Interesting post game comments

[ISUAgronomist]

There was one older gentleman in a gold blazer (Superfan) that went berserk at almost every home game.

Wild Bill

[psyclone51]

I think JP likes what Bill has done for the team as it shows up in ticket sales and success on the court. Would doubt that is the issue. Bill has taken a lot of heat recently - and rightfully so - about his on court demeanor, right down to the idiot professor who wrote the DSM Register. Still, this wouldn't be the first time that has happened. It's part of being a division 1 coach for a top level team.

Reading between the lines I would guess there are some players that have perhaps realized one of several possible things leading them to consider transferring. (1) they would prefer to play for a coach that butters their toast for them rather than getting them to do it for themselves. (2) they can't handle the toughness of Div 1 or Big 12 basketball. (3) they don't like the cold. (4) don't like their teammates. (5) some other potentially absurd or valid reason that we could guess about forever without being right. If players leave its because they have a personal reason that is just that - personal. Can't point blame at anything...its just a reason and because of it they don't fit the ISU program (or the ISU program doesn't fit them however you want to word it). Won't be the first time it happens and won't be the last. Remember, we also have gotten some outstanding players transferring IN to the program over the years. Both of our seniors are good examples.

I'm more worried about coach and the potential impact of his status on our program. First and foremost I want Bill to get his health back. It has to be scary to be working without a voice and wondering if it, a critical part of your job abilities, will come back and when. He is being a real trooper by choosing to coach through this grueling season knowing it is keeping his voice from recovering.

I'll jump on to the comment made about emails of encouragement with one addition. When you see any of the coaches or players give them some positive support. Send your favorite players an email and encourage them. They do read those things! Get in touch with the coaching staff and give them a bump up. It all matters.

Good comments all. Need to keep things in perspective, and that is not always easy to do, especially when you are on a loosing streak. I was looking at Bobby Douglas' record as wrestling coach here, and he had some great years but he also had some terrible years.

One final thing to remember. If Bill was not a top flight coach, why was he chosen to lead the team at the World University Games? The man puts his heart and soul into WBB; for that, he deserves our support when the train falls off the track...

[fwiw]

He is being a real trooper by choosing to coach through this grueling season knowing it is keeping his voice from recovering.

Completely agree about BF being a trooper with what's going on with his health. I hope he makes a strong comeback, he's pretty much a legend here.

His passion is both what we love about him one minute, and what makes us cringe the next. Every year he pulls out some over the top comments, what's different this year is that nothing is working (besides the defense).

Bottom line is that this is BF's program. He owns it. If he loses an entire class to kids leaving, and/or there some sort of mass exodus at the end of the year, well, *part* that is on him. He recruited them here. Yes, he has a coaching challenge this year, but that what he's being paid for.

I have a feeling that even if does decide to take a break and/or retire, I sincerely doubt it's back to the cellar for us. ISU is one of the best jobs in the country. Very few other teams across the country have the level of support that ISU has.

If JP is doing his job (he is) he'll work with BF on whatever is best for the program, you can bank on that.

[Wesley]

Sometimes a major health scare changes your approach to life. Maybe he needs a year off.

[isuno1fan]

Wish him well.

Get a good one JP.

[CycloneRulzzz]

I had a front row seat for it. I kept the WBB stats at all home games 1985-1988. Hilton was so empty you could hear people in the stands talking (and not loudly either). There was one older gentleman in a gold blazer (Superfan) that went berserk at almost every home game. I had a blast doing it though.

That was Wild Bill. We started going to games went I was in 8th grade and we would sit by Wild Bill every game because you never knew what he was going to do or say. I'll never forget a statement he made during a Big 12 showcase where he was featured. His comment was to the effect of if the players are going to bust their *** on the court you better do the same from the stands.

[beatiowa]

Question for someone who's been following our team for longer than I have been:

What was the attitude surrounding the program around '02-'04ish? Record-wise, it sounds like it was pretty similar to how things are right now: only a few years removed from Elite 8/Sweet 16 runs with less-than-stellar performance. Obviously fanbase communication was different pre-message boards, but were people as worried and worked up about things as they seem to be right now? Were there many transfers? I've only been following our WBB program since I became a student here (the '08-'09 Elite 8 season), so I'm not exactly used to seeing our team be anything less than stellar.

IMHO, it seems a little premature to be reading into everything as omens of coaching changes and/or meltdowns. Are things looking promising right now? Not really. But our ladies still have a lot of fight left in them, and you never know what can happen—there's a lot of basketball left on the schedule. Give it a little bit more time before assuming things are going into shambles. We're pretty blessed the way it is to have a WBB program that's enough of a powerhouse that a 4-game losing streak is stirring up controversy.

[mred]

Honestly, I think his comments now and in the past come down to one thing: he's hard on his players, but when it comes to public criticism he tries as hard as he can to deflect it away from them and onto himself.

[MartyFine]

Question for someone who's been following our team for longer than I have been:

What was the attitude surrounding the program around '02-'04ish? Record-wise, it sounds like it was pretty similar to how things are right now: only a few years removed from Elite 8/Sweet 16 runs with less-than-stellar performance. Obviously fanbase communication was different pre-message boards, but were people as worried and worked up about things as they seem to be right now? Were there many transfers? I've only been following our WBB program since I became a student here (the '08-'09 Elite 8 season), so I'm not exactly used to seeing our team be anything less than stellar.

IMHO, it seems a little premature to be reading into everything as omens of coaching changes and/or meltdowns. Are things looking promising right now? Not really. But our ladies still have a lot of fight left in them, and you never know what can happen—there's a lot of basketball left on the schedule. Give it a little bit more time before assuming things are going into shambles. We're pretty blessed the way it is to have a WBB program that's enough of a powerhouse that a 4-game losing streak is stirring up controversy.

People were becoming very critical of his recruiting and style of play in a league that was becoming much more physical. BF adapted, and did pretty well.

The pitchfork crowd will run him out of town, though. When that happens, ISU women's b-ball will take a major hit.

[cydney]

... We're pretty blessed the way it is to have a WBB program that's enough of a powerhouse that a 4-game losing streak is stirring up controversy.

The blessed part is true.

While a losing streak would be enough to get fans talking, really, there's been a "perfect storm."

This is a test for everyone. Can the program, coaches, players, fans, etc., weather such a storm? Fans may need to be patient, hang tight, and not give up ship yet.

[cyatheart]

Can someone help me here? I don't follow womens basketball except to look at the score if they are in the tournament.

But why on earth would anyone want Bill to leave? So what they lost a few in a row, big deal. Guy has a lifetime contract and has a lot of success. They are only a couple years removed from an Elite Eight and a Sweet 16.

I could see him needing some time off because of the health issues, but who at ISU would ever want him to leave?

[acoustimac]

People were becoming very critical of his recruiting and style of play in a league that was becoming much more physical. BF adapted, and did pretty well.

The pitchfork crowd will run him out of town, though. When that happens, ISU women's b-ball will take a major hit.

Let me say that when ISU lost a last minute game to OSU on a missed inbounds shot by Ezell...the lady who sits next to me ( a retired Ames teacher) was screaming...yes screaming for ISU to fire Fennelly. Keep in mind she shows on a game to game basis that she knows little or nothing about the sport...but that is the type of knee jerk reaction that happens.

[ThatllDoCy]

Bill will stay. He is a passionate guy and your biggest strength is your biggest weakness. If it ever got to the point where he was hurting the program, if it is possible to hurt what you have built, he is smart enough to know it. He turned down Texas to stay at ISU.

We are lucky to have him, and he may yell and holler, but he has as much integrity as any Coach he is up against.

[barometriclow]

Let me say that when ISU lost a last minute game to OSU on a missed inbounds shot by Ezell...the lady who sits next to me ( a retired Ames teacher) was screaming...yes screaming for ISU to fire Fennelly. Keep in mind she shows on a game to game basis that she knows little or nothing about the sport...but that is the type of knee jerk reaction that happens.

A more forthcoming reply would to direct the query to:
http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/...e-absence.html (Schroll Taking leave of absence.)
Don't get me wrong, I hope all things improve with the current cast of characters, but ignoring issues because they are unpleasant is not being totally honest.

[Wesley]

Well, maybe we are playing just as well as we can now.