New Mens Basketball Coach

[MSU01]

While we're at it, Shaka Smart of VCU turned down UCLA and Minnesota yesterday...so let's give him a call! Like it or not, I think it's pretty clear that Huse is coming back. Which I'm ok with as long as the players on the team do the same. I just hope he is hired on a one-year contract so that MSU isn't committing to him for another three years when there is so little on-court success to justify that.

I'm sure you're right about that. If MSU was going to make a change, I think they would have done so by now. I'm not OK with it though. After 7 years of the same results under Huse, year after year after year, what makes you think there's any chance that things will magically change next season? Of course there's no guarantee that things will be better under someone else, but we don't have much to lose at this point. If interest in MSU hoops declines any further, they'll have to start giving away tickets for free to get anyone to go to the games. My stance was solidified after reading mslacat's post, and his comments about Huse being so detached from his players. I think that goes a long ways towards explaining why our player's effort seems to be so inconsistent, and may also largely explain the annual February collapses. Contrast that with Tinkle, who seems to have a great relationship with his players, and has really developed a "family" environment within their program. Which coach would you rather play for? I'm afraid though, that PF will be willing to keep him forever, so long as he keeps making the tourney (even if they continue to lose in the 1st round every season), their APR remains strong, and there's a minimum of off the court issues.

I'm ok with it IF (and this is clearly a big if) the players on this year's team actually decide to come back next season. If there's another mass defection of players and MSU is once again starting from scratch next year - then I agree that it's time for a change. Fool me six times, shame on you. Fool me seven times...

[John K]

While we're at it, Shaka Smart of VCU turned down UCLA and Minnesota yesterday...so let's give him a call! Like it or not, I think it's pretty clear that Huse is coming back. Which I'm ok with as long as the players on the team do the same. I just hope he is hired on a one-year contract so that MSU isn't committing to him for another three years when there is so little on-court success to justify that.

I'm sure you're right about that. If MSU was going to make a change, I think they would have done so by now. I'm not OK with it though. After 7 years of the same results under Huse, year after year after year, what makes you think there's any chance that things will magically change next season? Of course there's no guarantee that things will be better under someone else, but we don't have much to lose at this point. If interest in MSU hoops declines any further, they'll have to start giving away tickets for free to get anyone to go to the games. My stance was solidified after reading mslacat's post, and his comments about Huse being so detached from his players. I think that goes a long ways towards explaining why our player's effort seems to be so inconsistent, and may also largely explain the annual February collapses. Contrast that with Tinkle, who seems to have a great relationship with his players, and has really developed a "family" environment within their program. Which coach would you rather play for? I'm afraid though, that PF will be willing to keep him forever, so long as he keeps making the tourney (even if they continue to lose in the 1st round every season), their APR remains strong, and there's a minimum of off the court issues.

I'm ok with it IF (and this is clearly a big if) the players on this year's team actually decide to come back next season. If there's another mass defection of players and MSU is once again starting from scratch next year - then I agree that it's time for a change. Fool me six times, shame on you. Fool me seven times...

That's fine, except that's exactly what many MSU fans were saying at this time last year...and then we got fooled yet again. And even if none of his players defect this off-season, I would interpret that more as "getting lucky" for one year, rather than a sign that this trend is changing long term. He's been here 7 years already, and that's more than enough time to demonstrate whether or not he's up to the task. After that long, it's highly unlikely that anything will change in years 8,9,10...

You are familiar with the definition of insanity...right?

[BelgradeBobcat]

Dang! This guy was on my short list: http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketb ... giacoletti" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[defensivearts]

Mark Phelps, the men's basketball coach at Drake finished 77-86 over five years. And after five not-so-memorable seasons what did the institution do? They fired him! Doesn't the Drake AD know that you need a good 8-10 year run to make a judgement about a coach? And, heck, 77-86 ain't so bad. He was even within a game of .500 this year.

Now let's look at a University that handles things a little differently; Montana State University. It's current coach has a 7 year record of 93-117 and was 13-17 this past season. But MSU didn't do something rash like fire it's coach. They looked at a long term plan. Like a decade long.

To review, MSU basketball has not done so well the past seven years: MSU had nearly half it's team quit in 4 of the past 5 years; the team has folded miserably in the second half of the season in 5 of the past 6 years and has experienced a decline in attendance of 20%.

So if you are MSU, what do you do? You stay the course, of course! You give that coach one more year... or maybe 3.

It is this fan's opinion that MSU should be recognized nationally as a paragon of one very under-rated virtue: 'PATIENCE'. While most of these new-fangled NCAA programs are in a crazy rush for winning, money and fun, MSU shows restraint. Heck, it's not like the coach isn't trying. 5 of his top 6 players this past season were JC transfers.

Some might contend that all this mediocrity in the basketball program without making a coaching change signals apathy and weakness. I say it signals 'KINDNESS'- which is also a very over-looked virtue these days in NCAA sports. I think you would be very hard pressed to find a kinder institution than MSU. After 7 years our basketball coach is still here without ever winning or contending for a championship (Is second place one year contending?).

I urge my fellow Bobcat Basketball fans not to get caught up in the idea that 'We should be a winning program!', or 'UM does it, why can't we?' Or 'We used to win at basketball here, why not now?' That's your ego talkin'. Take solace in knowing that MSU is supportive of less than accomplished coaches.

Now, I know some would say we forced Earl Solomonson out early. And it's true. The guy only had 6 seasons. In another 2 or 3 maybe he would have been turning the corner... But that, my friends, was a mean-spirited, shoot-from the-hip sort of decision that we try not to make any more.

Be happy that MSU isn't last place Idaho State! Oh, that's right. They beat us 87-51 late in the season. Well, just be happy that we have adequate parking and good pep band!

[wbtfg]

Solid points. With huse, fans never have to worry about parking, standing in line for concessions, looking for a seat, or planning travel to the ncaa tournament. Peter Fields just did everyone a huge favor.