Recent Comments
It's not like doubling down, though. Because we don't really stand to lose anything here. Things are already as bad as they're going to be. We won 9 games. We won 2 conference games, we finished last in the conference 3 years straight. What exactly is there to "lose?"
Keep JJ and all you're doing is delyaing the inevitable for another year.
What I'm getting at is Tech basketball doesn't have a history that anyone that isn't a diehard Tech fan knows. Everyone knows the history of programs like Duke, UNC, Kentucky, Indiana etc. The average fan knows nothing about VT basketball. If Tech decided to build a new arena, let's just say SportsCenter won't have a "Top 10 moments at Cassell" segment.
I had that same thought!
how about this guy?
http://www.mwcconnection.com/2013/4/6/4189362/craig-neal-new-mexico-bask...
seems like former ACC guys always want to come back to the ACC at some point, right? throw him $1M and see if he bites!
disclaimer: i know nothing about hiring a bball coach, just a fan having fun with the possibilities
I vote for Vivek Ranadiv
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/05/11/090511fa_fact_gladwell?cur...
I like the coaches name: Dave Smart
He might be a great steal, but the rules differences between the CIS and NCAA are pretty large - I bet he wouldn't come to the USA to coach.
We gotta find ways to get them all on the field... and I'm not even talking about the new guys coming in.
Fortunately, we have some positional flexibility.
Caleb, Mangus, and Coleman could all line up wide in some sets.
We could even go NFL-style and run some 3-back sets (full house) to get everyone involved.
Just less read-option, please. We got the stable, let the horses trot.
Oh to have been in the room for this discussion.
I was of the mindset that the cost to keep JJ would help the program shed the cost of paying Greenberg still until I read this article in the Daily Press
The pressing issues are: Does Babcock agree? Can Tech afford to gamble that Johnson, as unproven as he is likable, can recruit and lead well enough to reverse a slide that's costing more than $1 million annually in lost ticket sales and casting a pall over the department? Can Tech afford to lure an established head coach? Money notwithstanding, is the program attractive enough to entice top-shelf candidates? Or would those coaches merely use Tech as leverage with their present employers?
That paragraph sums up the entire dilemma. Costing more than his salary and Greenberg's combined? but whats the alternative?
I like JJ but have always questioned his fire for the job. Where Greenberg was a hothead and always dramatic, JJ has been primarily the opposite. The biggest flash I saw from him this year was at the end of the UNC game and Eddie was whistled for that awful charge call that finished any comeback from happening. I need to see more of that JJ next year when he has a full roster if he isn't fired by Whit by the end of the week.
Horse hit on a key point that hasn't gotten much run in our discussion. JJ has really only brought in ONE of his own pledge classes so far and even that pledge class was extremely diminished in its impact this year because Donte Clark (star of the class) failed to qualify and ended up at UMass, Malik Mueller ended up being forced by the NCAA to sit out this season, and Maurice Kirby redshirted.
We got to see the other three all play significant roles on this team this year even in dealing with injuries. This immediately speaks to the depth and injury problems this team had going into the season. Three freshmen usually aren't primary contributors on the floor for many programs other than Kentucky. Devin grew up in front of us, averaged 34 minutes a game, chipping in 9 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. Ben chipped in 10.5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists per game even being limited by the injury. Trevor Thompson was another that definitely grew in importance as the season progressed. He ended with 5 points and 5 rebounds a game on the season. That's 25 points per game of the team's 63 points per game this season from his first class.
Adam Smith was averaging 11 points per game before his injury sidelined him. The critical lack of depth at the point guard position this season hampered what JJ was able to do on both sides of the ball.
The discussion of the Erick Greene time last year in my opinion doesn't touch on the most critical aspect of that time. I loved watching Greene go up against Windmills, but from a team perspective I think he was the worst thing that could have happened to JJ and the rest of the team that year. He was the safety net, the easy out, and it never forced the rest of the team to grow up. Eddie never developed a killer mentality, Raines was allowed to loaf about and even Barksdale, Wood and JVZ got a lot less development especially offensively than they would have had without a player like Greene on the floor. It might also have been the root of Robert Brown leaving among other reasons. Brown never got enough playing time to work through his funk on the floor to ultimately find some success.
The future class coming in has Jalen Hudson, a 6'5" shooting guard from Lebron James old high school, led his team to a district title this year so far. He appears to have averaged 17 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds a game this season.
TJ Lang is a 6'7" small forward from a basketball pedigree. His father is Antonio Lang, who played at Duke as part of the 91 and 92 National champs and then went on to five years in the NBA. TJ Lang comes in back to back Mobile Alabama Player of the Year, leading McGill to the state tourney the last two years. This season he has averaged 21 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists a game.
Justin Bibbs rounds out the class as a 6'5" shooting guard from Montverde Academy. Last season Bibbs helped Montverde achieve the #1 ranking in every high school poll in the US. This season it appears they will finish #2 in the nation and are currently 25-0. Bibbs averaged 15 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds a game this season.
These three bring something that was severely lacking this season, pure shooting ability. They have the knack that Delaney and Greene had to be able to take the jump shot anywhere from 10 to 20 feet from the hoop and score more often than not. They are lean, fast players that fit exactly the style of basketball that JJ has said all along he wants to play.
I think that with all of the discussion considered that I lean towards JJ getting a third year but that year has to come with HIGH expectations. They need to be at least an NIT team with a chance of making the tournament. That means winning at least eight out of twelve OOC games and then having at least an even record in the ACC.
13-19 last year and 9-22 this year. i haven't been able to see games - are they improving from a competitive spirit and fundamental standpoint at least? that doesn't seem to be the narrative on this site from the articles and discussions.
So when we've already put ourselves in a risky situation, we should take a chance on more? This is like losing $100 gambling and doubling down. Sure, you might win, but the chances are against you. Maybe I'm just too conservative a person, but I'd rather not take the chance on losing another 2-3 years for our basketball program.
Inherited...and probably inherent as well.
"Come to tech and play for me! I can't even guarantee I'll make it through next year, let alone your whole college career!"
Seems to be working pretty well for Mike London...
Crazy to see so many possible running backs, all with some serious potential. Reality is that we are likely to lose at least one after next season due to a lack of playing time, at least I feel like that will likely happen.
Also, it will be even crazier once Drew Harris gets here... /sarcastica
^^^This. A great example of what a coaching change can do. If the guy you get can recruit and coach, good things will happen in that 2 year time-frame...
Unless he contract extension removes the buyout clause, I don't want to see a contract extension. Sorry.
It's too bad he was never a head coach anywhere else so we would have some idea of his coaching ability potential...
It's almost like hiring a guy who has never been a head coach anywhere to get his first such gig in the ACC at a school that already has a mountain of administrative and geographical obstacles is a terrible, terrible idea....
not YET, but the deal they just made with Toby Gerhart yesterday pretty much sealed that deal. didn't realize it would be inevitable.
TL;DR:
A knowledgeable poster over on TSL brought up this very point. JJ is already viewed as "on the hot seat." How wel do you think that would bode for his recruiting, this year and next? The problem is that you can't just commit to the guy for "a year and see how it works out." What recruit would ever come here in that situation?
"Come to tech and play for me! I can't even guarantee I'll make it through next year, let alone your whole college career!"
Frank Beamer has spoiled our fans on the realities of how collge football works for coaches.
JJ has three more years on his contract. I want him to have his third year but don't even talk about extending a contract until he actually is 50-50 in ACC play.
Finally, I'd say keep JJ until we're finished paying Seth.
I think that is what is going to happen. I can't see the Hokies breaking the bank for a $1-1.5 million per year coach with 2 ex coaches still on the payroll.
JJ's challenge was to show improvement and establish an identity for this program. Two years in and the identity is excuses.
Yep, I got it now. You got about 6 extra clicks from me because I thought I was going crazy, so I'd say your "system" is working fine.
Right, no one does.
Which makes the proper decision then to...?