Let's assume that the transition plan is still in effect. Some people talked before the season about Boeheim maybe backing away from the original 3 more years comment that he made when the transition plan was formally announced before last season. The year-to-year decision thing doesn't seem to be helping on the recruiting front, according to people who claim to have inside info. Maybe it's hurting us on the court, with the coach's lack of a future commitment damaging his authority with the players. But I'm not sure how much evidence there is for that. There were a number of episodes in the past when players tuned Boeheim out, well before the retirement talk. I think we can all agree that the uncertainty about the future isn't a good thing for the program. Right now it's only good for Boeheim since he doesn't have to commit to a date.
I agree that he's earned to right to leave on his own terms and not be forced out but I think he also needs to spell out exactly when that will be. Ideally, you'd like to see him go out on a high note. In retrospect, last year would have been a perfect time to retire. At this point in the season, it looks like we will struggle to finish with a winning record. Will things be better next year? Same point guard problem, potentially no Lydon, and no impact players as of now signed up to fill glaring holes in the lineup. Of course, this is not how coaches think. They believe that they'll be able to raise their guys up to the challenge. But the challenge is significantly greater in the ACC than it was for much of the BE years. And it won't get easier with a few more .500 or sub-.500 league records strung together and dwindling crowds at home games. When the dome is full, it's electric. When it's not...
So, does it make sense to hang on another year or another couple of years? To potentially tarnish the memory of his career? Boeheim should have a chat with his good friend Gary Williams on this subject.
I agree that he's earned to right to leave on his own terms and not be forced out but I think he also needs to spell out exactly when that will be. Ideally, you'd like to see him go out on a high note. In retrospect, last year would have been a perfect time to retire. At this point in the season, it looks like we will struggle to finish with a winning record. Will things be better next year? Same point guard problem, potentially no Lydon, and no impact players as of now signed up to fill glaring holes in the lineup. Of course, this is not how coaches think. They believe that they'll be able to raise their guys up to the challenge. But the challenge is significantly greater in the ACC than it was for much of the BE years. And it won't get easier with a few more .500 or sub-.500 league records strung together and dwindling crowds at home games. When the dome is full, it's electric. When it's not...
So, does it make sense to hang on another year or another couple of years? To potentially tarnish the memory of his career? Boeheim should have a chat with his good friend Gary Williams on this subject.