Syracuse chancellor on Mike Hopkins: Now is not the time to say whether he'll succeed Jim Boeheim

[Jake]

There's a lot of possible explanations for Syverud's non - committal statement regarding Hop...among them...

1) He's got to hire the best AD he can, hard to attract top notch candidates to a job where you don't get the chance to hire your own BB guy.
2) He's trying to make a statement that he is in control...not only for the University, but as part of an appeal.
3) He wants to keep his options open
4) He is trying to clean house completely

I have no idea what's going on here, but here are a couple of thoughts:

The next AD will have three primary duties when he comes on: Fix Football & Don't hoops and do things right to stay out of NCAA trouble.

If the new AD comes in and hire's Hop and Hop doesn't work out...he gets a mulligan.
If the new AD comes in and doesn't hire Hop and his guy flops...he gets a pink slip, a Kevlar vest and a police escort to Hancock Airport.

Of course, there's always the chance that Hop is gone before the new AD arrives...

I think we'll know which way this goes before the FF is over.

 

[llandz]

The bottom line here is that we will all know very shortly if Hop will be the next coach. I believe there is a "public" message going on here, and a "private" one with Hop. Hop has either been told he is the next coach and we have to play a little game here with this, or he has not. If we see him interview for other head coaching positions in the spring then we will know he has not been reassured that he has the job. If he does no interviewing at all, then we will know he knows behind the scenes that he has the job. They may wait for the appeal to be finished and the public sentiment to die down so he does not get all of the "just another Boeheim" comments, or they may want to "let" the new AD make the announcement so it appears that they are on board with this hire. But I believe if they intend to honor this promise, then the new AD will be informed before they are hired that this is how it will play out. Don't worry the new AD will have plenty of other opportunities to put their stamp on things at SU.

 

[Madbiker]

Agreed. And if Hopkins is that guy--cool. But we should be swinging for the fences on the next hire.

Do you believe that the university will pay the big money required for a name/proven winner coach. Probably in the $3M area at least--about $1M more than JB is making? (FYI, Jay Wright is making about $3M at Nova, Pitino about $4M). I'm not optimistic they would.

 

[AlaskaSU]

There's a lot of possible explanations for Syverud's non - committal statement regarding Hop...among them...

1) He's got to hire the best AD he can, hard to attract top notch candidates to a job where you don't get the chance to hire your own BB guy.
2) He's trying to make a statement that he is in control...not only for the University, but as part of an appeal.
3) He wants to keep his options open
4) He is trying to clean house completely

I have no idea what's going on here, but here are a couple of thoughts:

The next AD will have three primary duties when he comes on: Fix Football & Don't hoops and do things right to stay out of NCAA trouble.

If the new AD comes in and hire's Hop and Hop doesn't work out...he gets a mulligan.
If the new AD comes in and doesn't hire Hop and his guy flops...he gets a pink slip, a Kevlar vest and a police escort to Hancock Airport.

Of course, there's always the chance that Hop is gone before the new AD arrives...

I think we'll know which way this goes before the FF is over.

At this time it is unconscionable to risk losing Hop. Our basketball success is based on loyalty. Lose that and we become just like everyone else. Whatever point Syverud wants to make, it is not worth the risk of losing Hop. This could be one hell of a big stupid mistake.

 

[rrlbees]

I think that's right. If I'm Mike Hopkins I start looking in earnest for a HC position. It could very well be that the Chancellor intends to clean house - to eliminate all who had some level of authority in the BB program during the infraction period. That seems to be the message right now.

We'll be paying Hop some money since he has a contract to take over. I'm sure there is probably some sort of buy out.

 

[OrangeXtreme]

So, Hopkins will pull a "Marrone" and end up coaching Jacksonville?

 

[RF2044]

Do you believe that the university will pay the big money required for a name/proven winner coach. Probably in the $3M area at least--about $1M more than JB is making? (FYI, Jay Wright is making about $3M at Nova, Pitino about $4M). I'm not optimistic they would.

Completely optimistic, for two reasons:

1. JB's salary has been predicated upon his willingness to give the University a "hometown" discount. He mentioned today that he is something like the 45th highest paid coach in college basketball -- not sure if that is an accurate statement, but clearly his performance and career accomplishments go far beyond the salary he's being paid. The reason that JB isn't earning market value is because he's OK with that
2. Paying an actual market value salary won't be as big of a problem now that we're earning ACC revenue as opposed to BE revenue.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for with a new hire. If they want to go "cheap," then they'll run the risk of not bringing in the best candidate. That doesn't mean that a lesser known and / or unproven candidate can't be successful here, just that there's more risk associated with going that route instead of bringing in a proven coach with a successful track record.

 

[TheCusian]

So, it's merely a coincidence that Boeheim announces his retirement? Gosh, I don't think so. It seems to me that he was whacked but was given a public extension - and I would not be surprised if the coach leaves before the three year period is up. And with respect to Mike Hopkins, it seems that a similar action has taken place. He is allowed to stay, but he won't be the next head coach. Obviously this is all speculation, but I sense a metal fist with velvet glove is being applied by the Chancellor.

Could not disagree more. And you're calling JAB a liar.

 

[Millhouse]

By announcing that Boeheim will retire in 3 years, Syverud made the job much more attractive to a potential AD. Why? Who would want to come to Syracuse with the potential task of having to fire a HOF coach who is beloved by the fans? And the new AD will be in charge of deciding who will be the next head coach after he gets the lay of the land. You have to allow the new AD to hire who they think is the right guy for the job.

As for Hopkins, the situation has changed at Syracuse due to the penalties (deserved or not) and the Chancellor and AD may want to go in a different direction now. It's tough for him, but that is what they may decide. It may be best for him to keep interviewing for HC jobs.

smart post. hope you post more

 

[dasher]

I'm calm, but again, just after meeting with the academic side, Chancellor Egghead starts swinging the axe. The latest to go, Joe Giansante. Whacked today. Who is next? If I were a staffer in the athletic department I'd be polishing my resume today.

First, the Chancellor egghead is really childish. Second, he is doing exactly the right thing. That athletic dept needs cleaning.

 

[dasher]

So, it's merely a coincidence that Boeheim announces his retirement?

Gosh, I don't think so.

It seems to me that he was whacked but was given a public extension - and I would not be surprised if the coach leaves before the three year period is up.

And with respect to Mike Hopkins, it seems that a similar action has taken place. He is allowed to stay, but he won't be the next head coach.

Obviously this is all speculation, but I sense an iron fist with velvet glove is being applied by the Chancellor.

yeah, he gets his 3 year notice. Jb is not the kind of guy that would go along with that.

 

[PhatOrange]

Obviously this is all speculation, but I sense an iron fist with velvet glove is being applied by the Chancellor.

exactly and it's all been orchestrated for the appeal. 'we cleaned house' you should lighten the penalties.

 

[OrangePA]

yeah, he gets his 3 year notice. Jb is not the kind of guy that would go along with that.

I'm not sure I understand the post.

Explain.

 

[cusetown1]

I know many of us probably expected Jim to coach until he was 90, but I'm not surprised he will retire in his 70's. It's actually pretty rare for somebody to be able to coach that long. He's still choosing when he's retiring whether he's getting a little help or not.

 

[dasher]

I'm not sure I understand the post.

Explain.

I'm saying that kent didn't fire JB. If he tried, JB would go on the offensive (even now in his weaken state) against a guy that has been here for about 15 minutes. Kent is a lot smarter than that. Everything that is being said right now is being said with one purpose, and this is win this appeal. Period.

 

[Cheriehoop]

I think that's right.

If I'm Mike Hopkins I start looking in earnest for a HC position.

It could very well be that the Chancellor intends to clean house - to eliminate all who had some level of authority in the BB program during the infraction period.

That seems to be the message right now.

If true, doesn't that conflict with the support the chancellor has spoken about especially considering the appeal? On the one hand ... but on the other hand... . It would definitely send a mixed message.

 

[dasher]

If true, doesn't that conflict with the support the chancellor has spoken about especially considering the appeal? On the one hand ... but on the other hand... . It would definitely send a mixed message.

Exactly. And we all knew Gross was a dead man walking no matter how the COI came out. He and Kent don't see eye to eye on how to run an athletic dept..

 

[OrangePA]

If true, doesn't that conflict with the support the chancellor has spoken about especially considering the appeal? On the one hand ... but on the other hand... . It would definitely send a mixed message.

Sure.

Public comments in these situations oftentimes conflict with what is really happening.

Publicly, Dr. Gross resigned and took another position.

Privately, most of here feel he was terminated as AD.

If you are going to file an appeal, you have to show some support for the subject head coach - otherwise, you can't appeal.

 

[OrangePA]

I'm saying that kent didn't fire JB. If he tried, JB would go on the offensive (even now in his weaken state) against a guy that has been here for about 15 minutes. Kent is a lot smarter than that. Everything that is being said right now is being said with one purpose, and this is win this appeal. Period.

Coach Boeheim would go on the offensive in what sense?

Are you suggesting what Boeheim adamantly denied this morning - that he runs the University?

Publicly, the Chancellor did not fire Dr. Gross, but most on this board would agree that that is what happened.

I do agree with you however that showing support for the coach is certainly a practical thing to do while advancing an appeal.

 

[wallacecuse]

Or someone from Vanderbilt.

Great, Kevin Stallings...

 

[TheCusian]

Sure. Public comments in these situations oftentimes conflict with what is really happening. Publicly, Dr. Gross resigned and took another position. Privately, most of here feel he was terminated as AD. If you are going to file an appeal, you have to show some support for the subject head coach - otherwise, you can't appeal.

It's not like they are disagreeing or appealing everything. If they wanted to fire the coach for somethings and then appeal the others they could. There is no tangible benefit for firing JAB and then giving him a three year old extension.

 

[pearl31]

Agreed. And if Hopkins is that guy--cool. But we should be swinging for the fences on the next hire.

Hopkins is that guy.

 

[pfister1]

Sure.

Public comments in these situations oftentimes conflict with what is really happening.

Publicly, Dr. Gross resigned and took another position.

Privately, most of here feel he was terminated as AD.

If you are going to file an appeal, you have to show some support for the subject head coach - otherwise, you can't appeal.

Does the University really care about JB's personal appeal, especially if they are trying to separate themselves from him as you seem to think?

 

[dasher]

Coach Boeheim would go on the offensive in what sense?

Are you suggesting what Boeheim adamantly denied this morning - that he runs the University?

Publicly, the Chancellor did not fire Dr. Gross, but most on this board would agree that that is what happened.

I do agree with you however that showing support for the coach is certainly a practical thing to do while advancing an appeal.

One can go on the offensive without running anything. Surely you know that. If he actually ran the University, he wouldn't have to go on the offensive. Jb isn't going to let the program he built up, be given to someone other than Mike Hopkins without one hell of a fight from him. He isn't going to be forced out by a guy that has been at the school for about 10 minutes. Not going to happen. Not on these charges.

 

[Guinness]

smart post. hope you post more

Kiss of death right there. Poor JimBoston.