Fire Lon Kruger

[Soonercpa2011]

Thought for a long time last night how in the world a team could regress so much over the span of a season. Wish he would at least try to explain this

 

[NY Soonerfan]

I still like the guy. I just am not sure that his coaching is effective. We have kids who are NOT improving and continue to make the same mistakes.

I also am concerned about his failure to take the reins of this group and manage them more closely during games when his hands-off, give them time approach has been wholly ineffective. He took ONE timeout last night. I understand that earlier in the year when he's trying to get them to learn by playing through it. But when that has obviously not worked and we need that tighter management he has not responded.

I think it's time to get a new, young guy who will crawl up in there and guide these kids more while also helping them get better. Especially in the paint.

I agree with all of this (it's very hard not to), but at some point, doesn't it have to come back to the kids as well? I know we don't want to be too hard on 19-22 year olds, but when is the last time we saw an OU player get on the court for a loose ball? When is the last time we saw them go the extra yard to get out on a wide open jump shooter? When is the last time we saw them go over a screen instead of under it? This team has zero consistent effort on a night-in, night-out basis. The Buddy, Isiah, Woodard, Spangler team probably worked harder in one practice than this team has all year combined.

And yes, I'm sure many will say that falls on the coaches too, and I don't disagree with that as an umbrella statement, but as an individual, you also have to WANT it yourself. Lon can't jump on the floor, go over a screen, run wildly at an open 3. The players have to WANT it, and I see none of that at all. As a whole they are as soft a team as I've seen in OU in quite some time, right up there with the WW, TMG and Tiny group that Capel had. And, much like that group, when things didn't go well, they just fold and try even less. A 7-point deficit to this team feels like 15. Coaches can only do so much, but at the end of the day, whether it be the yelling and screaming of Bobby Knight, or the laissez faire attitude of Lon, you have to, as a player, take a little pride in what you're doing and actually do it yourself.

I think the criticism here is two-fold; lots and lots on Lon, but equally as much on a group of kids who are soft and don't want to go the extra mile to try and succeed. And sure, that does come back to Lon too, for recruiting that kind of kid, and maybe not seeing that's what he was getting, but said kid also has to have a little self respect and want to get better and want to do what is necessary to get better; I see none of that with this team.

 

[okhoops918]

Not sure he needs to be fired but this has been a disappointing season. Makes me concerned for any high profile player OU gets under Kruger. He can't handle it.

Better off getting fringe top 100 guys and developing them

 

[cowboysooner]

I like everything about lon and hope he stays until he wants to retire. We have had a couple rough years, but I am confident he can turn it around.

Lots of points have been made and offered as reasons why he needs to go, I could argue each one but won't make the useless exercise of doing that on the internet.

Past things could have been done differently, and Lon needs to evaluate every part of the program, and start fresh after this year, but Lon strikes me and I think everyone that knows him as a competitor. So, I'm sure the last couple years have been more frustrating for him than anyone on here.

I just think there are way too many good things about Lon to change direction or leadership. I may be alone, but I am very confident that Lon will look for ways to turn this program in another direction and do it.

BTW, I don't disagree with some of the opinions that we aren't very good on defense, are soft and aren't shooting the ball with any consistency. Just disagree with what that means to some of you.

 

[AdaSooner]

Not sure he needs to be fired but this has been a disappointing season. Makes me concerned for any high profile player OU gets under Kruger. He can't handle it.

Better off getting fringe top 100 guys and developing them

Problem is, we haven’t seen any evidence developing players is a strength for this staff. Lattin hasn’t improved much since his freshman season. Shep was better last year than he is now. Odomes is still reluctant to take a perimeter shot in his third season. Freeman’s offensive game is limited to shooting threes.

Truth is, with the possible exception of James and McNeace, it’s not easy to point to a player who is better now than he was last year, or at the beginning of the season for that matter.