John Wildhack joins Orange Nation today at 12:15

[Scooch]

I think if Autry came into next November with the #1 HS Recruiting class and #1 Portal class alot of the fanbase would still be upset. Wasting all that talent and another year squandered would be the response, etc

Simply put the fanbase that is still paying attention will not trust anything that is talked about from anyone anyway until we win games.

Then the fanbase that disengaged long ago or earlier this season will probably not pay attention to anything anyway until something gives them reason to. That probably means winning some big games or even the tourney or maybe if Carmelo starts hanging out at games.

See, now I think this isn't true. If we freakin' crush the portal and have a top flight roster on paper heading into the season I think there will be some enthusiasm. Of course there will be some hesitation as well. But on balance there will be interest.

However, if we have a portal class that's similar to last season... if we hear the same lame excuses about how and why we whiffed on our top targets... then yeah I think interest will be at an all-time low.

 

[Fly Rodder]

I mean, I kind of hate to say it, but it would. And would be significant improvement over JB's last 2 yrs

It would be but what has me skeptical was some of the rumors going around that Melo and Kiyan are planning on two years here and Melo helping with NIL for those two years ... after that I don't know.

So if we scrape by for a year by throwing money at the problem and that money goes away ...

 

[NineOneSeven]

Those comments align with what most of us were expecting, at least thinking about it rationally and realistically. I don’t have a problem with how he phrased any of it. Again, it’s what I expected, it’s what I’ve been telling friends that have asked me about Autry’s future for months now, and it is an answer.

Of course he can’t put specifics to it (total wins, seed, etc). “He needs to tell us what NET ranking is acceptable or else Red’s gone!” Not going to happen.

That’s that.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Going forward with him as the coach is literally still having that train of thought that’s what you somehow fail to realize. I was 7 when it was 2004 and barely knew what cheetos were so I’m not acting like it’s 2004 at all lmao im just not babying everyone involved and being complacent like the yes men surrounding the program and fanbase.

I was using 2004 as an analogy as to when Cuse was rolling, you can't compare to what decisions SU is making now with what's happened the last 4 years versus SU in its prime. No one's being complacent, it's been clear for months now the BOT and Admin wanted to give Red a 3rd year, a majority wanted us to move on but it's not happening, so we have to hope Red turns it around or we'll be discussing who the new HC will be this time next year.

 

[Chip]

I'd be shocked if he was back without a tourney appearance, Wildhack's been pretty clear on what he means, see Dino Babers.

And even with Dino he left himself a little wiggle room. People thought if he made a bowl game he was safe. He wasn't.

Like it or not, he's giving Red and Kline a full offseason and season to fix it. If they don't, then next year is the last year. And don't everyone worry, it can still be turned around quickly in college basketball.

It should be one of the more interesting offseasons we've ever had. I hope we don't look back in a year and realize we just wasted time. But it's hard to argue with anyone that thinks that will be the case.

 

[kcsu]

Yup this was going to be the outcome as I noted. Do like that he was adamant about expectations and getting this fixed, confirms what I was told, Tourney or gone.

Not really. He left the door open. He didnt specifically say make the tournament. He said be playing meaningful games in March. Very big difference. If Red does well next year is a bubble team but doesn't get in I fully expect SU to save the buyout money and keep him for a fourth season.

 

[JeremyCuse]

Not really. He left the door open. He didnt specifically say make the tournament. He said be playing meaningful games in March. Very big difference. If Red does well next year is a bubble team but doesn't get in I fully expect SU to save the buyout money and keep him for a fourth season.

Red's not coming back because of his contract, his buyout is almost non-existent.

 

[NKR1978]

Personally I don't think that'd be enough. Seems like you're suggesting we'd be an #11 seed and in the play-in game. That strikes me as similar to Dino going 6-6 and making a bowl in his last year.

I really think Red needs to sail comfortably into the tourney or he's gonzo.

Dino going 5-7, 6-0 to 7-5, 4-0 to 6-7 - showed that we were stalled. And as mediocre as Dino was, at least some of the games were exciting and the team looked very good in several games. Dino could just never get depth and we fell apart after the inevitable key injuries. And we stepped on our d**** in big games (pick 6 against ND).

Red going 20 wins! no tournament, 12-20, 21-14 with a First Four is improvement and the people at SU who care more about JB's legacy (or whatever) than they do about having fans will point to that as success.

Red is not suitable for this role and he was the #2 watching the program fall off a cliff, so I don't think he's even suited for the Assoc. Head Coach role, so the chances are low that we make the tournament and we just have to deal with his incompetence for one more year.

 

[kcsu]

did he actually say tourney or gone?

no

 

[JeremyCuse]

And even with Dino he left himself a little wiggle room. People thought if he made a bowl game he was safe. He wasn't.

Like it or not, he's giving Red and Kline a full offseason and season to fix it. If they don't, then next year is the last year. And don't everyone worry, it can still be turned around quickly in college basketball.

It should be one of the more interesting offseasons we've ever had. I hope we don't look back in a year and realize we just wasted time. But it's hard to argue with anyone that thinks that will be the case.

Yup, you pretty much nailed it.

I do agree with others that ultimatums rarely work for coaches struggling but it is what it is at this point. Red has a very difficult task in front of him and a very slim margin of error.

 

[MSOrange]

Not really. He left the door open. He didnt specifically say make the tournament. He said be playing meaningful games in March. Very big difference. If Red does well next year is a bubble team but doesn't get in I fully expect SU to save the buyout money and keep him for a fourth season.

Thanks for going on the record, so we know what won't happen.

 

[kcsu]

Then why are people saying a bubble team that is one-and-done in the NCAA Tournament wouldn't be good enough?

Because that is what they want not what he said

 

[orange79]

A la the Dino ultimatum, I’ll venture to say that if we don’t make the NCAAs next season Red will be gone.

Exactly how I interpreted that. Particularly the statement, "we expect our performance to be significantly, significantly better next year. We need to fix this.”

 

[ar inj]

Yup this was going to be the outcome as I noted. Do like that he was adamant about expectations and getting this fixed, confirms what I was told, Tourney or gone.

Confirms exactly what I was told when he was hired. I just do not think anyone thought it would be this bad or the obvious and clear signs that given the coaching next year will be a long shot to reach the required minimum.

 

[ar inj]

It's entirely possible that Hodgson bides his time for one more year to get a chance at this gig.

It is entirely possible and more likely that next year's Hodgson will be available next year.

 

[kingtidge]

It is entirely possible and more likely that next year's Hodgson will be available next year.

Just hire Langel from Colgate... Got it.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Red's not coming back because of his contract, his buyout is almost non-existent.

Then what?

 

[Sbucketball]

Syracuse has had a Net Negative in the portal. Outgoing talent always exceeds incoming talent. We'll see if SU breaks the cycle this year. Honestly would be very tough to decrease the talent from the current roster.

 

[Millhouse]

Hard to read his comments as having full support. Wildhack essentially said win a lot more games or your fired

Which totally negates the supposed benefit of the long contract in combating negative recruiting

It's all so stupid, that story never made sense

 

[Knicks411]

Those comments align with what most of us were expecting, at least thinking about it rationally and realistically. I don’t have a problem with how he phrased any of it. Again, it’s what I expected, it’s what I’ve been telling friends that have asked me about Autry’s future for months now, and it is an answer.

Of course he can’t put specifics to it (total wins, seed, etc). “He needs to tell us what NET ranking is acceptable or else Red’s gone!” Not going to happen.

That’s that.

Agree but how awesome would it be if he came out and said if we arent top 25 in the net AND ken pom next year Red is gone.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

re the Dino comparisons

Red isn't some dude from Hawaii. He is an SU guy. It will be harder to pull the plug if he goes 20-15 with a First Four exit. Even if JW wants to move on, people above him may not. Additionally Dino wasn't a JW hire. That too makes a difference. Easier to cut the cord.

 

[RF2044]

re the Dino comparisons

Red isn't some dude from Hawaii. He is an SU guy. It will be harder to pull the plug if he goes 20-15 with a First Four exit. Even if JW wants to move on, people above him may not. Additionally Dino wasn't a JW hire. That too makes a difference. Easier to cut the cord.

Probably.

But I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the outcome "saving" Red's job being a 15-loss season.

Or that being the 12th consecutive year that our program will post double-digit losses.

Or 11 out of 12 of those years having 12+ losses.

Or 9 out of those 12 having 14+ losses.

 

[BillSU]

and we are sure Wildhack is a good AD?

He hired Fran, that worked out very well for Syracuse University and remade the Dome - yeah I'd say he's a very good AD.

 

[orange79]

I think some people in this thread are not drawing the distinction between what John said publicly and what he may have said privately to Red. I have no inside info, but if he is the kind of manager I think he is, I'm sure he would have provided Red with clear benchmarks as to what has to happen next year.

 

[shu 49]

He isn't going to get anyone good in the portal, who will take the chance of having their future career screwed up,

by an incompetent coach like Red.

Now I think we just cost ourselves more money in portal guys cause they ain’t coming here unless they get paid more than somewhere else.