Bruce Weber resigns as Kansas State coach

Status
Not open for further replies.
#126      
The Galloping Ghost
FrankNitty30 said:
A couple things. I know Garth Gardiner. He lives near me and him and I have talked about Brad Underwood together. They are VERY good friends. College roommates, maybe. The other thing to know about Garth Gardiner is he is a VERY successful cattle rancher. Or I should say his family is. Not just for Kansas, in the country. They breed a phenomenal type of cattle and just had a sale at the end of January that brought in 6+ million dollars. I do not know how many sales a year they do but I know it is more than 1. Now, they also have hunting ground that is home to world class deer hunting. They also sire certain breeds of horses. This is not even getting to the real money maker----- Bull semen. Garth and his family are HEAVY HITTERS.

In fact he is close enough to Brad Underwood, as to be sought after to give quotes to news articles after Brad was hired at Illinois.

He is the first quote in this one, and that is his picture at the top.
www.news-gazette.com

The Big 10 with Jeff D'Alessio, May 28, 2017

We asked some of those who know Brad Underwood best to tell us their single favorite story about the 53-year-old father of three.
www.news-gazette.com www.news-gazette.com

Then he is in a second article here:
www.news-gazette.com

The Big 10 with Jeff D'Alessio, June 4, 2017

In Part 2 of our getting-to-know-Brad Underwood series, here's more from others in the native Kansan's past who we caught up with.
www.news-gazette.com www.news-gazette.com

Now, do I think Brad will leave to go to K-State..... no. But do not just dismiss who tweeted the above tweet. I can almost guarantee they have the ear of every powerful person at K-State. I really feel like I have reached insider status on this one. I could literally be at Garth's house in under an hour. I know these people. They could pay Brad's buyout and not even blink.

I still do not think it happens.

Just for kicks and giggles, for those who want to do more research.

Gardiner Angus Ranch : Welcome

www.gardinerangus.com

Click to expand...
This post was a journey. I wasn't mentally prepared to read how a rancher made his money when I opened this thread, but here we are. I hope your boy Garth takes his bull semen money (I can't believe that phrase is germane to this conversation and yet here we are) and spends it on quite literally anything else besides our basketball coach.
 
#127      
alaskaillini
hiberto said:
BU has said the illinois job is one of the best coaching jobs in the country. I know he likes to speak in hyperbole but I believe him. I don't think the same can be said about KSU. don't see him even entertaining the idea of leaving now after what he's built/is building here. as was already said, I can see him going there someday just not now.
Click to expand...
BU might go there in another 5 years or thereafter, when the next coach or the coach after that gets fired, and once he has proven what he wants to prove at Illinois. The older you get the stronger the attraction is to go home. But it is not a better job.
 
#128      
The Galloping Ghost
ptgrd23 said:
Now if T Boone Pickens was still around I would be worried. He gave more than $625M to OK State and is the reason Mike Gundy has not left (been there 15 years). Otherwise Gundy would have been top of list for LSU, USC, TX etc.
Click to expand...
I mean, JW already took BU out from under T Boone's nose. If ol' man Pickens couldn't keep BU, I'll take JW over Garth the bull semen dealer any day.
 
Last edited:
#129      
FrankNitty30
The Galloping Ghost said:
This post was a journey. I wasn't mentally prepared to read how a rancher made his money when I opened this thread, but here we are. I hope your boy Garth takes his bull semen money (I can't believe that phrase is germane to this conversation and yet here we are) and spends it on quite literally anything else besides our basketball coach.
Click to expand...
I get that. My only point was to give some perspective as to who was behind the tweet. It was definitely not a nobody. If he has said it then I guarantee a lot of other people in the same tax bracket want it as well.

I still do not think Underwood leaves and to be honest I do not even think Underwood has to really struggle with the decision more than about 7 seconds.

I kind of hope that my Bull semen reference can become a folklore type thing here. IDKWTI, the Bruce dancing GIF, beach houses, etc.

Like anytime money is talked about someone can pop in with "Yeah, but do they have enough bull semen to sell to make "that" (whatever that is) happen?"

That would be legit.
 
#130      
alaskaillini
The Galloping Ghost said:
What in the heck. There was a bit more than "some griping" in those first two years. Do you not remember the immediate aftermath of the 2017-18 season when Smith, Black, Lucas, Finke, Vessel, and Ebo left? There was a period of time over the summer of '18 when we didn't know if we'd have a player on the roster over 6'5". People were losing their minds on here about the roster turnover (admittedly, me included).

Do you not also remember the ton of people on here calling for BU's head during the first two months of the shambolic 2018-19 season. It, again, wasn't just a little griping. We were 5-14 to start the season, including getting blown out by Mizzou before we finally beat a ranked Maryland squad at MSG and showed a bit of life.

That was real adversity. That year and a half could have broken a lesser coach. Fortunately, BU proved to be up to the task and history looks far sunnier in retrospect than it was in real-time.
Click to expand...

Guess I tuned you out.
We had gotten Ayo in year 2. Made a run at beating #3 Gonzaga right out of the blocks. Our staff coached up Giorgi to be more than serviceable at the 5 which was the big question on the team (remember his school record 35 against Rutgers?). Part way through Kofi had committed which silenced a lot of people. In addition to Maryland, we beat #9 MSU. Toward the end of the B1G season we put together at little win streak. Won a game in the B1G tourney.
Might not have been a great record that second year, but you should have been able to see where we were going.
 
#131      
sacraig
FrankNitty30 said:
I get that. My only point was to give some perspective as to who was behind the tweet. It was definitely not a nobody. If he has said it then I guarantee a lot of other people in the same tax bracket want it as well.

I still do not think Underwood leaves and to be honest I do not even think Underwood has to really struggle with the decision more than about 7 seconds.

I kind of hope that my Bull semen reference can become a folklore type thing here. IDKWTI, the Bruce dancing GIF, beach houses, etc.

Like anytime money is talked about someone can pop in with "Yeah, but do they have enough bull semen to sell to make "that" (whatever that is) happen?"

That would be legit.
Click to expand...
I feel like @Dan may have some concerns with making bull semen a common IL meme.
 
#132      
FrankNitty30
sacraig said:
I feel like @Dan may have some concerns with making bull semen a common IL meme.
Click to expand...
I don't want a meme. Just the reference.
benny the bull bulls mascot GIF by Chicago Bulls
This could be good though.
 
#133      
The Galloping Ghost
FrankNitty30 said:
I get that. My only point was to give some perspective as to who was behind the tweet. It was definitely not a nobody. If he has said it then I guarantee a lot of other people in the same tax bracket want it as well.

I still do not think Underwood leaves and to be honest I do not even think Underwood has to really struggle with the decision more than about 7 seconds.

I kind of hope that my Bull semen reference can become a folklore type thing here. IDKWTI, the Bruce dancing GIF, beach houses, etc.

Like anytime money is talked about someone can pop in with "Yeah, but do they have enough bull semen to sell to make "that" (whatever that is) happen?"

That would be legit.
Click to expand...
Trust me, I don't mean any of what I said in a bad way. I appreciate the info and found it, frankly, fascinating. And I'll definitely be referencing your post in the future, hopefully after BU signs another contract.
 
#134      
Saturdaze
Do y’all Weber defenders realize that his last 5 years at Illinois had the lowest conference winning percentage since 1980?

Do y’all realize that in the 100 years preceding his firing there are only 8 seasons (1973-1979) which had a lower 5 year conference winning percentage than Bruce Webers?

Edit: His final season conference winning percent was 6th worst all-time behind 1906, 1973, 1927, 1998, and 1974.
 
Last edited:
#136      
Emerson Bigguns
alaskaillini said:
I love BU, but to be honest he has not yet faced any real adversity as a head coach. There was some griping in is first two less than stellar years here, but he was in the building phase (he made a few comments about culture and toughness in those years although I can't remember him calling out anyone in particular, at least not expressly). Hope it never happens but you will really see what he is made of if and when he has a couple of bad years.
You can avoid a lot of problems by recruiting character over talent, but you still need talent. Think Bruce had to occasionally compromise some on the character side of things to get talent. Think BU does not have to do that, at least not now.
Click to expand...
BU walked into a dumpster fire. There was a talent deficit, a rabid fanbase with often unrealistic expectations, and apathy for the program among the elite HS players in the state. There were a thousand ways for him to end up like Archie Miller...
 
#137      
Piasa
The Galloping Ghost said:
What in the heck. There was a bit more than "some griping" in those first two years. Do you not remember the immediate aftermath of the 2017-18 season when Smith, Black, Lucas, Finke, Vessel, and Ebo left? There was a period of time over the summer of '18 when we didn't know if we'd have a player on the roster over 6'5". People were losing their minds on here about the roster turnover (admittedly, me included).

Do you not also remember the ton of people on here calling for BU's head during the first two months of the shambolic 2018-19 season. It, again, wasn't just a little griping. We were 5-14 to start the season, including getting blown out by Mizzou before we finally beat a ranked Maryland squad at MSG and showed a bit of life.

That was real adversity. That year and a half could have broken a lesser coach. Fortunately, BU proved to be up to the task and history looks far sunnier in retrospect than it was in real-time.
Click to expand...
You are kidding right? Like this board and a ton of people whining is real adversity to the Illini program? Some people knew we needed more talent, and it might take more than a couple of seasons, especially when you are hired in April and you are likely too late to do much in the first recruiting class.
 
#140      
sacraig
Saturdaze said:
Do y’all Weber defenders realize that his last 5 years at Illinois had the lowest conference winning percentage since 1980?

Do y’all realize that in the 100 years preceding his firing there are only 8 seasons (1973-1979) which had a lower 5 year conference winning percentage than Bruce Webers?

Edit: His final season conference winning percent was 6th worst all-time behind 1906, 1973, 1927, 1998, and 1974.
Click to expand...
There are Weber defenders? I don't think anyone thinks he shouldn't have been fired anymore. I think most just debate where he falls in the range of terrible to mediocre and in what ways.
 
#142      
ptgrd23
The Weber defenders (merry men) still post on the other board.

College basketball is a tough business and one where win loss is the primary metric. Kelvin Sampson, John Calipari, Bruce Pearl, Rick Pittino are all still coaching despite multiple violations.

I liked Bruce's comment about the FBI coaches all but one still in the Tournament. Pittino was fired because he already had two other incidents at Louisville. Sean Miller was fired because he was losing. NCAA has done nothing to all the others. Unfortunately for Bruce his high code of ethics are not for Top 20 NCAA basketball.
 
#143      
sacraig
Piasa said:
You are kidding right? Like this board and a ton of people whining is real adversity to the Illini program? Some people knew we needed more talent, and it might take more than a couple of seasons, especially when you are hired in April and you are likely too late to do much in the first recruiting class.
Click to expand...
Is losing your top recruit and two highly-regarded sophomores due to the coaching change the year you start adversity? Is losing 5 players including two starting guards and starting 5th year senior forward before year 2 adversity? Those were generally results of inheriting a dumpster fire and having to build a new culture, but I think those are pretty adverse circumstances.

Leading into year 3, nothing really bad happened.

Leading into year 4, two previously highly-touted recruits transferred, one of which now plays pro ball (Griffin). More adversity.

Leading into year 5 (this year), all three assistant coaches left and a starting guard transferred, our All-American center was suspended, and our preseason All-American PG missed a huge chunk of time with a concussion and hasn't been the same since. Even more adversity.

Yet we just won the B1G Tournament in year 4 on the way to a #1 seed and win the B1G title in year 5 with plenty of season left.

There has been a lot of adversity.
 
#144      
alaskaillini
skyIdub said:
Hold on.....Bruce weber was handed the keys to:
lamborghini-racing.gif


Brad Underwood was handed the keys to:

car-explodes.gif



(not to toot my own horn here...but someone award me some Loyalty Beach Houses for finding an orange car for both .gifs. Thanks.)
Click to expand...

I would not dispute that with respect to talent. But you would have to reverse it in terms of talent of staff in comparison to BUs predecessor. JW was willing to spend to support BU.
The benefit of taking over a dumpster fire is that expectations are low the first couple of years.
 
#145      
The Galloping Ghost
sacraig said:
Is losing your top recruit and two highly-regarded sophomores due to the coaching change the year you start adversity? Is losing 5 players including two starting guards and starting 5th year senior forward before year 2 adversity? Those were generally results of inheriting a dumpster fire and having to build a new culture, but I think those are pretty adverse circumstances.

Leading into year 3, nothing really bad happened.

Leading into year 4, two previously highly-touted recruits transferred, one of which now plays pro ball (Griffin). More adversity.

Leading into year 5 (this year), all three assistant coaches left and a starting guard transferred, our All-American center was suspended, and our preseason All-American PG missed a huge chunk of time with a concussion and hasn't been the same since. Even more adversity.

Yet we just won the B1G Tournament in year 4 on the way to a #1 seed and win the B1G title in year 5 with plenty of season left.

There has been a lot of adversity.
Click to expand...
giphy-1.gif
 
#146      
WyattEarp
FrankNitty30 said:
I get that. My only point was to give some perspective as to who was behind the tweet. It was definitely not a nobody. If he has said it then I guarantee a lot of other people in the same tax bracket want it as well.

I still do not think Underwood leaves and to be honest I do not even think Underwood has to really struggle with the decision more than about 7 seconds.

I kind of hope that my Bull semen reference can become a folklore type thing here. IDKWTI, the Bruce dancing GIF, beach houses, etc.

Like anytime money is talked about someone can pop in with "Yeah, but do they have enough bull semen to sell to make "that" (whatever that is) happen?"

That would be legit.
Click to expand...
If only some Kansas John Dutton had come riding into town waving his bull semen money around during the Groce years…that could of saved us a heap of trouble.

To be fair though…the event would have likely altered the space time continuum…thus creating an alternate reality where Brad probably would not be our coach…
So Bad Idea.

Marty Mcfly Doc GIF by Back to the Future Trilogy
 
Last edited:
#148      
FrankNitty30
WyattEarp said:
If only some Kansas John Dutton had come riding into town waving his bull semen money around during the Groce years…that could of saved us a heap of trouble.

To be fair though…the event would have likely altered the space time continuum…thus creating an alternate reality where Brad probably would not be our coach…
So Bad Idea.

Flux Capacitor GIF by Back to the Future Trilogy
Click to expand...
Hilarious
puke throw up GIF
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back