Commenting on Chris's message today

[IGotThis]

The problem is out of here. (GMac.) At first about the Hoiberg hire, I was a little taken a-back.....but after hearing him, his connections, his coaching pedigree and his desire to be back in Ames honestly got me excited - ready to back him. He obviously is well respected in the Ranks of organized basketball.....I see him doing a tremendous job....with or without GMac recruits.

I look for our team to compete very hard this next season.....and about a .500 record. I will take that....in year 2....we will see what type of recruits he has coming in.....and I am hoping for a top 10 recruit or a McDonald's All American that Fred can get with his NBA connections. It takes one major recruiting class to change this thing around.....something Greggy could never do......and we will get this program going in the right direction.

I really think that many will have their eye on this hire....especially if it is a huge success. I could change the NCAA coaching landscape for times to come all over the country.... I feel this whole event...with GMac leaving...etc.... is a blessing in disguise.

explain?

http://huntersinsight.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/facepalm.jpg

 

[MoreCowbell]

Just my thoughts on the subject:

Bold #1: I think Gary Thompson was just blowing smoke in the local paper when he knew all along what was going on.

Bold #2: Fred worked in the front office of an NBA team doing scouting and figuring out who the best person for the team to draft was, you don't see how that can help recruiting? He goes into the kids house and says "I worked for the Timberwolves, scouting and evaluating potential drafts picks and free agents, I know what an NBA team is looking for and I can help you get to the NBA with what I know if you come play for me at ISU". I see that as a big recruiting advantage.

I agree with this. Gary may very well have had 15 coaches contact him "about" the opening. That doesn't mean they contacted him with intent to apply for the job. They may have called to say "Gary, what's going on here? Give me the scoop!" The quote from Gary is ambiguous, IMO, and rightfully so.

Edited to add the quote:

Former Iowa State basketball player Gary Thompson said on Tuesday that Gillispie is one of 15 coaches to contact him about the opening at Iowa State after Greg McDermott left for Creighton.

“I’ve talked to a number of people that have taken six, seven, eight teams to NCAA Tournament,” Thompson said. “So I found there is a number of these are guys as head coaches of major universities. I don’t think there is a problem in finding who you want, it’s up to (ISU athletic director) Jamie (Pollard) to see what he thinks is the best result he can get right now for the program.”

 

[Ficklone02]

I don't think we will know much about this hire until we see the completion of Fred's coaching staff. I know I immediately felt better about Rhoads when I saw his staff completed than Chizik who hired his buddies.

 

[Rods79]

Just my thoughts on the subject:

Bold #1: I think Gary Thompson was just blowing smoke in the local paper when he knew all along what was going on.

Bold #2: Fred worked in the front office of an NBA team doing scouting and figuring out who the best person for the team to draft was, you don't see how that can help recruiting? He goes into the kids house and says "I worked for the Timberwolves, scouting and evaluating potential drafts picks and free agents, I know what an NBA team is looking for and I can help you get to the NBA with what I know if you come play for me at ISU". I see that as a big recruiting advantage.

Definitely agree with #1. A lot of coaches put their name out there to get noticed/raises/bargaining points. I would be willing to bet that a lot of the inquiries came from that standpoint, thus why we don't know who actually contacted Gary aside from Gillespie (which Gary didn't mind "putting his name out there"). Hiring Gillespie would have been worse than hiring FH, so we'll put that out there as my opinion. I have a feeling, even if BG was shunned from Kentucky, he was looking for a stepping stone program to get back up to the bigs, and he was going to take major advantage of us.

I'm not sold on #2...mainly because FH is going to come into a recruits house and say "Timberwolves". They had a good thing going in early 2000-2005, but they are going back down...not that it has any real relevancy. However, I am definitely not sold on the NBA connection being a recruiting advantage relative to a coach that knows how to win college basketball. I really think that the lack of coaching experience is going to hurt when you are fighting for recruits, and not dealing for recruits.

All this being said, I am going to support Coach Hoiberg. I love the Cyclones and I will always be on the side of the good guys. But, I've said it once, and I'll say it again...I really think everyone on here is too high on nostalgia to think straight and therefore anyone who doubts the hire is chastised. It is a nostalgic cult we are dealing with on here.

 

[Ficklone02]

Definitely agree with #1. A lot of coaches put their name out there to get noticed/raises/bargaining points. I would be willing to bet that a lot of the inquiries came from that standpoint, thus why we don't know who actually contacted Gary aside from Gillespie (which Gary didn't mind "putting his name out there"). Hiring Gillespie would have been worse than hiring FH, so we'll put that out there as my opinion. I have a feeling, even if BG was shunned from Kentucky, he was looking for a stepping stone program to get back up to the bigs, and he was going to take major advantage of us.

I'm not sold on #2...mainly because FH is going to come into a recruits house and say "Timberwolves". They had a good thing going in early 2000-2005, but they are going back down...not that it has any real relevancy. However, I am definitely not sold on the NBA connection being a recruiting advantage relative to a coach that knows how to win college basketball. I really think that the lack of coaching experience is going to hurt when you are fighting for recruits, and not dealing for recruits.

All this being said, I am going to support Coach Hoiberg. I love the Cyclones and I will always be on the side of the good guys. But, I've said it once, and I'll say it again...I really think everyone on here is too high on nostalgia to think straight and therefore anyone who doubts the hire is chastised. It is a nostalgic cult we are dealing with on here.

I think #2 can help, but it can't stand on its own as the recruiting tool we're offering here. I think if you use it in the right context, which is to say that as a byproduct of a winning environment we're also developing professional talent here...then you've got a powerful recruiting tool.

I am nostalgic, yes, but I already agree with his generic philosophy he laid out about winning basketball:
-run to get some free points
-play great team defense in transition and half-court

It is a crapshoot, however, I like what I am seeing so far.

 

[Iowast8isgr8]

I am sorry but there are some real whiners on here! When Mac was the coach, folks were flipping out over player turnover, so pollard does what we all know needed to happen, keep oz so it didn't start all over again, and the same folks don't like that either. Some just like to complain.

 

[OWLCITYCYFAN]

Now, with the many NBA front office connections, in addition to what he brought to the table at the previous interview, and his iconic stature that can unite a fanbase...

I didn't read Chris's piece that ultimately spawned this thread, nor did I read past page two of this. Therefore, if my thoughts are redundant, apologies in advance.

Agree with the quoted sentence - I love Fred's hiring and am 180 degrees opposite the OP's position on experience, in this particular case. To hire a scallyway retread like Gillespie would have been the easy way out for JP, but he's not the "special coach" that understands what it takes to succeed at an under-funded program like ISU. I'll say it again - it will take a SPECIAL individual to make this program hum, and everything about Fred Hoiberg screams he has "it"! Whether the experiment ultimately proves successful or not, it was an "outside the box" move by JP and he should be lauded for it.

 

[Rods79]

I am sorry but there are some real whiners on here! When Mac was the coach, folks were flipping out over player turnover, so pollard does what we all know needed to happen, keep oz so it didn't start all over again, and the same folks don't like that either. Some just like to complain.

2 + 2 =3?!

Sorry, this argument you are presenting does not hold up. Yeah, sure, people wanted GMac gone...and Oz retained...they got their wish, but the only reason they wanted that in the first place is because they weren't happy with the coaching situation. They then get a coach without any coaching experience, and if they point that out they are now whining because they wanted GMac gone? That it like having someone continue to punch you in the stomach, telling them to stop punching you in the stomach, and then proceed to punch you in the face...and they are not supposed to then tell that person to stop punching them in the face?

I would say that the majority of people are in some capacity behind the hire, even if that is just in with the love of the 'Clones. No one is whining if they are questioning this hire, not being blind follower in the cult.

 

[cyclonenum1]

Definitely agree with #1. A lot of coaches put their name out there to get noticed/raises/bargaining points. I would be willing to bet that a lot of the inquiries came from that standpoint, thus why we don't know who actually contacted Gary aside from Gillespie (which Gary didn't mind "putting his name out there"). Hiring Gillespie would have been worse than hiring FH, so we'll put that out there as my opinion. I have a feeling, even if BG was shunned from Kentucky, he was looking for a stepping stone program to get back up to the bigs, and he was going to take major advantage of us.

I'm not sold on #2...mainly because FH is going to come into a recruits house and say "Timberwolves". They had a good thing going in early 2000-2005, but they are going back down...not that it has any real relevancy. However, I am definitely not sold on the NBA connection being a recruiting advantage relative to a coach that knows how to win college basketball. I really think that the lack of coaching experience is going to hurt when you are fighting for recruits, and not dealing for recruits.

All this being said, I am going to support Coach Hoiberg. I love the Cyclones and I will always be on the side of the good guys. But, I've said it once, and I'll say it again...I really think everyone on here is too high on nostalgia to think straight and therefore anyone who doubts the hire is chastised. It is a nostalgic cult we are dealing with on here.

I agree totally with both of the highlighted items.

The lack of coaching experience will be used against us in the recruiting wars.

You are totally correct about the "cult-like" feel to what is going on...great analogy.

 

[cyclonenum1]

I didn't read Chris's piece that ultimately spawned this thread, nor did I read past page two of this. Therefore, if my thoughts are redundant, apologies in advance.

Agree with the quoted sentence - I love Fred's hiring and am 180 degrees opposite the OP's position on experience, in this particular case. To hire a scallyway retread like Gillespie would have been the easy way out for JP, but he's not the "special coach" that understands what it takes to succeed at an under-funded program like ISU. I'll say it again - it will take a SPECIAL individual to make this program hum, and everything about Fred Hoiberg screams he has "it"! Whether the experiment ultimately proves successful or not, it was an "outside the box" move by JP and he should be lauded for it.

Are you kidding?

Sorry, there will be no "lauding" of JP from my corner if the Hoiberg hire ultimately is unsuccessful in terms of Ws and NCAA Tournaments.

That last comment is just plain crazy in my opinion.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Hoiberg is an excellent, excellent hire. End of story.

Is it still "end of story" if FH has a 40-80 record 4 years from now? This is FAR from "end of story."

 

[azn4cy]

Is it still "end of story" if FH has a 40-80 record 4 years from now? This is FAR from "end of story."

Agreed. I am as optimistic about the Mayor as anyone in Cycloneland, but not everybody has to believe that he is a slam dunk hire right now. You can even be happy with the hire while still having reservations.

Big expectations are good for the program, but so is waiting to judge.

 

[NEPatriotscy]

iowaboy says:
May 3, 2010 at 6:40 pm
Oh come on Chris! You are going on the assumption that Hoiberg is OUR GUY! Then and only then does your argument have merit. This is the 2nd time Pollard has sped up the process. Seems to me the football search was pretty quick. JP said that he wanted to hold on to the signees. Well, I am sure if a different coach might of preferred to bring in his own. He wanted to save Otz. Well again, perhaps another coach would of wanted to bring in his own. If Otz is the second coming perhaps he should of offered the job to him.

I know I am taking a contrairian approach to all of this but truth is Hoiberg would probably been better off under the tutaledge of a name coach for a few years. Hoiberg says “I always wanted to coach!†Well heck Fred, the path you were on wasn’t putting you any closer to your dream as MOST future coaches hitch their wagon to someone and hope they go up.

Fred Hoiberg is a great man, a great family man, a great friend of Ames da, ta da, ta da. We all know that. What we don’t know (but all feel and no longer will say) is whether he has the x&o’s down and can get the message across. Remember everyone, and please pay attention to this, “IT’S NOT WHAT WE KNOW AS LEADERS, IT’S WHAT WE CAN GET OTHERS TO DO!†That could play right into Fred’s hands but again, there is no track record to speak of.

Now we are searching for a coach who can really coach! Seems to me we are getting the cart before the horse. Even Steve Deace was neutered as initially I KNOW he wasn’t comfortable with the hire but now because of future interviews and he don’t want to ostersize himself from Cyclone nation.The junkyard dog has had his teeth pulled. He really isn’t telling you how he feels because of the backlash he would receive.

You too Chris have bent like the palm tree amongst 150 MPH winds to live another day. You have not chosen to die on this hill. Ceretainly NOT being contrary to this decision will keep you in good graces so your heart will continue beating.I however while appreciating Fred Hoiberg would of been more comfortable with a hire like Gillespie or Forbes who have hands on experience. I will also grovel at all of your feet if I am wrong but I have about 3 years to prepare for that event if it does in fact occur. I however will not gloat if Fred fails as it is nothing to gloat about.

I am tired of having my face pressed into the dirt. I want a piece of the Big 12’s ***** and I feel a onery bastard like Gillespie would of been the “tonic†that we all needed. To ask Fred to chew up the likes of KU and Texas with NO official coaching experience is like closing the barn door after the horse is stolen….. then again, they may come back for the saddle. IB

First of all, if you want people to give any serious thought to your opinion, you must use proper English. Instead of "would of", "should of", and "might of", the correct English/grammar is "would have", "should have", and "might have".

Secondly, no one knows for sure how ANY coaching hire is going to ultimately turn out, but I am 100% with Chris and the majority on the hiring of Fred Hoiberg.

Finally, I expect a lot more from a Red Sox fan:wink: .

 

[Wesley]

Fred probably has as many street smarts about coaching as most of the 15 staid choices approaching GT. Yet Fred also brings things to the table that they might not: hometown hero, ambassador, recruiter closer potential, contacts top pros, and a person that has player respect.

 

[IGotThis]

Fred probably has as many street smarts about coaching as most of the 15 staid choices approaching GT. Yet Fred also brings things to the table that they might not: hometown hero, ambassador, recruiter closer potential, contacts top pros, and a person that has player respect.

 

[CyCrazy]

Im confused on the OP point, but im still trying to feel my way around here again, sorry give me time.

 

[CylentButDeadly]

Im confused on the OP point, but im still trying to feel my way around here again, sorry give me time.

You're like Red after he gets out of Shawshank.

 

[CyCrazy]

You're like Red after he gets out of Shawshank.

I will meet you in Zihuatanejo.

 

[CycloneErik]

Im confused on the OP point, but im still trying to feel my way around here again, sorry give me time.

That's no surprise....:wink:

 

[CyCrazy]

That's no surprise....:wink:

I knew it wouldnt take you long to throw a haymaker my way Erik. Its been a long 3 months, did you miss me :biggrin: