The Search

BigDaddyBuzz

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As of last night we had not even contacted Wade, not as high on list as others thought. He was very high on Vandy list which is why he got the new deal from VCU.
 

slugboy

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You're leaving out the responses by Dan Wolken, who's the half of the conversation that knows what he's talking about. He loves Jay Larranga.
His response was "@Kelly_Quinlan You could not be more wrong. He’s a stud."
 

dtm1997

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You're leaving out the responses by Dan Wolken, who's the half of the conversation that knows what he's talking about. He loves Jay Larranga.
His response was "@Kelly_Quinlan You could not be more wrong. He’s a stud."
Yeah, the board's software doesn't show quoted tweets. I'm sure Larranaga is a very good coach, but if we're gonna roll the dice on someone with no college experience, I'd just as soon just roll them on Mark Price and that's not even something I'd necessarily want.

@BigDaddyBuzz - thx for the comment on Wade. I liked him a lot for us, but at the same time, recognized there was significant risk (Clemson coming around at some point). Would rather have 3-5 years of Capel or possibly longer with Drew, if they prove able to right the ship.
 

RamblinCharger

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This whole process has me extremely anxious. I didn't want anything to do with Capel, but I've been swayed a little and I think it wouldn't be the worst thing that we could do. I don't want us to drag our feet and end up with a bad fit when these other jobs get taken. I would still prefer Mack over all of the other candidates, but Capel would probably be third on my list behind Mack and Miller.
 

Techster

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18,237
Trying to think through the Jay Larranaga news. At first I was like, "Huh?"

Then I thought about it more. Definitely bold, and outside the box thinking on MBob's part IF true. I think he would clean up in recruiting. Why do I think that? He's young, he understands what the young NBA players are tuned into and what makes them tick. Part of being a pro coach is managing the emotional IQ (yes, that's a thing now...unfortunately) of pro players. Also, being an assistant, it's his job to work individually with Pro NBA players. He can sell that to recruits in ways many college coaches can't for the simple fact he did it every day. He's obviously highly thought of in NBA circles for his acumen. Let's be honest, if he can sweep the state of GA in recruiting, I'm willing to take chances on his X's and O's given the last two coaches. I mean, he's been learning from Doc Rivers and Brad Stevens during his career...and he was a candidate for the Sixers head job. I think growing up in a college bball coach's house, he'll understand the importance of assistants in recruiting...and I'm sure money for assistants will be stressed while talking with MBob.

I think he probably has a high upside...but he probably has the lowest floor of the candidates mentioned. Pro assistant coaches don't deal with grades, study hall, helicopter parents, AAU coaches, being the face of the program, and dealing with boosters. Also, he has no immediate ties to GT...if he homeruns the job, he'll be a hot commodity on both the college and NBA level. Would have to put our necks out there like we did with Hewitt and give him a ridiculous contract or lose him.

If JL is true, it definitely proves my point that you don't box yourself in when talking about potential candidates. All you need to say is, "GT will find the best coach out there for our situation, regardless of whether it's an assistant or HC." Generic, and it doesn't put pressure on the new HC before he's even an HC.
 

YlJacket

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3,260
Oh sh*t! Are my worst fears being realized? Are these guys using the GT opening to get paid now? Nah, I'll put this one on Vandy.

Go BYU tonight, btw. If Drew is the guy, we need him free to interview.

BTW and just as an aside, I am hearing rumors that Vandy is making a big play for Marshall. From some folks that I would take as at least somewhat connected. Someone had to step up with some serious money but their upside is they got rid of Stallings without any buyout. that helps the numbers immensely as we all know :banghead:
 

slugboy

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11,499
Yeah, the board's software doesn't show quoted tweets. I'm sure Larranaga is a very good coach, but if we're gonna roll the dice on someone with no college experience, I'd just as soon just roll them on Mark Price and that's not even something I'd necessarily want.


@BigDaddyBuzz - thx for the comment on Wade. I liked him a lot for us, but at the same time, recognized there was significant risk (Clemson coming around at some point). Would rather have 3-5 years of Capel or possibly longer with Drew, if they prove able to right the ship.

I understand--I tried to figure out how to post the quoted tweet too.

I'm not at all sure if MBob is looking at Larranaga or Capel or anyone based on Zack Klein's unnamed NCAA sources. Who knows if it's not a the end of a silly set of rumors no better than what we would start. It doesn't look like MBob is saying much of anything. "Multiple sources" don't give me any more confidence--I've seen someone start a rumor and get several journalists publishing it while the person who was an actual authority and knew it was false had to fight to get the journalists to believe who he was or that he was actually in the know.

It's fun to watch all the speculation. I'm not sure how much of an improvement Capel would be over Gregory--academics seem worse, recruiting seems much better, X's and O'x a bit better, but is he worth replacing a coach for?

If MBob likes Larranana, I'm interested in finding out more about him. MBob seems to know what's good in a basketball coach. Drew also looks worthwhile.
 

Peacone36

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Maine
This amused me. Capel should decline because Puke is going to be good next year.
image.png
 

Peacone36

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Me?

No. I don't care if you click on it.

Just a story that puts JC in the spotlight with no mention of JL as of an hour ago.
 

AE 87

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13,026
Okay, I don't know if we'll ever the know the what was what at OK, but here is an article from the day:
...
But since he signed the extension, the program has fallen apart.​

Despite having three McDonald's All-Americans on the roster, the Sooners finished the 2009-10 season with nine straight losses -- the second-longest losing streak in school history -- to plummet out of the Top 25 and end up with a 13-18 record.

Five underclassmen left the program, Capel restocked with largely unheralded players and Oklahoma went 14-18 this season. Attendance at the Lloyd Noble Center dropped off severely.

...

The investigation which led to the resignation of Oronde Taliaferro and the NCAA violations had to do with financial assistance given to one of the Burger-kids that 2009-2010 season, and Taliaferro resigned after that season. The investigation apparently didn't begin until the time of the Big12 tourney, so it seems unlikely that it was the reason for the collapse at the end of the season. It seems strange, to me, that they would cut bait with Capel after two bad seasons given the circumstances.
 

Techster

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18,237
I think if Capel does end up with our HC job, the Duke job in the future would probably not be a factor. IF Coach K has an understanding with his assistants that they don't take a competing ACC job, and Capel goes against it, then you would think they would eliminate themselves for going against Godfather K's wishes. Insubordination is rarely rewarded, and Coach K may be petty about it.

On the other hand, if Coach K gives Capel his blessings, then it's moot. Gotta get the Godfather's blessings...
 

Whiskey_Clear

Banned
Messages
10,486
I honestly haven't followed bball much for several years. Thus I have little knowledge of any of the candidates mentioned (outside of Price).

FWIW tho, it would be foolish to dismiss Capel solely bc he's a dookie. I've always found K to be as arrogant as he is good. That said, I always thought most dookies were pretty classy kids and if Capel is a classy guy that's a big benefit. I'd rather have losing seasons than a shady coach that breaks rules or looks the other way where prostitutes are involved. (My dookie perceptions come from Cremins era for full disclosure).

Worst case scenario regarding this search. If it's a flop we can hire Price in 4 yrs.
 
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