Red #8

[RF2044]

That’s why I said Red needs to kill it in the portal or we will be very questionable next year. The problem with the portal is that everyone is going to go after the studs. I’m not sure we are attractive enough to players or do we have the funds to compete with other schools.

Here's the problem: both of those things that you are indicating needs to happen will be challenges.

We suck, and Red is struggling, so it might be difficult to convince "stud" [using your term] portal transfers to come here. We might have to overpay relative to the market to land guys like that, given the state of our program.

But the problem is, our NIL budget is relatively low. We can't support big spending to land studs, especially when other programs that are more successful will likely be pursuing those same prospects, but with a track record of success and legit NCAA contending aspirations to sell.

And since we'll have to add several prospects -- not just a supplement a stable roster with a player or two -- to just flesh out the roster and have enough guys, we're going to have to spread our $$$ around. Which would be fine if we were good at identifying system fits, and getting guys who fit our system.

But what IS our system? As we saw this year, we added some decent players, but they are warm bodies who don't seem to gel and struggle on both sides of the ball.

So if adding a bunch of portal transfers to "fix" our performance is the approach some are hoping for, it doesn't seem like a viable strategy.

 

[Scooch]

That’s why I said Red needs to kill it in the portal or we will be very questionable next year. The problem with the portal is that everyone is going to go after the studs. I’m not sure we are attractive enough to players or do we have the funds to compete with other schools.

Yup. We need to almost entirely turn the roster over. And Autry will need to replace a lot of minutes of the guys who stay (e.g. Starling). He’s going to need to be a bad cop. Not sure he has that in him.

 

[kingtidge]

But we've slipped a notch. And Red's capabilities [or lack thereof] have been exposed. And I have to wonder if players like Anthony / White and their respective camps are more nervous today than they were in November, when the expectation was that the program / head coach were on the way up.

A notch?

Our target bubble is now making the ACC tournament and not ending the season as one of the 3 worst teams in the league without even a conference tournament post-season.

 

[RF2044]

A notch?

Our target bubble is now making the ACC tournament and not ending the season as one of the 3 worst teams in the league without even a conference tournament post-season.

A notch from last year, which was subpar despite the 20 wins.

Agree with your overall point.

 

[SwagSocks]

I got chastised for saying this a few months ago, but Syracuse really isn’t a marquee job anymore. And apparently we don’t have NIL resources (ala Lville) What coach can we actually bring in here that would turn this around

 

[Cuse4403]

It's utterly amazing Syracuse is going to further drive the basketball program into the ground simply because the current coach previously played and coached here and was able to successfully recruit the program's most loved player's kid.

He's lost control of both of the team's he's coached. We cannot guard whatsoever as individual players or a team. We run nothing that resembles an offense of any quality. Oh, and here are some of the results we've gotten in the 53 games he's coached

Tennessee 56-73
Gonzaga 57-76
Virginia 62-84
Duke 66-86
North Carolina 67-103
Florida St 69-85
Wake Forest 70-99
Clemson 75-90
NC State 65-83
Tennessee 70-96
Maryland 60-87
Wake Forest 71-81
Florida St 74-90
Louisville 61-85
Clemson 72-86

28% of the time an Autry coached team has lost by double digits. What are we doing?

 

[kingtidge]

Yup. No one’s buying season tickets because Melo’s kid is coming here. He and White will be a curiosity for the first few games and that’ll be that. Especially if we’re a .500 (or worse) team again.

We all know Autry is coming back. We’re just left to hope somehow they add $5 million to the NIL fund and buy themselves a new starting 5. Hopefully this offseason we buy guys from Power 5 programs and not the CAA.

Doesn't really matter since Red can't head coach.

I'm not saying that to be mean and I actually like Red as a person and for what he's done for the program as an assistant and as a player.

It's just a fact.

We also have a pretty good history of doubling-down on coaches that should be replaced and not making the tough decisions when we should. It really has consequences.

I cringe to think what happens next year with Kiyan and Team Melo try to do their thing and no one comes to the games.

The bottom floor could unquestionably fall through and we will not have hit rock bottom.

 

[RF2044]

I got chastised for saying this a few months ago, but Syracuse really isn’t a marquee job anymore. And apparently we don’t have NIL resources (ala Lville) What coach can we actually bring in here that would turn this around

We need a coach with a proven track record.

Someone who can come in and implement functional sets on BOTH sides of the ball, and not just roll the ball out like our current coaching staff apparently is limited to. We need to ditch the iso ball on offense, and run a more modern, structured offensive concept. And then recruit players who fit the system, and can execute.

This can still be a marquee job. We are a storied program [although we've slipped to 7th place in all time wins, from 5th place a few short years ago], in a major conference, with the biggest arena in college hoops.

But we're probably going to have to roll the dice on a lower level coach or a younger coach -- but the proven track record is key.

 

[miamicuse]

That’s why I said Red needs to kill it in the portal or we will be very questionable next year. The problem with the portal is that everyone is going to go after the studs. I’m not sure we are attractive enough to players or do we have the funds to compete with other schools.

Red kills it in the portal...IF...but if he can't get them to play hard, to play as a team, to defend, run offense instead of standing around, what good will that do?

 

[miamicuse]

Oh finally we are listed top 10 on something, anything, a refreshing change.

 

[phil77]

I got chastised for saying this a few months ago, but Syracuse really isn’t a marquee job anymore. And apparently we don’t have NIL resources (ala Lville) What coach can we actually bring in here that would turn this around

Fran showed there is money in Syracuse you just have to hustle and sell your vision to the community and investors. Our basketball coach has failed to do that. There is at least enough money to put a competitive product on the court year in and year out. Make the tournament as a decent seed. etc. Now if you are talking about taking the next step for a national title then complain about NIL but you can't complain about NIL when we don't run a basic offense and have no concept of how to play defense.

 

[Sherman20]

He’s not getting fired. Don’t know how many times I have to say this. Why does everyone continue down this road ? Sadiq and Kiyan on slamHS instagram today. 1.6 million people will see that. That stuff matters now these days (fortunately or unfortunately). Kids want to play for Red. His coaching must improve (I know).

He needs to hire better assistant coaches if he wants any chance of surviving. A defensive guru would help but also a young offensive mastermind.

 

[SwagSocks]

Fran should there is money in Syracuse you just have to hustle and sell your vision to the community and investors. Our basketball coach has failed to do that. There is at least enough money to put a competitive product on the court year in and year out. Make the tournament as a decent seed. etc. Now if you are talking about taking the next step for a national title then complain about NIL but you can't complain about NIL when we don't run a basic offense and have no concept of how to play defense.

Well said. The lack of movement on offense is shameful. I watched a little of St Marys/ Santa Clara before our game and the movement from St Marys was on a different level. That is a well-coached team

 

[kingtidge]

He needs to hire better assistant coaches if he wants any chance of surviving. A defensive guru would help but also a young offensive mastermind.

Would a better assistant coach get you to call your 1st timeout earlier than down 22-2 after 9 minutes of play in the 1st half??

It's time to stop pretending Red can be propped up with better assistants, portal recruiting/NIL, and the other excuses some have bandied about on here.

He's not a good head coach.

We know this now.

Accepting the problem is the first step in fixing it.

 

[Bulldog04]

I don’t buy that they are coming just because of Red being the coach.If anything they are probably hoping for his dismissal.

So you think kids go to college to play a sport and don’t care who the coach is? What on earth

 

[albanycuse]

Based on the results or lack there of the majority of us think that Red is definitely not the answer. No matter what players we have coming in we’re always going to be held back because of his inabilities as a HC. He didn’t even think to call a timeout until almost 10 minutes into the game that’s totally unacceptable and a rookie move from someone who’s in over his head. Its sad to see and speaks volumes to us at the same time. First two plays of the last two games, wide open dunk in the middle and an open 3 point shot good for 3 last night.

We play with no intensity and play phantom defense every game. Same mistakes repeated every game. Time to go champ. You’re better off as an assistant. Head coaching isn’t for everybody. Telling us he’s still trying to find the right lineups still and the season is half over is downright ridiculous and something you should know before the season even begins.

 

[Irishsecra1]

I think he gets kids to come because he can relate to them as people and they see him as a friend.
And they look at SU's storied history and playing at the Dome.

Once they get here, though, there is no accountability. No plan to elevate themselves, their teammates and the program. If they win, great. If they don't, well lets try a bit harder next time. There is no blueprint for success. No discipline at all.

This is the fundamental difference between Fran and Red. Both are great recruiters - Fran a bit better.
But Fran had a plan (DART) to get these kids to play their hardest, to practice harder, and to play as a team.
From what I can see, Red's only vision was lets get together, play ball, have fun and win some games.
No accountability at all. Players like Bell can throw temper tantrums with no consequences.

 

[RyanCuse44]

He needs to hire better assistant coaches if he wants any chance of surviving. A defensive guru would help but also a young offensive mastermind.

If he does get a 3rd year, keep Straughn and get rid of the other two, especially the one who recruited Lampkin.

 

[djcon57]

So you think kids go to college to play a sport and don’t care who the coach is? What on earth

How can we reconcile the following arguments (neither of which I'm making, but they are used here frequently)

1) Players want to play for Red
2) We don't have enough money to pay for certain players

Use Leffew as the test case.

What does 1 matter if 2 exists? Why should I care if players want to play for him if they allegedly just go to the highest bidder?

 

[Fly Rodder]

From what has been hinted here Freeman wouldn't be here without Straughn and similar for White. Petar and Fennell are Kline finds. Moore committed before Red was the head coach. Kiyan is a legacy recruit.

All of which has gotten us a sub .500 season and being on the bubble of the ACC Tourney.

If Red has some experience building a program elsewhere with a track record or, as others have posted, he had solid game plans but some talent issues, then I can see being more patient than not. But he's got zero track record and the excuse is that we don't have enough talent, guys he's personally selected and coached, but fans need to trust him to get better talent next season.

 

[FrancoPizza]

So you think kids go to college to play a sport and don’t care who the coach is? What on earth

When bags of money are involved the head coach just needs to be likable. Doubt these h.s. kids are actually squinting beyond that.

 

[Sherman20]

Would a better assistant coach get you to call your 1st timeout earlier than down 22-2 after 9 minutes of play in the 1st half??

It's time to stop pretending Red can be propped up with better assistants, portal recruiting/NIL, and the other excuses some have bandied about on here.

He's not a good head coach.

We know this now.

Accepting the problem is the first step in fixing it.

You don’t have to convince most folks on here. You gotta convince Wildhack, Syverud, the BOT, and the big boosters. Most of us are just poor and suffering fans with no voice or sway in this matter.

 

[CuseMan4]

I don’t think there’s a Syracuse fan that truly believes Red should be back next year. And I’m sure Wildhack’s mind isn’t far from ours. He just has a little more pressure and has to take a little more sensible approach than us. It’s easy to say Red should be gone after this season, which I 100% agree as he is extremely inept as a head coach. Great recruiter but that’s about it. I am sure Wildhack sees this and he’s as big of a Syracuse basketball fan as any of us. He’s a huge fan and always has been even growing up. That being said, he has to look at the financials, he has the chancellor in his ear, alum and former players and coaches. It’s a tough spot to be in and Red has no one to blame but himself. I’m pretty certain Wildhack knows at this point Red isn’t the guy but it’s about timing and when to make the move and realistic candidates for the job that we think we can get. Do we think we would have better candidates this off-season? Or next? What are the years left on possible candidates contracts at their current schools? What are their buyouts? Can we afford their buyouts and Autrys? There’s ALOT of variables

 

[kingtidge]

You don’t have to convince most folks on here. You gotta convince Wildhack, Syverud, the BOT, and the big boosters. Most of us are just poor and suffering fans with no voice or sway in this matter.

Who's to say they are not already convinced??

Realizing the truth is one thing.

Doing something about it, as in terminating the existing coach with buyout after year 2 and hiring/paying a new coach to come in are two separate things.

Many of the ITK's have been saying for a while that the contingency plan was termination after year 4 if needed (nothing sooner.)

That sounds penny-wise and pound-foolish at the moment, but I don't think they thought the wheels could fly off as quickly as they have (which wasn't a smart bet.)

Add on the $20mil kitty they have to come up with the school-funded NIL requirements starting next year and I bet there is already some serious belt-tightening going on.

 

[JustPherU]

So you think kids go to college to play a sport and don’t care who the coach is? What on earth

Kiyan was coming here if Red Buttons or Little Red Riding Hood was coach.