Coach Search Options after Autry

[Cusefan0307]

I agree. I actually think Hop could be very successful if he came to SU and had the full backing of the NIL whales. Hodgson looks likely to succeed too.

Based on nothing, but hope.

 

[AZOrange]

I agree. I actually think Hop could be very successful if he came to SU and had the full backing of the NIL whales. Hodgson looks likely to succeed too.

It’s not even necessarily those 2…nor just Lyke/NC. One of the most important pieces of the decision making process has been in Milan. Everyone watches too much Game of Thrones. This isn’t Winterfell and the Red Keep

 

[Orangezoo]

Based on nothing, but hope.

Hop has not coached cbb for two years and failed when he did. I feel like that isn’t being highlighted enough. Until we see he has elite assistants that can install winning concepts who are proven we only have the pathetic excuse for a staff he had at UW to point to in terms of his hiring practices for a program.

 

[007]

Question - not specifically directed at you, 007 -- but why should that matter anymore, since the current Chancellor is leaving and will soon be replaced?

FWIW, I think it matters because it suggests that current Chancellor was interested in her opinion of the athletic dept knowing that JW could or would be stepping down (there is more to that story). The university is looking to cut costs everywhere (not guessing here) due to the revenue share mandate compounded by the additional loss of revenue from the drop in attendance. Why add an additional, high level administer's salary at this point in time? Maybe they are trying to get the house in order for the transition to the new Chancellor? Maybe they thought/knew Heather was going to be a candidate to replace JW? This is obviously all just guess work. But, I have no doubt it was done with intent.

 

[RF2044]

It’s not even necessarily those 2…nor just Lyke/NC. One of the most important pieces of the decision making process has been in Milan. Everyone watches too much Game of Thrones. This isn’t Winterfell and the Red Keep

I genuinely hope you are right.

But the information that has trickled out certainly paints an alarming picture of behind-the-scenes in-fighting and dysfunction.

And coupled with the multitude of key positions that are open -- Chancellor, AD, MBHC -- this situation seems unfavorably timed.

For hoops, the program is in a precarious spot. Getting the hire wrong a second time, after allowing the iconic head coach to drive the program into the ground by hanging around too long, would be a significant problem for a frustrated fanbase.

And it would also be problematic with conference realignment looming.

Agree that it isn't life or death. But to the passionate members of the fanbase / alums, this is unwelcome news that makes an already uncertain future even more uncertain.

When JB was forced to step down, some BoT members and donors intervened in the process and foisted an unqualified internal hire on the program. I love Hopkins, he is a great guy, but he was awful at UW. And it appears that again, several BoT members and donors are jockeying again to influence the process such that it could go to an unqualified internal hire again.

Maybe it won't play out that way, but it sure seems like history is repeating itself.

 

[Blanko97]

red trying his very best on this orange nation interview, but it aint there

 

[powdersmack]

I agree. I actually think Hop could be very successful if he came to SU and had the full backing of the NIL whales. Hodgson looks likely to succeed too.

What makes you think that?!? His different shade of Red offensive "scheme" he used? One tourney appearance in seven seasons? His pulling a Rutgers with two first round NBA draft picks? We have actual empirical evidence that he is a massive failure as a Division I head basketball coach.

 

[Orangezoo]

I genuinely hope you are right.

But the information that has trickled out certainly paints an alarming picture of behind-the-scenes in-fighting and dysfunction.

And coupled with the multitude of key positions that are open -- Chancellor, AD, MBHC -- this situation seems unfavorably timed.

For hoops, the program is in a precarious spot. Getting the hire wrong a second time, after allowing the iconic head coach to drive the program into the ground by hanging around too long, would be a significant problem for a frustrated fanbase.

And it would also be problematic with conference realignment looming.

Agree that it isn't life or death. But to the passionate members of the fanbase / alums, this is unwelcome news that makes an already uncertain future even more uncertain.

Maybe the biggest issue is a lack of anything leaking out that points to a compromise to maximize funding and ensure priorities are in order while not resulting in certain factions being unwilling to support certain sports.

In addition- things like could a home run assistant AD hire be there to ensure Lykes doesn’t make the same screw ups she did at Pitt if she is the choice and ensure the two primary revenue driving sports have everything they need including collaboration around NIL. The assistant AD needs to also be someone who can have a strong voice and help as we enter the madness of the GOR coming to an end etc.

The blind spots are the issue and nothing much yet being shared reassures on that front.

 

[powdersmack]

This is the better question to ask. She was, without question, fully vetted. She was given dual titles - Special Advisor to the AD and, more importantly, Special Advisor to the Chancellor. There was intent in doing so.

And was still hired, which maybe more than anything else shows how FUBAR things on the hill truly are.

 

[cuseman404]

Hey that’s me! lol

 

[BomberOrange]

This thread has become a mess. It isn’t this bad folks

I kind of get that feeling as well. I can’t see the BoT screwing up these decisions by hiring Hop and Lyke. There’s too much at stake financially.

 

[sufan59]

red trying his very best on this orange nation interview, but it aint there

He’s mentally moved on in his mindset. He’s the head coach of this team still, but mentally it feels like he has moved on from being the head coach of the Syracuse men’s basketball program.

 

[FrancoPizza]

yea unfortunately the JW ship has sailed. We've got a new chancellor who probably wants their own person.

Not asking for 4 years - but several more months of service would buy time and might separate the AD decision from the current political mess.

 

[Franz69]

It’s not even necessarily those 2…nor just Lyke/NC. One of the most important pieces of the decision making process has been in Milan. Everyone watches too much Game of Thrones. This isn’t Winterfell and the Red Keep

So Tirico has a big say?

 

[007]

So Tirico has a big say?

I believe he is on both the Chancellor and AD search committees. He is the Vice Chair of the voting BoT. He is kind of a big deal in all of this.

 

[FrancoPizza]

It’s one of those where you freak out about how bad things could’ve been, but reality is this wouldn’t get picked up by Bravo or E network and even that has a bit of stageness to it

Why downplay this disaster vis a vis comparison to the Titanic or Enron? It's not apples to apples. They are all disasters in their own sphere.

 

[littlereg]

None of the discussed candidates are. That’s my whole point. . That’s why I am not limiting myself to one of them until the process plays out.

And not JAB. I’m a Roy Danforth guy DA.

Yeah sometimes these conversations can definitely get muddied because of how much information and different people we are talking about. I’d love Hodgson but he’s definitely not the only option like you say. I was one of the ones early on saying I’d take a look at Shaheen Holloway.

 

[Fly Rodder]

I believe he is on both the Chancellor and AD search committees. He is the Vice Chair of the voting BoT. He is kind of a big deal in all of this.

Hard to believe sometimes that its the same Mike who was the WTVH sportscaster of my youth. Nothing but the utmost respect for Mike. He loves Syracuse.

 

[oldpinepoint]

 

[Cusefan78]

I’m amazed at how long our program has been in the doldrums and the path we took to get here. The bright side is that all it takes to right the ship is selecting the right coach who can recruit and COACH.

We will lose a lot of players in the coming months, we have no ‘26 recruits, and Syracuse is not an attractive destination. A respected coach who can attract talent, keep talent (Kiyan, White, Freeman) and bring talent with him is very important.

I don't think you try to keep freeman, he is not the player that we thought he would be. I think they go after Kyle, kingz and Anthony, and white. hit the portal hard for everything else.

 

[Fly Rodder]

This thread has become a mess. It isn’t this bad folks

Absent knowledge, it's natural for people to extrapolate from what they do know. Which is most of this thread. But these are really important hires for a small private school in upstate NY with a once very successful sports program combined with an NCAA ecosystem with seismic changes occurring. We all want SU to be the best that it can be.

There are folks whose info I trust and some I take with a grain of salt. I am 100% certain there are those who get things only from people with limited involvement and highly colored by their own personal opinions.

 

[sufan59]

 

[sufan59]

It’s got to be Hodgson.

 

[Fly Rodder]

I can’t see the BoT screwing up these decisions by hiring Hop and Lyke. There’s too much at stake financially.

But recent history doesn't suggest that it can't happen. Syracuse was flying high when the sanctions came down in 2014 and then all hell broke loose. There was a ton of moving parts and people getting out when they could - ultimately leaving JAB the most senior guy on the hill, which worked out about as well I expected despite some serious opinions on here everything would be just fine.

Lots of moving parts now, too.

 

[sufan59]

This deal looks like and feels like a trap for the program. You can get all of this money, but you have to hire a coach that wouldn’t get a power conference head coaching job anywhere else in 2026. It’s wrong. Hodgson is the right thing and logical thing to do. I don’t know if he’ll be successful, I’m confident he will. But still this is the right hire, it’s makes too much damn sense. What am I missing here.