All "Gripes" with Greg McDermott

**cyclonestate** · 03-15-2010, 09:52 PM

I was very excited when Coach Mac was hired because I felt like he was a coach who would mold our guys into a team with exceptional chemistry. I wasn't sure that he'd be able to bring in the most talented players, but I was sure that his strength was molding a team that is greater than the sum of its parts. In other words, I knew that chemistry would be the LAST thing we'd have to worry about.

As I read this Paul Rhoads interview, it reminded me of exactly the kind of coach that I thought Mac would be, and exactly the kind of basketball team I thought we'd have. Now I have to admit that I'm completely stumped as to why it hasn't worked out like I thought it would.

I haven't given up hope on Mac, but I have to admit, it's getting really hard.

Q&A: Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads - Big 12 Blog - ESPN

**Cymon** · 03-15-2010, 10:23 PM

I'm in the same boat as you. I was excited when Mac was hired. I was living in Cedar Falls at the time and loved how he got his teams to play. My cousin was an assistant trainer for him and said how much she respected him as a coach and as a person. She still talks to him occasionally and he has always been a stand-up guy. Now I know that being a person with high morals doesn't guarantee you wins, but I have always pulled for him and not just because I'm a Cyclone fan.
When I talk to my cousin after a game, she is as confused as the rest of us. I remember mentioning how I couldn't stand it when Garrett would dribble himself into a trap and she told me that Mac would be all over his guards at UNI for doing that. We also discussed the lack of toughness on the team. She told me that it is almost like watching a completely different guy coaching. I honestly think we have a head coach that is gun shy after the Wesley Johnson situation. Now with Hamilton gone, I don't think it is going to get better.

**marothisu** · 03-15-2010, 10:28 PM

I feel as if I am one of the only people who was NOT excited by Mac's hiring in 2006. I was so-so about it, and then he said "I'll be recruiting HEAVILY in the state of Iowa" and I had a beer right after.

**terryk** · 03-15-2010, 10:34 PM

haha mac still maybe gone, just my statement. i no nothing. err or maybe not

**farmerbrent** · 03-15-2010, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by marothisu

I feel as if I am one of the only people who was NOT excited by Mac's hiring in 2006. I was so-so about it, and then he said "I'll be recruiting HEAVILY in the state of Iowa" and I had a beer right after.

Wasn't the #1 player in high school this year from Iowa?

**cy1010** · 03-15-2010, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by farmerbrent

Wasn't the #1 player in high school this year from Iowa?

Yeah, and that happens how often?

Ask Iowa how well they're doing with a bunch of Iowa HS kids getting heavy minutes.

**gocubs2118** · 03-15-2010, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by farmerbrent

Wasn't the #1 player in high school this year from Iowa?

Way to look at the exception and not the rule.

**marothisu** · 03-15-2010, 10:45 PM

Originally Posted by farmerbrent

Wasn't the #1 player in high school this year from Iowa?

How many #1 players have there been from Iowa? For every great player from Iowa, which isn't many, I can probably name about 25-50 from New York, California, Florida, or Texas.

**acgclone** · 03-15-2010, 10:45 PM

I was against WM's firing. I was starting to sour on him, but felt that his results were certainly good enough to get another year.

I do have to admit that when Gmac was hired, I was confident that he was a good fit for the program and would get it done.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything from him or his teams in the last 4 years, that would validate that confidence.

**pulse** · 03-15-2010, 10:46 PM

yeah I wasn't over joyed about his hire, but I hope what you felt. The truth is, what you (and I hoped) was wrong.

**Tre4ISU** · 03-15-2010, 10:48 PM

Originally Posted by terryk

haha mac still maybe gone, just my statement. i no nothing. err or maybe not

Don't do that ****. It makes you look stupid.

**alarson** · 03-15-2010, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by terryk

haha mac still maybe gone, just my statement. i no nothing. err or maybe not

**Cyhart** · 03-15-2010, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by acgclone

I was against WM's firing. I was starting to sour on him, but felt that his results were certainly good enough to get another year.

I do have to admit that when Gmac was hired, I was confident that he was a good fit for the program and would get it done.

Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything from him or his teams in the last 4 years, that would validate that confidence.

Agree completely.
I wouldn't have fired Morgan myself, but I was certainly ok with it once it happened.
I was ecstatic that we hired GMac. I was convinced he was a perfect hire. I was also certain that the Alford era at Iowa wasn't going to last and I knew they would come calling for GMac. So I was glad we were able to secure him before the Iowa job opened up. I wonder if Pollard was thinking the same thing and got in on GMac before Iowa could?! Food for thought anyway.

At any rate, GMac hasn't worked out. And that is so disappointing.

**Clonedogg** · 03-15-2010, 11:00 PM

I was in the fence about his hiring, mainly because of recruiting. Not because I didn't think he couldn't coach. But now with the yearly attrition and lack of improvement I don't know what's wrong but it didn't work it's time to say goodbye IMO.

Question, does anyone know what it will cost to buy mac out?

**marothisu** · 03-15-2010, 11:01 PM

It's funny how this stuff happens. For example we fired Wayne Morgan after he took us to the post season twice in three years and never had a losing seasons....Iowa fires Alford after he has one losing season (barely) in 8 seasons and going to the post season 6 of those times with a winning pct of almost 60%

Then he goes to New Mexico, has three 20+ win seasons in three seasons, and right now has a Mountain West team as a 3 seed.