Harvard to kind of redeem himself? To be honest when he first went there I had assumed he would be taking another Seton Hall type job if he did well at Harvard and was surprised he has stayed there that long. I assumed he was happy at the Harvard Ivy League type level. If he wasn’t happy why didn’t he get another chance well before Coach K was leaving somewhere. Something sounds a little fishy.

No irregularities.

Amaker's last year at Seton Hall, he had that phenomenal recruiting class that included Griffin, Barrett and Toney-El.

That team had sky-high expectations but had serious chemistry issues and imploded.

He then left to go to Michigan.

 

[AZOrange]

True, sounds like Coach K had more ’control’ over Amaker than over Duke. To complain after admitting to turning the offer down, does seem strange.

The likelihood of Duke offering Amaker the job at odds with what K wanted and then going with what K wanted is about ZERO. These schools
With lawyers and people that think about this stuff.

 

[AZOrange]

I believe it, I wouldnt put it past K to do that. He will recruit a kid just to store him on his bench just to prevent a league foe from landing him. We've all seen it.

There’s no chance that K and Duke were not synced on this.

 

[RF2044]

The likelihood of Duke offering Amaker the job at odds with what K wanted and then going with what K wanted is about ZERO. These schools
With lawyers and people that think about this stuff.

I didn't see anything about Amaker being offered, just that he was a strong candidate, but Duke decided to go in a different direction in accordance with what K preferred.

It makes sense that they would want a continuity hire. That's what they did.

 

[rrlbees]

I didn't see anything about Amaker being offered, just that he was a strong candidate, but Duke decided to go in a different direction in accordance with what K preferred.

It makes sense that they would want a continuity hire. That's what they did.

The article said they offered it to him.

 

[Cheriehoop]

The article said they offered it to him.

Yes and that according to the article that Coach K talked him out of accepting it.

 

[Alsacs]

That article makes it look like.
Duke wanted somebody from the Coach K tree and didn’t necessarily want K to stamp approve it.
They offered Amaker. Who then talked with K.
K recommended he not take it.
Duke then offered it to Scheyer who K realizes he will have more influence over.

That just shows K wants to be a shadow King.

 

[JarHeadJim]

K has always been a classless douche.

Oh my team suck this year I think I'll fake a back injury.

 

[cto]

GE CEO Jack Welch ("the most admired manager in the world") picked Jeff Immelt as his successor. That did not work out so well.

 

[AZOrange]

GE CEO Jack Welch ("the most admired manager in the world") picked Jeff Immelt as his successor. That did not work out so well.

Intentionally methinks…no?

 

[Cheriehoop]

That article makes it look like.
Duke wanted somebody from the Coach K tree and didn’t necessarily want K to stamp approve it.
They offered Amaker. Who then talked with K.
K recommended he not take it.
Duke then offered it to Scheyer who K realizes he will have more influence over.

That just shows K wants to be a shadow King.

Or to be fair, perhaps he believes Scheyer is much more attuned to their practice methods, current and future recruited players, current assistants and their recruiting, development abilities that have been so successful. Amaker has been away from Duke since 1997, that’s a long time and recruiting including connections for the Ivy League is different than at a basketball king P5 Duke university, I would think. Harvard also last made the NCAA tournament in 2015. I’m just surprised that Amaker wasn’t offered (or didn’t accept) a P5 coaching job after his really successful years (2015). No dog in this argument, but just trying to look at it both ways. Talking him out of it though after being offered (did he initially accept the offer) seems to have been very hurtful at the very least, to me.

 

[cto]

Intentionally methinks…no?

Absolutely not. He would not want to jeopardize his stock options, pension and other perks.

 

[JaySU22]

Or to be fair, perhaps he believes Scheyer is much more attuned to their practice methods, current and future recruited players, current assistants and their recruiting, development abilities that have been so successful. Amaker has been away from Duke since 1997, that’s a long time and recruiting including connections for the Ivy League is different than at a basketball king P5 Duke university, I would think. Harvard also last made the NCAA tournament in 2015. I’m just surprised that Amaker wasn’t offered (or didn’t accept) a P5 coaching job after his really successful years (2015). No dog in this argument, but just trying to look at it both ways.

I think he’s quite happy at Harvard. Believe BC was interested in him when they hired Christian but interest wasn’t mutual

 

[SU94]

The likelihood of Duke offering Amaker the job at odds with what K wanted and then going with what K wanted is about ZERO. These schools
With lawyers and people that think about this stuff.

Duke and K were aligned publicly, but that does not mean things are smooth privately. And for those that don't believe these themes, all I will say is that Ian O'Connor is a helluva journalist.

One thing I have observed is that -- often times(!) -- the longer someone of prominence is at a given job or post, the more time it allows for resentment to build/fester behind the scenes.

 

[orangecuse]

Duke and K were aligned publicly, but that does not mean things are smooth privately. And for those that don't believe these themes, all I will say is that Ian O'Connor is a helluva journalist.

One thing I have observed is that -- often times(!) -- the longer someone of prominence is at a given job or post, the more time it allows for resentment to build/fester behind the scenes.

I guess as with anything in life, observations, etc. are based upon one's own life experiences, which is where one bears its own views, conclusions, etc.

I'd imagine if that someone of prominence in a certain position, post, etc. is still achieving at a very high level, bringing in profits, sustaining goals, etc. where all involved are also reaping in some degree of benefit as well, such universal sentiment relative to resentment may not build/fester much at all?

 

[rrlbees]

I guess as with anything in life, observations, etc. are based upon one's own life experiences, which is where one bears its own views, conclusions, etc.

I'd imagine if that someone of prominence in a certain position, post, etc. is still achieving at a very high level, bringing in profits, sustaining goals, etc. where all involved are also reaping in some degree of benefit as well, such universal sentiment relative to resentment may not build/fester much at all?

You’d think but it certainly doesn’t always work that way.

 

[DoctorBombay]

Amaker has been away from Duke for quite a while, and Scheyer is in tune with the program as it is today. Perhaps the analogy with us would be if Louis Orr was offered the gig, and JB interceded on Red's or GMac's behalf.
What I can't understand is, if Amaker really wanted the job and it was offered, why not accept anyway? "I appreciate the advice Coach, but this is my dream job opportunity, and I'm going to accept". Nothing K could do about it, no?

 

[miamicuse]

Well Duke offered Amaker the job and he turned it down. Big deal if he wasn’t K’s first choice. To be all butt hurt now because you weren’t K’s pick is childish. Put your big boy pants on and then show people why you were Duke’s first choice.

He had to turn it down because accepting it meant he will have to take on an assistant coach position under K for one year. That can't work unless you have K's blessing because K could change his mind and stay two more years or who knows what could have happened. On top of that he would have to work with the current staff under K who's jobs may be in jeopardy once he takes over.

 

[jgeorge322]

Amaker has been away from Duke for quite a while, and Scheyer is in tune with the program as it is today. Perhaps the analogy with us would be if Louis Orr was offered the gig, and JB interceded on Red's or GMac's behalf.
What I can't understand is, if Amaker really wanted the job and it was offered, why not accept anyway? "I appreciate the advice Coach, but this is my dream job opportunity, and I'm going to accept". Nothing K could do about it, no?

The better analogy would be JB stepping in for Gmac instead of Hop.

 

[AZOrange]

Absolutely not. He would not want to jeopardize his stock options, pension and other perks.

Interesting perspective thanks! The GE folks I work with have always described Immelt as a “all hat/no cattle” guy

 

[RandygoCuse]

When a coach retires, that should be it. No influence on the next coach. Scheyer may be good but being the hand-picked choice of K comes with a lot of pressure.

I wouldn't say "no influence" especially when they've had as much success as Coach K or....other coaches that have been at programs for some time. But they certainly shouldn't be the only or even the loudest voice.

 

[cto]

Interesting perspective thanks! The GE folks I work with have always described Immelt as a “all hat/no cattle” guy

I worked for Jack Welch for 20 years ... and for Immelt for less than two years before taking early retirement. That is all I will say.

 

[realorange]

Coach K would have a strong voice in the decision simply because he would not want the program to crash after he left with people knowing the new hire was his choice.

And who would know better than K which ex-Dukie would make the better coach?

 

[Cuse_NYC]

Just hope the book really goes into the behind the scenes dirt that program does. But I’m sure it will sort of beat around the bush.

 

[cuseincincy]