Steele coaching himself out of a job !

[tacitus]

In its modern era (since Bob Staak), Xavier has been an anomaly. All of our coaches have left for seeming greener pastures. I do not think any of them really found greener pastures in terms of success. Only Matta (2 final fours) and Gillen (1 Elite 8) managed to build upon their success and outperform their best year at X. And I firmly believe that both of them could have achieved at least that or more had they stayed another couple years at X.

We have been spoiled. Each new coach has taken us to a new height. Thus far, Mack was the pinnacle, getting us a 1 seed and a Big East title. I still cannot understand why certain people wanted him to leave. He got nine years, and look what he managed to do! Just a couple more years and we would have broken through to at least the Final Four.

I hope it is true that our trajectory is defined by our program and not by any of our coaches. I hope it is true that our program is a breeding ground for developing young assistants into great coaches. I do not want Steele to be the first coach we fire during this 40-year run. Where do we look once our pattern fails us for the first time?

Steele has had some bad luck on the bubble and with covid. Let's hope this is the year we get back to business and he can focus on X and Os rather than updating his resume.

[54586264]

Well stated, tacitus. Unfortunately, there is an ingrained attitude that our good coaches will move on to greener pastures. To achieve the talent to compete in the final four, great coaches are many times experienced coaches and generally established at the University. This jump would be a change in our coaching perceptions.
I certainly am not saying Coach Steele would meet all those qualifications, but I certainly cannot say at this point he can't or would not jump ship if success occurs. But, at least, Xavier is beginning to think outside the box. Many people started buying into the fact that Coach Mack may stay at Xavier before he decided to leave.
Enjoy what we have. Have patience and be supportive.

[nolife]

He only wishes...working less and less these days.

[Anti-Homer]

Despite underwhelming results and inconsistency, I advocated for a fourth year for Steele, but I love the comparison to Wright and Coach K whenever one tries to defend his record. Is this the norm? Do coaches who underachieve their first three years typically go on to win at least two national championships? Also, this is a different era. Both the brand and financial implications of the programs are much greater than during the former coach's time.

Considering how quickly coaches get fired by decent programs, hard to say how well some coaches would fair.

You just got likes from: Billy Gillespie, Tony Yates, John Thompson the 2nd, Joey Meyer, Steve Alford, John Brannen, Tom Crean, and 4 billion other coaches. I guess what I should have said is: how many of these coaches who were fired after two, three, four, or even ten years went on to win two national titles. I can't think of one.

[Anti-Homer]

Yes, I am very concerned with Steele's coaching.

I am befuddled as to why Nunge is not playing 35+ minutes every single game, drives me crazy. We just have never looked consistently good for all of Steele's tenure. Yes, bright spots here and there, but never consistent.

35+ minutes every single game? That would be 20-21+ more minutes PER game than he has averaged playing the last three years. Already this year he is averaging 7-8 more minutes and has only had a few (3 games) 30-minute games with about the similar production as last night, but you must think a guy that has a history of injuries has become an iron man. You might want to go back and see is shooting average in those 30-minute games, something like 38 from the field. Now you will get some more rebounds and you could play him those minutes but at what cost? I can see him playing more minutes by the end of the year but he is more productive when he is not run-ragged.

BTW I also wish he could play more minutes because we certainly could use him at times but if we lose him where will X be this season. Unfortunately, just wishing is not a smart practice.

Is the point of your witty sarcasm that coaches do not make any difference at all, or: Team wins, due to coach; Team loses, fault of players. I think your posting history supports the latter.

[Anti-Homer]

In its modern era (since Bob Staak), Xavier has been an anomaly. All of our coaches have left for seeming greener pastures. I do not think any of them really found greener pastures in terms of success. Only Matta (2 final fours) and Gillen (1 Elite 8) managed to build upon their success and outperform their best year at X. And I firmly believe that both of them could have achieved at least that or more had they stayed another couple years at X.

We have been spoiled. Each new coach has taken us to a new height. Thus far, Mack was the pinnacle, getting us a 1 seed and a Big East title. I still cannot understand why certain people wanted him to leave. He got nine years, and look what he managed to do! Just a couple more years and we would have broken through to at least the Final Four.

I hope it is true that our trajectory is defined by our program and not by any of our coaches. I hope it is true that our program is a breeding ground for developing young assistants into great coaches. I do not want Steele to be the first coach we fire during this 40-year run. Where do we look once our pattern fails us for the first time?

Steele has had some bad luck on the bubble and with covid. Let's hope this is the year we get back to business and he can focus on X and Os rather than updating his resume.

Honestly, you really think X would have made the tourney, Covid or not? Steele has had historic meltdowns in the BE htree consecutive years down the stretch, and lost to one of the worst teams in the league two years ago in the opening game (Depaul), and blew a 19 point lead to a putrid Butler squad the following year. That's the equivalent of blowing a 76 point lead to Gonzaga in the 2nd half.

[pdxmuskie]

Steele positives: Improved in bound plays, improved in-game adjustments, improved ball security, improved shot selection

Negatives: Bad shot selection, bad decision making, lack of player development, inability to recognize player strengths & weaknesses, slow to make adjustments, slow to stop poor play/runs by opposing team

Obviously the negatives greatly outweigh the positives. Half of the positives are also negatives because they are simply improvements from a disastrous level. Growth could be enough to maintain the position for now.

A few items to consider before making a decision on future employment would be whether the improved areas are due to coaching or personnel. Improved shot selection is almost certainly personnel related. Improved ball security is also likely personnel related. Odom and Jones both play with a high basketball IQ. Neither has a desire to take bad shots and usually make smart decisions with the ball. They have both had bad games and the occasional mistake but generally play within their abilities. Given who these players are replacing from earlier years, the shot selection and ball control have both improved. Further indication that shot selection is not coaching is essentially proven by Zach, Nunge, Hunter and Scruggs.

Scruggs is a solid shooter but his mid range game is so much better. He should get 75% of his points in the mid range. 15% attacking the rim and 10% 3s. Zach should never shoot a 3. He does not have the range. Nunge can shoot a wide open 3 assuming he has time to release in a normal rhythm. Hunter, who I once considered a turnover whenever he shot from deep, should be given the green light when open and in rhythm. His % was horrific early in the season but considering his form is good and his shooting percentage the past couple years were solid, it is reasonable to assume he is a decent shooter. Game awareness and avoiding unnecessary 3s is key for Hunter.

Zach cannot play D. He often struggles offensively against quality quick/athletic bigs. He is not a starter. Nunge should start. Zach should provide relief and get big minutes when playing well. Nunge and Zach seem to play well together so that is an opportunity to exploit against various teams. Miles should be given 1st half opportunities against long, athletic bigs. If he plays well give him extended minutes, if not pull him quickly and go back to Nunge/Zach.

Use the bench to settle players making mistakes or to find a hot hand. X has a deep bench so it is easy to pull anyone to chat with them a few minutes before putting them back in. If the sub is playing at a high level, delay putting the guy back in or put him in for a different player depending on circumstances.