If Lon left....

[mict085]

A new arena off campus is in the works
Til then we are stuck with the LNC. Truth is TV money is more important the fans in the stands, witness the number of weekday 6pm and 8pm games this year. The days when all weekday home games were at 7 unless it was big Monday are gone. Tough to get to Norman by 6 if you work or live in OKC or Edmond.

I wouldn’t count on that new arena just yet. The city of Norman has to agree to that deal, and it doesn’t sound like they want to at all.

We’re stuck with crappy LNC for the foreseeable future.

 

[WichitaSooner]

It is absolutely amazing that some of you act like Lon was just a safe hire who did a decent job but nothing spectacular. This program was a MESS when he was hired. Most insiders thought it would take four years for any coach to get them to the tournament, but he did it in two. In year four, he made the Sweet 16, and in year five, the Final Four. To suggest that he simply got us back to respectability is not just dumb, it is flat wrong. Short of a national title or ending KU's streak, he has done just about everything you could ask. All of you who want to move on because of an awful two-month stretch are so shortsighted it is amazing.

 

[WTSooner]

It is absolutely amazing that some of you act like Lon was just a safe hire who did a decent job but nothing spectacular. This program was a MESS when he was hired. Most insiders thought it would take four years for any coach to get them to the tournament, but he did it in two. In year four, he made the Sweet 16, and in year five, the Final Four. To suggest that he simply got us back to respectability is not just dumb, it is flat wrong. Short of a national title or ending KU's streak, he has done just about everything you could ask. All of you who want to move on because of an awful two-month stretch are so shortsighted it is amazing.

How bout after a 3 year stretch? Cause next year isn't looking like roses.

 

[AdaSooner]

No one has ever batted a thousand. Joe gives the job to the person and lets them do their job. He gives them time to do their job. These are rare qualities in a boss these days. Sometimes coaches like Pete Hughes prove they should have been canned after year 1, but one of the reasons our top talent sticks around is due to the fact that Joe gives them the resources and time to be successful. He sets the highest standards, though.

I was responding to Bounce’s comment that “Joe C hires the right people for the right jobs.” The point I made is thst even great ADs like Joe don’t always make the right hires.

I thought he had hit another home run when he hired Jeff Capel. Capel’s ability to recruit had me fooled. His lack of experience as an administrator finally caught up to him, proving youth and enthusiasm are not always the answer to a program’s success.

LK was the right hire on the heels of back to back NCAA investigations under Sampson and Capel. In view of the current FBI investigations, he’s the right man for the job right now. I’m just not sure if Lon is the best we can do for the future? The answer to that question may have to wait until next season.

 

[Matthew G]

I’ve always thought if Lon left we should go for a mid major program’s Coach like we did when we got Lon, Capel, and Kelvin. If Lon left, I’d be all for taking Butler’s coach. He’s in his 1st year, and st the beginning it was rough, but he’s slowly got Butler going. So if Lon called it quits in 2 years, and he’s still there, I’d be all for him.


But ultimately, mid major coaches are who we should target.

 

[Eielson]

I’ve always thought if Lon left we should go for a mid major program’s Coach like we did when we got Lon, Capel, and Kelvin. If Lon left, I’d be all for taking Butler’s coach. He’s in his 1st year, and st the beginning it was rough, but he’s slowly got Butler going. So if Lon called it quits in 2 years, and he’s still there, I’d be all for him.


But ultimately, mid major coaches are who we should target.

Washington State is mid-major?

Also, Lon had coached at KSU, Illinois, and Florida, so he's not exactly just a mid-major coach.

 

[Ghost of Gar Heard]

When Lon goes, the program should look toward the NBA for someone to take over the program. I think Lon basically thinks along these lines, too, but here's a good article about what Dan D'Antoni's doing at Marshall and they're basically doing the same thing at UMBC. They've figured out the difference between good shots and bad shots and teach it like religion.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...oes-to-college/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

 

[mict085]

When Lon goes, the program should look toward the NBA for someone to take over the program. I think Lon basically thinks along these lines, too, but here's a good article about what Dan D'Antoni's doing at Marshall and they're basically doing the same thing at UMBC. They've figured out the difference between good shots and bad shots and teach it like religion.

https://fivethirtyeight.com/feature...oes-to-college/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

Who would that be? Who would leave the nba to come to OU?

 

[Eielson]

Who would that be? Who would leave the nba to come to OU?

He just talked about Dan Dantoni, who left the Lakers for Marshall. Then, as we all know, Sampson left the NBA to take over at Houston. If Marshall and Houston can do it, we certainly can.

 

[Ghost of Gar Heard]

He just talked about Dan Dantoni, who left the Lakers for Marshall. Then, as we all know, Sampson left the NBA to take over at Houston. If Marshall and Houston can do it, we certainly can.

Eric Musselman at Nevada is also a former NBA assistant. Clearly I meant an NBA assistant. I didn't mean Brad Stevens or Steve Kerr.

 

[Maverick008]

Eric Musselman at Nevada is also a former NBA assistant. Clearly I meant an NBA assistant. I didn't mean Brad Stevens or Steve Kerr.

Musselman actually was also the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings at one point. I get what you were saying though a prominent head coach currently in the NBA is probably not going to leave for Oklahoma unless fired.

 

[Eielson]

Musselman actually was also the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings at one point. I get what you were saying though a prominent head coach currently in the NBA is probably not going to leave for Oklahoma unless fired.

Bring on Fred Hoiberg!

 

[AnotherSoonerInTX]

He just talked about Dan Dantoni, who left the Lakers for Marshall. Then, as we all know, Sampson left the NBA to take over at Houston. If Marshall and Houston can do it, we certainly can.

Dan D'Antoni was a star at Marshall who went on to become a legendary high school coach in South Carolina before joining his brother in the NBA. Going to Marshall was an opportunity for him to go home.

Kelvin was already in Houston with the Rockets. It wasn't a stretch for him to go to U of H once his show cause was finished.

Nonetheless, an NBA coach of some sort could come to OU as easily as anyone else.

 

[quick release]

Huge fan of Musselman. Would love to see him end upn here.

 

[152219]

Anyone mention Fred Holberg?

 

[WTSooner]

Huge fan of Musselman. Would love to see him end upn here.

The dude was nearly single-handedly responsible for the loss the other night. He made some really poor decisions down the stretch, and I thought their offense was brutal. If the good twin didn't bail them out by hitting tough shots, they'd have been even worse.

 

[Matthew G]

Anyone mention Fred Holberg?

Why not just name Brad Stevens while we’re at it.

 

[AdaSooner]

Anyone who has been watching the NCAA tournament games should know by now there are a number of really good coaches out there who would do a good job at OU, maybe better with the resources and funds available they’re not getting at their current mid-major or second tier school.

I don’t have any names, I just know that I have seen several teams that impressed me with their defense and their ability to make shots or key plays during their effort to move forward in the tournament.

My point is, our next coach may not be a name everyone recognizes. I want a young, energetic coach who will surround himself with well qualified assistants that know how to motivate and work with players. Above all, they must be efficient at identifying and recruiting good players to fill specific needs.

I doubt if we’ll see a change this year, unless it’s with one or more of our assistants. In view of the ongoing FBI investigation, that may be for the best. But, when that time comes, I couldn’t care less if he is another “home run” hire. The last two brought a temporary smile to my face in the beginning. I want a smile that will last a little while longer.

 

[Matthew G]

Anyone who has been watching the NCAA tournament games should know by now there are a number of really good coaches out there who would do a good job at OU, maybe better with the resources and funds available they’re not getting at their current mid-major or second tier school.

I don’t have any names, I just know that I have seen several teams that impressed me with their defense and their ability to make shots or key plays during their effort to move forward in the tournament.

My point is, our next coach may not be a name everyone recognizes. I want a young, energetic coach who will surround himself with well qualified assistants that know how to motivate and work with players. Above all, they must be efficient at identifying and recruiting good players to fill specific needs.

I doubt if we’ll see a change this year, unless it’s with one or more of our assistants. In view of the ongoing FBI investigation, that may be for the best. But, when that time comes, I couldn’t care less if he is another “home run” hire. The last two brought a temporary smile to my face in the beginning. I want a smile that will last a little while longer.

One thing to note about NCAA coaches: Every coach can have a flash in the pan type year. Nobody should ever make a rash decision about how good a coach is based on 1 year. If you do that, you are in for a world of hurt.

 

[Darwin]

If Lon left Joe should pursue a seasoned but somewhat youthful mid major coach. Jeff Capel NOT, no whiz kid, one more good season and we would not have been able to keep him.