I think it would be better to sign Casey now, before the end of the season. He deserves to get the job for the way he has handled the entire chaotic situation, including starting the season with only one assistant who had real experience. Signing him now takes some pressure off players. They can play for themselves - as players on the team - and not worry about whether their coach will have a job next year. I think it would help them focus better.
Fairfield is made up of a bunch of transfers. While good players move up, guys with injuries or lacking players time can move down. See goodine, yetna etc. relationships are the key here. Should be looking big east guys not getting pt should get first look. Quinipuac took quality uconn transfer that we should have been on. Kimani and luke not coming to Fairfield but we should be reaching out to luke for transfers. Romogolou is amazing 3 point shooter but gets no run a uconn.
Well by citing both Goodine and Yetna as BE talent moving down, actually what you're saying is that the Stags have been doing exactly what you say you would hope they would do (and will probably continue to do). As far as specifically a UConn connection to help, well maybe Romogolou as a bench player for the Huskies could help here next season, who knows? However regarding Springs, quite frankly his contributions to Quinnipiac have been minimal and certainly he's not been as good an addition as our taller transfers such as Alexis and Seck and even Bleechmore. Point is no matter who is in charge, they have to work tirelessly in the off-season to keep a strong roster intact. And yes as you say, connections are key whether it be from UConn or anywhere else.
I think it would be better to sign Casey now, before the end of the season. He deserves to get the job for the way he has handled the entire chaotic situation, including starting the season with only one assistant who had real experience. Signing him now takes some pressure off players. They can play for themselves - as players on the team - and not worry about whether their coach will have a job next year. I think it would help them focus better.
Well considering they have won 17 of their last 21 games including possibly their most pressure-packed victory just last week, how much better focus do they need? Everyone has their opinion about what should happen. I reiterate mine in that I think they should be patient and not do anything to change the positive karma that currently exists. All I can say is I hope the success continues and Chris is indeed the man for next season no matter when it is officially announced.
I don’t mean to be that guy, but he’s had a less than stellar history as a head coach in the grand scheme of things. He’s done great this season but I’d rather go for a young guy like Luke Murray… barring some Cinderella run of course
I don’t mean to be that guy, but he’s had a less than stellar history as a head coach in the grand scheme of things. He’s done great this season but I’d rather go for a young guy like Luke Murray… barring some Cinderella run of course
I am definitely here for giving some younger up-and-coming coaches a shot at the job (Carly Thibault-DuDonis will be hard to beat). This is a completely different game with NIL at play, it would be nice to have someone coming from a high-level program who deeply understands the fundamentals of that landscape. This understanding will help us dominate at the mid-major level, and get the most out of donor's and FF's investments in the program.
I don’t mean to be that guy, but he’s had a less than stellar history as a head coach in the grand scheme of things. He’s done great this season but I’d rather go for a young guy like Luke Murray… barring some Cinderella run of course
I am definitely here for giving some younger up-and-coming coaches a shot at the job (Carly Thibault-DuDonis will be hard to beat). This is a completely different game with NIL at play, it would be nice to have someone coming from a high-level program who deeply understands the fundamentals of that landscape. This understanding will help us dominate at the mid-major level, and get the most out of donor's and FF's investments in the program.
I think that NIL expertise is not the coach's responsibility. Needs to be familiar not the expert. You contract specifically for that job.
Last Edit: Feb 27, 2024 17:51:40 GMT -5 by paulie74
It's going to be about identifying talent and marshalling resources to land that talent. I don't see any reason why Casey shouldn't get a shot at that job... I'd just like to see Fairfield with an easier out if - after a couple of years - we're back to kicking around the bottom of the MAAC... especially with Fairfield's resources and coming off this good year.
Only two teams were picked within even one place of their current spot in the standings.
1: Fairfield was picked 6th 2: Quinnipiac was picked 5th 3: St Peters was picked 10th 4: Marist was picked 8th 5: Niagara was picked 9th 6: Rider was picked 1st 7: Iona was picked 2nd 8: Mt St Marys was picked 7th 9: Canisius was picked 3rd 10: Siena was picked 4th 11: Manhattan was picked 11th (they nailed this one!)
You have to believe that Casey is in the running for MAAC coach of the year, but Mason at SPU, and some others have also exceeded expectations.
Given the Young situation right before the start of the season, you have to think Casey is the frontrunner. Might look a bit strange if you have the coach of the year and you don't keep him.
Post by alsostagparty on Feb 27, 2024 15:19:12 GMT -5
There's pros and cons for both Casey and going with an up-and-coming young talent. If Casey can retain a solid core of returnees and recruit the portal and preps/ high schoolers well, he has the advantage imo, but it is a bit of a catch -22 isn’t it? Players coming and going want to know who will be the coach before they make their decisions, and the administration wants to be sure this season wasn’t a one-time divine alignment of everything going right before they sign a coach.
I have often wondered whether or not Young would have had the same success with this team. I believe Young definitely improved the roster, but the difference in offense (and less obsession with man to man D) was the key. That means Casey is clearly the guy. I also feel that his knock of not necessarily being a great recruiter had a lot to do with Niagara not being a desirable school and location for some recruits. We don’t have that problem.
Post by reindeerfan on Feb 27, 2024 15:25:27 GMT -5
If the season ended, and we had a bad year and fired Young, I would be looking at an up and coming coach. No way Casey gets the nod. But given the way things have gone, unless Casey gives Fairfield a reason he should be brought back, I'd be offering him at least a 2 year extension. Casey has done many things well. I think the only real question mark surrounds his ability to recruit. I understand that Johns had much to do with landing a couple of the key additions. I don't know how much involvement Casey had. He didn't demonstrate an ability to attract talent at Niagara. All that said, you can't compare the situation 5 years ago at Niagara to Fairfield today. Fairfield has among the best facilities in the conference, They have a solid nucleus and are coming off a winning season. NIL and the transfer portal have totally changed the recruiting game. Casey might be the man for the moment. Its a whole different situation than he faced at Niagara. I would be going with the known quantity given the circumstances, Casey gets my vote.
I have often wondered whether or not Young would have had the same success with this team. I believe Young definitely improved the roster, but the difference in offense (and less obsession with man to man D) was the key. That means Casey is clearly the guy. I also feel that his knock of not necessarily being a great recruiter had a lot to do with Niagara not being a desirable school and location for some recruits. We don’t have that problem.
IMHO, no way we have the same success under Young. No chance at all......
Post by alsostagparty on Feb 27, 2024 15:39:23 GMT -5
Another credit to Casey has been his willingness to use the entire roster, keeping guys fresh and happy for their minutes. And it sure seems the players respect and like him.
If they do hire Casey let’s hope the school is smart enough to give him a two year contract .Long term contracts that mimic the old world recruiting cycle are of 4 to 5 years are no longer needed. In todays world because of the transfer portal you only rent players for 1-2 years. Literally, you rent them using NIL money to attract them to your school in the first place,
I don’t mean to be that guy, but he’s had a less than stellar history as a head coach in the grand scheme of things. He’s done great this season but I’d rather go for a young guy like Luke Murray… barring some Cinderella run of course
It's a fair point, but as someone else mentioned recruiting at Fairfield in 2024 with the arena should be a lot easier than at Niagara. Given the success this year and assuming it continues for the next few weeks I think he should get the job. If the UCONN coaches are interested it will make for a tougher decision but Young and Murray are unknowns. We know Casey can coach with the right players, runs a system that is fun to watch, and the players like playing for him.