Joe Dooley would be an excellent choice for BC. He was a big part of Kansas' run under Bill Self.
2013/14 BC Basketball -- Coach D on the hot seat
- Thread starter Dave Stapleton
- Start date
If he's the guy, I don't see him moving the needle much for BC. He was considered a meh hire for Ohio two seasons ago, and as an OU alum, the only reason I'd prefer he stick around is that he has a solid recruiting class coming in and it would set the program back if any or all were released. Most folks in Athens wanted Jeff Boals when Christian was hired, and if Christian leaves, Boals will likely be his replacement.BigSoxFan said:
Yeah ... I don't get this if true.
Edit: I take it back. It looks like this guy fits exactly into Bernie's criteria.
Edit: I take it back. It looks like this guy fits exactly into Bernie's criteria.
Dave Stapleton said:
Unfortunately, he is the kind of guy who will probably get the job. I should have added MAC coaches as well to my criteria. This is the world Bates comes from. Christian comes from a Northern mid major, a guy who played college ball in New England and who has some big time asst coach experience as a prodige of Ralph Willard. Kinda like Dazz on the football front. The hire will not be a splash because anyone taking the job will look at it as a 4 year deal to hopefully turn the program around and maybe make the Tournament. Once they make the dance, they will be out of there like a shot....off to better ACC or another BCS school that is more "big time" than BC. Just look at the coaches who left BC on their own accord over the last 40 years....they all went to bigger, better programs and had pretty good success at the subsequent stops. That is what the coach is thinking when they come to BC, and BC hoops fans should accept the program for what it is...a stepping stone program that lives in a BCS world. Unfortunately, the basketball program really is a mid major that is disguised as a big time job....it ain't even close. And it pains me to say that.
He sure is. He reported last night that BC hired Jim Christian then retracted it this morning. Says it still should get done but it's between him and Joe Dooley.BigSoxFan said:
Connecting some dots here, so hardly gospel, but Ohio's top recruit next year has asked to be released from his LOI after speaking to Christian about his BC interview. OU board is taking that as a sign that Christian is gone.
Some Ohio reporter is saying that Christian and BC are close to a deal and it might get done today.
This would be an epic fail of a hire.
This would be an epic fail of a hire.
You've GOT to be kidding me. He couldn't even win the Mac tournament . And he assisted under constant March underachievers like Sendek and Heath. And Pitt did everything under Dixon, not Willard.
Might not want to forget the guy who took Washington State to two tournaments and just ran through the ACC with a 19-2 record and an ACC Coach of the Year nod. Tony Bennett is young and a damned impressive coach.DukeSox said:
I'm trying to remember whether I had high hopes when BC hired Al Skinner and they hold open tryouts in my junior year fall. Why do I feel like Christian is not going to outdo his expectations the way Al did?
Not excited if this is true but I said the same thing about Addazio. Still not pleased but I give Bates a little bit of room, particularly if Christian brings Owens with him.
Edit: It's official
""Jim Christian brings three remarkable traits to Boston College basketball," athletic director Bill Bates said. "First, he sincerely cares about his student-athletes and will be a catalyst for their
development as basketball players, scholars, servers and leaders, while creating a family culture that brings pride to the BC community. Second, his energy is contagious and his passion inspiring, which
will resonate throughout our program. Finally, he is a proven winner with an outstanding winning percentage and three conference championships. We are very excited to have Jim Christian leading Boston College
basketball, and look forward to an extraordinary future."
Edit: It's official
""Jim Christian brings three remarkable traits to Boston College basketball," athletic director Bill Bates said. "First, he sincerely cares about his student-athletes and will be a catalyst for their
development as basketball players, scholars, servers and leaders, while creating a family culture that brings pride to the BC community. Second, his energy is contagious and his passion inspiring, which
will resonate throughout our program. Finally, he is a proven winner with an outstanding winning percentage and three conference championships. We are very excited to have Jim Christian leading Boston College
basketball, and look forward to an extraordinary future."
I just love that Mike Brey is on that list. A guy who, in 14 years at Notre Dame, has made the NCAA tournament 9 times, the NIT 4, and missed altogether once. He's made exactly 1 Sweet 16 and has never advanced beyond that. He's finished in the top 4 in his conference only 7 times. He's a nice coach I suppose, not a total disaster, but it is still funny to see him on a list with guys like Coach K, Pitino, Williams, and Boeheim.DukeSox said:
That record sounds very familiar. I am going to go shop at Eastern Clothing in Al Skinner's honor while I mull that over.LeftyTG said:
LeftyTG said:
In Brey's defense, none of the other listed coaches belong with Coach K, Pitino, Williams, and Boeheim.
To BC fans, my condolences.
SaveBooFerriss said:
I have the same feeling I had after the Addazio hire and early returns are pretty good. It seems like an uninspiring choice but we should learn that is Bates' MO. He is not going to try to "make a splash". He sees his job for finding the right fit at the right time for BC. Maybe guys like Hopkins turned them down or maybe they asked for things on the recruiting and other fronts that BC couldn't deliver on, who knows? Ultimately it's Bates job on the line, not ours so I will give him a little rope.
For any BC fans feeling despondent, go over to the Ohio message boards. It will cheer you up a bit since they are, for the most part, pretty bummed about losing him.
Like I said with Addazio ... I am officially wait and see.
Mike Hopkins would have taken this job. So would pat skerry. So would Joe Dooley.
The problem is that Eddie fogler was our athletic director for the hire. Shocking the final 2 were his clients. Bates screwed himself royally here. I still think he tried to hit a home run and the board wouldn't give him the cash but either way he comes off smalltime.
Sad...what if we hired tony Bennett four us ago and not Steve Donahue....
The problem is that Eddie fogler was our athletic director for the hire. Shocking the final 2 were his clients. Bates screwed himself royally here. I still think he tried to hit a home run and the board wouldn't give him the cash but either way he comes off smalltime.
Sad...what if we hired tony Bennett four us ago and not Steve Donahue....
I know folks want to believe BC had many options here but it sounds like noone wanted this job. I've said it enough so I won't repeat anymore.
BC Fans feel like a guy who lives in Duxbury but is just now realizing he can only afford a Honda Civic.Dave Stapleton said:
Snark away but this was a program that produced three NBA players and competed at the highest level of the ACC less than ten years ago. Everyone here was hoping for a coach who we could see leading BC back to that level. I think it is reasonable to be disappointed about Christian's chances of doing that.BroCash said:
I agree Christian's chances are poor at best. BC has sent 4 players to the NBA in 19 years, with 2 still playing. That is not a marketable trait. Georgetown (6 current NBA players), Marquette (5), Gonzaga (5), Villanova (4) and Providence (3) are all comparable programs at quality institutions that have a religious affiliation. I don't see Christian beating any of those programs for a recruit.
Just compare the hoopla of Christian's hire to that of Bruce Pearl at Auburn. Both schools, I would argue, want to be top 25 programs. One is willing to spend and make a splash, creating excitement and marketability. Sure, Bruce Pearl has some baggage, but his energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit are exactly what attracts recruits.
Just compare the hoopla of Christian's hire to that of Bruce Pearl at Auburn. Both schools, I would argue, want to be top 25 programs. One is willing to spend and make a splash, creating excitement and marketability. Sure, Bruce Pearl has some baggage, but his energy, enthusiasm, and school spirit are exactly what attracts recruits.
I think we are talking past each other a bit. I agree that BC should have tried to make a splash with this hire but it seems to me that the opportunity did not materialize. I am disappointed that the program is in its current state and I am skeptical that Christian can do much to change that. Pearl or a guy with his history was never going to be the choice. Also, BC has sent 5 players to the league in that span (Bell, Smith, Williams, Dudley and Jackson) and had 3 NBA quality players on the same team. That should be much less rare than it has been. BC should be consistently better than Providence.BroCash said:
So the rumor is that Christian has been given the green light/directive to go find two top flight assistants that can recruit and that they will pay. This would change things up a little.
Two that have been mentioned are Spinnelli from MD and Jarvis II from Duke.
If BC overpays this is actually a position that could be attractive to potential hires. Particularly those like Spinelli that may want to return home for a few years.
Two that have been mentioned are Spinnelli from MD and Jarvis II from Duke.
If BC overpays this is actually a position that could be attractive to potential hires. Particularly those like Spinelli that may want to return home for a few years.
It would be cool to bring little Mikey home, he was a year or two behind me in little league in Cambridge, but in another division, man we have gotten old (and fat). I like the Jarvis' they were always good people.
Will be interesting to see if BC can bring in a couple of top flight assistants.
I wanted a flashier head coach. Honestly I wanted an African American head coach. But Christian has really tiny shoes to fill. He is replacing a complete numbnuts who was a poor recruiter, couldn't evaluate talent, a poor practice coach, and an abysmal game coach.
BC isn't an easy job, but there is a lot of talent in the region, and even as bad as BC has been there aren't a lot of better options to play in the region. Get a couple of recruiters to go with him, and find a way to bring in some good BC style players who are smart and competitive 4 year players. No I don't think BC will become UConn, and I wouldn't take their APR even if it meant winning. But I believe this can and should be a program that makes the tournament 5 out of 10 years, with NITs most other years. And will occasionally make it some sweet 16 runs.
Can Christian get them there? Maybe? Put the right staff around him, and find a way to get solid classes in on a consistent basis, and hopefully. Good grief the previous staff turned away more talent who wanted to go to BC, than it actually brought in
Again we are coming from the lowest possible situation you can come from. I truly believe they would have won more games with random fan of the game as head coach last year than with the Craptain.
Will be interesting to see if BC can bring in a couple of top flight assistants.
I wanted a flashier head coach. Honestly I wanted an African American head coach. But Christian has really tiny shoes to fill. He is replacing a complete numbnuts who was a poor recruiter, couldn't evaluate talent, a poor practice coach, and an abysmal game coach.
BC isn't an easy job, but there is a lot of talent in the region, and even as bad as BC has been there aren't a lot of better options to play in the region. Get a couple of recruiters to go with him, and find a way to bring in some good BC style players who are smart and competitive 4 year players. No I don't think BC will become UConn, and I wouldn't take their APR even if it meant winning. But I believe this can and should be a program that makes the tournament 5 out of 10 years, with NITs most other years. And will occasionally make it some sweet 16 runs.
Can Christian get them there? Maybe? Put the right staff around him, and find a way to get solid classes in on a consistent basis, and hopefully. Good grief the previous staff turned away more talent who wanted to go to BC, than it actually brought in
Again we are coming from the lowest possible situation you can come from. I truly believe they would have won more games with random fan of the game as head coach last year than with the Craptain.
Well Turgeon's seat has to be getting a bit warm. He's recruited some decent talent but really blew it last year with Len. I would guess if BC is willing to pay, Turgeon really isn't in a position to push for higher pay for assistants.
"Didn't we hire YOU to get us to the tournament?"
"Didn't we hire YOU to get us to the tournament?"
BigMike said:
I always liked Mike Sr. I thought he was a good guy and I still don't quite understand what happened at St. John's. I had hoped he would have gotten the BC job way back, after he had some HC experience over at BU. He was tuned in to the local scene like no one and I think BC would have been in a much better place in the hoops world had he been there. BC should have followed the Georgetown model but honestly, BC doesn't really care about basketball, witness the hires over the years and everyone's comments here and elsewhere about the lack of capital infusion both $$$ to upgrade facilities as well as spending for and hiring top of the line coaches. It is almost like they have the program because they need it to be in the ACC or other conferences, so they hire a mid level coach and tell him to try to make the team somewhat competitive. Al did that but Donahue couldn't.
BC cares only about football (nothing wrong with that as it makes sense financially, football on average generates 3x more $$ than hoops) but you would think they would at least "try" to make hires in basketball that appear to show they give a crap. #BChoopsamidmajorinabcsleague.
PS- In the ESPN show it stated that all but two of the original 8 BE schools had made it to the Final 4 by 1989 (Seton Hall being the last one). The only teams that missed out?? yup, The Eagles and UConn.UConn moved forward obviously, BC?? That kind of sums up the history of the basketball program when PC and Seton Hall can go deeper in the tournament at a time when the school was soaring in PR (Flutiemania was at its peak during the BE heydays of the 80's.) I think the facts just show that the administration really doesn;t care. And if they don't care, why should anyone else?
Based on the Twitter Machine it looks like Spinelli is all but a done deal. That's at least a positive.
Anderson is having surgery and sitting a year and playing his senior year. Uconn folk think he may end up there. is he any good? he's a PF?
Thanks. I have no idea, just something I heard. I'm not sure what Ollie looks for in bigs as he hasn't recruited many. They all seem athletic and slim.BigSoxFan said:
BigSoxFan said:
Ohio U won't let their top recruit leave at all. EDIT: and yes, I'd also like to see the kids be able to leave without restriction.
http://www.bcinterruption.com/2014/4/8/5593630/boston-college-basketball-replacing-ryan-anderson-ohio-university?utm_source=bcinterruption&utm_medium=nextclicks&utm_campaign=articlebottom
BigSoxFan said:
Looks like Fr. Leahy was being the good and kind priest we all know he is...."OK kid, scram if you want but you ain't going down to Storrs, got it?...GOT IT??" Man this UConn BS is really getting old, literally and figuritively......and I have no love for the Huskies, but c'mon man!
FelixMantilla said:
It's actually pretty standard not to release a commit until your new coach has had a chance to speak to him. Phillips will contact Owens, and if he still requests release, they'll give it to him.
Bleedred said:
Sounds like they made a significant investment here. A few decent names floating around for the third assistant and DBO. Even Jay Murphy's name has been mentioned for DBO.
Also looks like Rahon is free to talk to other schools. If so, looks like Hanlan is back but who knows.
I heard from a reliable source that BC's first target was not Jim Calhoun but Jay Wright. They tried to lure him out of Villanova, but they didn't offer him enough money.
That was mentioned on the various BC boards as well. Apparently Wright was very willing to listen but, shockingly, money was the issue with BC.RedOctober3829 said:
kenneycb said:
That just confirms what I said up thread about BC and basketball....they don't care about it as long as it "appears" to be competitive....#BChoopsmidmajorinabcsworld
As a Nova alum, that Wright rumor makes me sick. He's done an unbelievable job at Nova.
That said, not sure it means that BC is being cheap. Nova pays him very well...he's the 13th highest paid coach in the country at roughly $2.5m
That said, not sure it means that BC is being cheap. Nova pays him very well...he's the 13th highest paid coach in the country at roughly $2.5m
Yes, they've hired Scott Spinelli away from Maryland. He's one of the best assistant coaches in the country.FelixMantilla said:
berniecarbo1 said:
While this is very possible "money was the issue" could mean many things. How much would BC need to offer to lure him away? $3.5 million? Probably kicking the tires a la Buzz Williams thinking that coaches may want to leave the now smaller conferences. I think it's just the opposite.
BC adding Preston Murphy from URI do its staff. Really building a nice staff around Christian. Murphy was DBO under Skinner and was just promoted to 2nd assistant at URI.