Lickliter - Did he realize?

[ajk4st8]

How big was that loss to OSU?

Its the Chicken Dance in the Kohls Center big? Or maybe it was Iowa in your grill defense big? Hmmm Either way it was big and I hate that commercial.

[wonkadog]

jahfg, I'm with you. I'll pass on my judgement until year 2 or 3. How someone can say they think TL is a better coach than GM at this point is absolutely ridiculous. I'm not saying he can't be down the road but geez. I'll gain more respect for him once he decides to coach an entire game instead of appearing to "give up" once Iowa gets behind. Come on coach, it's only 25 points you need to make up! ;)

[cycloneworld]

I've said this before but I think when Iowa hired Steve Alford, they set their basketball program back 10 years. Obviously they didn't know that would happen but in retrospect you have 8 wasted years (ok maybe 7 wasted years but the 1 year Iowa lost to NW State in the 1st Rd of the NCAA Tournament) and it will take Lickliter at least 3 years to right the ship.

That hurts a program and its showing right now. I honestly cannot believe they can't get more than 10,000 in CHA. When I was growing up in the Tom Davis era (and I liked the Hawks), that place was almost ALWAYS full.

[CyCloned]

I am sure that Lickliter did not get what he thought he was going to when he got the Iowa job. They have had a couple defections, really bad luck on injuries and SA left the place a mess. Of course GMac had most of a team when he committed to the ISU job. Then there was the massive bale out. Maybe some of the guys that left did so because of GMac, but he has not had a great situation so far either. Lickliter appears to be a pretty good coach, but he will need to be a great recruiter to turn Iowa around.

[CrossCyed]

Good thing Smith wasn't foreign.

[PolkCityClone]

Originally Posted by ISUAlum2002

To be fair, they have dealt with some key injuries.

You're right though, they are bad, and I don't think Lickliter knew it was going to be this bad.

That commercial you mention is funny to watch. As much as he looks like he doesn't want to be on the bench during games, he looks a LOT more like he hated doing that spot for the Big 10 Network.

Key injuries? U give you Freeman, but to be a key injury, you have to have some talent.

[PolkCityClone]

Originally Posted by JonDMiller

There are some people in this world that don't look at things the way others do with regards to the corporate ladder. And there are some folks that place a great deal of value on home, stability, familiarity and loyalty.

Coach Lick was a Butler grad and player. He then went the high school coaching route, like Lute Olsen did, and as his father had done at North Central HS in Indianapolis. I have seen a lot of career similarities between the two from the moment he arrived. His first college job about a decade later was as a Butler assistant, under his old coach. He then became and assistant at a directional Michigan school, before returning to Butler as an assistant in 1999, then two years later, their head coach. He has been in or near Indiana for much of his life.

I moved back to Iowa for a few reasons, some professional and some personal. Iowa has a pull on you, when you move away. Some of you have experienced that, or are experiencing that right now. So you can understand that.

Lute was 40 when he took over a very bad Iowa job and he was nearly 50 when he left for Arizona. Lute took Iowa to a Final Four. Lick was in his mid 40's when he became Butler's head coach, which was probably his dream come true. he took that program to two Sweet 16's. He was 52 when he came to Iowa.

It will probably be his last head coaching job...and that is a good thing as far as I am concerned...stability. He will do things his way, and for Iowa, a school that is probably never going to recruit on par with the big boys, you need to have a disciplined system, IMO. Lute was air tight defense and valuing the ball...Dr Tom had the press....both succeeded. Alford had nothing...and he failed. Lick will have success, I think, because he has a plan to succeed.

Now, just how much success will be the question.

Based on these similarities, how long before Lick gets run out of town?

[83Clone]

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

How big was that loss to OSU?

Its the Chicken Dance in the Kohls Center big? Or maybe it was Iowa in your grill defense big? Hmmm Either way it was big and I hate that commercial.

I've been trying to figure out exactly what "Iowa in your grill defense big" is.

[twojman]

Originally Posted by 83Clone

I've been trying to figure out exactly what "Iowa in your grill defense big" is.

I think this is what they are talking about.