Abdelmassih to UConn?

**Dryburn** · 09-14-2012, 07:11 PM

Have not read the whole thread, but one thing that might be in ISU's favor is that the new coach was only given a contract for less than one year. It expires next April, unless he proves himself, and gets it extended. That is not a very appealing situation for someone to walk into, especially since UCONN is out of post-season play this next year.

**jsb** · 09-14-2012, 09:03 PM

I don't know that is worth getting all worried about. I'd like to keep Matt, but I'd rather keep TJ (who we are probably still lucky to have around) and Mann.

The one good thing is that while Matt may be our guy in the east and in Minnesota, Hoiberg plays a pretty big role as a recruiter. It seems as though our biggest targets (Thomas, Niang) have pretty equal relationships with their lead recruiter and Hoiberg.

If one of our guys were to leave, I don't think it would hurt us too bad with the Minnesota kids.

**Cydkar** · 09-14-2012, 09:56 PM

Vaughn mentioned Matt by name in a recent interview.

**Cyhart** · 09-14-2012, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by jsb

I don't know that is worth getting all worried about. I'd like to keep Matt, but I'd rather keep TJ (who we are probably still lucky to have around) and Mann.

The one good thing is that while Matt may be our guy in the east and in Minnesota, Hoiberg plays a pretty big role as a recruiter. It seems as though our biggest targets (Thomas, Niang) have pretty equal relationships with their lead recruiter and Hoiberg.

If one of our guys were to leave, I don't think it would hurt us too bad with the Minnesota kids.

Make no mistake, Matt is every bit as important or more so as a recruiter than anyone on the staff, sans Hoiberg. He is young and really relates to the kids. There is a reason CFH brought a 26 year old to Ames with him.

**madcityCY** · 09-14-2012, 10:31 PM

Matt seems to get his foot in the door with a lot of kids we really shouldn't, starting with Royce (of course) and ending with Terrell/ Whitehead/ McCullough, etc. outside of White, he hasn't really come through in a huge way (with a HS kid) but he's young and shows a lot of promise (I think... To an amateur/ outsider... ).

I doubt Matt picks up and leaves this year, based on Ollie's contract situation. If Ollie has a good year, gets a multi-year deal, I could see worrying.

In the end, you want your assistants being pulled on. That's a sign that the head coach is hiring great young coaching prospects. Fred will then just hire the next up-and-comer. I believe more than anything in his ability to attract good people.

As for Vaughn (or other MN kids), he knows by know that he's ultimately going to play in Fred's system, not Matt's.

**BallSoHard4Cy** · 09-15-2012, 01:00 AM

We all praise Fred, but without TO MA and CM, we would be toast. We have to keep these guys.

**Rural** · 09-15-2012, 08:19 AM

I would think that Ollie's one year contract would work in our favor as far as keeping MA goes.

**ICclone23** · 09-15-2012, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Clones85'

Wait, how do we know Matt is a "monster recruiter?" I'm not saying he isn't, but he's been here nearly 3 years and his 2 HS commits have been Sledge and Okoro.

Maybe you never heard of this guy named Royce?
He also brought Peele the #1 ranked center in the country on to campus, and evidently we could have had him, but we didnt think he would make it academically.
Also, Rashad Vaughn who is a 5 star and Matt has already had on campus twice.

Its little nuggets like that that let us know he is a monster recruiter.

**CycloneErik** · 09-15-2012, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by ICclone23

Maybe you never heard of this guy named Royce?
He also brought Peele the #1 ranked center in the country on to campus, and evidently we could have had him, but we didnt think he would make it academically.
Also, Rashad Vaughn who is a 5 star and Matt has already had on campus twice.

Its little nuggets like that that let us know he is a monster recruiter.

Did Pelle actually get to campus? I remember him backing out a couple times, and SDSU fans noting that it happened a lot there as well. I could be forgetting something, but I don't think that guy ever made it here at all.

**ICclone23** · 09-15-2012, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by CycloneErik

Did Pelle actually get to campus? I remember him backing out a couple times, and SDSU fans noting that it happened a lot there as well. I could be forgetting something, but I don't think that guy ever made it here at all.

I believe he did end up making it to campus. He canceled his visit for the Baylor game, but I thought made it a few weeks later.

So counting White, Vaughn, and Peele Matt has brought three 5 stars to Ames to visit. I think we have likely only had four 5 star players in the last 25 years.

**BuffettClone** · 09-15-2012, 09:35 AM

Last I knew Pelle scheduled 2 visits and cancelled them both before he got to Ames. I'm not Blaming MA for that, but I don't think there was ever much of a chance Pelle was coming to ISU

**Cyrok** · 09-15-2012, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by BallSoHard4Cy

We all praise Fred, but without TO MA and CM, we would be toast. We have to keep these guys.

I agree that the assistants are doing a great job and deserve a lot of credit for helping to build up the program, but in my opinion, Hoiberg is the only coach that is irreplaceable. Eventually the assistants will move on and that might be traumatic (disruption of recruiting, relationships with current players, etc.) but the new guy Hoiberg brings in will have his own talents and recruiting area. And with Hoiberg's eye for athletic talent, does anyone suspect he won't be able to spot coaching talent as well? In fact, why can't a new assistant be an upgrade?

I hope Matt, TJ, and Cornell all stay with ISU for the next 3-5 years. I hope Fred stays here for 40.