Unpopular Position

**michaelrr1** · 03-13-2010, 01:31 PM

Originally Posted by Dryburn

I agree.......a college Head Coach who just completed his 15th season as college Head Coach, and is making a base salary of over $800,000 per year should not have to be "salvageable" at this point.......he should be way beyond that. If he cannot succeed at this level......which he has shown he cannot.......then it is time to move on to something else. To me, GMac has simply gone beyond his level of competence. It's really that simple.

As far as JP goes, I really don't really think he is as great as some make him out to be. To me, he has mostly done what an AD is supposed to do. He has increased the budget by about 50%, but I think many would ask, and are asking.......and what has that gotten ISU? He has hired some good coaches, and some not so good coaches. He has also let good coaches get away.......in the case of women's gymnastics and wrestling. He has done some questionable financial things....such as the take-over of Hilton....no one seems to know if that is working for the University or the Athletic Department in a positive or negative financial way. Although, I'm pretty confident that if it were positive, we would hear something about it by now. Kind of like season ticket sales in some sports. We don't seem to hear much about them any more do we? Wonder why? The contract that he gave GMac was absolutely laughable. A $50,000 guaranteed raise every year, no matter what success the coach has or does not have? Incentive raises built in for limited success, and once awarded become a permanent part of the base salary? Buyout terms that essentially guarantee that the coach cannot be fired? Are you serious? This is what a $400,000 salary for an AD gets you?

My own personal belief is that athletics at ISU right now are not in a very good condition, despite some limited success in some sports.

Great post. I know JP has his advisers and staff members, but to me, he should be a financial adviser in charge of bringing in donations, not someone who is in charge of the Athletics Department. We need someone who can better evaluate potential coaching hires, contract negotiator, and who can be a better public relations person.

**westcyedclone** · 03-13-2010, 01:46 PM

I like the things Pollard has been able to accomplish at ISU and really think he is the right man for the job. I don't agree with keeping GMAC, however I don't blame JP for hiring him. Greg was the "girl with the curl" when we were looking to replace Wayne, he was right in our backyard, and other Big 12 schools were interested as well.
Sometimes for what ever reason things just aren't a good fit, this is one of those times. The longer we keep Greg, the longer we prolong our misery.

**ISUChippewa** · 03-13-2010, 02:25 PM

However, URBCLONE is correct the coach made that statement at his presser and I have heard him repeatedly make the assertion in public that he is what he is and he is not going to change. My impression looking at this from the outside is that stubborn appears be an accurate way to describe his attitude.

I was dismayed when I read this as well, but I'm hoping that what McD means by this is that he is going to keep coaching with "integrity" and by doing the right things, not by recruiting kids with questionable character or by getting in bed with scummy street agents and hustlers.

That's one possible interpretation of it, and I really hope that's what he was talking about. Obviously the finished product on the floor isn't and shouldn't be acceptable to anyone.

**clone34** · 03-13-2010, 02:33 PM

Do people really care about having a squeeky clean program? The kids at K-State had questionable AAU coaches but are not thugs on the court. Sometimes it is the people around the kids and not the kids themselves.

**ISUChippewa** · 03-13-2010, 02:56 PM

Do people really care about having a squeeky clean program?

I would like our athletes to graduate at a good rate, stay academically eligible, and keep themselves out of trouble. If that is "squeaky clean" than so be it. On those criteria, McD has been successful. We all know about the lack of success on the court.

I remember one of the names mentioned when we were looking to replace Wayne Morgan was Tom Moore, who was at that time the associate head coach of UCONN and who is now the head coach at Quinnipiac. I was not in favor of pursuing him at the time due to UCONN's horrendous graduation rate.

**clone34** · 03-13-2010, 02:59 PM

Has Mcdermott even graduated any of his players?

**CYVADER** · 03-13-2010, 03:07 PM

Originally Posted by clone34

Has Mcdermott even graduated any of his players?

i don't know if you count petey and haluska and thompson his players or not?

**CYEATHAWK** · 03-13-2010, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by clone34

Has Mcdermott even graduated any of his players?

The five I can think of are Petey, Haluska, Thompson, Hubalek and Clark. Two were walk on's...one transferred from Iowa and the other two were Wayne Morgan recruits. There has to be more....right?

**Tre4ISU** · 03-13-2010, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by CYEATHAWK

The five I can think of are Petey, Haluska, Thompson, Hubalek and Clark. Two were walk on's...one transferred from Iowa and the other two were Wayne Morgan recruits. There has to be more....right?

Let's keep in mind he would have had only one class of freshman and then whatever JUCOs. He should graduate 2 next year. Still, his attrition is terrible.

Also with regards to him changing, he has changed. This team this year did not play the same as his UNI teams. This team was offensively focused on MG and CB. I also believe his interactions with the players, especially the very important players, changed when Wes left. I think he became soft on some of the guys. That's my opinion and I have not seen it in person, however that is what I see when I watch games.

**isuagr** · 03-13-2010, 04:20 PM

Nice to read a well thought post that says something other than fire McDermott and Pollard!

**cyclonewino** · 03-13-2010, 04:44 PM

Originally Posted by yaman3

Also with regards to him changing, he has changed. This team this year did not play the same as his UNI teams. This team was offensively focused on MG and CB. I also believe his interactions with the players, especially the very important players, changed when Wes left. I think he became soft on some of the guys. That's my opinion and I have not seen it in person, however that is what I see when I watch games.

I agree, he is trying to change to a more athletic lineup and style of play. I think he has a learning curve to do this, although time for Mac to figure out how is short before everyone jumps ship.