Make the change now

[MamesJungro]

Axe mentioned on his pod after the game that he's had multiple ACC coaches tell him that SU has top-5-in-the-league talent.

Everyone agreed this summer that talent was not an excuse this season, as it was last year.

College players are inconsistent, and sometimes nothing a coach can do will avoid a player-driven loss. But this team is underachieving at a historic level by SU hoops standards.

Somehow JB dragged the 2019 team to the tourney. A team with a rotation of Battle, Hughes, Brissett, Howard, (freshman) Buddy, Dolezaj and Chukwu. A team that was 257th in the country in scoring and 287th in rebounding. Tell me the pure talent on that team was dramatically better than this one.

cmon now that team had four guys who at least got a cup on coffee in the NBA. Who plays in the NBA off of this team? Donnie and maybe Sadiq and Kyian?

 

[Millhouse]

That’s besides the point. This is a business you can’t be worried about his feelings. He has made a lot of money the past few years. That’s the compensation. He needs to be relived to send a message that this is big time basketball and mediocrity is not acceptable here.

Well yeah I agree. Even if he was great, I don't care as it applies here

 

[RF2044]

I think you can turn around a basketball program in about an hour in this era. And I don't think we'll go cheap, we didn't seem to with football coaches (I assume the new assistants are being paid really well, otherwise they had better options).

I do wonder how much player money we'll have and what businesses are stepping up to cover that. Maybe the new coach will energize them to find their checkbooks.

This program's success is going be based on a delicate balance between getting the right kind of coach from an X's & O's perspective, and having the right kind of recruiting from an NIL perspective to get the players to execute it.

I also think that the new guy shouldn't have to worry about Coach Boeheim still lingering over the program. Not sure if that's still a thing, but last I knew he still had a job and an office in the building.

I also think that whether JB is "in the building" or not, it will help to have him "once-removed" from the program. We need that separation.

And for the record, I have zero issues with him attending games, sitting in a luxury box somewhere, occassionally giving interviews, etc. He should be focused on his fundraising role, and his broadcasting career at this point. His spectre looming over the program isn't as big now as it has been.

 

[albanycuse]

It was weird to spend hundreds of millions of $$$ on the Dome and other facilities if they don’t care about sports.

Then hire a Temu head coach. Makes no sense.

 

[Trueblue25]

He deserves…..


He deserves to at least…


Do you guys forget how much hes paid? Get him out of here, and whoever argues he should stay a moment more should go too

 

[littlereg]

excuse after excuse for every single thing gone wrong year after year for the last decade or so from the same lame duck posters who would rather coddle and baby their precious school and people within the program instead of calling it out it is. Too worried about all of that and not hurting peoples feelings instead winning and being A good program. too much complacency an conservativism surrounds the program that would rather coast and make their coin instead of that.

 

[Cusefan78]

He deserves…..


He deserves to at least…


Do you guys forget how much hes paid? Get him out of here, and whoever argues he should stay a moment more should go too

amen

 

[Consigliere]

Red as HC: 46-38 (21-25 in conference)

2023-24 Final KenPom Ranking: 80
2024-25: 115
Current: 71

"Competitive" is doing a LOT of heavy lifting in your post.

BTW, he was also on staff during our slide previous to his HC tenure.

I get that SU is probably waiting until the end of the season, but it's not outrageous to think that he should be let go by next week.

Would consider five of our seven losses as being competitive, no? My point has nothing to do with overall record.
What is outrageous is thinking that plugging an interim coach in for 12 games serves any purpose other than placating the rabble. Potential replacement candidates are already being evaluated and other than an NBA assistant, media member or out of work college coach won’t be interviewed until after the season.

 

[Sbucketball]

Would consider five of our seven losses as being competitive, no? My point has nothing to do with overall record.
What is outrageous is thinking that plugging an interim coach in for 12 games serves any purpose other than placating the rabble. Potential replacement candidates are already being evaluated and other than an NBA assistant, media member or out of work college coach won’t be interviewed until after the season.

You're telling me JW won't interview college coaches until after the season is over? I have a hard time believing that. The portal is open for a short window starting the day after the national championship game. Unless we want to write off next year, we need our coach well before then.

He's absolutely interviewing coaches now. If not, he's not doing his job.

 

[Consigliere]

You're telling me JW won't interview college coaches until after the season is over? I have a hard time believing that. The portal is open for a short window starting the day after the national championship game. Unless we want to write off next year, we need our coach well before then.

He's absolutely interviewing coaches now. If not, he's not doing his job.

Maybe. I just don’t see a successful college coach interviewing for another job until his current team’s regular season is complete.
I am sure Wildhack is talking to agents and doing due diligence on potential successors, he would be doing that regardless, but am not sure that extends to flying candidates in for a sit down interview.

 

[DilemaCuse]

Flashback to March 2017, Hopkins leaves for UW, JB extended.

I remember some poster ominously saying this will not end well. I kinda shrugged it off and figured everything will go fine, but boy oh boy, looking back now, we have wasted how many years?? 3 from Red a few from JB. I cant dismiss the tourney appearance years but man its been rough. Back then we were clowning Uconn, how silly does that look now.

 

[Fly Rodder]

cmon now that team had four guys who at least got a cup on coffee in the NBA. Who plays in the NBA off of this team? Donnie and maybe Sadiq and Kyian?

In some alternate reality, I'd like to see Kyle as an NBA defensive sub, but even there it's probably very unlikely.

Kiyan has a long way to go to sniff the NBA. Sadiq has the athleticism, but not the game.

 

[Archbold44]

I'm talking early to mid 80s when the Big East was in its infancy and needed to take whatever TV spots they could get. I was 11-14 years old, watching on volume level 1 on an old b&w TV in my room with the lights off so my parents wouldn't know I was still up. WTTG channel 5 (Washington DC) before Fox was a thing Mike Gorman, Len Berman, Bill Raftery, et al.
There was at least one every week, which i always watched. Obviously, not always SU, but not infrequently either.

Plus, they would use the 7 p.m. game to promote the 9 p.m. game. How many BE fans stuck around to watch the start of our 9 p.m. games?

 

[elimunelson]

He deserves…..


He deserves to at least…


Do you guys forget how much hes paid? Get him out of here, and whoever argues he should stay a moment more should go too

Agreed. It’s a pro sport

You are doing him a favor before this gets out of hand. He will be paid out.

To talk about kid gloves is funny. Program is in the gutter and we are worried about how we treat the guy who can’t coach a lick.

 

[Archbold44]

Penn State fired Franklin early and ended up barely getting a solid coach. Just got a bunch of raises for other coaches on their wish list. I suppose if we want to do that to get other programs to give their coaches raises, that would be the BEST argument to make a move now. Make other programs use up resources.

They also had to deal with the interim coach (alum, I believe) going 4-4, winning a bowl game, and becoming a bit of a fan/player favorite. They ended up having to keep him on the staff with the new coach.

What if that happens here? Fire Autry... Griffin takes over... and the team looks better than they have all year... solid improvement, but not quite enough to make the Big Dance. Wins an ACC tourney game though. And then wins a few NIT games for good measure. Now that clean transition is not so clean.

The better move is to wait until there is clear certainty that there is not enough time for even an interim to show anything. Announce he is not being retained... let him finish out the year. Barring scandal, there is no reason to fire a coach with his much season left.

 

[grepal]

do not make a change now. If a change is coming wait until the season ends. Who is out there on an interim basis you would hire and if I understand correctly any player can quit if a change occurs. Only way one should change mid season should be due to a scandalous situation.

 

[Archbold44]

Agreed. It’s a pro sport

You are doing him a favor before this gets out of hand. He will be paid out.

To talk about kid gloves is funny. Program is in the gutter and we are worried about how we treat the guy who can’t coach a lick.

Players are pros, but they are not on multi-year contracts. And, in this case, no point in getting used to teammates or even trying to please the lame duck coaches. No real incentive not to do anything other than play selfishly to show off what they can do. Also, they probably do not have the periodic expenses that us regular folk have. If they get benched, they are not getting their home foreclosed on. Most fans put up with a lot at work because we have to pay the bills coming due next month.

 

[2B20Again]

That’s besides the point. This is a business you can’t be worried about his feelings. He has made a lot of money the past few years. That’s the compensation. He needs to be relived to send a message that this is big time basketball and mediocrity is not acceptable here. I think that was very well written. And mostly on point, mostly. Only part I have issue with is this is big time basketball. It was, it no longer is big time basketball. What it takes to compete today is total commitment something SU has never done and doubt they ever will. There are dozens of examples but you know them all. Go back Ben and Biggie Munn, Mel
Eggers, Buzz Shaw. No real support from Administration or BOT. Roy Dangorth, it doesn’t matter. No real support. When Jim B was coach first 10/12 year recruiting was keep to driving distance. The Administration’s and BOT’ mantra was be adequate, every few years get lucky. If you fast forward, look at last years team, no
Funding. 14 win season. I believe this year
The budget was larger but not large enough. The new GM did an excellent job but again budget to the extent need not there. Oí know little about the universities finances, maybe they are doing all they can. But knowing SU overall attitude towards athletic programs I doubt it. Well my rant is over. After my rambling, I guess, I’m not qualified enough to say Red is a horrible coach, he’s a new head coach whom cares. That’s probably not enough to continue, but I still feel he doesn’t get enough support. Same could have been said of Jim B. Did he break rules yes. Same as 90% of other schools he got caught. So it goes. I could contine but at my age it’s tiring. Peace

 

[elimunelson]

do not make a change now. If a change is coming wait until the season ends. Who is out there on an interim basis you would hire and if I understand correctly any player can quit if a change occurs. Only way one should change mid season should be due to a scandalous situation.

Maybe a bench coach can instill a new offense that isn’t dribble dribble dribble into the corner turnover offense .

Worth a free option to look no? Red is dead man walking so it’s not helping anyone to continue this death march

 

[2B20Again]

Im not convinced the University cares about sports and spending money on the programs. They need to overhaul their whole mindset.

. you just said a few words that took me forever and not say as well. Congrats

 

[2B20Again]

Maybe a bench coach can instill a new offense that isn’t dribble dribble dribble into the corner turnover offense .

Worth a free option to look no? Red is dead man walking so it’s not helping anyone to continue this death march. The coach is t dribbling

 

[Bill Orange]

Maybe. I just don’t see a successful college coach interviewing for another job until his current team’s regular season is complete.
I am sure Wildhack is talking to agents and doing due diligence on potential successors, he would be doing that regardless, but am not sure that extends to flying candidates in for a sit down interview.

Bill Frieder leaving Michigan for Arizona State in 1989 comes to mind.

Worked out well for Blue as Steve Fisher won it all.

 

[RF2044]

do not make a change now. If a change is coming wait until the season ends. Who is out there on an interim basis you would hire and if I understand correctly any player can quit if a change occurs. Only way one should change mid season should be due to a scandalous situation.

Agreed. Plus, I am not confident that anyone on the staff is capable of being an interim HC. Englested, maybe? So letting him go serves no purpose.

Also, he's a program legend, no need to embarras him more than how things are turning out anyway.

 

[DilemaCuse]

do not make a change now. If a change is coming wait until the season ends. Who is out there on an interim basis you would hire and if I understand correctly any player can quit if a change occurs. Only way one should change mid season should be due to a scandalous situation.

Its not hiring someone new, its just giving an interim audition if you even want to call it that to Englestadt. He would really just be the sacrificial lamb to finish out the season unless they caught lightning in a bottle, but that's unlikely.

Coaches get fired midseason all the time in football now and although more rare for bball it has happened. I'm not quite there since the record is sort of respectable and not Kenny Paynesque but its getting harder to continue to justify holding off.

 

[Sbucketball]

Maybe. I just don’t see a successful college coach interviewing for another job until his current team’s regular season is complete.
I am sure Wildhack is talking to agents and doing due diligence on potential successors, he would be doing that regardless, but am not sure that extends to flying candidates in for a sit down interview.

Coaches put on an act that they're only focused on their season because that's what's expected and because the team/fans would turn on them if honest about taking interviews. They spend time in-season thinking about their career. It hardly takes any time in 2026 -- easy enough to have a few virtual Teams interviews during the season. Flying in is the final act if they need to assess facilities and want to physically meet and shake hands, but at that point, for a high profile job like Syracuse, the decision is probably already pretty much made by all parties.