"Thompson awaits raise"

[JimmyHoya]

Raise the freakin' tuition if we have to. Nothing's stopped them from doing it int he past and what's the difference between 79,000 and 79,750 bucks a student for a year here? It still stinks either way. I like this basketball coach. We must keep him. He makes up for A LOT of other really pathetic parts of the school.

[RusskyHoya]

The Georgetown Independent (full disclosure, I'm the managing editor) agrees wholeheartedly:

JTIII! JTIII! JTIII?

[BubbleVisionBiff]

Andy Katz agrees.

tinyurl.com/227yqu

[Big Dog]

dfw said:

stpetersburghoya said:

Barker at his best - agitating for what we all know as fans should happen.

No, it's not. If Barker is pushing for a raise, it needs to be in a column. For all John Feinstein's animus towards all things Georgetown, he generally expresses his written opinions in a column and not in daily articles, which is what this was. Barker walks a fine line between the two and not always to his (or Georgetown's) benefit. And by dropping in the not so subtle Craig Esherick reference, he's essentially calling out the University, which is inappropriate for a reporter, though not necessarily for a columnist.

As for the line "Muir spent more than an hour in a meeting with Georgetown president Jack DeGioia yesterday, but was unwilling to confirm if the meeting concerned either Thompson's future or a possible new contract offer," of course he's not going to tell the Times or anyone else. This is Georgetown we're talking about, and Barker knows that.

For those who questioned the timing of Mike Wise catching Fred Brown in a bad mood last week, now there's another distraction.

Do we know for sure that Barker wasn't given this "story" quietly by one of the Thompsons?

[SFHoya99]

I'm fairly certain this was planted by Thompson, Sr., and I wouldn't be shocked to hear that the Bobcats "considering" III was Thompson, Sr.

That said, who cares? Pay the man.

[voltahoya]

What difference does it make if Pops was the source or not?

The fact is The University had better step up and pay the man at least Tom Crean money--probably more --and end any discussion that he might leave for the next 10 to 20 years.

I can make this real simple for Muir and DeGoia. I will never donate another dollar to the school if they let him go. On the other hand, if he stays my donations will skyrocket. My wife and I are already budgeting to increase our donations ten-fold if JTIII is signed to a long term contract.

This is the easiest decision Muir and DeGoia have ever had. Pay him substantially more than any other coach in the Big East for the next 20 years and sit back and enjoy. It will make them look like geniuses. Failure to lock him up will make them look like fools and will cause an uprising of unprecedented proportions.

The Students and Alumni will not tolerate the school losing JTIII it is that simple. Muir and even DeGoia will have a hard time keeping their jobs if they cheap out on this decision. It is THAT big a deal.

[YB]

ColumbiaHeights has it completely right. We have to plan that facility and we have to give III a healthy raise. That is the deal.

[Big Dog]

voltahoya said:

What difference does it make if Pops was the source or not?

Hello? Does anyone bother to read a full post anymore or are we all too enraged and emotional to be bothered?

I posted that Big John might be the source after specifically quoting DFW's post, which takes Barker to task for bringing this up in an article rather than a column. I'm suggesting that this is why Barker is writing about this now in his otherwise typical format. I'm not saying anything about paying the guy. Obviously he should be paid at or above what Tom Crean makes.

[town05]

voltahoya said:

What difference does it make if Pops was the source or not?

The fact is The University had better step up and pay the man at least Tom Crean money--probably more --and end any discussion that he might leave for the next 10 to 20 years.

I can make this real simple for Muir and DeGoia. I will never donate another dollar to the school if they let him go. On the other hand, if he stays my donations will skyrocket. My wife and I are already budgeting to increase our donations ten-fold if JTIII is signed to a long term contract.

This is the easiest decision Muir and DeGoia have ever had. Pay him substantially more than any other coach in the Big East for the next 20 years and sit back and enjoy. It will make them look like geniuses. Failure to lock him up will make them look like fools and will cause an uprising of unprecedented proportions.

The Students and Alumni will not tolerate the school losing JTIII it is that simple. Muir and even DeGoia will have a hard time keeping their jobs if they cheap out on this decision. It is THAT big a deal.

Funny how after a couple "clown" articles you all seem know what you're talking about... As if anyone other than Gtown admin knows about the inner workings of this. Muir and DeGoia are not the only players with cards here and JT3 leaving is not something remotely worth discussing three days before the Final Four starts. Pick this up next week after it's all over. You're only fueling the fire. Focus on other things LIKE OHIO STATE. Not "ten-fold" this or threats of "never donate another dollar" that. That's just stupid and not a very good way to make your point. This is your school. Plus I'd like proof of that ten-fold increase from you and your wife...


Go Hoyas

[AvantGuardHoya]

fotp said:

3) Barker loses all credibility by calling Michican a "plum opening". It's not even close. If he said Kentucky then yes. Michigan has the in a weird way rough facilities issues because Chrysler arena is awful for the Big Ten. Plus, you then have to recruit against Mich. St. and the rest of the Big Ten. DC is one of the best recruiting grounds in the country and we own it now. Something to be said for that.

Completely disagree. While the facilities may not be the absolute best, the Wolverines BB program has consistently been top tier in the Big Ten for eons. Recruiting? You ever heard of the Fab Five? I go back to before Cazzie Russell. Michigan has long demonstrated the ability to hold its own when it comes to getting talent. They will land a very good coach.

[SFHoya99]

Town05,

I personally can't afford a ten-fold increase, but someday I will. And if JTIII isn't paid, Gtown won't see it.

It isn't my school if it doesn't value the basketball program -- because I've made it clear that I value the basketball program, and by ignoring the program, the school is saying that it doesn't care about me as an alum.

I think it is pretty clear this school has no interest in me other than my money. I paid my tuition; payment now means I get something back.

[voltahoya]

Townie and anyone else who thinks this is foolish,

I hate to be a debbie downer here, but unless you want to run a risk that this is the last Final Four of your life, it is HUGELY important to keep III and now is the time to get it done.

Think of this nightmare scenario--I believe it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY--but let your mind wander. Imagine Green and Hibbert go, in light of the Final Four, I think that is a more significant risk than it was last week, but I hope they don't. Then think about the situation Dajuan is in, he has played himself into a NBA draft pick this year if he wants to go. Maybe he goes. Couple those departures with III listening to his father and taking the biggest contract he can get to "take care of his family."

All of a sudden Wright, Freeman and Wattad are free agents.

And who would take this job??? The assistants will have all taken other jobs by the time this falls out. And the University will be sending a message to any coach with ears that GU has NO committment to excellence in Basketball.

Then where the heck are we, back to the world of second class coaches, a place I call Eshrick land. I have been there and it ain't a fun place.

I am enjoying this run as much as the next guy, but I think it is also useful--while it is going on-- to get the administration's attention that they had better not screw this up. I think it is up to the fans --students, alumni, everyone-- to use this opportunity to let the school know what III means to us. DeGoia will have ONE chance to get this right. He had better not pull an O'Donovan and Edited away everything that has been built up.

And as for my 10 fold increase, it is real. I'll tell you the numbers too. I am talking about going from 200 a year to 2000 a year. That isn't a lot of money to the School, but it is to me and I would be proud to give it to a school with a class program and great kids like JTIII's program.

If everyone else thinks like I do, it will add up. And like SF Hoya, over the course of my life hopefully I will be able to give more and more and more. I'd like to be able to do that for a school I love and a program I respect. But like SFHOYA, the school I love is a basketball powerhouse and I want it to stay that way.

[ColumbiaHeightsHoya]

Volta, the ten fold increase is impressive assuming you are not talking about a bump up to $100 from $10. Congrats on that. This makes the 250% increase in ticket donations prices much easier to take.

[hoyanick]

Do the contacts of college basketball coaches include incentives for performance? Would JT III see any additional cash for his run this year?

Lock JT III up, Georgetown. $30-35 million over 20 years should do it, along with the Leonsis-Big Man U. Forum and The Thompson Family Court.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

hoyanick said:

Do the contacts of college basketball coaches include incentives for performance? Would JT III see any additional cash for his run this year?

Lock JT III up, Georgetown. $30-35 million over 20 years should do it, along with the Leonsis-Big Man U. Forum and The Thompson Family Court.

A 20 year contract? Come on people he's good but he's no Depietro ...

[Just Cos]

Completely disagree. While the facilities may not be the absolute best, the Wolverines BB program has consistently been top tier in the Big Ten for eons. Recruiting? You ever heard of the Fab Five? I go back to before Cazzie Russell. Michigan has long demonstrated the ability to hold its own when it comes to getting talent. They will land a very good coach.

Do you really want to use the Fab 5 in a reference with recruiting? It is a lot easier to recruit players when you pay them. Just ask Ohio State.

[town05]

voltahoya said:

Townie and anyone else who thinks this is foolish,

I hate to be a debbie downer here, but unless you want to run a risk that this is the last Final Four of your life, it is HUGELY important to keep III and now is the time to get it done.

Think of this nightmare scenario--I believe it is HIGHLY UNLIKELY--but let your mind wander. Imagine Green and Hibbert go, in light of the Final Four, I think that is a more significant risk than it was last week, but I hope they don't. Then think about the situation Dajuan is in, he has played himself into a NBA draft pick this year if he wants to go. Maybe he goes. Couple those departures with III listening to his father and taking the biggest contract he can get to "take care of his family."

All of a sudden Wright, Freeman and Wattad are free agents.

And who would take this job??? The assistants will have all taken other jobs by the time this falls out. And the University will be sending a message to any coach with ears that GU has NO committment to excellence in Basketball.

Then where the heck are we, back to the world of second class coaches, a place I call Eshrick land. I have been there and it ain't a fun place.

I am enjoying this run as much as the next guy, but I think it is also useful--while it is going on-- to get the administration's attention that they had better not screw this up. I think it is up to the fans --students, alumni, everyone-- to use this opportunity to let the school know what III means to us. DeGoia will have ONE chance to get this right. He had better not pull an O'Donovan and Edited away everything that has been built up.

And as for my 10 fold increase, it is real. I'll tell you the numbers too. I am talking about going from 200 a year to 2000 a year. That isn't a lot of money to the School, but it is to me and I would be proud to give it to a school with a class program and great kids like JTIII's program.

If everyone else thinks like I do, it will add up. And like SF Hoya, over the course of my life hopefully I will be able to give more and more and more. I'd like to be able to do that for a school I love and a program I respect. But like SFHOYA, the school I love is a basketball powerhouse and I want it to stay that way.

Well let's just wargame an Avian flu outbreak scenario for the Georgia Dome too, while we're at it...

Not saying the conversation isn't warranted, just not now.

[Fan Of The Game]

Definitely a Thompson Senior plant (as a few of you mentioned). If only we could find another $440K in the budget to give our coach a raise. Where can we find it, where oh where...

[hoyanick]

stpetersburghoya said:

hoyanick said:

Do the contacts of college basketball coaches include incentives for performance? Would JT III see any additional cash for his run this year?

Lock JT III up, Georgetown. $30-35 million over 20 years should do it, along with the Leonsis-Big Man U. Forum and The Thompson Family Court.

A 20 year contract? Come on people he's good but he's no Depietro ...

I disagree.

Why not give him that security when he gives the school so many tangible and intangible benefits?

I'm not even talking about his coaching and his recruiting prowess. He is a man who believes in forming the whole person, following the Jesuit ideal in the locker room - all this in an age when many coaches are mercenaries who do not concern themselves with anything but winning, as if the young men in their locker rooms are chattel to be used in the pursuit of bigger and better contracts. To have an elite coach who can conduct himself and his program with such integrity is a rarity. The man is a walking advertisement for the school.

Georgetown University will benefit from the positive press that comes naturally when it is evident that a genuinely good person is also a tremendous talent. John Thompson III at Georgetown represents loyalty, family, integrity, tradition, as well as athletic excellence. Lock the man up, Georgetown.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Nick - it was a joke.