KU = KansasI think the main "off the books" advantage is simply the visibility of those respective programs, and the level of talent you typically will be working with. You have to believe that both OA and Chin have aspirations of being a HC eventually. Citing examples of players you recruited and developed into NBA players gives you more sway with recruits and A.D.'s.
Even when KU stinks, they are getting multiple guys drafted in the 1st round.
Cal has had 12 assistants get HC jobs as a result of being on his staff. (Including OA, himself)
Bill Self has had 14
BU has had 1.
Obviously those guys have been HC for MUCH longer.
I just don’t think “the relationship” is going to be the difference. I get what you mean though. I think it’s a “business” not “personal” decision.
Like others have mentioned, it's possible that KY is telling OA he will be Cal's replacement if/when Cal gets canned. Seems unlikely that will happen, but does sound like something (underhandedly?) that KY would tell OA.
But even if they do, it shows we're willing to play ball. We've been slapped with the reputation of wanting a top-flight program without being willing to pay for it. Shedding that reputation will have its own rewards even if we lose this particular battle.I guess the era of the million-dollar recruiter was inevitable, but I never thought Illinois would be the program to usher it in. The challenge, of course, is that being the highest paid assistant ever brings with it enormous recruiting expectations. Those expectations are much easier to meet if your'e recruiting for Kentucky than Illinois.
I'm afraid that Whitman is initiating an arms race that the blue-chip programs are destined to win.
If the pay is the same, then how much more value does UK offer in terms of his career? We already witnessed what an incredible 5-year run at UK gave OA -- a job at USF (nothing to sneeze at, but not exactly a significant program). Is there really reason to believe that it would offer a better launching point now, or that Illinois would serve as a substantially worse launching point? He's about to become the highest paid assistant in history based off his performance at Illinois. If the money is the same, I could see the business side of this being a relative wash. So, which personal factors are likely to hold more weight and for whom? Could see that going either way.I just don’t think “the relationship” is going to be the difference. I get what you mean though. I think it’s a “business” not “personal” decision.
We have already won. Every top shelf assistant in America is watching this and a few of them have already asked their wife "Where do we keep my resume"I guess the era of the million-dollar recruiter was inevitable, but I never thought Illinois would be the program to usher it in. The challenge, of course, is that being the highest paid assistant ever brings with it enormous recruiting expectations. Those expectations are much easier to meet if your'e recruiting for Kentucky than Illinois.
I'm afraid that Whitman is initiating an arms race that the blue-chip programs are destined to win.
"It's inside the computer, honey"We have already won. Every top shelf assistant in America is watching this and a few of them have already asked their wife "Where do we keep my resume"
We're not going to outspend Kentucky basketball, so the only way we win is if we offer Antigua (and maybe Chin) more money that Kentucky thinks he's/they're worth. Our prize is the exact same staff we have now, only they cost us millions more. Essentially, winning means we triple our mortgage, but keep the same house. And it still won't be as nice as Kentucky's house.But even if they do, it shows we're willing to play ball. We've been slapped with the reputation of wanting a top-flight program without being willing to pay for it. Shedding that reputation will have its own rewards even if we lose this particular battle.
OA and Chin helped us get our 1 seed and ranking with both their recruiting and coaching acumen. Not fighting to keep that sends the wrong message. I'm good with us fighting, even if we lose.
"It's inside the computer, honey"
The prize for nationally televised games will pay for this increased spending on 1 Saturday afternoon....We're not going to outspend Kentucky basketball, so the only way we win is if we offer Antigua (and maybe Chin) more money that Kentucky thinks he's/they're worth. Our prize is the exact same staff we have now, only they cost us millions more. Essentially, winning means we triple our mortgage, but keep the same house. And it still won't be as nice as Kentucky's house.
Meanwhile, there are dozens of assistants contributing at more successful programs who are going to think they're worth at least as much as Antigua, so we drive salary inflation in a way that will affect all major D1 programs, us included, for a long time.
It was necessary.KU = Kansas
UK = Kentucky
I couldn't help myself.
Another way of looking at this is that the market is now showing we've had OA and Chin at a deep discount for the past several years. We are also to an extent projecting how well OA and Chin will be able to leverage our recent success. Those two can sell our turnaround in important ways a new hire cannot.We're not going to outspend Kentucky basketball, so the only way we win is if we offer Antigua (and maybe Chin) more money that Kentucky thinks he's/they're worth. Our prize is the exact same staff we have now, only they cost us millions more. Essentially, winning means we triple our mortgage, but keep the same house. And it still won't be as nice as Kentucky's house.
Meanwhile, there are dozens of assistants contributing at more successful programs who are going to think they're worth at least as much as Antigua, so we drive salary inflation in a way that will affect all major D1 programs, us included, for a long time.
Love your takeAnother way of looking at this is that the market is now showing we've had OA and Chin at a deep discount for the past several years. We are also to an extent projecting how well OA and Chin will be able to leverage our recent success. Those two can sell our turnaround in important ways a new hire cannot.
Not silly that they might include this in their pitch seeing how many pitchforks are out right now for Cal in Lex. Sales pitches often contain stuff both sides know to be crap.Like one person has suggested that possibility. It was silly then and it's silly now. Kentucky is the bluest of blue bloods and will not hand the keys to a guy whose only stint as a head coach was a prolific flop.
We're not going to outspend Kentucky basketball, so the only way we win is if we offer Antigua (and maybe Chin) more money that Kentucky thinks he's/they're worth. Our prize is the exact same staff we have now, only they cost us millions more. Essentially, winning means we triple our mortgage, but keep the same house. And it still won't be as nice as Kentucky's house.
Meanwhile, there are dozens of assistants contributing at more successful programs who are going to think they're worth at least as much as Antigua, so we drive salary inflation in a way that will affect all major D1 programs, us included, for a long time.
Not silly that they might include this in their pitch seeing how many pitchforks are out right now for Cal in Lex. Sales pitches often contain stuff both sides know to be crap.
OA is not worried about being unemployed that's for sure. Who knows if he even wants to be a HC again.
Of course it's a silly argument. I'm saying that KY is silly and their sales pitch to OA might be silly as well. Have you been to a used car lot recently? You'll probably find a Cal clone there.Yes, it is silly. It is silly that they would promise the keys to a person whose only track record as a head coach is as a failed one. If Cal goes, UK will make a run at someone like Mark Few or Brad Stevens or some other big name, successful head coach, not a successful assistant who fell on his face as a head coach.
I disagree. We're caught up in a bidding war against a program with deeper pockets than our own. One of us is going to make Antigua the highest paid assistant coach in the history of the sport. And, if you're paying more than has ever been paid before, you're probably overpaying. I'm not sure that's the best example of capitalism.Hello, there, and welcome to capitalism.
While I agree with the ultimate outcome here, I also think it is at least possible that statements are being made that are at best misleading. Perhaps some kind of statement that lets the listener believe what they want to believe but that also does not commit the AD to actually follow through. When so much is at stake I have learned that people will sometimes find less than honorable methods to get their way.Yes, it is silly. It is silly that they would promise the keys to a person whose only track record as a head coach is as a failed one. If Cal goes, UK will make a run at someone like Mark Few or Brad Stevens or some other big name, successful head coach, not a successful assistant who fell on his face as a head coach.