We can not afford Kimani Young who reportedly made about $750k in 2022. Murray reportedly made around $260 that same year. What are they making now after winning a National Championship?
We can not afford Kimani Young who reportedly made about $750k in 2022. Murray reportedly made around $260 that same year. What are they making now after winning a National Championship?
I'll take your word for what they are making and how that would obviously affect what Fairfield would have to pay one of them if they were hired. But another thing to consider is the possibility of them leaving the program quickly if they had immediate success in their status as upward mobility coaches. Keeping Casey would probably mean more stability for the foreseeable future with the carrot for him being the legacy of building a consistent winner at a place near where he grew up if indeed he was able to make it play out that way. This then would be another reason why going with Chris would be the right move IMO.
I really like what Coach Casey has done. How could you not!?!? Jury is still out on recruiting (Coach Johns was a big loss!) and the injury bug has not bit us too badly this year. I say reward him with a reasonable short term contract and give him and his team the legs to recruit on. Then let's see how things shake out over the next 2 years.
Last Edit: Feb 28, 2024 9:58:44 GMT -5 by Stagophile
He has had a season long interview and passed with flying colors. He knows his talent, knows how to strategically use it, knows how to adjust intra-game, and open to adjusting to the opponent (ie. Maybe a zone better against a good shooting team). I don’t want young and inexperienced anymore. Experience and conference experience matters. Plus, the players like his style and want to play for him. Finally, brand of basketball fun to watch (albeit we have a lot of good pieces).
Hire the guy now on the spot! PERIOD. Forget being superstitious… Ridiculous. I am more embarrassed that we haven’t taken the interim tag off. Will he be named “Interim MAAC Coach of the Year?” Ffld about to look very silly if so. Think you keep contract short (more because a different world now/don’t need to commit with NIL).
We can not afford Kimani Young who reportedly made about $750k in 2022. Murray reportedly made around $260 that same year. What are they making now after winning a National Championship?
At some point, guys will need to take a slight paycut if they want a head job, otherwise, they would be a high level assistant forever. As for not being able to afford it that price, I don't agree.
In my opinion the best approach is to do a search but include Coach Casey automatically as a candidate. Maybe even a preferred candidate. I worked in the Corporate world for many years. Every open position always had to include an open application process even when a preferred candidate from within the company was identified. Makes sense to do due diligence and ensure sure you are considering all qualified interested candidates.
In my opinion the best approach is to do a search but include Coach Casey automatically as a candidate. Maybe even a preferred candidate. I worked in the Corporate world for many years. Every open position always had to include an open application process even when a preferred candidate from within the company was identified. Makes sense to do due diligence and ensure sure you are considering all qualified interested candidates.
The last "search" got us the AD's friend. How did that work out? Casey knows the MAAC well and has provided us with an on-the-job audition this season. If nothing else, he promotes a fast-paced exciting brand of basketball that is enticing these days to both high school ballers and transfers. The team actually looks like they are having fun playing basketball . . . something we have not witnessed for years. He further has demonstrated flexibility in rotations and schemes as dictated by the opponent or flow of a game. How refreshing! I am not suggesting he is beyond criticism or reproach. Heck, we as fans love to second-guess . . . especially on message boards! But I would much rather have a proven commodity moving forward versus an unknown with an attractive resume but no track record at a mid-major like Fairfield.
The only thing that bothers me is that these aren't Casey's recruits. Remember how well Mitch did with Terry O's recruits? First two years we went to the dance. Of course there isn't too much of a test on recruiting with a new hire.
The only thing that bothers me is that these aren't Casey's recruits. Remember how well Mitch did with Terry O's recruits? First two years we went to the dance. Of course there isn't too much of a test on recruiting with a new hire.
Fair point. Although I would argue that the entire world of recruiting has changed. Each year now a coach (and his staff) must re-recruit his existing roster for retention, keeping those players he wants and needs and coaxing those he doesn't to enter the portal, while at the same time recruiting high schoolers (both for immediate contributors and developmental prospects) and the transfer portal for plug and play talent in areas of need. It's a daunting task, and we simply do not know yet how Chris or any other prospective coach will fare.
Agree about the recruiting comments. I am not sure how responsible Casey was for recruiting vs JY and the other assistants. Being experienced, knowing the league , game coaching etc are important as stated. However that is only 10-20% of job. Basically, it is all about RECRUITING players. The ability to recruit good players is even more essential because a successful coach no longer can build a team over a 4-5 year period. That has all changed with the transfer portal and NIL $$$. A successful coach will need to manage the portal , NIL opportunities for recruits and rebuild with good recruiting just about every year but no more then two years. Can Casey be that guy?
The Head Coach is, of course, the ultimate arbiter and "closer" in recruiting. But assistants are absolutely crucial. A coach without a staff that recruits very well is likely not going to have a long tenure.
Agree about the recruiting comments. I am not sure how responsible Casey was for recruiting vs JY and the other assistants. Being experienced, knowing the league , game coaching etc are important as stated. However that is only 10-20% of job. Basically, it is all about RECRUITING players. The ability to recruit good players is even more essential because a successful coach no longer can build a team over a 4-5 year period. That has all changed with the transfer portal and NIL $$$. A successful coach will need to manage the portal , NIL opportunities for recruits and rebuild with good recruiting just about every year but no more then two years. Can Casey be that guy?
I understand from the podcast that Casey was the primary recruiter on Jalen Leach. So he got at least one very right But I share the above concern. It would be my only hesitation, but I would commit to Coach CC.
Recruiting is a team effort. Talent evaluation is the toughest part. Not everyone can tell how a high school players skills will translate to the college level. But its also about getting the right kids who are committed, loyal, willing to work. I look back at some second tier recruits that became all MAAC. That got there because of a commitment and work ethic. Nelson was a great get. But he also lived in the gym, and worked hard on his game. So did Benning. So did Fields and Francis. This is not something you teach. They either have the drive or they don't. I think recruiting is the hardest part of this sport, and your entire career is based on the whims of 19 and 20 year olds. Getting character people can be just as important as getting talent.
Taj Benning will actual be critical to Casey's success. His ability to connect with other young people in school and to talk about his Fairfield experience can say more than anything Casey or Braica can say. I think also recruits have to connect with the coach on a personal level, and I do feel we will miss Johns in this regard, as many of the players seemed to connect with him. He was more than a coach, he was a friend. Taj needs to fill that role.
The way the game has changed with the transfer portal, Fairfield is an attractive down destination for Big East, A10 and ACC kids that aren't seeing the floor. If the administration could work with coaches on accepting all transfer credits, Fairfield is a great position to attract such kids and I think Casey knows how to talk to those kids who want to play in a good environment. If I am Nemec, I am going with Casey. But in the last 30 years the school as rarely done what I would do.....
Last Edit: Mar 3, 2024 23:18:25 GMT -5 by reindeerfan
But I share the above concern. It would be my only hesitation, but I would commit to Coach CC.