Chitown,ChitownSteve wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 11:30 pmYour suggestion about a veteran bench coach is outstanding. At a minimum the AD must call Coach Steele in, advise him some Assistant Coaches must be replaced and new recommendations for his staff submitted forthwith.Anti-Homer wrote: ↑Thu Mar 11, 2021 8:43 pmPut me in the "give him one more year camp." Though both the eye test and metrics tells me he is not a good D-1 coach, I'm reminded of a story my brother told me about Skip Prosser, the best human being ever in college basketball. He was coming off of a subpar year (which happened the majority of times during his tenure at X), and had a meeting with Fr. Hoff, and apparently had a list of reasons as to why he deserved another year. Much to his surprise, Fr. Hoff came armed with an extension. It didn't work out well for X, as Prosser did not sustain the level of success delivered by Gillen, but AH, know for having a huuuge heart, was glad he wasn't fired. Even more thrilled when he went to Wake.
Though he seems ill equipped in many ways to be/become a good D-1 coach, I think he deserves one more year. He also has had two great recruiting classes, though he has wasted two promising gems of last year's class in Ramsey and Tandy. Miles hasn't progressed either, despite his incredulous claim in the off season that he was going to be a big contributor this year. Just a long line of perplexing statements.
My hope is that he hires a veteran bench coach, one who can teach him the ropes, and can develop a rapport with the players to convince them to stay should Steele get fired next year.
Funny, you are now far more compassionate with Coach Steele than me. Coach Steele was entitled to the benefit of the doubt for nearly three full seasons and I routinely defended the Coach and his Program. Two consecutive year end collapses demonstrates he learned little. Plus, recruiting will now be impossible. Competitors are sharks and will negatively recruit against X by stating Coach Steele is a dead man walking. Once that tag is applied, recruits dry up. Sad, but reality.
Giving a 4th year is the worst thing an AD can now do. Heck, this hurts. Coach Steele is a family man who bleeds for X. As a person, he is admirable. Best way to state it, because unquestionably Christopher is highly resistant to the change, the AD’s job also needs to be on the line. If X retains Coach Steele and fails to make the NCAA’s next year the AD should also be gone. Failure to recognize the situation should be terminable for the AD, too. Anyone think Christopher will put his own job on the line if that option is presented? Is his faith in Coach Steele that deep? Or, does Christopher somehow think he has an option with Coach Steele coaching next year, plus few more years afterward with the inevitable subsequent hire?
In summary, it is certainly better to act a year too early than a year too late.
I don't think your opinion of Steele means you are any less compassionate. It does mean you are more pragmatic, as I would give him one more year based on my heart, not my head. Funny thing it much of what you expressed is what I also feel, including our brand being diminished which will translate into X having a harder time attracting good recruits. My reasons for retaining Steele was hardly a ringing endorsement. To the contrary, it was to mitigate what I think might happen: Losing a core of three great freshmen, and two very promising ones next year if he is fired.
Interesting thing is I don't know how to feel about your statement of,"it is better to act a year early than a year too late." I am not an insider and don't know much about Christopher, but he hardly had a strong legacy before coming to X. I also don't think his viability should be judged on the success or failure of Steele even if next year is bad, as long as the other important functions under his charge: fundraising-endowments, student enrollment, strategic partnerships, etc. all improve under his leadership. Honestly, I just feel bad for the guy because he does bust is a*s for X, even if the results aren't there. However, the bball program is too important to X as it affects the endowments, ticket sales, enrolments, etc., and he is handsomely compensated. I would just hate to be the one making the decision.
