Coach Search Options after Autry

[Scooch]

Ditto.

Which is why all of the reported infighting / dysfunction we're hearing about vis a vis BoT members and donors is frightening.

We can't afford to screw this hire up. Allowing non-AD folks the ability to hijack the process to fulfill their own personal agendas is bad for the Syracuse basketball program, and bad for the fanbase.

In a functional operation, someone(s) would have studied (a) the various reasons for our mediocrity over the past 7-ish years, (b) which of those reasons can be addressed, and to what degree, with the resources we currently have, (c) what additional resources do we need to obtain to have a sustainable, elite program, and (d) what qualities, experience and connections does an SU HC need to have to fulfill that goal.

This isn’t rocket science, but it does require a methodical approach with clearly defined objectives.

*Do* we want to be an elite program?

*Do* we want to expend the effort to secure resources to make that happen?

Honestly, if SU came to the conclusion that they don’t want either of those things, then fine. Just be transparent about that.

But half measures, obfuscation, and dysfunction are going to keep us in basketball purgatory.

 

[Cusefan0307]

You cannot say that the administration cares about winning and then at the same time say that Mike Hopkins is a strong candidate to be the next coach and Heather Lyke is a strong candidate to be the next athletic director. That shows the intentions of the administration.

Administrations that care about winning do not consider a coach that was a complete failure and an AD that was disastrous (and worked up a terrible reputation while doing it).

Even if it’s just a small minority that is pushing these ideas, they will absolutely hold us back. You cannot have decision-makers that care more about personal relationships than actually winning games.

Ehhh, people in successful organizations push crappy ideas or their buddies for jobs all the time.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

What can’t go wrong*

A torrid love affair breaks out between the two of them, resulting in lots of drama and lawsuits.

 

[23Zone]

Hopkins is entitled to a (courtesy) interview. But the job needs to be offered to Hodgson if we are serious about the resurrection of Syracuse basketball.

 

[Orangezoo]

Ehhh, people in successful organizations push crappy ideas or their buddies for jobs all the time.

Yeah happens daily. With that said it’s fair to say SU athletics right now wouldn’t equate to being called a successful organization even if the logic and point stands.

 

[2B20Again]

Ditto.

Which is why all of the reported infighting / dysfunction we're hearing about vis a vis BoT members and donors is frightening.

We can't afford to screw this hire up. Allowing non-AD folks the ability to hijack the process to fulfill their own personal agendas is bad for the Syracuse basketball program, and bad for the fanbase.

I go back to before Eggers, however, I was privy to a conversation between the chancellor and a big contributor. It was awakening. The just of it was what needs to be done to get SU into top 20 regularly. Just enough so SU can hang around top 20isj and by the jr/sr years of good classes break into top 15, then start over again. So philosophy 40+ years ago was try to be relevant and maybe get lucky. Which today has been summed down to be in the middle of ACC try to get in the big dance. Obviously times have changed and the lucky part is a lot harder to attain. Basically mediocrity was the plan and hope for the best. Doesn’t look like anything has changed.

 

[RedtheGOB]

To be clear, all I want is for SU to make a thoughtful, creative hire.

Fran may turn out to be a bust, but IMHO he was a risk worth taking given where we stand in the college football pecking order (spoiler: near the bottom).

SU hoops *should* be closer to the top of the college basketball pecking order. However, from everything I read, I’m increasingly skeptical that the university has the stomach to do what’s necessary, across a wide range of things, to secure that.

Uncertain ROI in sports right now. Alot easier just to get a return raising tuition 10% a year and buying all the real estate around campus.

 

[CuseBlood44]

I want Hopkins smoke to be a negotiation tool for landing BH but I don’t think (rightfully so) that the school would use hop like that…

 

[Fly Rodder]

Well, have almost three weeks before the end of the season ...

I have no doubt some posters are getting tidbits dropped or are even part of the conversation. Some of whom are also being used to keep a conversation going and/or to float trial balloons. I also know that if SU has opportunity to screw something up, they're gonna do that.

That fans have managed to keep rolling out ticket sales for a mediocre team and a flailing athletic program for (at least) 12 years is really amazing. Nostalgia, indeed.

 

[dasher]

Well, sure. If we win, the nil will likely increase no matter who the coach is. The question is can whoever we hire actually get the best out of the guys the nil provides? Many people thought this team would make the dance easily, but were coached out of it. Hop’s record at UW doesn’t inspire confidence no matter the nil. As previously pointed out he went 15-17 with two first round draft picks. You think any amount of nil will get us talent at that level?

I am just asking a question. Nothing more.

 

[rrlbees]

We were told early on that we couldn't attract the top of the line coaches because their first question is what is our NIL situation and because it wasn't good, they would go elsewhere.

several of us did say it would be one of their first questions. don't recall anyone saying they would go somewhere else cause ours isn't good. it may be fine for some, not for others. and maybe we increase our $5m nil donations? only point is it will be a question of most candidates.

 

[Bulldog04]

There are others…

Jason Hart on that short list as well…

 

[JeremyCuse]

Not in reference to GMAC but going in on Hodgson who hasn’t made the tournament. I truly believed we had the cultural and financial juice to pull a talented p4 coach who could level up with our resources.

I think SU could but there's a lot of caveats. If it's a B10 or SEC coach even the non fball powers in those conferences are generating 15-20 Mill more a year in Conf payouts. Your likely talking about getting in a bidding war before you even consider that coaches buyout etc. While SU has a lot of support and in the upper echelon of $$ availability their also not gonna be able to pull a Kentucky and just go get whoever, those kind of funds are beyond our scope as a private university. I can't say for sure whether Hodgson is the answer but he's a guy whose had success now at multiple schools, it outside the SU alumni/JB influence which a lot of fans want to see and apparently wants the job and wants it badly if the innuendo is correct.

Best to let it play out and see where the chips fall.

 

[Fly Rodder]

 

[Cuse2023]

Ehhh, people in successful organizations push crappy ideas or their buddies for jobs all the time.

You can chalk it up and say it’s normal and it happens all the time. The reality is the entire program and the brand (hanging on by a thread) is entirely on the line with the one hire.

If they still want to put relationships before the success of the program and winning games, that is absolutely not normal, and those people don’t have the best interests of the University at heart and should not be making decisions.

 

[RF2044]

In a functional operation, someone(s) would have studied (a) the various reasons for our mediocrity over the past 7-ish years, (b) which of those reasons can be addressed, and to what degree, with the resources we currently have, (c) what additional resources do we need to obtain to have a sustainable, elite program, and (d) what qualities, experience and connections does an SU HC need to have to fulfill that goal.

This isn’t rocket science, but it does require a methodical approach with clearly defined objectives.

*Do* we want to be an elite program?

*Do* we want to expend the effort to secure resources to make that happen?

Honestly, if SU came to the conclusion that they don’t want either of those things, then fine. Just be transparent about that.

But half measures, obfuscation, and dysfunction are going to keep us in basketball purgatory.

Could not agree more.

Adults need to prevail here, or we are doomed to mediocrity.

 

[hoopsupstate]

Jason Hart on that short list as well…

I would love him on the next staff, but not as the head coach. I would take him over Hop.

 

[orangepassion]

I also think he was top 3 when Coyle got hired

Working his way up-He's due to be #1

 

[TommyA13]

Jason Hart on that short list as well…

lol unbelievable

 

[dasher]

You can chalk it up and say it’s normal and it happens all the time. The reality is the entire program and the brand (hanging on by a thread) is entirely on the line with the one hire.

If they still want to put relationships before the success of the program and winning games, that is absolutely not normal, and those people don’t have the best interests of the University at heart and should not be making decisions.

That is not what they think. Having experienced a bit of this with my effort to get Adam W back in good graces with the school and vice versa, no one on the board thinks boy, I'm really hurting the University by my decision. Or, that this isn't the best decision for the University. Keep in mind, these people have all been incredibly successful in their lives. Because you don't agree with their decisions doesn't make you right or wrong. It means you have a difference of opinion.

 

[dasher]

lol unbelievable

You think Hart would be a bad choice?

 

[007]

That is not what they think. Having experienced a bit of this with my effort to get Adam W back in good graces with the school and vice versa, no one on the board thinks boy, I'm really hurting the University by my decision. Or, that this isn't the best decision for the University. Keep in mind, these people have all been incredibly successful in their lives. Because you don't agree with their decisions doesn't make you right or wrong. It means you have a difference of opinion.

It's almost as if the decision making is nuanced

 

[CuseBlood44]

Fans shouting from the rooftops for an outside the family hire and 2/3 of our options are in family.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Jason Hart on that short list as well…

They aren’t that thrilled in Kentucky with their coaching staff.

 

[Scooch]

Jason Hart on that short list as well…

I’m really confused. We have many of the same people who have said it’ll either be Hodgson or Hopkins also saying there’s a list of other candidates.

Do these other candidates know that they have zero chance?

Or is everyone in-the-know really just spitballing?