Post by sunshinestag on Feb 27, 2015 1:03:52 GMT -5
From the NY POST: nypost.com/2015/02/26/iona-manhattan-soaring-into-maac-tournament-tuneup/
As I read this story, my mind went back to when Iona was 2-28, which was Coach Cooley's first year. The logical question I then asked myself was, "How did this turnaround happen?" No doubt, Willard got the ship turned around and Cluess has put the pedal to the metal to make it a Top 50 program. But why have we made a u-turn in the opposite direction? People want to point fingers at the current coaching situation (remember, Syd was the result of a blue ribbon search committee) and players. But I feel the program stinks from the head down and that means Gene Doris. Time for him to go and bring in a real AD with youthful exuberance and a passion to elevate EVERY program to the next level. No emotion here, just the facts. And they are very difficult to argue with at this point.
Last Edit: Feb 27, 2015 1:04:15 GMT -5 by sunshinestag
BTW Sunshine, it's the elephant in the room that no one wants to address. And it starts above the AD. Unfortunately, it has to come from the Board or Fr. V, but nobody wants to jeopardize their standing and favor at the U. The Board IMO, has to initiate any change. Fr V is not going to fire himself and the Operations folks are just protecting their turf and don't want to rock the boat.
Last Edit: Feb 27, 2015 6:34:31 GMT -5 by paulie74
BTW Sunshine, it's the elephant in the room that no one wants to address. And it starts above the AD. Unfortunately, it has to come from the Board or Fr. V, but nobody wants to jeopardize their standing and favor at the U. The Board IMO, has to initiate any change. Fr V is not going to fire himself and the Operations folks are just protecting their turf and don't want to rock the boat.
IMO, von Arx's biggest failure at FU was not cleaning house after APKs tenure. Too many "good people" intstead of the right people. I agree Paulie-the culture is don't rock the boat. That has "cut our lead" or an acceptance of average/mediocre.
From the NY POST: nypost.com/2015/02/26/iona-manhattan-soaring-into-maac-tournament-tuneup/
As I read this story, my mind went back to when Iona was 2-28, which was Coach Cooley's first year. The logical question I then asked myself was, "How did this turnaround happen?" No doubt, Willard got the ship turned around and Cluess has put the pedal to the metal to make it a Top 50 program. But why have we made a u-turn in the opposite direction? People want to point fingers at the current coaching situation (remember, Syd was the result of a blue ribbon search committee) and players. But I feel the program stinks from the head down and that means Gene Doris. Time for him to go and bring in a real AD with youthful exuberance and a passion to elevate EVERY program to the next level. No emotion here, just the facts. And they are very difficult to argue with at this point.
The issue starts with Doris. He needs to be first to go. Somebody needs to be held accountable for the extension decision and that is on his head.
Last Edit: Feb 27, 2015 10:35:21 GMT -5 by reindeerfan
From the NY POST: nypost.com/2015/02/26/iona-manhattan-soaring-into-maac-tournament-tuneup/
As I read this story, my mind went back to when Iona was 2-28, which was Coach Cooley's first year. The logical question I then asked myself was, "How did this turnaround happen?" No doubt, Willard got the ship turned around and Cluess has put the pedal to the metal to make it a Top 50 program. But why have we made a u-turn in the opposite direction? People want to point fingers at the current coaching situation (remember, Syd was the result of a blue ribbon search committee) and players. But I feel the program stinks from the head down and that means Gene Doris. Time for him to go and bring in a real AD with youthful exuberance and a passion to elevate EVERY program to the next level. No emotion here, just the facts. And they are very difficult to argue with at this point.
The issue starts with Doris. He needs to be first to go. Somebody needs to be held accountable for the extension decision and that is on his head.
I think the mediocrity is above Doris but he has stayed and tolerated it.
From the NY POST: nypost.com/2015/02/26/iona-manhattan-soaring-into-maac-tournament-tuneup/
As I read this story, my mind went back to when Iona was 2-28, which was Coach Cooley's first year. The logical question I then asked myself was, "How did this turnaround happen?" No doubt, Willard got the ship turned around and Cluess has put the pedal to the metal to make it a Top 50 program. But why have we made a u-turn in the opposite direction? People want to point fingers at the current coaching situation (remember, Syd was the result of a blue ribbon search committee) and players. But I feel the program stinks from the head down and that means Gene Doris. Time for him to go and bring in a real AD with youthful exuberance and a passion to elevate EVERY program to the next level. No emotion here, just the facts. And they are very difficult to argue with at this point.
The reason why Iona had a turnaround from a 2-27 records was that after 2 more losing seasons they started recruiting first team All-MAAC and POY type players. They also took advantage of the "Sick Grandmother" Rule with many players. The brought in 7 players that are first team All MAACer's:
Machado Glover Armand Momo Laury English Casimir
We did not recruit to that level and did not take advantage of the Sick Grandmother rule, Transfers, or JUCO's. Since Needham, we only recruited one All MAAC player, Rakim, and we only had him for one year. Thats what we did the last 6 years and that is why we are at this stage. Trying to tie a Downturn in the basketball program to Reed, FVA or the Board of Trustees is silly, especially since the coaches have been given every type of Finanacial and other support needed to succeed. And Doris does bear some responsibility, but both hirings of Cooley and Sydney were considered tremendous hirings.
Post by oldtimer76 on Feb 27, 2015 16:21:13 GMT -5
Agree: 4 of the 7 recruits that helped turn around Iona were incoming Freshman, one transfer from Arizona using the "sick" grandmother rule and two junior college transfers. I think they the Gaels and Stags went head to head on just two of these recruits, Casimir and Armand. Better recruiting should equate to more wins.
From the NY POST: nypost.com/2015/02/26/iona-manhattan-soaring-into-maac-tournament-tuneup/
Trying to tie a Downturn in the basketball program to Reed, FVA or the Board of Trustees is silly, especially since the coaches have been given every type of Finanacial and other support needed to succeed. And Doris does bear some responsibility, but both hirings of Cooley and Sydney were considered tremendous hirings.
Disagree wholeheartedly with you on the Reed, FVA, Board & GD - they are the ones that have ultimately accepted mediocrity.
Post by reindeerfan on Feb 27, 2015 23:31:13 GMT -5
What ghostman said. Throwing money at basketball is one thing taking responsibility and driving success is Another. In any venture you get mediocrity as soon as you are willing to accept it
We will continue to remain irrelevant with this coaching group . To much has gotten out on how players feel .and the good recruits won't consider the program.High school coaches also know the situation within in the program. Simply put .it's time to remove this cancer .Start again .the locker room is in a free fall.
...And Doris does bear some responsibility, but both hirings of Cooley and Sydney were considered tremendous hirings.
Sydney Johnson's hiring away from Princeton was considered a tremendous hiring at the time. However, after only one month into his second season on the job, all those that gave SJ the questionable contract extension through 2018-19 bear some responsibility too.
""Sydney and his coaching staff have proven that they can recruit nationally and internationally by bringing in one of our best freshmen classes this season."
Aside from winning 20 games with cooley's guys ( completely expected with any coach), yes, folks, that was Gene's contract ext. reasoning. Sounds like Gene wanted to coast a bit in his job.
I expect SJ to be back because Fairfield is wimpy in such things, but it will be an underachievenent in my mind no matter what he accomplishes next year. If 8 wins are hit, It should have been 15! 13 wins ? It should have been 20! MAAC final? It should have been 24 wins and an at large spot!
There must be some GRAND improvement plans that are put in the works. I really don't have any confidence in him at all.
My only motivation to go to Albany is to hopefully witness a historic performance from Nelson.
A quote from the article 73 provided the link to: ..“I am very pleased that the future of Fairfield University basketball will be under the guidance of Sydney Johnson,” Doris said. “Sydney and his coaching staff have proven that they can recruit nationally and internationally by bringing in one of our best freshmen classes this season. Since his arrival, the basketball program has solidified itself as one of the best in the region and continues to compete on a national level.”...
At first I was confused by the inclusion of internationally until I remembered that Mikulic was in that class. Between Amadou's tendonitis, losing Mikulic to professional ball and Malcolm being highly overrated by the recruiting services during his high school career -- Sydney has truly had extremely bad luck with his taller recruits.
