I never want to hear about being consistently top 20 ever again…

[orangecuse]

In fairness, his other option in that moment was to undercut his HoF head coach to Axe (of all people). We all knew SU was headed for a mediocre-at-best season in December, and were very likely not a tourney team. Pouring gas on that fire is not what an AD is going to do.

Nah. IMO, if he was a true/better leader, and not a path of least resistant type, he could have easily stated; JB is a Hall of Fame coach, and has had a tremendous amount of success here, and I respect him immensely. However, Syracuse University is about competing for conference regular season and tournament championships, being annually ranked in the Top 25, and getting the highest possible seed in the Dance. And, ultimately, competing for national titles...or along those lines.

Folks at higher level positions discuss critical viewpoints, decisions, etc. all the time and are often not always completely on the same page. It's hardly pouring gas on the fire. Besides, ADJW is/was a superior of JB's, and as such, should've walked the walk accordingly. IMO, ADJW seemingly rolled more so as an admirer and fanboy of JB than his superior.

Not to mention, if folks here can but together rather easily actuarial data that supports how being a top 16 seed fares in relation to FF's, winning championships, etc., he should know this data as well like the back of his hand. And, as such, should never place himself in such a position to make him appear so foolish.

 

[storange]

I’m sure many here are too young to remember but in the late 80s early 90s the JB critics just went on and on how all that matters is the tourney and that’s why JB was inadequate. Fast forward to his last years in the tourney when we went in as high seed and made runs. We heard the opposite. Somebody is always unhappy unless you supported UCLA in the 70s. ( Yes I remember 87, but that was the exception back then)

 

[orangecuse]

I’m sure many here are too young to remember but in the late 80s early 90s the JB critics just went on and on how all that matters is the tourney and that’s why JB was inadequate. Fast forward to his last years in the tourney when we went in as high seed and made runs. We heard the opposite. Somebody is always unhappy unless you supported UCLA in the 70s. ( Yes I remember 87, but that was the exception back then)

I'm old enough, 80's yes, 90's not so much. The '87 result kind of ended that MO from, not only the locals, but the local print media as well. I can recall the "Monkey off JB's back" type moniker in print after the '87 FF run in the Post Standard or the Herald Journal afterwards.

Losing that 2nd round game in the Dome to Navy in Pearl's junior/final year brought out a lot of disappointment and angst. The JB can recruit but can't coach sentiment was alive and well then, and again, prior to '87, but '87 really changed that general sentiment. And, just two year's later we lost that heartbreak game against the Fighting Ilini in the Elite Eight, which was right there for the taking and another trip back to the FF under JB.

 

[Scooch]

Nah. IMO, if he was a true/better leader, and not a path of least resistant type, he could have easily stated; JB is a Hall of Fame coach, and has had a tremendous amount of success here, and I respect him immensely. However, Syracuse University is about competing for conference regular season and tournament championships, being annually ranked in the Top 25, and getting the highest possible seed in the Dance. And, ultimately, competing for national titles...or along those lines.

Folks at higher level positions discuss critical viewpoints, decisions, etc. all the time and are often not always completely on the same page. It's hardly pouring gas on the fire. Besides, ADJW is/was a superior of JB's, and as such, should've walked the walk accordingly. IMO, ADJW seemingly rolled more so as an admirer and fanboy of JB than his superior.

Not to mention, if folks here can but together rather easily actuarial data that supports how being a top 16 seed fares in relation to FF's, winning championships, etc., he should know this data as well like the back of his hand. And, as such, should never place himself in such a position to make him appear so foolish.

JB is no longer the coach. I'd say JW very much acted like his superior when push came to shove.

Undercutting him in an interview with Axe in December would not have been productive.

 

[M2MPrinciples]

JB is no longer the coach. I'd say JW very much acted like his superior when push came to shove.

Undercutting him in an interview with Axe in December would not have been productive.

Defending him didn't seem to work out very well.