A Sea Change in 3 Years

[Elvado]

Everyone knows how despondent s/he felt three years ago, looking at the state of our basketball program.

3 years (and one fantastic coach) later, there has been a sea change.

We are conference Champions for the first time since 1989.

We are number one seed in the BET for the first time since 1989.

We now select recruits again and turn away some damn good players in the process.

We will make serious tournament noise and can win the whole thing.

People both respect and fear Georgetown again.

Kudos to the team, the staff, and the administration.

On that final point, let's not lose sight of the fact that it took courage to bring in JT III over the howls of those who did not want to turn GU hoops into the Thompson family business. Our administration selected the best man for the job, not becaue of his name but his character and talent. They were brave in not turning him down because of that name.

Mod Note: first line edited to reflect the fact that many Hoya fans (and readers / posters of this board) are, as much as it may shock some people, women.

[ilovescruggs]

Here, here. And also, let's pass along a thank you to a much-maligned Coach Esherick in the process. He was not a good head coach, but he did committ himself to the program and helped us land our two best players in the process. Thanks, Craig, for those two huge successes at least.

[williambraskyiii]

but what about the facilities?

<lights fuse...runs away>

[SaxaCD]

williambraskyiii said:

but what about the facilities?

<lights fuse...runs away>

They suck.

Elvado, will I be seeing you at the post-championship game celebration this year?

[lichoya68]

for all the sellouts we will need the booth and the new facilities need to be of the on campus practice type me thinks lets fil the booth even more next year playing all big east teams at least once and after our great ncaa runn will be hard to get good tix.. gto hoyas one by one win them alllllllllllll ;D

[HealyHoya]

ilovescruggs said:

Here, here. And also, let's pass along a thank you to a much-maligned Coach Esherick in the process. He was not a good head coach, but he did committ himself to the program and helped us land our two best players in the process. Thanks, Craig, for those two huge successes at least.

[JohnnyJones]

vadie said:

On that final point, let's not lose sight of the fact that it took courage to bring in JT III over the howls of those who did not want to turn GU hoops into the Thompson family business. Our administration selected the best man for the job, not becaue of his name but his character and talent. They were brave in not turning him down because of that name.

Very, very well said. I was in the group that, while definitely not disappointed, questioned whether or not it would have made more sense to "start fresh." We beat up the Administration on a lot of stuff, so it is only right to give them a credit for making the right (actually perfect) choice here.

[mrsixer123]

ilovescruggs said:

Here, here. And also, let's pass along a thank you to a much-maligned Coach Esherick in the process. He was not a good head coach, but he did committ himself to the program and helped us land our two best players in the process. Thanks, Craig, for those two huge successes at least.

It was big john who brought in our two best players, not craig

[kchoya]

mrsixer123 said:

ilovescruggs said:

Here, here. And also, let's pass along a thank you to a much-maligned Coach Esherick in the process. He was not a good head coach, but he did committ himself to the program and helped us land our two best players in the process. Thanks, Craig, for those two huge successes at least.

It was big john who brought in our two best players, not craig

I didn't know JT2 recruited Hibbert and Green.

[SirSaxa]

johnnyjones said:

Very, very well said. I was in the group that, while definitely not disappointed, questioned whether or not it would have made more sense to "start fresh." We beat up the Administration on a lot of stuff, so it is only right to give them a credit for making the right (actually perfect) choice here.

Hiring JT3 has turned out to be the greatest thing that has happened to Hoya Basketball since 1972 when JT2 was hired.

Once again, a huge amount of the credit goes to Frank Rienzo... Hoya Hoops secret weapon.

When JT3 was hired, I thought it was a decent move but not a great one. I thought we were settling for the best possible and affordable choice -- given GU's constrained budgetary situation. As we all know, it turned out to be a MUCH better than "decent" hire. Why has it worked out so well? Among the reasons:

1. JT3 learned at least as much basketball from HOF coach Pete Carril as he did from Pops. That's not to denegrate Pops in any way. But if any coach has a chance to learn from TWO of the greatest college coaches -- especially two guys with such different approaches to the game -- he is going to be much the better for it. (Personally, given Pops close relationship with HOF coach Red Auerbach, I always think of him as another influence on JT3 -- both directly to JT3 and indirectly due to Red's huge influence on Pops)

2. JT3 proved himself as a coach during his many years at Princeton, including 4 years as head Coach -- and three titles. Hiring a famous son, or famous alumnus, or famous former player, or current top assistant coach is a very risky path -- see Joey Meyer, Craig Esherick, Brendan Mahoney, Tommy Amaker, et al. Hiring a proven head coach from a lower level conference is strategy far more likely to succeed. (e.g. John Beilein, Jay Wright, Jim Calhoun).

3. In JT3, we got the best of all of these options. We got a really smart guy who has learned an enormous amount of basketball since he was a tiny kid from two HOF coaches... and who was a very successful college player himself, who had a ton of experience as an asst. coach and a head coach, who also had a strong affinity for and loyalty to GU, and -- let's not overlook this -- who has a HUGE connection to the very influential Hoya Basketabll Alumni!

AND could be the natural successor to the enormous reputation and contacts of Pops in the Metro DC basketball world and beyond. Pops influence and assistance with recruiting is a BIG asset for JT3 and his staff -- and that is not intended to take any of the credit from JT3 and his guys. They have been great. It's just one more thing that helps them get in doors, helps them with HS and AAU coaches, and helps them with parents of recruits -- the parents who WELL REMEMBER what Pops meant to college basketball, especially in the African American community.

4. Finally, as the son of Pops and as a Princeton graduate, and as a really smart man, JT3 understands the importance of education -- and of doing things the right way. He makes sure the kids do well in school, and he makes sure GU recruits with integrity and treats the kids who are already on the team fairly (see passing on Scottie Reynolds due to absence of schollie - and not running someone off to get him).

OK -- maybe I am gushing a little.
But JT3 just got us our first outright BE Conference Championship in 18 years!!!
And there is so much more to come.

And just like his Dad, there hasn't been a whiff of scandal or inappropriate actions anywhere near the program. As everyone on this board knows, this is a Coach of whom we can ALL be proud.

So Frank, Jim Higgins, DiGioa, Pops, and all the other administrators and influential alumni who helped get this right -- Well Done!

And to JT3 and his excellent Staff -- well done to you too!

Throw in some kudos for Bernie Muir, HHC, and Hoya Blue!

Add more for the current students.

Don't forget to thank Craig for bringing Roy, Jeff and Tyler on board,

And most of all -- congratulations to the ENTIRE team!!!!
What a GREAT job you guys have done! Thank you!

[mrsixer123]

Behind the scenes he did with the promise that things were going to change for the better in the very near future.............

[SirSaxa]

mrsixer123 said:

Behind the scenes he did with the promise that things were going to change for the better in the very near future.............

To be accurate, Pops helped keep Jeff and Roy -- and their families -- committed during the transition period from Craig to JT3. But Craig and his staff were the ones who recruited those guys.

A lot has been -- and continues to be -- written about Craig's shortcoming as HC. But in the process, let's not take away the things for which he deserves credit. Bringing Roy and Jeff to GU are among the best things Craig did for Georgetown.

JT3 developed these guys -- no question about that.
But Craig brought them in -- and there's no question about that either.

[mrsixer123]

This hiring process began as soon as esh made several stupid mistakes of thinking he was bigger than the man who made the program

In one case i have first hand knowledge, esh told someone close to big john that he couldnt enter "my gym until he comes to see me!"

There were several incidents where esh apparently thought he was bigger than big john
And when word got back to big john, the process began immediately.

This hiring wasnt a knee jerk decision like fans think. It was in the process for at least 2 years

[mrsixer123]

sirsaxa said:

mrsixer123 said:

Behind the scenes he did with the promise that things were going to change for the better in the very near future.............

To be accurate, Pops helped keep Jeff and Roy -- and their families -- committed during the transition period from Craig to JT3. But Craig and his staff were the ones who recruited those guys.

A lot has been -- and continues to be -- written about Craig's shortcoming as HC. But in the process, let's not take away the things for which he deserves credit. Bringing Roy and Jeff to GU are among the best things Craig did for Georgetown.

JT3 developed these guys -- no question about that.
But Craig brought them in -- and there's no question about that either.

I am accurate. Big john sealed the deal and kept jeff and roy here with inside knowledge that the baffonery would end real soon. If u want to believe esh was able to bring them to the hill top all by himself, sobeit; however, i know for a fact that credit is being given where it is NOT due

[williambraskyiii]

mrsixer123 said:

This hiring process began as soon as esh made several stupid mistakes of thinking he was bigger than the man who made the program

In one case i have first hand knowledge, esh told someone close to big john that he couldnt enter "my gym until he comes to see me!"

There were several incidents where esh apparently thought he was bigger than big john
And when word got back to big john, the process began immediately.

This hiring wasnt a knee jerk decision like fans think. It was in the process for at least 2 years

this makes no sense. esherick was given a long term extension in 2003...how could his ouster have been in the works for "two years"?

[TahoeSkin]

sirsaxa said:

mrsixer123 said:

Behind the scenes he did with the promise that things were going to change for the better in the very near future.............

To be accurate, Pops helped keep Jeff and Roy -- and their families -- committed during the transition period from Craig to JT3. But Craig and his staff were the ones who recruited those guys.

A lot has been -- and continues to be -- written about Craig's shortcoming as HC. But in the process, let's not take away the things for which he deserves credit. Bringing Roy and Jeff to GU are among the best things Craig did for Georgetown.

JT3 developed these guys -- no question about that.
But Craig brought them in -- and there's no question about that either.

Well said, Saxa.

[MEGAFAN]

Great thread here! In honor of JT III, I think I need to start searching my computer archives for my post regarding why I think JT III (before he was hired) would be perhaps the best choice among all choices, including parallel universes. If I find it, I will be sure to re-post it.

Ever since the speculation began that JT III was in the running, I was very confident he was going to be up to the task, and also believed the University would make the "right" choice and hire him. Quite honestly, I still do not quite understand how any of you wanted to sever the relationship with the Thompson era and start fresh, as though that would have gotten us anywhere! (But I do respect those who can admit they were head-over-shoulders, flat out, rock-bottom WRONG, ha!)

Whereas no one could ever reasonably expect the kind of progress we have made in three years, I am so happy to see that JT III has lived up to my (almost) unrealistically high expectations.

We are SO VERY VERY fortunate to have our program in his hands - now let's go out there and do something we haven't done since 1989 and win the BET!

After all, I'm not flying in from Tokyo for 4 days to watch us do anything else!!!

LET'S GO HOYAS!!!

[hoyaveritas]

I pray that the administration gives III an extension and healthy pay raise immediately. I may be paranoid, but I am scared about this UK/Tubby Smith situation and its consequences for young, up and coming coaches like III.

[Big Dog]

megafan said:

Great thread here! In honor of JT III, I think I need to start searching my computer archives for my post regarding why I think JT III (before he was hired) would be perhaps the best choice among all choices, including parallel universes. If I find it, I will be sure to re-post it.

Ever since the speculation began that JT III was in the running, I was very confident he was going to be up to the task, and also believed the University would make the "right" choice and hire him. Quite honestly, I still do not quite understand how any of you wanted to sever the relationship with the Thompson era and start fresh, as though that would have gotten us anywhere! (But I do respect those who can admit they were head-over-shoulders, flat out, rock-bottom WRONG, ha!)

Whereas no one could ever reasonably expect the kind of progress we have made in three years, I am so happy to see that JT III has lived up to my (almost) unrealistically high expectations.

We are SO VERY VERY fortunate to have our program in his hands - now let's go out there and do something we haven't done since 1989 and win the BET!

After all, I'm not flying in from Tokyo for 4 days to watch us do anything else!!!

LET'S GO HOYAS!!!

Save it Mega. If we're going to go back and find your old posts, let's look for your four years of vigorous Esh defenses and rationalizations about how changing coaches wouldn't be worth it b/c the program's problems ran so much deeper.

Let's let bygones be bygones. But you of all people shouldn't be patting yourself on the back too hard.

[edstimes]

Edited. Avoid repetitive posts--Admin