If you were McDermott...

**cyclones500** · 03-09-2010, 01:00 PM

... would you want to climb this mountain anymore? Would it be any fun knowing he has to produce results next season (and, if it happens, beyond) that are realistically beyond expectations for even a proven coach?

Sure, he's getting the money, but he doesn't seem like a person who would just want to coast on the gravy train as long as he can, and feel good about it.

I think Pollard's statement was back-dooring a resignation because he understood the financial constraints of the contract. If the coach decides not to bolt, JP is 100 percent behind him (until next year at this time, if it's the same situation). And he is up front with the coach about all this (but not up-front with fans) — and he says, "if you aren't up to the challenge, we will do everything we can to help you in your next direction."

Just a theory — mainly for discussion, because it just seems like a no-win situation at this point.

**jtd9046** · 03-09-2010, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

Just a theory —

You should have started and stopped with that.

Wow. Coaches don't get into the profession to coast through things. If he wanted to do that, he would have stayed at UNI and they would have gladly kept him around for life.

**CycloneWarning** · 03-09-2010, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

... would you want to climb this mountain anymore? Would it be any fun knowing he has to produce results next season.

Not sure how this is any different than any of us working in the real world. Don't we all need to produce results?

**CYdTracked** · 03-09-2010, 01:05 PM

I'm not a quitter and I don't think GMac is either so yes I'd want to keep climbing this mountain if I were him. If he didn't want to climb it I wouldn't want him here as the coach. If this team hasn't proven to us enough times already they don't quit regardless of the score and I think that has a lot to do with how they are coached.

**Wesley** · 03-09-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

... would you want to climb this mountain anymore? Would it be any fun knowing he has to produce results next season (and, if it happens, beyond) that are realistically beyond expectations for even a proven coach?

Sure, he's getting the money, but he doesn't seem like a person who would just want to coast on the gravy train as long as he can, and feel good about it.

I think Pollard's statement was back-dooring a resignation because he understood the financial constraints of the contract. If the coach decides not to bolt, JP is 100 percent behind him (until next year at this time, if it's the same situation). And he is up front with the coach about all this (but not up-front with fans) — and he says, "if you aren't up to the challenge, we will do everything we can to help you in your next direction."

Just a theory — mainly for discussion, because it just seems like a no-win situation at this point.

The way Hilton support is waning, we will be financially stuck for another five years.

**cyclones500** · 03-09-2010, 01:09 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

Wow. Coaches don't get into the profession to coast through things. If he wanted to do that, he would have stayed at UNI and they would have gladly kept him around for life.

Exactly my point about that — I don't think most coaches would exclusively take advantage of the salary if their performance was below their own expectations. So then it becomes, what's my motivation?

**Palmer** · 03-09-2010, 01:11 PM

"would you want to climb this mountain anymore?"

please...someone provide GMac with some sherpas.

he cannot get out of base camp.

**jtd9046** · 03-09-2010, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

Exactly my point about that — I don't think most coaches would exclusively take advantage of the salary if their performance was below their own expectations. So then it becomes, what's my motivation?

Your point doesn't make sense. Have you seen any indications that McD is happy and content with his performance? His motivation would be, I need to perform better and win.

**jtd9046** · 03-09-2010, 01:14 PM

Theory fail.

**ISUAgronomist** · 03-09-2010, 01:21 PM

Discussion:

Do I like the current style of basketball he has put on the court? No
Do I like were the program is currently under Mac? No
Do I think he will be successful in Big XII competition? Not sure
Could my overall opinion of McD change? Maybe
Will McD quit on this team and school? Hell no

McD is not leaving. Even I have come to accept this as fact.

**cyclones500** · 03-09-2010, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by jtd9046

Your point doesn't make sense. Have you seen any indications that McD is happy and content with his performance? His motivation would be, I need to perform better and win.

Look, I'm not saying GM is going to want to throw up his hands and say, "I give up." But Pollard spun this the only way he could — he has no budget leverage, he really believes in the coach but hasn't seen the W-L result he'd like, and if it's this way next March, he'll have to make a move.

My core question was, is the added pressure going to make it even more daunting for the coach? And I posed the question the way I did to try to imagine us in his shoes.

**ISUAgronomist** · 03-09-2010, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

My core question was, is the added pressure going to make it even more daunting for the coach?

I don't think so. If he gets the good players he wants, gets them to play smart ball, play together as a TEAM, and play an entire 40 minutes the wins will come regardless of pressure from above.

**tazclone** · 03-09-2010, 01:25 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

... would you want to climb this mountain anymore? Would it be any fun knowing he has to produce results next season (and, if it happens, beyond) that are realistically beyond expectations for even a proven coach?

Sure, he's getting the money, but he doesn't seem like a person who would just want to coast on the gravy train as long as he can, and feel good about it.

I think Pollard's statement was back-dooring a resignation because he understood the financial constraints of the contract. If the coach decides not to bolt, JP is 100 percent behind him (until next year at this time, if it's the same situation). And he is up front with the coach about all this (but not up-front with fans) — and he says, "if you aren't up to the challenge, we will do everything we can to help you in your next direction."

Just a theory — mainly for discussion, because it just seems like a no-win situation at this point.

A lesser man would have decided he had been kicked in the junk too many times and walked away. I would not fault Gmac for this at all. There are so many tings that have happened that are out of his control that he has to wonder what he has done to deserve the bad luck. Thing is most people that are in the coaching profession are competetive and are not quitters. GMac is not a quitter and will continue to fight. I admire him for that.

**UNIGuy4Cy** · 03-09-2010, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by cyclones500

... would you want to climb this mountain anymore? Would it be any fun knowing he has to produce results next season (and, if it happens, beyond) that are realistically beyond expectations for even a proven coach?

Sure, he's getting the money, but he doesn't seem like a person who would just want to coast on the gravy train as long as he can, and feel good about it.

I think Pollard's statement was back-dooring a resignation because he understood the financial constraints of the contract. If the coach decides not to bolt, JP is 100 percent behind him (until next year at this time, if it's the same situation). And he is up front with the coach about all this (but not up-front with fans) — and he says, "if you aren't up to the challenge, we will do everything we can to help you in your next direction."

Just a theory — mainly for discussion, because it just seems like a no-win situation at this point.

You would think he would start believing he did not belong with the big boys and make some sort of change before things change around him.

**CyBobby** · 03-09-2010, 01:37 PM

I can tell you that anyone even mcdermott making upwards of 800K a year is NOT going to walk away from that gig ... NO matter how HOT it gets!!!!

The House of McDermott....Home of the 15 win season....