Post by Stagophile on Jan 26, 2015 17:12:54 GMT -5
I would be shocked and disappointed if the school picked up the tab on this one. Syd is already paid handsomely (an embarrassing amount given the results) and his coaching career is in jeopardy. He has a lot riding on this and every incentive to hire Carmody personally. If the administration was duped into pouring even more money into this mess, then shame on them and shame on the board of trustees for not holding them accountable.
Last Edit: Jan 26, 2015 17:13:51 GMT -5 by Stagophile
The "official" line from the University's release:
Today, Johnson announces that Carmody will join his staff at Fairfield University as a Special Assistant/Advisor to the Head Coach beginning on January 26. While he will not coach the players during practices or games, Carmody will serve as an advisor to Johnson and his staff in regard to preparation and strategy for practices and games.
From SJ: “When I was a player, I had the great fortune of learning the game from outstanding coaches,” Johnson said. “My head coach in college, Hall of Famer Pete Carril, stands out in my mind but his assistant coaching staff was no less exceptional. As a member of that staff, Bill Carmody has been a great influence in my life. I stayed in touch with him after graduation and have relied on his input at times on everything related to running a college program. I am excited to have Coach on our staff to bring his unparalleled experience and knowledge of the game to Fairfield. He will continue to be an invaluable resource for me and our staff as he becomes officially involved in our day-to-day operations".....
From Bill Carmody: “All successful coaches keep up with former players and staffs, as I have throughout my career,” Carmody said. “Since leaving Northwestern, I’ve looked for opportunities to help and learn from talented colleagues – it’s not just mutual admiration, but a chance to continue getting better at what we do. The opportunity to work with Sydney at Fairfield is a natural outgrowth of our long-standing personal and professional relationship, and I look forward to helping the Stags finish strong in conference play....”
From Gene Doris: “Bill Carmody’s basketball acumen is unsurpassed, and respected throughout the college coaching fraternity,” said Fairfield Athletic Director Eugene Doris. “When Sydney came to me with the idea to have Coach Carmody join his staff, I thought it was a great opportunity to have his long standing advisor join him in an official capacity. He brings experience, wisdom and his winning tradition at Princeton and Northwestern that would enhance any basketball program.”...
Everyone is missing the most important SIGNAL from this move.
The STAG ADMINISTRATION is not happy/satisfied and it is committed to this program and making it successful (good sign for all us die hards)!
The decision to bring in Carmody is a sign that they want things to improve ASAP. Its more than a smoke signal, its a positive decision that has the intention to turn the ship around immediately. This is not like doing a "Study", its more like an Auditor coming in to review a Project that is in trouble. And while other schools have brought in "older" coaches to work in an advisory capacity, its rarely done in Mid-season. I agree.... that shows a comittment.
Post by brokenboat on Jan 26, 2015 19:10:05 GMT -5
This move is very telling for a lot of reasons:
Fairfield Admin is committed to the success of it's Men's basketball program!
SJ finally admits that he is in over his head and doesn't know how to coach (Admitting you have a problem is the 1st step, remember)
SJ will be our coach next season
I hear a lot of grumblings that we should not be hiring a consultant with the same background as SJ (Princeton success but flop in the BIG10) but in all seriousness is there anyone that would have a bigger impact on SJ? I think we are really lucky to bring in someone of Carmody's pedigree and also will have the biggest influence on SJ.
As far as $$$ goes, I am pretty sure FU is footing the bill. There are two ways of looking at this:
"Screw that! SJ is WAY overpaid and SUCKS! Just end the season"
"Wow, GD and the Admin stepped to the plate and got this team some quality help. This is what major programs do right?"
Fact is that it takes $ to make $$. The commitment of the program has shown through and I am impressed. (Let it be known that I am one of the biggest critics of SJ's tenure).
Last Edit: Jan 26, 2015 19:10:47 GMT -5 by brokenboat
Post by nashvillestag on Jan 26, 2015 19:15:00 GMT -5
Interesting move for sure this late in the season. I look at it this way. Carmody is filling a role that most of us think we would like to do, ie make suggestions that might make a difference in getting things turned in the right direction. Only difference is he really is a professional in the field with lots of experience under his resume. Hopefully something good comes from this. BTW during the years he was at Northwestern Carmody always used a full Princeton offense as a staple. He was able to recruit enough players that could play this system well. And he did have some success by making the NIT and winning 20 games a couple of years, which compared to the doormat years before he got there was pretty good. However he couldn't get over the hump of making the NCAA Tournament. Certainly understandable because of the tougher standards at NW in relation to all other B-10 schools. But he is very well respected in the industry and I certainly hope and pray that he wil be a positive difference maker.
Post by Stagophile on Jan 26, 2015 19:45:13 GMT -5
Well then I hope they negotiated some concessions from Syd including the shortening of his contract or an easier out clause if things don't improve. If not, I question the decision for the school to pay in more here.
The more I think about this, the less I like it. I really want a fearsome, exciting team. I don't think this guy can influence Sydney to more than an extra win or two. The ways we lose are mind boggling but predictable for Sydney's stubborn style. I don't think he will change enough to bring the program back to its former heights as a conference leader. This is just prolonging the inevitable because Syd is a really nice guy and Doris can't admit his mistake.
Post by stagmaster on Jan 26, 2015 19:47:52 GMT -5
I think this is worth taking a shot with.
I think it may be be a good idea to bring in a very experienced eye like Carmody who can bring an impartial assessment to the situation and probably make a lot of helpful suggestions to Sidney. Clearly a number of adjustments are needed.
We have some good pieces on this team and some changes in strategy and blending of those pieces could bring some improvement (and then some increased confidence) for the players.
As to the timing, now that the new guys have 20 games under their belt ( and half a MAAC season as well), I think they have the experience to better make some adjustments in their play now that they know what MAAC play is all about.
I like the move and think it could pay dividends down the stretch. Especially since we tend to play a lot of close MAAC where some good coaching decisions can tilt a game one way or the other.
Welcome Coach Carmody! Time to break down those game films!
IMO, calms the waters, somewhat, for the rest of the season, and unless there is a MAJOR turnaround, which I don't see, SJ will be a goner the first week of March.
6-14 folks. This in a terrible MAAC this year. A little too late for this. If this needed to be done, it should have happened at the start of the year.(just a reminder, we won 7 last year) The timing of this is, indeed, mind-boggling...
Last Edit: Jan 26, 2015 19:57:59 GMT -5 by tmaac71
IMO, calms the waters, somewhat, for the rest of the season, and unless there is a MAJOR turnaround, which I don't see, SJ will be a goner the first week of March.
Agree. This is about the players, recruits and continuity.
Does Carmody want to coach again? Is the succession plan in place?
Desperate move for a very desperate situation . one problem that this won't address is the resentment that some players now have. the obvious benching of some players to get them to move on .His way is known to all on the team . Amadou was the one whe objected last year when Davis and Grennan got it from SJ Now there are others and its spreading . IT'S just time to move SJ on his way he has done enough damage. Carmody can't change that .