If not Capel, who?

[colston15]

I've seen several posters state recently that they believe Capel's time is running, or has run out. I'm not completely sold on that yet, but, I am certainly rapidly approaching that conclusion.

So, if we do pull the plug on the Capel era, who replaces him? You have to have an excellent response to that question or it's completely ridiculous to even consider making a change. Simply firing Capel does nothing, we have to repalce him with someone who is clearly a better option.

Give me some realistic names.

 

[Max Power]

Billy Clyde

 

[lk2183]

Like you, I'm not sold that a change is absolutely necessary yet, but if it did happen I would be interested to see who people think would be legitimate candidates. I think you should also stipulate that the person suggested as a replacement be a viable candidate. No pipe dreams. Suggesting someone who wouldn't even consider coaching at OU is just a waste of everyone's time. If a change takes place, I think it will be similar to the Sampson situation. Some fans will think that a big name is going to jump to be the coach here, when in fact, given the current state of the program and the lack of consistent interest in basketball, most big names won't have any interest.

 

[Max Power]

Like you, I'm not sold that a change is absolutely necessary yet, but if it did happen I would be interested to see who people think would be legitimate candidates. I think you should also stipulate that the person suggested as a replacement be a viable candidate. No pipe dreams. Suggesting someone who wouldn't even consider coaching at OU is just a waste of everyone's time. If a change takes place, I think it will be similar to the Sampson situation. Some fans will think that a big name is going to jump to be the coach here, when in fact, given the current state of the program and the lack of consistent interest in basketball, most big names won't have any interest.

I think Billy Gillispie fits the mold. He has won in the Big 12 at a Football school (which a&M is) and then Won at Kentucky, just not at their level. He went to the post season one out of two years at UTEP, Every year at a&m, and every year at Kentucky and has a winning record for his career He could be looking for redemption at a historically big time bball program (OU being top 20 all time). Its a win-win. He can rebuild his image and OUr program at the same time

 

[38red]

Not just who, but who would too!

 

[hoopsaustin]

capel doesnt develop the players very much imo, he can recruit well but then those players stay at the same level..

 

[lk2183]

I think Billy Gillispie fits the mold. He has won in the Big 12 at a Football school (which a&M is) and then Won at Kentucky, just not at their level. He went to the post season one out of two years at UTEP, Every year at a&m, and every year at Kentucky and has a winning record for his career He could be looking for redemption at a historically big time bball program (OU being top 20 all time). Its a win-win. He can rebuild his image and OUr program at the same time

I must have been typing my post at the same time as you and posted it afterward. Didn't mean to sound like I was questioning your suggestion.

Your logic is sound. Gillespie could be a viable candidate. As you said, I'm sure he would be interested in rebuilding his image at a higher level program like OU and he does seem equipped to handle the current situation. However, if the administration decided to make a change I don't know if they would be willing to take a risk on someone who had issues in the past. Who knows though.

Personally, I hope things start looking up so we don't have to find out.

 

[Max Power]

I must have been typing my post at the same time as you and posted it afterward. Didn't mean to sound like I was questioning your suggestion.

Your logic is sound. Gillespie could be a viable candidate. As you said, I'm sure he would be interested in rebuilding his image at a higher level program like OU and he does seem equipped to handle the current situation. However, if the administration decided to make a change I don't know if they would be willing to take a risk on someone who had issues in the past. Who knows though.

Personally, I hope things start looking up so we don't have to find out.

He is really the only proven name that we have any chance with at the moment.

 

[lk2183]

capel doesnt develop the players very much imo, he can recruit well but then those players stay at the same level..

Perhaps. It's hard to say that guys don't develop at all under Capel. Longar made impressive strides under Capel; AJ became more consistent under Capel (mind you not great, but he made solid improvement his last year); Blake improved from year 1 to year 2 but a lot of that is due to Blake being so hard working and talented; Crocker became a solid defender under Capel and this year you can point to the offensive improvement Fitz has made from last year.

Now, I'm not saying that is enough to get the results the program wants and deserves, but I don't think we can say that players don't improve. That wouldn't be completely true. I'll reserve judgment on the current players until the end of the season. They are pretty rough right now so hopefully they only way to go is up.

 

[colston15]

The only, and I do mean only thing I like about Gillespie is his ability to coach defense. Otherwise he does nothing for me.

A few other names to toss around:

Blaine Taylor- Old Dominion
Larry Eustachy- Southern Miss
Gregg Marshall- Wichita St.
Randy Bennett- St. Mary's

 

[Max Power]

The only, and I do mean only thing I like about Gillespie is his ability to coach defense. Otherwise he does nothing for me.

A few other names to toss around:

Blaine Taylor- Old Dominion
Larry Eustachy- Southern Miss
Gregg Marshall- Wichita St.
Randy Bennett- St. Mary's

What are the odds that Bennett would want to leave St Mary's for our mess? or Eustachy? or Marshall? We are in a bad way and they all have better jobs than the OU job is right now

 

[NickZepp]

What are the odds that Bennett would want to leave St Mary's for our mess? or Eustachy? or Marshall? We are in a bad way and they all have better jobs than the OU job is right now

It's pretty easy to turn it around and win at a place like OU. All it took for Capel to have a 30 win season was basically one great player.

 

[Max Power]

It's pretty easy to turn it around and win at a place like OU. All it took for Capel to have a 30 win season was basically one great player.

From OKC with a Brother at OU, and post season play 25 of the previous 26 years. And there aren't any Blake Griffins lining up to come here right now

 

[AdaSooner]

What are the odds that Bennett would want to leave St Mary's for our mess? or Eustachy? or Marshall? We are in a bad way and they all have better jobs than the OU job is right now

Any coach who is confident in his ability to get the job done, will not shy away from a challenge. Despite our recent struggles, OU is still one of the best basketball schools in the country.

Besides, it's not like we have been down on our luck so long nobody remembers how good we were two years ago. I certainly do. That's one of the reasons what we're going through right now hurts so much.

 

[NickZepp]

From OKC with a Brother at OU, and post season play 25 of the previous 26 years. And there aren't any Blake Griffins lining up to come here right now

I don't think you need to get a Blake Griffin to win here. Look Capel but if you look at how many years in a row we wetn to the post season under our last 2 coaches it's not that hard to win at an Oklahoma. Capel is proving more and more he can't win here. It may just be his style doesn't work here somehow. It may be that he's just not a good coach. I'm not sure. But you can't really have a team be this bad consistently like he has the last 2 years.

 

[okcsooner83]

Duke grads don't make good head coaches.

 

[Dem Coltz]

A few other names to toss around:

Blaine Taylor- Old Dominion

This board may not know it but Capel at VCU and Blaine Taylor at ODU had a pretty intense rivalry playing twice a year and in the conference tourney often. Capel hates ODU due to how he feels they treated his father by getting rid of him. I gotta say, for OU to fire Capel and hire Taylor would be adding insult to injury. Not that this should sway our action at all, just saying.

 

[thebigabd]

Time to bring Tubby Smith back to Oklahoma, this time, to lead the Sooners.

 

[pillmanj]

From OKC with a Brother at OU, and post season play 25 of the previous 26 years. And there aren't any Blake Griffins lining up to come here right now

I am pretty sure the consensus was that if Sampson was still at OU Blake probably would have went elsewhere. Capel did seal the deal on Blake...He deserves some credit for that

 

[StoopsBros]

No Gillispie. It ain't happening.