I interacted with TJ a fair amount during his first tour of duty at Iowa State (when he was an assistant coach and a primary recruiter), and I can tell you he's a wonderful person, let alone a great coach.
T J
- Thread starter FallOf81
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Beyond his talent as a coach, here's what I admire about the Wizard of Otz: No freaking drama. No yelling, no cursing, no tantrums, no histrionics. He shakes every kid's hand who comes off the floor, and then he goes back to the game. A real asset in an era of the Tang-Tangs, the Kelvinators, the Squawk Franatics, and the other Drama Kweenze of Koaching.
Plus it gave him a couple seasons to go cut his teeth as a head coach at SDST and UNLV. Having some experience is way better than having none.
What does 'regular basis' consist of? Like how often?
He's a really good talent evaluator. He finds these guys that have all the right attributes to fit the culture he wants. Then he gets maximum effort and builds their endurance to sustain his high standards. He's my favorite coach and I was really skeptical of the hire. I hope he never leaves.
I think TJ really knows how to interract with these young men very well. That can get your guys to trust you more and buy into your system. TJ’s ability to interact with these high school and college level athletes is part of what makes him such a good recruiter well. In addition, him and his wife love everything about ISU and want to be here. He’s exactly what we need for this basketball program.
I didn't think TJ would be hired because of the perception that JP passed over him in favor of Prohm. And that if TJ got the job after Prohm, it would be JP admitting that he made a mistake the last go-round. That the Prohm hire was a waste of however many years. Glad we have TJ now and even more so of JP and how he handles the entire AD.
If we could get to the E8 or F4 once every 4 or 5 years, that would be taking us to the next level in my opinion.
Right now, we’re a solid team that gets to the tournament most years and the occasional S16. My question is whether TJ can get us to that next level where we’re making a deep run every 4 years or so.
I actually feel I know @ZRF pretty well so allow me to speak for him.Waiting for ZRF to pontificate..
TJ is ok but is really holding himself back in that he refuses to embrace my(@ZRF) well intended (and frankly quite superior) suggestions. I mean, he is doing ok but his in game management, insistence on playing BRE and Pav is obviously wrong. Couple with that his inability to properly instruct players to make 90+% FTs along with wasting the opportunity he has in a 5* on the bench and it is no wonder he has lost some games. Other than pretty much sucking as a basketball coach, I (@ZRF) really like him.
I can't help but be critical, the unbelievable talent I brought to the floor as a JuCo reserve guard just a few years ago is still part of my soul and feeds my incredible basketball intellect. I don't expect you non John Wooden types to grasp by insights but trust me, I know basketball.
Lets face it, we are stuck with him and not me (@ZRF) at least for another year or two until his facade of a program catches up with him. If you would join me (@ZRF) in emailing Pollard to make sure he doesn't make a similar mistake again, I can assure you I (@ZRF) will lead you to the promised land.
Wild goose chase. Was this a Dixie chick or Taylor swift or family feud link? I’ve spent the last hour watching
That would be fun but that's a super high bar.
I'm curious what programs have reached those types of tourney runs at that clip.
JP didn't pass over him the first time - TJ was who he wanted to replace Fred, but Leath wouldn't allow it.
That's incredibly unrealistic
1 Elite 8 and he equals the best in my lifetime.
1 Final Four and he equals an all-time ISU mark.
2 of either = Rename Hilton Coliseum!
This.
I hated Hoiball with a passion. At first it was exciting but the longer he was here the more it felt like the program had plateaued. We constantly relied on the 3, rarely played defense, and usually underachieved. What really did me in was how he handled the last 2 minutes of the McLemore bank game at Allen. It was some of the more strategically bereft basketball I've ever seen. While most will point to the bank, it was the lack of defensive subs, using TOs, and poor foul strategy that did us in. He literally snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
TJ isn't perfect but I like our teams a lot more than when Fred was here. We play defense, we don't rely as much on the 3 ball, and usually match or exceed the talent on the team. The guys play their ass off for him and that signifies the respect he has from the team.
I didn't want another Fred clone and thought we had one after what I thought I saw at UNLV. Glad I was wrong.
Was pretty sure that was reportedly only half true. Leath made him do a full search. JP selected Prohm over TJ based on that though, and could have selected TJ.
TJ was the best thing Greg McDermott did for ISU.
