Head Coaches Discussion

[bluegray79]

Mar 1, 2023 10:43:12 GMT -5 ColumbiaHeightsHoya said:

Mar 1, 2023 10:12:31 GMT -5 FHillsNYHoya said:

We struggled to beat Siena.

Iona beat them by 33.

Hopefully the Gaels win the MAAC tourney and lose right away in NCAA. I could see them making a run in the NIT which could delay what most of us want to see.

Even if this were to happen, step one is to offer Pat a graceful exist. Thanks for all your contributions. We appreciate your effort. We hope you will support the program. yada-yada-yada. Step two is to call in the staff and give them their walking papers and let them know no one will be retained. That is all I need prior to the end of the tourney. If Pitino is the guy, I'll wait patiently and expect the admin to have him inked the second their season ends.

I am looking for any & every reason to be optimistic.  To read that there are rumors or sources saying what most of us want to hear gets my heart racing until I get real and dial it down so I can continue living. I love this scenario, but in light of what so many perceive to be Vatican-like obscurity and secrecy around the Admin and its overall MO on most things but maybe especially this decision, I gotta put it in that box with the rumors and sources until there's more to go on. 

Further indicative of my undying thirst for good news, I still want to believe that there are a few folks close to the Admin that come to HoyaTalk to put their finger on the pulse as it were and give JD and the Board a sense of how the wind is blowing. Oh, and thinking that that might make a difference.  

Until there's more real news to go on, I will be over here with my happy delusions and all fingers crossed.

[professorhoya]

Mar 1, 2023 9:17:14 GMT -5 kettlehill said:

Two different people: Mike Francesca is a NYC sports show host whose main claim to fame is his friendship with Bill Parcells. Fran Frascilla is a former college coach and now play by play. Francesca does have credibility as a college basketball insider.

Did you mean Frascilla has credibility as college basketball insider?

[augustusfinknottle]

Mar 1, 2023 10:58:12 GMT -5 madgesiq92 said:

Feb 28, 2023 17:45:57 GMT -5 augustusfinknottle said:

Is there any concern that Brey (whom I, for one, most definitely do not want) would be willing to tolerate Ronny and that that would give him an advantage over others? Talk about a lose lose.

My understanding is the opposite. There is a faction of GU hoop alum that feels frozen out by Ronny that is very supportive of Brey and he will likely be able to mend bridges with the Georgetown players---some of whom are probably angling to get involved with the program again in some form or fashion (coaching or admin staff). I don't want Brey either but I think Amaker and Dawkins are the two to worry about for your Ronny scenario---both desperately want the job and would likely tolerate Ronny---not sure Brey wants it.

That’s good,anyway. Either of the other two scenarios would be absurd; a declaration that this sport is not a priority for Georgetown. In that case let’s just de-emphasize it and leave the Big East.

[hoyaguy]

Mar 1, 2023 10:58:12 GMT -5 madgesiq92 said:

Feb 28, 2023 17:45:57 GMT -5 augustusfinknottle said:

Is there any concern that Brey (whom I, for one, most definitely do not want) would be willing to tolerate Ronny and that that would give him an advantage over others? Talk about a lose lose.

My understanding is the opposite. There is a faction of GU hoop alum that feels frozen out by Ronny that is very supportive of Brey and he will likely be able to mend bridges with the Georgetown players---some of whom are probably angling to get involved with the program again in some form or fashion (coaching or admin staff). I don't want Brey either but I think Amaker and Dawkins are the two to worry about for your Ronny scenario---both desperately want the job and would likely tolerate Ronny---not sure Brey wants it.

If we really do get Brey, which I don't want, then Ronny has to be gone for me to get any kind of optimism. If Fredo is still around then it might mean Brey isn't serious about this (which I don't trust that he is after his NIL comments and his age/lack of something to prove) and I am done just as if Amaker or Dawkins gets hired. 

[augustusfinknottle]

English Premier League soccer is fun to watch. I’m getting there. No Under 16, Under 12, Under 8, or Under 4 timeouts. Matter of fact, no timeouts at all. Only advertising is on the unis.

[drquigley]

I’d like to weigh in on the coaching thread because I think, as class of ’68 grad I might be able to bring some perspective to what the University will do after Ewing is fired or resigns. (FWIW I think Rick Pitino is the best choice for us if the University is serious about returning the basketball program to prominence. But, as I explain below, I don’t believe the University is).

If you remember, back when JT2 was hired there were few if any minority coaches in college basketball. It was hoped that Thompson would not just improve upon our dismal record under Jack McGee and maybe get us an occasional NIT invitation but also change the schools image as an exclusively white college in a predominantly black city. No one envisioned what JT2 would accomplish over the next 40 years or the attention he would generate not just as a basketball coach but also as a civil rights icon. In effect, the University got a twofer - a prominent basketball program and all that entailed while also earning a relatively easy (and probably undeserved) reputation as a leader in the effort to both provide educational opportunity to underprivileged minority students and literally change the “face” of college coaching. Unfortunately for the basketball program this twofer came with a price, i.e. the GU basketball program became JOHN THOMPSON and any effort to move on from JOHN THOMPSON could be viewed as endangering Thompson’s (and the schools) progressive civil rights legacy.

Meanwhile, the University was also moving on from its fellow Catholic colleges and establishing itself as an “elite” academic institution. When I enrolled in September 1964 GU was no more academically prestigious (or expensive) than BC, Fordham, Villanova, Seton Hall, or other East Coast private Catholic colleges. “Ivy Envy” became the order of the day and a GU degree became prestigious enough for privileged parents to try and bribe the tennis coach to get their kids in. In this environment, a failing basketball program might be embarrassing but would never be viewed as an existential threat to the University and any effort to revive that program by hiring a coach whose credentials are solely basketball related will be viewed as an unseemly effort to soil the University’s academic/progressive reputation.

So goodbye Pitino/Brey and any other coaches who bring only a successful basketball resume to the new coach hunt. I think the University will be looking for a minority coach who has run a successful basketball program while also demonstrating a commitment to our nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. It is also an intriguing possibility that, just like by hiring John Thompson, the University might, by hiring Dawn Staley, get another twofer, i,e, break another college coaching barrier and position itself at the forefront of another civil rights battle — while also getting another damn good coach.

[bluechi]

Mar 1, 2023 14:37:57 GMT -5 drquigley said:

I’d like to weigh in on the coaching thread because I think, as class of ’68 grad I might be able to bring some perspective to what the University will do after Ewing is fired or resigns. (FWIW I think Rick Pitino is the best choice for us if the University is serious about returning the basketball program to prominence. But, as I explain below, I don’t believe the University is).

If you remember, back when JT2 was hired there were few if any minority coaches in college basketball. It was hoped that Thompson would not just improve upon our dismal record under Jack McGee and maybe get us an occasional NIT invitation but also change the schools image as an exclusively white college in a predominantly black city. No one envisioned what JT2 would accomplish over the next 40 years or the attention he would generate not just as a basketball coach but also as a civil rights icon. In effect, the University got a twofer - a prominent basketball program and all that entailed while also earning a relatively easy (and probably undeserved) reputation as a leader in the effort to both provide educational opportunity to underprivileged minority students and literally change the “face” of college coaching. Unfortunately for the basketball program this twofer came with a price, i.e. the GU basketball program became JOHN THOMPSON and any effort to move on from JOHN THOMPSON could be viewed as endangering Thompson’s (and the schools) progressive civil rights legacy.

Meanwhile, the University was also moving on from its fellow Catholic colleges and establishing itself as an “elite” academic institution. When I enrolled in September 1964 GU was no more academically prestigious (or expensive) than BC, Fordham, Villanova, Seton Hall, or other East Coast private Catholic colleges. “Ivy Envy” became the order of the day and a GU degree became prestigious enough for privileged parents to try and bribe the tennis coach to get their kids in. In this environment, a failing basketball program might be embarrassing but would never be viewed as an existential threat to the University and any effort to revive that program by hiring a coach whose credentials are solely basketball related will be viewed as an unseemly effort to soil the University’s academic/progressive reputation.

So goodbye Pitino/Brey and any other coaches who bring only a successful basketball resume to the new coach hunt. I think the University will be looking for a minority coach who has run a successful basketball program while also demonstrating a commitment to our nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. It is also an intriguing possibility that, just like by hiring John Thompson, the University might, by hiring Dawn Staley, get another twofer, i,e, break another college coaching barrier and position itself at the forefront of another civil rights battle — while also getting another damn good coach.

Civil rights is media and elite created. Anyway I like pitino. Love him actually. I like Staley. Love her actually. I'm for any coach KNOWN OR UNKOWN he is a great teacher and person. there are some real Diamonds out there. Keep your eyes open GU.

[madgesiq92]

Mar 1, 2023 14:37:57 GMT -5 drquigley said:

I’d like to weigh in on the coaching thread because I think, as class of ’68 grad I might be able to bring some perspective to what the University will do after Ewing is fired or resigns. (FWIW I think Rick Pitino is the best choice for us if the University is serious about returning the basketball program to prominence. But, as I explain below, I don’t believe the University is).

If you remember, back when JT2 was hired there were few if any minority coaches in college basketball. It was hoped that Thompson would not just improve upon our dismal record under Jack McGee and maybe get us an occasional NIT invitation but also change the schools image as an exclusively white college in a predominantly black city. No one envisioned what JT2 would accomplish over the next 40 years or the attention he would generate not just as a basketball coach but also as a civil rights icon. In effect, the University got a twofer - a prominent basketball program and all that entailed while also earning a relatively easy (and probably undeserved) reputation as a leader in the effort to both provide educational opportunity to underprivileged minority students and literally change the “face” of college coaching. Unfortunately for the basketball program this twofer came with a price, i.e. the GU basketball program became JOHN THOMPSON and any effort to move on from JOHN THOMPSON could be viewed as endangering Thompson’s (and the schools) progressive civil rights legacy.

Meanwhile, the University was also moving on from its fellow Catholic colleges and establishing itself as an “elite” academic institution. When I enrolled in September 1964 GU was no more academically prestigious (or expensive) than BC, Fordham, Villanova, Seton Hall, or other East Coast private Catholic colleges. “Ivy Envy” became the order of the day and a GU degree became prestigious enough for privileged parents to try and bribe the tennis coach to get their kids in. In this environment, a failing basketball program might be embarrassing but would never be viewed as an existential threat to the University and any effort to revive that program by hiring a coach whose credentials are solely basketball related will be viewed as an unseemly effort to soil the University’s academic/progressive reputation.

So goodbye Pitino/Brey and any other coaches who bring only a successful basketball resume to the new coach hunt. I think the University will be looking for a minority coach who has run a successful basketball program while also demonstrating a commitment to our nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. It is also an intriguing possibility that, just like by hiring John Thompson, the University might, by hiring Dawn Staley, get another twofer, i,e, break another college coaching barrier and position itself at the forefront of another civil rights battle — while also getting another damn good coach.

Good luck getting alumni to fund Pat's buyout if that is the plan.

[hoyalove4ever]

Is there any confirmation that alumni have been tapped for this purpose? Or that their participation is tied to some particular plan going forward?

[SSHoya]

Mar 1, 2023 15:47:55 GMT -5 hoyalove4ever said:

Is there any confirmation that alumni have been tapped for this purpose? Or that their participation is tied to some particular plan going forward?

In reality: "Nobody know anything." -- William Goldman

"Those who know, don't talk; those who talk, don't know." -- Tao Te Ching

[hoyaboya]

"Some major college basketball program, like Georgetown, should hire Rick Pitino

Even at 70, Rick Pitino will be one of the best options out there during the college basketball coaching carousel...

Of his options, Georgetown might make the most sense. Pitino is best known for restoring glory to bluebloods like Kentucky and Louisville. He’s the only men’s head coach to win titles at two schools. So, he would be uniquely qualified to resurrect Georgetown. The Hoyas still have a coach but are expected to part ways with Patrick Ewing. (Coincidentally, Pitino once coached Ewing with the New York Knicks)...

Pitino has spent plenty of time in the Big East. He coached at Providence and again at Louisville (before its move to the ACC). He knows what it takes to win in that conference.

Georgetown is the premier basketball recruiting hotbed in the country, known as the DMV (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia). There’s enough talent within driving distance to build a contender. Plus, you can quickly turn a program around with the transfer portal, name, image, and likeness.

There’s a prime example right down the road from Georgetown. Maryland is 20-9 under first-year coach Kevin Willard (a Pitino disciple), a season after going 15-17.

Pitino would be the right guy to fix Georgetown."

thecomeback.com/college-basketball/rick-pitino-column.html

[hoyaboya]

"With the carousel already humming heading into the best month of the year, it's worth noting two of the bigger names being bandied about: Rick Pitino and Mike Brey. I sat down with Pitino recently and he opened up about his future. The most important takeaway: he's determined to coach for at least five more years. Will he stay at Iona? He vacillated between loyalty to the Gaels versus the reasons and circumstances that would prompt him to chase one more opportunity at a power-conference job. (Check the story for the full picture.)

If he leaves — if — my read on Pitino: Georgetown feels like the most desirable spot for him. The Hoyas (7-23) have not yet split with Patrick Ewing, but that is the overwhelming expectation at this point.

And if Pitino isn't the guy ... might it be Brey? He was involved the last time, before Georgetown decided to go with Ewing. Though he's out at Notre Dame in a few weeks, Brey has said he still wants to coach. He'll turn 64 in March. It's possible Brey lands at the multi-bid-league level, if nothing else."

www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/college-basketball-coaching-changes-2023-tracker-texas-notre-dame-biggest-openings-heading-into-march/

[hoyaboya]

"KEITH URGO: Urgo is a personal favorite of mine. He joined Kyle Neptune’s staff at Fordham last year after working under Pat Chambers and Jay Wright. Fordham showed immediate signs of a turnaround. Neptune left for Villanova and Fordham only got better under Urgo’s watch (first 20 win season since 1991). I’m beginning to think Urgo and the rest of the staff may have been very responsible for Neptune’s promising Fordham display. Urgo also has some local ties. He’s a DC native, having attended and coached at Gonzaga College High School. Similar to McCasland, his team plays disciplined dogged defense. It’s sloppy on the offensive side but he has the makings of a very good coach. He’s likely a few years away but if you were to take a big swing, I’d keep an eye out."

www.casualhoya.com/2023/2/27/23616670/the-updated-list-potential-head-coach-candidates-for-the-georgetown-hoyas-pitino-cooley-young-brey

[royski]

Pitino or bust. Haven't we all suffered enough?

[nbhoya]

Mar 1, 2023 14:37:57 GMT -5 drquigley said:

I’d like to weigh in on the coaching thread because I think, as class of ’68 grad I might be able to bring some perspective to what the University will do after Ewing is fired or resigns. (FWIW I think Rick Pitino is the best choice for us if the University is serious about returning the basketball program to prominence. But, as I explain below, I don’t believe the University is).

If you remember, back when JT2 was hired there were few if any minority coaches in college basketball. It was hoped that Thompson would not just improve upon our dismal record under Jack McGee and maybe get us an occasional NIT invitation but also change the schools image as an exclusively white college in a predominantly black city. No one envisioned what JT2 would accomplish over the next 40 years or the attention he would generate not just as a basketball coach but also as a civil rights icon. In effect, the University got a twofer - a prominent basketball program and all that entailed while also earning a relatively easy (and probably undeserved) reputation as a leader in the effort to both provide educational opportunity to underprivileged minority students and literally change the “face” of college coaching. Unfortunately for the basketball program this twofer came with a price, i.e. the GU basketball program became JOHN THOMPSON and any effort to move on from JOHN THOMPSON could be viewed as endangering Thompson’s (and the schools) progressive civil rights legacy.

Meanwhile, the University was also moving on from its fellow Catholic colleges and establishing itself as an “elite” academic institution. When I enrolled in September 1964 GU was no more academically prestigious (or expensive) than BC, Fordham, Villanova, Seton Hall, or other East Coast private Catholic colleges. “Ivy Envy” became the order of the day and a GU degree became prestigious enough for privileged parents to try and bribe the tennis coach to get their kids in. In this environment, a failing basketball program might be embarrassing but would never be viewed as an existential threat to the University and any effort to revive that program by hiring a coach whose credentials are solely basketball related will be viewed as an unseemly effort to soil the University’s academic/progressive reputation.

So goodbye Pitino/Brey and any other coaches who bring only a successful basketball resume to the new coach hunt. I think the University will be looking for a minority coach who has run a successful basketball program while also demonstrating a commitment to our nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. It is also an intriguing possibility that, just like by hiring John Thompson, the University might, by hiring Dawn Staley, get another twofer, i,e, break another college coaching barrier and position itself at the forefront of another civil rights battle — while also getting another damn good coach.

We are not an HBCU. We are not obligated to hire a minority coach. What other school thinks this way? It’s insane.

[bluechi]

Mar 1, 2023 18:42:14 GMT -5 nbhoya said:

Mar 1, 2023 14:37:57 GMT -5 drquigley said:

I’d like to weigh in on the coaching thread because I think, as class of ’68 grad I might be able to bring some perspective to what the University will do after Ewing is fired or resigns. (FWIW I think Rick Pitino is the best choice for us if the University is serious about returning the basketball program to prominence. But, as I explain below, I don’t believe the University is).

If you remember, back when JT2 was hired there were few if any minority coaches in college basketball. It was hoped that Thompson would not just improve upon our dismal record under Jack McGee and maybe get us an occasional NIT invitation but also change the schools image as an exclusively white college in a predominantly black city. No one envisioned what JT2 would accomplish over the next 40 years or the attention he would generate not just as a basketball coach but also as a civil rights icon. In effect, the University got a twofer - a prominent basketball program and all that entailed while also earning a relatively easy (and probably undeserved) reputation as a leader in the effort to both provide educational opportunity to underprivileged minority students and literally change the “face” of college coaching. Unfortunately for the basketball program this twofer came with a price, i.e. the GU basketball program became JOHN THOMPSON and any effort to move on from JOHN THOMPSON could be viewed as endangering Thompson’s (and the schools) progressive civil rights legacy.

Meanwhile, the University was also moving on from its fellow Catholic colleges and establishing itself as an “elite” academic institution. When I enrolled in September 1964 GU was no more academically prestigious (or expensive) than BC, Fordham, Villanova, Seton Hall, or other East Coast private Catholic colleges. “Ivy Envy” became the order of the day and a GU degree became prestigious enough for privileged parents to try and bribe the tennis coach to get their kids in. In this environment, a failing basketball program might be embarrassing but would never be viewed as an existential threat to the University and any effort to revive that program by hiring a coach whose credentials are solely basketball related will be viewed as an unseemly effort to soil the University’s academic/progressive reputation.

So goodbye Pitino/Brey and any other coaches who bring only a successful basketball resume to the new coach hunt. I think the University will be looking for a minority coach who has run a successful basketball program while also demonstrating a commitment to our nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. It is also an intriguing possibility that, just like by hiring John Thompson, the University might, by hiring Dawn Staley, get another twofer, i,e, break another college coaching barrier and position itself at the forefront of another civil rights battle — while also getting another damn good coach.

We are not an HBCU. We are not obligated to hire a minority coach. What other school thinks this way? It’s insane.

As I stated there's a big elephant in the room

[hoyas315]

[TC]

We all agree that was super classy, right? Good job on Notre Dame for announcing early AND managing to go out on good terms.

[wrestlemania]

Mar 1, 2023 14:37:57 GMT -5 drquigley said:

I’d like to weigh in on the coaching thread because I think, as class of ’68 grad I might be able to bring some perspective to what the University will do after Ewing is fired or resigns. (FWIW I think Rick Pitino is the best choice for us if the University is serious about returning the basketball program to prominence. But, as I explain below, I don’t believe the University is).

If you remember, back when JT2 was hired there were few if any minority coaches in college basketball. It was hoped that Thompson would not just improve upon our dismal record under Jack McGee and maybe get us an occasional NIT invitation but also change the schools image as an exclusively white college in a predominantly black city. No one envisioned what JT2 would accomplish over the next 40 years or the attention he would generate not just as a basketball coach but also as a civil rights icon. In effect, the University got a twofer - a prominent basketball program and all that entailed while also earning a relatively easy (and probably undeserved) reputation as a leader in the effort to both provide educational opportunity to underprivileged minority students and literally change the “face” of college coaching. Unfortunately for the basketball program this twofer came with a price, i.e. the GU basketball program became JOHN THOMPSON and any effort to move on from JOHN THOMPSON could be viewed as endangering Thompson’s (and the schools) progressive civil rights legacy.

Meanwhile, the University was also moving on from its fellow Catholic colleges and establishing itself as an “elite” academic institution. When I enrolled in September 1964 GU was no more academically prestigious (or expensive) than BC, Fordham, Villanova, Seton Hall, or other East Coast private Catholic colleges. “Ivy Envy” became the order of the day and a GU degree became prestigious enough for privileged parents to try and bribe the tennis coach to get their kids in. In this environment, a failing basketball program might be embarrassing but would never be viewed as an existential threat to the University and any effort to revive that program by hiring a coach whose credentials are solely basketball related will be viewed as an unseemly effort to soil the University’s academic/progressive reputation.

So goodbye Pitino/Brey and any other coaches who bring only a successful basketball resume to the new coach hunt. I think the University will be looking for a minority coach who has run a successful basketball program while also demonstrating a commitment to our nation’s ongoing civil rights struggle. It is also an intriguing possibility that, just like by hiring John Thompson, the University might, by hiring Dawn Staley, get another twofer, i,e, break another college coaching barrier and position itself at the forefront of another civil rights battle — while also getting another damn good coach.

But the difference here is media scrutiny -- I'm class of '83, and I cannot recall a time when the school took this much heat for its loyalty to John Thompson, and he's no longer around to stem the tide. Winning two conference games in two years will do this. And the problems within the program really have nothing to do with race -- it's just a badly run operation, and no amount of goodwill from a minority hire will cure it.

For competent people, the task would be simple: do the necessary due diligence to identify the most qualified candidates; pick somebody after, get this, actually interviewing those candidates; and make him or her a credible offer. Neither the Board nor Jack have ever done this. We shall see.

[bluechi]

Although i'd look at younger diamond I would be shocked if Pitino is not coach at GU. haven't done a complete gematria / astrological breakdown but his move to iona seems to be a "back to catholic" primer. #conspiracy.