Ok Board let’s have some fun ...

[Soonerinkc]

Screw Dana Altman.... OU is currently one of the most boring programs around... We don't need some 65 year old guy at the end of his career again. What is this, OU basketball or Del Boca Vista?

agree....hell, LK is just a few yrs older...maybe 2?...

 

[Romulus]

Bring in the old hot tubs from Tark and UNLV

 

[Soonerinkc]

Every coach has risk.

Altman is a safe choice, would deliver similar as Kruger without final fours. Not too high, not too low.

McCasland, mills, Golding all younger but with higher risks of failure. High risk, potential high reward.

Honestly, the more I think about it, kellen Sampson makes a lot of sense. He loves OU, has some good experience, coaching is in his blood, has a reputation as a very good recruiter, plus he loves OU and would be fully invested long term.

The thought of Eduardo najera as an assistant with financial backers (recruiting) would be very intriguing.

Keep compliance away from the program and tell them to keep their noses out. They can focus on the volleyball teams.

We need new energy. We need to be reinvigorated. Old and stale need not apply this time around. We’re in a much better position than where we were before hiring Lon.

really? you know this? Not trying to be an ass...but just questioning.

Now pulling in Eduardo and Hollis or Q as an assistant would be great...all OU guys..

 

[skyvue]

That's never going to happen.

And thank goodness it won't.

 

[skyvue]

OU needs a shot in the arm. And some dude on his way to Del Boca Vista ain't it. And, many people on this forum agree with me on that.

I'm not advocating for Altman -- in the post where I misstated his age, I was arguing against hiring him. I'll be very disappointed if we do hire him and have never said anything different.

As for the treading water/boredom comments, under Kruger, we've had a national player of the year (and he developed into a great player under Kruger and Co. -- he didn't arrive in Norman at that level), a national sensation in Trae Young, a Sweet 16 team, a Final Four team, a trip to the tourney virtually every year and a winning record in the tourney, all the while playing one of the toughest schedules in the country year after year.

Am I hoping for even more with the new coach? Of course -- everyone is -- but the number of schools who have had a better run than OU over that span is tiny. If you're bored, that's on you. If having a class act whom we knew would run a clean program bores you, that's on you. I wasn't bored for one minute this season -- in fact, it was one of the most exciting seasons in a long time. The sour ending was tough to take, but even in those few games, we went down fighting.

 

[mict085]

really? you know this? Not trying to be an ass...but just questioning.

Now pulling in Eduardo and Hollis or Q as an assistant would be great...all OU guys..

I just infer it from the way he talks about OU, his Twitter page still has a picture of him in an OU uniform, it’s his alma mater, he grew up here. We are his first love. Those feelings don’t usually die easy.

I don’t have any inside info on kellen except what he’s said publicly.

HC Kellen
Asst Eduardo
Asst Hollis

Director of basketball ops and head of recruiting - Carlos Slim

 

[WichitaSooner]

I'm not advocating for Altman -- in the post where I misstated his age, I was arguing against hiring him. I'll be very disappointed if we do hire him and have never said anything different.

As for the treading water/boredom comments, under Kruger, we've had a national player of the year (and he developed into a great player under Kruger and Co. -- he didn't arrive in Norman at that level), a national sensation in Trae Young, a Sweet 16 team, a Final Four team, a trip to the tourney virtually every year and a winning record in the tourney, all the while playing one of the toughest schedules in the country year after year.

Am I hoping for even more with the new coach? Of course -- everyone is -- but the number of schools who have had a better run than OU over that span is tiny. If you're bored, that's on you. If having a class act whom we knew would run a clean program bores you, that's on you. I wasn't bored for one minute this season -- in fact, it was one of the most exciting seasons in a long time. The sour ending was tough to take, but even in those few games, we went down fighting.

I think this is really at the heart of the issue. It feels like there are many posters and fans who would prefer a coach who produces inferior results as long as he is young and outwardly emotional. Does a coach jumping around on the sidelines produce more wins, better basketball, or longer-lasting success? The results of guys like Hurley, Buzz, Wojo, and many others suggest not. It also seems that some people think that because he isn’t demonstrative, Lon didn’t care and was just coasting. But I’ve read many comments from his peers saying that even compared to other coaches, Lon is second to none when it comes to competitiveness. I love Kelvin. I love Lon. Two entirely different personalities and styles. I want a coach who wins, runs a good program, and represents the university well. I could not care less whether they are quiet. I actually find it annoying when I see coaches draw attention to themselves the way so many college coaches do. As Sky points out, if you were bored watching this year’s team in particular, it’s hard to understand how. The last three weeks didn’t go the way any of us wanted, but the team played hard without exception. The Trae season ended horribly, but about 90 percent of programs would love to say that in their most frustrating season in a decade, they had a national sensation and had an incredibly entertaining first half of the season. If you think people are bored/apathetic now, how do you think they will feel if we bring in a fiery but unqualified coach who, after the initial buzz dies down, shows that he can’t make the tournament more than half the time. None of us knows whether someone like Q would be a good coach. But it would be a gigantic risk and if it fails, could really set the program back. I feel like OU is too good a program to not aim higher. Having said all that, I will support and cheer for any coach we hire, other than Turgeon.

 

[vbdad]

Altman and those of you who think he is boring I guess you are the ones who think the NCAA tournament doesn't matter. Has he been to the Sweet 16 6 straight years or something similar. His roster turns over the way theBigAB wants. He has a ton of transfers.
Yes Oregon will match any offer and Phil Knight loves him. However it is Eugene, Oregon which is a completely different lifestyle. Who knows if he would take it but he would at least think about it.

 

[Matthew G]

I think this is really at the heart of the issue. It feels like there are many posters and fans who would prefer a coach who produces inferior results as long as he is young and outwardly emotional. Does a coach jumping around on the sidelines produce more wins, better basketball, or longer-lasting success? The results of guys like Hurley, Buzz, Wojo, and many others suggest not. It also seems that some people think that because he isn’t demonstrative, Lon didn’t care and was just coasting. But I’ve read many comments from his peers saying that even compared to other coaches, Lon is second to none when it comes to competitiveness. I love Kelvin. I love Lon. Two entirely different personalities and styles. I want a coach who wins, runs a good program, and represents the university well. I could not care less whether they are quiet. I actually find it annoying when I see coaches draw attention to themselves the way so many college coaches do. As Sky points out, if you were bored watching this year’s team in particular, it’s hard to understand how. The last three weeks didn’t go the way any of us wanted, but the team played hard without exception. The Trae season ended horribly, but about 90 percent of programs would love to say that in their most frustrating season in a decade, they had a national sensation and had an incredibly entertaining first half of the season. If you think people are bored/apathetic now, how do you think they will feel if we bring in a fiery but unqualified coach who, after the initial buzz dies down, shows that he can’t make the tournament more than half the time. None of us knows whether someone like Q would be a good coach. But it would be a gigantic risk and if it fails, could really set the program back. I feel like OU is too good a program to not aim higher. Having said all that, I will support and cheer for any coach we hire, other than Turgeon.

Ding ding ding.

What's funny is people say they are bored, but as soon as we miss the tournament and start losing, they will moan about how they miss the days of constantly making the tournament.

Our program has been good with Kruger at the helm. We've made a final four, a sweet 16, and missed the tournament 3 times in 11 years (2 of them were his 1st 2 seasons cleaning up Capel's disaster).



Hell, it's funny, OU fans complained about Kelvin's boring play style, yet, they are wishing he was the coach because he's in the final four.

 

[citty]

Wanting someone younger than me, I’m 55. Wanting someone with head coaching experience that has had success on some level. Bob Stoops was never a head coach and that worked out well but I don’t think Kellen or Quannis are ready yet. Wanting young and experienced.

 

[thegreyghost]

If They can get an 8,000 seat new Arena out of hiring Najera take the money....LNC is like an anchor to the program

 

[Soonerman]

Lon claps politely on the sideline.

I kid. I kid.

I know you say that in jest but my love and appreciation for Lon is undying (see a couple posts back of mine). Went to that man’s opening intro/unveiling at McCasland and I’ve been smitten since.

Just think this is an opportunity to go with a more energetic/younger (and I say that knowing Muss isn’t young) hire.

 

[MJSooner]

Ding ding ding.

What's funny is people say they are bored, but as soon as we miss the tournament and start losing, they will moan about how they miss the days of constantly making the tournament.

Our program has been good with Kruger at the helm. We've made a final four, a sweet 16, and missed the tournament 3 times in 11 years (2 of them were his 1st 2 seasons cleaning up Capel's disaster).



Hell, it's funny, OU fans complained about Kelvin's boring play style, yet, they are wishing he was the coach because he's in the final four.

Actually Lon only missed the tourney twice. We made it his second year and lost to SDSU when no one other than Ro could score.

But the point you, Wichita, and sky made is totally on target. We’ve not been where we want in the conference standings but only KU has accomplished more than we have during Lon’s tenure. But because Lon is a humble, classy man, he hasn’t received the recognition he deserved. At least not locally.

The ironic thing is what is hindering us from getting to the next level where people want to be needs a more engaged, committed, and invested fan base. Yet many are apathetic unless we get a young energetic coach, top recruits, higher finishes, new arena, etc. etc. it’s the chicken or the egg.

The wrong hire could lead to more apathy even with the same success, or even worse, set us back with a worse performance or a guy that doesn’t buy in and engage.

Though I was reluctant to take a guy like Kellen as a serious candidate, I’ve warmed up to it. At least his energy, passion, engagement and enthusiasm will help move the program forward even if the product on the floor struggles initially. It would be better than the reverse of that would probably be the outcome with a guy like Turgeon.

 

[Soonerinkc]

I think this is really at the heart of the issue. It feels like there are many posters and fans who would prefer a coach who produces inferior results as long as he is young and outwardly emotional. Does a coach jumping around on the sidelines produce more wins, better basketball, or longer-lasting success? The results of guys like Hurley, Buzz, Wojo, and many others suggest not. It also seems that some people think that because he isn’t demonstrative, Lon didn’t care and was just coasting. But I’ve read many comments from his peers saying that even compared to other coaches, Lon is second to none when it comes to competitiveness. I love Kelvin. I love Lon. Two entirely different personalities and styles. I want a coach who wins, runs a good program, and represents the university well. I could not care less whether they are quiet. I actually find it annoying when I see coaches draw attention to themselves the way so many college coaches do. As Sky points out, if you were bored watching this year’s team in particular, it’s hard to understand how. The last three weeks didn’t go the way any of us wanted, but the team played hard without exception. The Trae season ended horribly, but about 90 percent of programs would love to say that in their most frustrating season in a decade, they had a national sensation and had an incredibly entertaining first half of the season. If you think people are bored/apathetic now, how do you think they will feel if we bring in a fiery but unqualified coach who, after the initial buzz dies down, shows that he can’t make the tournament more than half the time. None of us knows whether someone like Q would be a good coach. But it would be a gigantic risk and if it fails, could really set the program back. I feel like OU is too good a program to not aim higher. Having said all that, I will support and cheer for any coach we hire, other than Turgeon.

Has nothing to do with sideline “behavior”... I want better recruits coming in the door... better as they are. Don’t want the projects we seem to always get under kruger. Yes, some work out... I’d say most don’t.

Want more than 1 and done in the ncaa...at least every couple yrs.

 

[WTSooner]

I know you say that in jest but my love and appreciation for Lon is undying (see a couple posts back of mine). Went to that man’s opening intro/unveiling at McCasland and I’ve been smitten since.

Just think this is an opportunity to go with a more energetic/younger (and I say that knowing Muss isn’t young) hire.

This particular thing is just a preference for me. I know you can have good coaching results both ways (being animated on the sideline and not), but I just prefer that style of coaching. Trying to squeeze every bit out of every second of games. To me, it shows a certain level of investment.

 

[WTSooner]

Ding ding ding.

What's funny is people say they are bored, but as soon as we miss the tournament and start losing, they will moan about how they miss the days of constantly making the tournament.

Our program has been good with Kruger at the helm. We've made a final four, a sweet 16, and missed the tournament 3 times in 11 years (2 of them were his 1st 2 seasons cleaning up Capel's disaster).



Hell, it's funny, OU fans complained about Kelvin's boring play style, yet, they are wishing he was the coach because he's in the final four.

Man, so much to unpack here.

Why can't it be both? Why can't people be bored with what Lon has produced, want better from the team during the regular season and in recruiting, AND be upset if the next guy doesn't make the tournament? Lon isn't doing anything special by making the tournament at OU. Kelvin made the tournament 11 out of 12 seasons, and his one miss was by one game. Billy made the tournament 9 of his last 12 seasons, in an era where it was tougher to make the tournament. Making the tournament most of the time at OU is a pretty minimal expectation.

There is more to evaluating a program than just NCAA Tournament results. I've been content with what we've done in the Tournament, as we've won at least one game in 4 of our last 5 appearances. What I don't like is the three year run of seeds of 10, 9, & 8. And 2020 probably would have been in that range as well.

Kelvin hasn't run a boring style of offense in YEARS. They currently have Ken Pom's 7th rated offense. OU is 36th. UH averaged 1.7 less points per game than OU did this season. But none of this has anything to do with anything. OU fans wish he was the HC at OU because he's the 3rd or 4th winningest coach in the NCAA over the last 2-3 seasons (tv showed the stat during one of their recent games). OU fans like winning games.

But Kelvin isn't walking through that door. You don't rehire a coach that landed you in trouble with the NCAA, no matter how many years ago and how trivial the transgressions were. OU also isn't paying UH a $12M buy out.

Kellen on the other hand.....

 

[Big Old Booger]

Altman is a very good coach and if he's hired we won't regress at all as a program. We could possibly make deeper runs in the tourney with him but we could also continue on the same trajectory as now -- 1 and done or round of 32 (most years).

Altman is very quiet and has never been good with boosters. KSU ran him off when he followed Lon there and many KSU fans realized years later how big a mistake that was however that was mainly because he wasn't as congenial and friendly as Lon. Maybe he's changed over time but his appearance is still very boring as it has always been -- the same for his demeanor. I'm OK with that if he wins.

Here is the biggest issue with Altman, we need someone who can bring some buzz or excitement and I just don't think that's him. We need someone who can find some marketing that works and find a way to get more fans in the seats. I don't think Altman can do that but he will win and his teams will be competitive. Personally, I doubt he leaves Oregon though.

 

[Matthew G]

Man, so much to unpack here.

Why can't it be both? Why can't people be bored with what Lon has produced, want better from the team during the regular season and in recruiting, AND be upset if the next guy doesn't make the tournament? Lon isn't doing anything special by making the tournament at OU. Kelvin made the tournament 11 out of 12 seasons, and his one miss was by one game. Billy made the tournament 9 of his last 12 seasons, in an era where it was tougher to make the tournament. Making the tournament most of the time at OU is a pretty minimal expectation.

There is more to evaluating a program than just NCAA Tournament results. I've been content with what we've done in the Tournament, as we've won at least one game in 4 of our last 5 appearances. What I don't like is the three year run of seeds of 10, 9, & 8. And 2020 probably would have been in that range as well.

Kelvin hasn't run a boring style of offense in YEARS. They currently have Ken Pom's 7th rated offense. OU is 36th. UH averaged 1.7 less points per game than OU did this season. But none of this has anything to do with anything. OU fans wish he was the HC at OU because he's the 3rd or 4th winningest coach in the NCAA over the last 2-3 seasons (tv showed the stat during one of their recent games). OU fans like winning games.

But Kelvin isn't walking through that door. You don't rehire a coach that landed you in trouble with the NCAA, no matter how many years ago and how trivial the transgressions were. OU also isn't paying UH a $12M buy out.

Kellen on the other hand.....

People said Kelvin was boring because of their style. They rank 328th in the country in tempo. They play slow, but are efficient. People didn’t like that here, even though he won.


I’m all for wanting more. I just get annoyed really quickly when people wanted Lon gone, but want to bring in someone who has never coach because they’re a former player.

If it’s Quannas/Kellen/etc. that’s fine with me. My fear is people want some young coach who will jump around on the sideline and scream and yell, and they’ll be good with that even if we miss the tournament every other year. For me, I’d be the opposite. If you don’t win and make the tournament every year at OU (or most years), you should be on the hot seat.

 

[Stikboy]

I think there's a misunderstanding on this board that people want some sort of yeller and screamer. I think people want to win. And with all major due respect to Lon some(many) got tired/frustrated of OU doing well in a game for a stretch, then giving up a 26-0 run, no time outs and just smiling and clapping. And many times this included a schizophrenic first half/second half in which OU would look like crap, battle back valiantly only to come up short many times. One might think, what if he'd gotten into them quicker instead of just maybe at halftime, where would we be?

I mean no one in their right mind wants a loser coach who just yells and screams. If it wins games and the players respond, well then maybe (some) of that might not be a bad formula. Anyone who has actually played sports knows a well placed ass chewing can get some good results when it's needed. But just wanting a coach that "yells and screams" without substance seems silly, and I really don't think that's what most on here want. At least I hope.. That wouldn't seem to make much sense.

 

[mict085]

People said Kelvin was boring because of their style. They rank 328th in the country in tempo. They play slow, but are efficient. People didn’t like that here, even though he won.


I’m all for wanting more. I just get annoyed really quickly when people wanted Lon gone, but want to bring in someone who has never coach because they’re a former player.

If it’s Quannas/Kellen/etc. that’s fine with me. My fear is people want some young coach who will jump around on the sideline and scream and yell, and they’ll be good with that even if we miss the tournament every other year. For me, I’d be the opposite. If you don’t win and make the tournament every year at OU (or most years), you should be on the hot seat.

You’re missing the point. Everyone wants to win. The program has become stale. We want someone to come in and breathe new life into the program. Recruit better players. Inspire the donors to give more money. Generate enthusiasm among the fans. I don’t think someone at the end of their career can do that.

If we hire Altman or anyone else at the end of their careers, we’ll get the same as the last 5-10 years, except no final fours. We’ll be fighting for 5-10th place in conference instead of top 4.

We want someone to come in and WIN while recruiting better players and inspiring enthusiasm among fans and donors. If that person brings Carlos Slim and he buys us a new arena? All the better.

We want to win. We want the fans to show up and Pack the house. It’s not an either or situation. We want both.

I would also say that I never criticized Lon for being boring. He’s a great man and a damn good coach. My criticism of him is we have been fighting in the bottom of the conference for the last 5 years. My criticism is late season collapses and not winning when we should. So, my criticism is all about winning. Nothing else.