I have been as cavalier about JB’s job as anyone

[DilemaCuse]

Not in sports, it isn't. The most successful programs have the most loyal fan bases, not ones that boycott the games if they don't like the coach.

Yes and no. For example, take Nebraska and Tennessee football, both loyal fanbases, pack the stadium consistently whether the program is sunshine and rainbows or dark and rainy.

But the difference is if the fans didn't like the coach because of performance, the big money boosters would never accept mediocrity for 8 seasons. They would pool their money for the buyout and chip in for the next coaching hire to then sell that to the fanbase that change will bring hope and wins, etc and the Season Tix remain renewed. Trust me, if they didn't make the sometimes-quick trigger regrettable firings (Solich, Pelini, Fulmer) eventually at year 8 there would be an attendance drop off when they continue to go 7-5 to 5-7, etc.

Coaching changes are PR opportunities for Athletic Directors to sell commitment to winning to drum up interest from the fanbase and sell tickets. JW has nothing to sell when there is a decline and no changes with the head coach or even staff since Mike Hopkins left, hence a decline in attendance naturally comes with it.

 

[orangecuse]

Bingo. Don’t know why it’s so hard for some to recognize that.

Hopefully the fans will rediscover their interest if a new coach can turn things around. My fear is the portal/NIL will make it a lot harder to get invested in particular players. The coaching staff has to be a grand slam home run.

In my view, it's quite simple. In all probability, it has to do with some of these folks 'closeness' to JB/program as it's extremely difficult to be truly objective, etc.

There's an obvious reason why independent witnesses (or the like) carry significantly more weight when testifying than a witness/individual whom is a family member, has ties to the individual, vested interests, etc. of the defendant/subject.

 

[JeremyCuse]

He was struggling holding back tears and on tv looked like he came close to crying. It’s not easy getting old, This is his whole life and it’s extremely emotional when all these things are coming to an end. It’s not just his career it’s his mortality. The whole GTown thing and rivalry stuff and all the remembrances etc…it’s gotta be hard, Big John and Pearl are gone.

I hope he wins this year. The man does not deserve to go out badly..

Ya excellent points about not just his retirement but really looking at it from a mortality standpoint. The original Big East is gone, John Thompson and other coaches of the era have passed (Lou Carneseca is still going strong at 97), Dome has changed significantly, and 90%-95% of the coaches he used to battle with have now retired. It has to be beyond difficult to essentially be "the last one left" from the golden era of your life.

 

[AngryOtto]

I think a lot of fans have been disappointed over the last several years. There has been a decline. However be careful what you wish for. Louisville is a prime example of how bad it can get. Let’s see how the season plays out. JB May retire at the end or give it another year. School will not force him out unless he misses the tournament with multiple losing seasons.