Mike Hopkins to the Phoenix Suns

[hoopsupstate]

Someone like Oats was available and 120 miles from us just a couple years ago. It probably would’ve been scoffed at around here if we hired him if there was an opening. It’s as if we don’t get Jay Wright we’re stuck with Gmac and there is no middle ground and it’s absurd.

He’s an arrogant SOB. No thank you and SU would never hire him.

 

[RF2044]

RF - don’t hold back, man!!
Tell us how you really feel!

I am 144% in agreement with you.

We should NOT artificially constrain our future coaching search solely to people who once played for JB at Cuse.

IF we were in the Top 25 in the regular, contending for ACC championships and protected seeds more often than not (like Dook & UNC typically do) -
then YES! -
a continuity hire makes all the sense in the world.

But we aren’t.
So it doesn’t.

2 things I’m pretty sure of:
Guys like Hop, Red, Hart, GMac - will likely all be part of the initial list.
At least an equal number (ideally more) of NON-Syracuse guys will/should also be considered.

If that 2nd part doesn’t happen, ADJW is committing malfeasance.

Amen.

 

[Cuse181]

He actually wasn't a joke with the Browns. He took them to the playoffs and in his 3rd season after a sizable roster retool. He had a great staff under him and a solid front office. The problem was the owner who sabotaged the 1995 season to cover his own failures in business and ownership.

Then it’s a moot comparison

 

[PoppyHart]

Hiring former coaches from Xavier and Butler have been smart decisions for the past 20+ years. The program needs resuscitation and rejuvenation, not just being kept on a ventilator.

 

[DilemaCuse]

Also, the slippage we're seeing in program performance isn't just on JB, it's also on this group of assistant coaches. I get the impression that a lot of fans posting here don't watch much college basketball outside of Syracuse games. When you do, you'll see top 25 programs that execute well on offense, pass the ball well, don't treat rebounding as optional, have solid post play, etc. etc. etc. What's becoming increasingly clear to me is that this group of coaches doesn't excel at teaching the game, or at recruiting. That's why we've become one-dimensional and unathletic.

It is highly unrealistic to expect this to change when JB steps away if one of these two gets promoted. If these guys were good at teaching, then we'd see better execution on the court. Look at how Villanova passes the ball, and look at how we resort to iso play with a group of personnel that are poorly suited for it. Do those two offenses look remotely similar?

The two guys on the bench are not qualified to take over. Neither is Hopkins. If we anonymized Hopkins's name and listed out how the past three years have unfolded record-wise, it would be absurd to think of that guy as a candidate.

I'm very disappointed that a segment of the board has allowed their expectations for the program to slip so low. We aren't even a top 25 team anymore. We aren't anywhere close to competing for national championships. Outside of a couple of improbable sweet 16 runs, this has been an extended decline that has lasted for several years. The way to stop that decline is not to bring in unqualified candidates. It is to bring in someone with a proven track record of head coaching success, who can infuse the program with new energy and new ideas for how to play on both sides of the ball.

Again, I'm not sure what point I'm missing. The further JB allows the program to slip, the less influence over the eventual hire he is going to have. That's the flaw I see in your conclusion.

This post sums it up perfectly. They are not recruiting anywhere close to the best like Duke and UK and they are not retaining and developing players like how Few, Beilien, Tony Bennet, Jay Wright etc would or have shown. My gut tells me, if it wasn't for those unexpected tournament wins that got them to the 2nd weekend and the Sweet 16, people would be seeing the decline much more clearly.

 

[Cuse_NYC]

This post sums it up perfectly. They are not recruiting anywhere close to the best like Duke and UK and they are not retaining and developing players like how Few, Beilien, Tony Bennet, Jay Wright etc would or have shown. My gut tells me, if it wasn't for those unexpected tournament wins that got them to the 2nd weekend and the Sweet 16, people would be seeing the decline much more clearly.

Think Tony B may have seen his best days…

 

[Day2]

JB earned the right to coach his sons and retire whenever he wants. He did not earn the right to name his replacement.

 

[HoustonCuse]

First, I'm not mad -- I'm just at a loss to understand how people watching our team underachieve / decline for an extended period of time can honestly, genuinely believe that the way out of the rut is to choose between two guys who are not only part of the reason we aren't performing at a high level, and who combined have ZERO offers over their combined 40+ years of assistant coaching to become a head coach anywhere.

Second, in actuality, an in house hire would be the MOST risky option for JW, because it would almost assure that the decline would continue.

You know the best way to avoid that outcome? Do due diligence, and hire the best candidate available to us instead of artificially constraining ourselves to subpar [putting it mildly] options.

RF, my brother. You keep acting like I think it is a good idea or I'm advocating for it. I am simply saying that I don't think JW will go outside, that's all.

 

[kirbivore]

What point exactly am I missing? That some of you believe that the hire has to be an in-house candidate, because JB casts a big shadow?

I just don't agree with the notion that JB is going to hand-pick his successor, or that the AD is going to limit himself to the in-house candidates, because it would be foolish to do so.

I understand your logic. But the on-court results DO NOT warrant a continuity hire. And as we slip further into mediocrity [this year isn't looking like an NCAA caliber team], I expect that the AD will have even less incentive to maintain a subpar status quo. JB has already approached the AD with a proposal to set up another coach in waiting arrangement, and was politely [and quietly] declined.

We're nowhere close to where UNC was in the post Dean years, with the heels going with the long time assistant Guthridge coming off consecutive FF's in 1997 and 1998.

 

[rrlbees]

JB earned the right to coach his sons and retire whenever he wants. He did not earn the right to name his replacement.

Nobody has ever said he was going to name his replacement. That’s just another board talking point for some so that they can complain.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

I think one factor that may affect the eventusl HC decision or candidates is how much JB will be around the program.

If JB retires, moves to Miami, or he moves to where his kids land their jobs to be close to his grand kids, that's one thing.

If after JB retires, and the school retains him as a "coach emeritus", with the new coach feeling obligated to get his blessing on things, consult with him on big decisions, and with JB regularly attending fund raiser events, that's another thing altogether.

There are different angles to continuity, and an outside qualified coach who wants to establish his own identity may not want to walk into this situation.

Yeah you can't hire someone too 'nice' if the legend is still around the program. Even if not. I think Oats is probably the best fit you will get personality-wise. As long as the contract isn't crazy long you can't go wrong if he agrees.

I don't think JB is moving to Miami but I do think he'll take his turn calling games. Calhoun and Knight were very good on the mic after coaching. JB should be ESPN's #1 star color guy. I think we are going to play well the rest of the way not sure what the record will be great first half bad second due to no depth might be a common theme. Its a shame we can't see this team with some help/depth.

 

[SUOrangeSU]

He’s an arrogant SOB. No thank you and SU would never hire him.

Ummm Syracuse will hire him in two secs. JW loves him.

 

[SUOrangeSU]

Guys, JB is not going to be the only and final say. Of course, he will give JW or whoever the AD is input and it will get listened to but the AD will make that decision

 

[OrangeDW]

But when you say names like Mark Few, it’s so absurd that I’m not sure how to calibrate what your opinion is. It’s a fantasy so outside the realm of possibility that it doesn’t bear talking about. I mean Mark Few??? In what world would that ever happen?

Ok.

Popovich would probably be acceptable too, if Few is a no go.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

2 things for sure. 1- Hop can recruit
2- Hop can coach

The proof of the 2nd statement is where? With equal talent, whose team do you take: JB or Hop.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Nobody has ever said he was going to name his replacement. That’s just another board talking point for some so that they can complain.

Every coach of JBs stature has named their replacement. I don't think that expectation/prediction is specific to SU or said complainers on this board.

 

[SWC75]

Fred Lewis begat Roy Danforth who begat Jim Boeheim. Was the program any better back then? Lewis was our last 'outside' hire. of course, that worked, too.

 

[pearl31]

Nobody has ever said he was going to name his replacement. That’s just another board talking point for some so that they can complain.

Well. He won't formally name his replacement, but that doesn't mean he won't be able to force the AD's hand a la Calhoun/ucon

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

I think it's hard to quantify the risks involved for JW. Let's break it down into1, 2 and 3 and thinking how difficult it is to replace a legend. Not easy to replace JAB's body of work, including some good post season results lately but below average (for JAB) regular season results. However, the man has never had a losing regular season record. That is a lot of pressure for someone new. Especially with no Mickey D's on the roster. But if the transfer portal stays as is, then we can take chances with the best fit.

Here are the choices in no particular order

1) An in-house assistant or someone else previously connected to the program. You think it's the riskiest. I think it's the least risky. Reason being that if the losing streak ends, let someone we know be the sacrificial lamb. Like a Matt Doherty was at UNC. AP COY his first season at UNC and then 8-20 his next season. Would JW do that to GMAC or Red. I hope not but unless he pulls a pearl out of an oyster, I think this is what he will do.

2) A successful mid major like King Rice of Monmouth who has done pretty well in the MAAC. A young gun with real solid results. Someone who is looking to get paid and would bring a fresh atmosphere with a lot of energy. This would be the category I would like to choose from. Plus, it gives GMAC and Red an opportunity to go be a head coach somewhere for future hiring purposes.

3) A successful high major. If it's not Oats, what other high major might come here? Would Ed Cooley come here? Kevin Willard (hopefully never offered)? Would the fan base be happy with someone like Fran McCaffery? I'm not convinced a successful high major coach would come here. JW would have to do a major sell with lots of cash. And even then, it's a risky hire. None of those guys have the consistent results that JAB has had. I think this is the riskiest hire. If we pay someone lots of money, they better produce.

You go high risk/high reward because everyone is OK with discarding JBs replacement after 2 years in search of someone better. We might have guys pass on the job not wanting to replace JB but saying 'call me in 2 years if this is open again I might change my mind.'

I think recruiting matters more to fans than our record. If we don't have regular seasons like UNC or Duke or make a final four right away we better bring in burger boys or the fans will want to move on. Big recruits is the only think that will keep the fanbase on someones side if we are on the bubble in a given year. Hopkins recruiting track record is why he should get some consideration despite the implosion at UW. A guy like McCaffery might win but hes not getting the recruits to energize the program and fanbase. Even Cooley doesn't get them at PC he had that one great class with Ledo/Dunn/Joe Young 2/3 of them never dribbling a ball for PC and then nothing similar since.

Gerry or Red are going to recruit at that level if they get the job?

Bland and Hart are better options. Troy Weaver too.


Established coaches of Oats caliber that I offer are:

Oats
Brad Underwood (he might say yes and has peaked there)
Wes Miller
Steve Forbes
Travis Steele
Mick Cronin (he was in the playin game and on thin ice at UCLA before their run)
Tad Boyle
Erik Musselman
Mike White
Will Wade
Mark Pope



Those are guys who say yes. Good track record. Syracuse job would be like going from a Chevy to a Cadillac for most. The type of hire we have to make. I'm sure there are some NBA guys who would be OK but I can't really list them easily.

 

[TexanMark]

That Caddy is starting to get some surface rust. Time for a new one.

I'd love to rebuild with a Syracuse guy but the zone isn't working anymore with the recruits we are getting. Maybe, just maybe a Cuse guy could win but he'll need to change defenses and hire assistants outside the family.

 

[Dcuse]

You go high risk/high reward because everyone is OK with discarding JBs replacement after 2 years in search of someone better. We might have guys pass on the job not wanting to replace JB but saying 'call me in 2 years if this is open again I might change my mind.'

I think recruiting matters more to fans than our record. If we don't have regular seasons like UNC or Duke or make a final four right away we better bring in burger boys or the fans will want to move on. Big recruits is the only think that will keep the fanbase on someones side if we are on the bubble in a given year. Hopkins recruiting track record is why he should get some consideration despite the implosion at UW. A guy like McCaffery might win but hes not getting the recruits to energize the program and fanbase. Even Cooley doesn't get them at PC he had that one great class with Ledo/Dunn/Joe Young 2/3 of them never dribbling a ball for PC and then nothing similar since.

Gerry or Red are going to recruit at that level if they get the job?

Bland and Hart are better options. Troy Weaver too.


Established coaches of Oats caliber that I offer are:

Oats
Brad Underwood (he might say yes and has peaked there)
Wes Miller
Steve Forbes
Travis Steele
Mick Cronin (he was in the playin game and on thin ice at UCLA before their run)
Tad Boyle
Erik Musselman
Mike White
Will Wade
Mark Pope



Those are guys who say yes. Good track record. Syracuse job would be like going from a Chevy to a Cadillac for most. The type of hire we have to make. I'm sure there are some NBA guys who would be OK but I can't really list them easily.

“ Bland and Hart are better options.”

Absolutely Priceless.

 

[Sherman20]

Lol stupid. We are most definitely a top 50
program.

Yea we’re most definitely a top 50 *program*, but we may not be a top 50 team this season. Hopefully we improve but I’m concerned.

 

[wgdsr]

Think Tony B may have seen his best days…

comedy gold here.

 

[Cusefan0307]

Yea we’re most definitely a top 50 program, but we may not be a top 50 team this season. Hopefully we improve but I’m concerned.

The response was about signing players. There’s 23 schools who have signed multiple 4 star players for next year and we are one of them.

 

[RF2044]

Guys, JB is not going to be the only and final say. Of course, he will give JW or whoever the AD is input and it will get listened to but the AD will make that decision

Yup. He might have had more direct input 10 years ago [maybe even 5], but that ship has sailed. You summed it up perfectly.