Commenting on Chris's message today

[52ynnel]

Hey, I'm not sold on FH as the HC either. I was franky quite ****** off when it was announced. Since then, I have become more comfortable with the hire for several reasons:

1) ISU has an interest in FH being successful. As a result they are going to give him the tools to achieve that.
2) The players and recruits seem to like the move and that is a big plus considering the previous regimes issues with player discontent.
3) With even mild amount of success, FH could quickly become a fan favorite leading to a fuller and louder Hilton. +++

FH might not be the answer but I thought you would be jumping for joy since you finally got your wish that McD get out the door. Yet, you seem just as disgruntled as before.

1. I would hope the administration would have interest in any ISU coach succeding, not just Fred.

2. You mean the three players we had left? The same players that accomplished nothing last year? Those players? Honestly, how much worse off could we have possibly been if a few more left due to a week long coaching search. It's not like we have KU's roster, or Kentuky's recruits.

3. As soon as they hand out conference titles and final four appearances for loud areans, and pumped fan bases, this will matter

 

[CYKOFAN]

cyclonum1- There is varying degree of risk in almost any hire, and I agree the risk may be higher with Fred than an established higher level d-1 coach. But what proven high d-1 coach without some baggage would take the job? We had few options after the LE mess, and now the program is in even worse shape, some would argue terrible shape with all the kids that have left the last few years. With Fred you lack the coaching experience, which is important, but you get immediate excitement from the fans and an almost completely united fan base, a guy with brains, charisma, and a wealth of playing experience at all levels, great NBA connections to help in recruiting, and the humility to know he needs help in certain areas and will hire assistants to shore up those areas. Not an ideal hire, but given the bad shape of our basketball program, it was a good hire imo and a no brainer when you consider how upset most of the fan base would have been had we hired somebody else knowing Fred wanted the job.

 

[CyBobby]

Yeah and if this was the U of I ...Hiring BJ Armstrong/ Bobby Hansen (or add your name of choice)............


It would be the GREATEST HIRE OF ALL TIME..............


Can You Spell HypoCrite?????


I have a great idea.....Go Back To The Squawk Board...

 

[CyBobby]

well, what is done is done and out of your control. So, now, moving forward you have two options. Get behind our coaches and teams regardless of how you felt of their hires and enjoy the ride and hope for the best (even a great coach is no guarantee). Or, you can continue to be upset about the hires and mope around and complain...it will accomplish nothing and people will quickly tire of listening to you because people don't like complainers when it accomplishes nothing. Your choice.

Plus One......HellsBells.............Plus 100....:yes:

 

[CyinCo]

1. I would hope the administration would have interest in any ISU coach succeding, not just Fred.

2. You mean the three players we had left? The same players that accomplished nothing last year? Those players? Honestly, how much worse off could we have possibly been if a few more left due to a week long coaching search. It's not like we have KU's roster, or Kentuky's recruits.

3. As soon as they hand out conference titles and final four appearances for loud areans, and pumped fan bases, this will matter

1. ISU's interest in FH being successful goes well beyond what the administration has had in the past for other coaches. If you can't see that, there is something wrong with you.

2. When I say players, I mean recruits as well. So, yes, the players that are left but also Ejim, Railey, McKnight, and Phillips. Ejim and McKnight have the potential to be stars and I'm glad they have each come out to say they liked the hire.

3. Did I say we get a title by having a loud arena? No. But sure as heck would be nice to hear Hilton loud for a change.

 

[aeroclone]

cyclonum1- There is varying degree of risk in almost any hire, and I agree the risk may be higher with Fred than an established higher level d-1 coach. But what proven high d-1 coach without some baggage would take the job? We had few options after the LE mess, and now the program is in even worse shape, some would argue terrible shape with all the kids that have left the last few years. With Fred you lack the coaching experience, which is important, but you get immediate excitement from the fans and an almost completely united fan base, a guy with brains, charisma, and a wealth of playing experience at all levels, great NBA connections to help in recruiting, and the humility to know he needs help in certain areas and will hire assistants to shore up those areas. Not an ideal hire, but given the bad shape of our basketball program, it was a good hire imo and a no brainer when you consider how upset most of the fan base would have been had we hired somebody else knowing Fred wanted the job.

I guess you missed this GT interview in the Ames Trib. Apparently, about 15 of them.

Go Cyclones - UPDATED: Gillispie and then some with coaching search

 

[cyclonenum1]

Hey, I'm not sold on FH as the HC either. I was franky quite ****** off when it was announced. Since then, I have become more comfortable with the hire for several reasons:

1) ISU has an interest in FH being successful. As a result they are going to give him the tools to achieve that.
2) The players and recruits seem to like the move and that is a big plus considering the previous regimes issues with player discontent.
3) With even mild amount of success, FH could quickly become a fan favorite leading to a fuller and louder Hilton. +++

FH might not be the answer but I thought you would be jumping for joy since you finally got your wish that McD get out the door. Yet, you seem just as disgruntled as before.

Hopefully we have a university and AD administration that "has an interest" in seeing all of our coaches be successful...even ones not named Hoiberg.

You have fallen prey to thinking that just because we had a mass exodus of players when GM was hired that that sort of thing "always" happens in transitions...it does not. I don't know what kind of team GM has left behind but I do know that I would not have had keeping the GM recruits as my #1 priority during the hiring process. Your #1 priority during the hiring process should be getting the best coach possible.

Gee, I thought FH already was a fan favorite.

I am plenty happy that we have had a change in leadership sooner rather than later in our MBB program...waiting another year to axe GM would have been brutal. You need to read some more of my posts.

But to call me disgruntled is crazy. I guess compared to the nearly blind euphoria on this site over hiring 'The Mayor'...'Freddy effing Hoiberg' as our head coach with absolutely no prior coaching experience whatsoever, maybe someone that has some common sense questions and concerns does look 'disgruntled'.

 

[cyclonenum1]

I think I am actually in both camps on this one. I am both very concerned with how the hire went down, but I also have no problem with Cyclone nation blindly lining up behind it now that we are here.

First off, I think the coaching search itself was basically incompetant. We have Gary Thompson out there in the press saying he has been contacted by 15 coaches interested in the job, some of them with HC experience and 6 7, 8 NCAA tourney appearances under there belt. We also have Gillespie who has proven that he can build a team from nothing in the Big 12. We interview none of them and go hire a guy that has no head coaching experiene and no assistant coaching experience at any level. We spend a whopping 24 hours to fill the head coaching job for what our own AD describes as the marquee program at our school to get a guy with no experience that nobody else is after.

And now we have people using the justification that it was needed to retain players and assistants from the old regime. You mean the regime that had 0 winning seasons in the last 4 years that we couldn't wait to get out of town? Glad we locked that down.

And no down side to this hire? Really? How about if he doesn't win, we tarnish the reputation of a hometown hero and a Cyclone legend? He will probably get at least 5 years because he is FH. If he doesn't win, that could make it a decade with no post-season play. There will be an entire generation of fans out there that will view ISU bball as an irrelevent bottom feeder. And at the end of the day, somebody gets the great task of firing Fred Hoiberg from ISU. If that isn't a down side I don't know what is.

This hire was made for all the wrong reasons. It was done to pull the fanbase together and sell tickets. And it is going to do that. The problem is, that only lasts for a couple years, at that point you have to win. I think the proper long term choice would be a proven, experienced winner. Nothing is for certain, but the odds would be better with that.

That said, I am glad to see Cyclone fans excited and united behind the hire. There is really nothing else we can do at this point. And if FH can pull it off, this could spark a complete resurgence of our program. But make no mistake about it, we are swinging for the fences on this hire, and if we don't hit it out, we are going to strike out and go home, there isn't really any middle ground on this one.

Great post. Glad there are at least a few of us that see the possible perils of hiring a coach with absolutely no coaching experience at all. I think we are all very hopeful that this will work out and he will lead us to unprecedented success...I will speak for myself...I very much hope that is the outcome and my concerns prove to be unfounded.

 

[Cyforce]

Why does Chris and CFers feel a need to defend this hire?
Of course outsiders are going to take shots when you go against the norm.

 

[briankaldenberg]

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

 

[cyclonenum1]

cyclonum1- There is varying degree of risk in almost any hire, and I agree the risk may be higher with Fred than an established higher level d-1 coach. But what proven high d-1 coach without some baggage would take the job? We had few options after the LE mess, and now the program is in even worse shape, some would argue terrible shape with all the kids that have left the last few years. With Fred you lack the coaching experience, which is important, but you get immediate excitement from the fans and an almost completely united fan base, a guy with brains, charisma, and a wealth of playing experience at all levels, great NBA connections to help in recruiting, and the humility to know he needs help in certain areas and will hire assistants to shore up those areas. Not an ideal hire, but given the bad shape of our basketball program, it was a good hire imo and a no brainer when you consider how upset most of the fan base would have been had we hired somebody else knowing Fred wanted the job.

I think you have risk with every hire...not almost...but every single one.

Wouldn't you have liked to at least seen our AD visit with some of the 15 or so coaches that appparently, according to Gary Thompson, expressed interest in our program...some of them with significant records of success in guiding teams to the NCAAs? The risk with some of these guys may have been the "baggage".

I am trying to get my hands around how FH's NBA connections are going to help the recruiting at ISU? Just because FH has a lot of contacts in his smart phone does not automatically accrue to the benefit of our recruiting...does it? Maybe I am missing something. I know this, if I was in a recruiting competition for a kid against ISU and Hoiberg I would highlight the fact that although he has played in the NBA and worked in the NBA as a front office guy...he has never coached a guy that went on to the NBA.

A "no brainer"...sorry don't buy it. Unless you are saying that if the hire doesn't work out it will look like the guy that made the hire has no brains.

 

[52ynnel]

1. ISU's interest in FH being successful goes well beyond what the administration has had in the past for other coaches. If you can't see that, there is something wrong with you.

2. When I say players, I mean recruits as well. So, yes, the players that are left but also Ejim, Railey, McKnight, and Phillips. Ejim and McKnight have the potential to be stars and I'm glad they have each come out to say they liked the hire.

3. On this one, you are just being a ****. Did I say we get a title by having a loud arena? No. But sure as heck would be nice to hear Hilton loud for a change.

1. If this is true, it's just wrong. I would hope the goal would be the same regardless of the coach. Conference titles and NCAA appearances. Period. Did we hope for and expect any less from Greg?

2. I'm not saying these recruits are not decent, but I think that gaining an experienced coach that can build and recruit (BG) would out weight the potential loss of one or two recruits. Ejim said he had never heard of Fred Hoiberg.

3. My point here is that packed houses are great, but not a top reason to hire a coach. Any coach will pack the house if he wins.

Thanks for the personal attack though.

 

[WalkingCY]

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.

 

[cyclonenum1]

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.

Coaching pedigree? He has zero coaching experience.

Again I ask, how do these NBA connections result into top tier recruits for ISU? Am I missing something here?

 

[isufbcurt]

I think you have risk with every hire...not almost...but every single one.

Wouldn't you have liked to at least seen our AD visit with some of the 15 or so coaches that appparently, according to Gary Thompson, expressed interest in our program...some of them with significant records of success in guiding teams to the NCAAs? The risk with some of these guys may have been the "baggage".

I am trying to get my hands around how FH's NBA connections are going to help the recruiting at ISU? Just because FH has a lot of contacts in his smart phone does not automatically accrue to the benefit of our recruiting...does it? Maybe I am missing something. I know this, if I was in a recruiting competition for a kid against ISU and Hoiberg I would highlight the fact that although he has played in the NBA and worked in the NBA as a front office guy...he has never coached a guy that went on to the NBA.

A "no brainer"...sorry don't buy it. Unless you are saying that if the hire doesn't work out it will look like the guy that made the hire has no brains.

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.

 

[IGotThis]

I originally wasn't really considering Fred because he lacks College Coaching experience. But I can see that the hiring of the Mayor really does NOT have a downside. Even if Fred does not have success.

With GMac we were at a very, very treacherous point. The enthusiasm for our BB program was waning fast. There was a very real probability that Season ticket sales would fall dramatically. There was also a very real probability that recruiting and player attrition would continue to be very serious problems. And not a problem with our lead recruiter. But more of a problem with retention of some pretty decent prospects once they got to ISU.

With the hiring of the Mayor, there is a buzz and excitement around ISU BB that will translate into increased ticket sales. Fans are on board with this. They will turn out. Plus they are willing to be patient and will support the Mayor for the next few years as he tries to build the program. Hoiberg will be given the support and resources to get the job done as most everyone wants to see him succeed. The increased crowds at Hilton will be a positive. And that first BIG Hilton win will give the impression that Hilton Magic is back.

So there really isn't a downside to the hiring of Hoiberg. And it was actually the only hire that made sense. We have enthusiasm for our program. We will get butts in the seats. We will get increased support for our BB program. And the fans will continue to support our program for the next few years no matter what.

The timing was right for the return of The Mayor. I see it as nothing but a Win-Win situation even in a worst case scenario.

so you are saying FH was a good hire because he will sell season tickets....good god man....:no:..are you JP? I can't tell if you are or not:wideeyed:

 

[cyclonenum1]

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.

You certainly could be right on #1.

As for #2, hopefully, FH can identify a kid with the requisite talent to get to the NBA. But assuming he is able to do this, we are likely to not be the only school recruiting the kid. Sure he will be able to say "I have scouted and evaluated players for the NBA and I think you are an NBA caliber player and if you come to ISU I will help you meet your goal of being an NBA player"...but it is likely our competitors will be able to say "I have coached a lot of players that went on to have very good careers in the NBA...if you want to be an NBA player then this is the best place for you to prepare for that...let me show you the list of guys that I have coached that went into the Association". The latter is what Syracuse did to get WJ. The latter is what Nick Saban does.

I guess I just don't see how these contacts automatically accrue to our benefit and help us in getting top tier recruits.

 

[IGotThis]

So McD is gone and now you are on to bashing the next coach? I hate to break the news to you like this but Johnny Orr isn't coming back. In fact, Freddy is probably as close as you'll ever get.

Who said he wanted Johnny Orr back?.......:dull:

 

[IGotThis]

I think I am actually in both camps on this one. I am both very concerned with how the hire went down, but I also have no problem with Cyclone nation blindly lining up behind it now that we are here.

First off, I think the coaching search itself was basically incompetant. We have Gary Thompson out there in the press saying he has been contacted by 15 coaches interested in the job, some of them with HC experience and 6 7, 8 NCAA tourney appearances under there belt. We also have Gillespie who has proven that he can build a team from nothing in the Big 12. We interview none of them and go hire a guy that has no head coaching experiene and no assistant coaching experience at any level. We spend a whopping 24 hours to fill the head coaching job for what our own AD describes as the marquee program at our school to get a guy with no experience that nobody else is after.

And now we have people using the justification that it was needed to retain players and assistants from the old regime. You mean the regime that had 0 winning seasons in the last 4 years that we couldn't wait to get out of town? Glad we locked that down.

And no down side to this hire? Really? How about if he doesn't win, we tarnish the reputation of a hometown hero and a Cyclone legend? He will probably get at least 5 years because he is FH. If he doesn't win, that could make it a decade with no post-season play. There will be an entire generation of fans out there that will view ISU bball as an irrelevent bottom feeder. And at the end of the day, somebody gets the great task of firing Fred Hoiberg from ISU. If that isn't a down side I don't know what is.

This hire was made for all the wrong reasons. It was done to pull the fanbase together and sell tickets. And it is going to do that. The problem is, that only lasts for a couple years, at that point you have to win. I think the proper long term choice would be a proven, experienced winner. Nothing is for certain, but the odds would be better with that.

That said, I am glad to see Cyclone fans excited and united behind the hire. There is really nothing else we can do at this point. And if FH can pull it off, this could spark a complete resurgence of our program. But make no mistake about it, we are swinging for the fences on this hire, and if we don't hit it out, we are going to strike out and go home, there isn't really any middle ground on this one.

spot on dude....spot on.:notworthy:

 

[IGotThis]

cyclonum1- There is varying degree of risk in almost any hire, and I agree the risk may be higher with Fred than an established higher level d-1 coach. But what proven high d-1 coach without some baggage would take the job? We had few options after the LE mess, and now the program is in even worse shape, some would argue terrible shape with all the kids that have left the last few years. With Fred you lack the coaching experience, which is important, but you get immediate excitement from the fans and an almost completely united fan base, a guy with brains, charisma, and a wealth of playing experience at all levels, great NBA connections to help in recruiting, and the humility to know he needs help in certain areas and will hire assistants to shore up those areas. Not an ideal hire, but given the bad shape of our basketball program, it was a good hire imo and a no brainer when you consider how upset most of the fan base would have been had we hired somebody else knowing Fred wanted the job.

Um...you read the Register? I understand it kinda sucks but still...

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