Steve Henson

[TINY]

Based on the fact that basketball is number 1 at KSU and will always be a distant second at OU

I honestly cannot think of one ksu program which is greater than Ou's.

The reason ou's athletics will always be better is two-fold. First, and most importantly, when you have a football program that makes $100 mill per year, it trickles down to all other athletic programs. Ou has the ability to pay more for elite coaching.

Secondly, Manhattan, ks rivals Lubbock and Waco for worst big 12 town. Extremely difficult to recruit elite guys to come to the little Apple. The state of Kansas produces less talent than ok, too.

 

[BigTime]

Based on the fact that basketball is number 1 at KSU and will always be a distant second at OU

I don't think it is anymore. I also don't think that matters when comparing the two programs enough to make them better. I would also put Texas, OSU and ISU over them...

 

[WTSooner]

I'd have to wonder why he isn't getting more looks from around the country. I wouldn't hate it if he followed Kruger, but I think OU can do better. Of course, our Admin may be a little gun shy after the Capel incident. Who knows.

 

[Speedy17]

Based on the fact that basketball is number 1 at KSU and will always be a distant second at OU

Basketball has NOT been #1 at KSU since Bill Snyder took over the football program. It is not even close. In the pre-Snyder era, I would agree with you. l.

 

[WTSooner]

Basketball is #1 at OSU, are they a better program than OU?

Basketball is #1 at ISU, are they a better program than OU?

 

[Big Old Booger]

I honestly cannot think of one ksu program which is greater than Ou's.

The reason ou's athletics will always be better is two-fold. First, and most importantly, when you have a football program that makes $100 mill per year, it trickles down to all other athletic programs. Ou has the ability to pay more for elite coaching.

Secondly, Manhattan, ks rivals Lubbock and Waco for worst big 12 town. Extremely difficult to recruit elite guys to come to the little Apple. The state of Kansas produces less talent than ok, too.

This is spot-on. The last paragraph is what is preventing KSU from hiring really great coaches in either football or basketball. They have to hire career assistants (Snyder) or guys who were fired at previous programs (Huggins and Weber) to get good coaches. They have a huge disadvantage based on their geographic location. It's a long way from KC, about 2 hours. Stillwater is an hour from OKC.

 

[jaymOU]

Lon Kruger (born August 19, 1952) is 62.
Steve Henson (born February 2, 1968) is 47.

Coach Kruger has done a wonderful job of bringing back the OU basketball program. Even at age 62, he seems to relate well as a coach/teacher of young basketball players. He seems to be having fun, so one wonders how long he will continue to coach.

With each passing year, Coach Henson is developing more ties to OU and Norman. I would have no problem with giving Steve Henson a shot at the head coaching job. I like his intensity and competiveness. His longtime mentor is Lon Kruger. He has learned from a master.

Here is another former point guard that may be a future head coach:
http://www.soonersports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=208803549

What about John Ontjes? He is the head coach of the top-ranked women's JUCO team in the nation. He'd be an interesting assistant at OU at some point -

http://www.bluedragonsports.com/womens-basketball/

 

[usedtobe1]

What about John Ontjes? He is the head coach of the top-ranked women's JUCO team in the nation. He'd be an interesting assistant at OU at some point

I can't believe Ontjes hasn't gotten a HC job yet. He should be at a Big 12 school but he won't go as an assistant. Just my opinion........ I mean as a women's HC.

 

[CoachTalk]

I can't believe Ontjes hasn't gotten a HC job yet. He should be at a Big 12 school but he won't go as an assistant. Just my opinion........ I mean as a women's HC.

Maybe he doesnt want one... Some are content. Good gig. Good pay I assume if he's staying..

 

[usedtobe1]

You're probably right Coach. I'm sure he's had some opportunities. He has a fabulous track record.

 

[Big Old Booger]

You're probably right Coach. I'm sure he's had some opportunities. He has a fabulous track record.

Isn't he originally from somewhere in Kansas anyway? Maybe it's close to his home?

 

[CzechM8]

KSU is a better job

Based on the fact that basketball is number 1 at KSU and will always be a distant second at OU

LOL. You are not even close to correct on either point. I know everyone else has pretty much set you straight, but I couldn't help but comment.

Having grown up in Kansas, I can tell you without equivocation that kstate basketball isn't even close to #1 on their campus or even within the state as a whole. And, it just isn't even debatable... OU is a much better program than kstate. Better tradition, more money, better location, better school name, better academics... even better colors, if you really want to drill down that far. Just sayin.

 

[CzechM8]

Isn't he originally from somewhere in Kansas anyway? Maybe it's close to his home?

If I remember correctly, John grew up in Nickerson... which is about 15 minutes from Hutchinson. So, I'm thinking you are on to something with this idea.

 

[DenverSooner]

Maybe he doesnt want one... Some are content. Good gig. Good pay I assume if he's staying..

To me that doesn't make a lot of sense. I would assume an assistant coach at a Juco has all the burdens associated with coaching without the pay. By that I mean long hours, lots of travel and stress/pressure. If your team doesn't perform well, your job is at risk. I get that someone like Cale Gundy might like his position. He is paid better than 99% or 98% of the population and doesn't have the pressure of being a head coach. He lives in Norman where he went to college. He is close to his entire family. That makes sense to me. Ontjes begin content doesn't make as much sense.

 

[sanguinetti]

i'd rather take a chance on Stevie Henson than Ontjes. right now, based on what i've seen from Kruger. If i had to choose. I agree some people aren't made to be HC's...but, because Ontjes played for us for a couple years and is really underrated as a player....doesn't mean he should be our coach.

that kind of thinking brought us John Blake. back to the past bleeds crimson and cream.....etc. never works.

you have to hire the best guy. for us, when Lon steps down....OU is an elite top 25-30 job in the same football town it always was....and we hire that guy.

 

[Salt City Sooner]

To me that doesn't make a lot of sense. I would assume an assistant coach at a Juco has all the burdens associated with coaching without the pay. By that I mean long hours, lots of travel and stress/pressure. If your team doesn't perform well, your job is at risk. I get that someone like Cale Gundy might like his position. He is paid better than 99% or 98% of the population and doesn't have the pressure of being a head coach. He lives in Norman where he went to college. He is close to his entire family. That makes sense to me. Ontjes begin content doesn't make as much sense.

John's the head coach here. One thing to remember about Hutch is that although Rhodes has done a great job with the football team since he arrived, it's definitely a basketball town & John's taken the women's program to heights not dreamed of, much less seen before (I've followed them for years, since my cousin played here years back, & was for a time HCC's all-time leading scorer). Really, the only thing he hasn't accomplished is a NC, & they've reached the title game twice under him already so I'd think it's just a matter of time on that one. (TVCC's been the thorn in their side both times, FWIW)

JMO, but I don't think being content here is nearly the factor in him sticking around as much as not having won the whole enchilada yet is. He strikes me as a very driven guy who's bent on getting that title before he starts seriously entertaining thoughts about leaving.

 

[CoachTalk]

its been a week ago... Steve Henson was a finalist for La Tech Job. He didnt get it.
Hate for him to go, but if he succeeds, then OU may be his next step.

 

[BCSooners]

its been a week ago... Steve Henson was a finalist for La Tech Job. He didnt get it.
Hate for him to go, but if he succeeds, then OU may be his next step.

Or Kansas State