The other worrisome thing is that UK gets more desperate with each subsequent candidate.
Coaching Carousel (Basketball)
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*Bennett, *Miller, Barnes, Sampson, Valentine, Few, Altman, Smart, Hurly, Brownell, McDermott, to name a handful
We’re kind of a basketball only school.
Isn’t that the landscape in CBB coaching? If I offered you the same job you currently do, but offered say 25% more money but you had to move would you say no?
I don’t get why anyone is upset when people (coaches, recruits, or players) decide there is a better offer out there.
I used to get mad when kids sat out bowl games… I thought they quit on their teammates, but then I looked at it from their prospective. Would I put my body on the line if I knew the was a LITERAL winning lottery ticket amount of money guaranteed to me as long as I stayed healthy? Same goes for finishing a degree, (I used to love seeing guys graduate) then I think about how much money Robbie Hummel missed out on by coming back for his senior year. (He has a pretty decent gig with BTN, but he missed out on at least 1 lottery pick contract)
I say IMO most humble opinion, if the money is there you take it 100% of the time.
I love Brad and don’t want to see him leave, but if the opportunity to lead UK comes and the dollars line up with the increased stress level then go for it! He has succeeded everywhere he has been and I don’t think he would fail at UK. Would he win championships? Who knows, but he would be successful.
It’s a good belly laugh now, but let’s not forget when we went from Brad Stevens all the way to JG. That was a tough pill to swallow.
Absolutely. I've done so even when I didn't have to move.
I learned long ago that after a certain level of income, working in a good environment with people you like matters more than anything else. Which would you rather have:
1) A jobs that pays you significantly more than you need, in a good environment, and with a good working relationship with your boss, or
2) A job that pays 25% more and comes with a significantly more stress. Some of the key players are real *&^*&. You are always on hot coals and the axe can come at any time.
(This isn't an exact UI/KY analogy, just the general idea.)
I'm taking the first one every time. I've done the latter. It wasn't worth it.
I kinda feel like BU is the perfect type for UK at this point in CBB’s evolution (his age, perhaps, notwithstanding the argument).
I realize that that’s an advantage that Calipari was perceived to have had for years, which many would say didn’t work out… but man, it kinda worked out! (Granted, since Covid the results have been unimpressive, but from 2010-2019: 1 Champ., 1 Runner Up, 2 F4, 3 E8, 1 S16, 1 Rd.32, 1 NIT.)
So maybe all it would take is a clean slate with a guy like BU at the helm to bring UK back to the promised land. I’m guessing this is a thought BU has had.
I also realize UK fans all poo-poo BU because of his resume’s holes or whatever, but I think they probably haven’t really analyzed the situation much beyond “one E8 and a couple flame outs, no thanks.” It is entirely possible that BU is just better suited to the new era than Cal (or indeed some of the other “big names” on the list).
- He’s cool in a folksy "pizza-hut parking lot" kinda way
- He’s a hard !!! in the right ways
- He has shown he is adaptable
- He doesn’t appear to be stubborn in debilitating ways
- He seems to have a lot of good connections and respect of the profession
- He seems to have the ability to convince 18-23 year olds that, combined with the money they can make, his program is a good place for them to be.
I realize that that’s an advantage that Calipari was perceived to have had for years, which many would say didn’t work out… but man, it kinda worked out! (Granted, since Covid the results have been unimpressive, but from 2010-2019: 1 Champ., 1 Runner Up, 2 F4, 3 E8, 1 S16, 1 Rd.32, 1 NIT.)
So maybe all it would take is a clean slate with a guy like BU at the helm to bring UK back to the promised land. I’m guessing this is a thought BU has had.
I also realize UK fans all poo-poo BU because of his resume’s holes or whatever, but I think they probably haven’t really analyzed the situation much beyond “one E8 and a couple flame outs, no thanks.” It is entirely possible that BU is just better suited to the new era than Cal (or indeed some of the other “big names” on the list).
I think Lloyd, Tang, Lamont, Buzz Williams would all be on my list if I was their AD as well if I struck out on Oats and Drew.
Frankly I'm surprised that Brad is higher on their list than Tang or Lloyd.
Back to the God commentary.
DeonThomas
- South Carolina
100%.
ADD: This philosophical outlook absolutely comes with age and experience. Hoping that Brad is already there.
Presuming there are a lot of alums on this board and therefore some very capable people then I'll assume lots of people, perhaps most, have turned down opportunities to make more money and stayed in a current job.
Multiple times for me.
Why is that?
Kramerica Industries
- Greenville, SC
Thanks, Kramer.
The bold was coined "miswanting" by Dr. Laurie Santos, because people who use money to measure their 'success' are much more likely to hate their life. Because it attributes value to 'stuff' rather than relationships, which turns out to be wrong.
Josh seems to understand that, and dials it into his approach to supporting coaches. And while this is still a business, so Brad would need to consider a strong offer...at the end of the road, its not the paychecks we remember.
Someone recently posted a gif of Tyler and Brad hugging after the Sweet 16 win. The look in Tyler's eyes shows what success feels like. They aren't hugging for money.
McGuppin
- Chicago via Central IL
It strikes me that we are quick (and often merciless) to attack players who flirt with leaving, or de-committing, from the beloved. Why is the same not true for BU? He could quickly put an end to this speculation by reaffirming his mission to bring a title to CU....you know, like an EDG.
And before you hyperventilate, I'm not saying Brad doesn't have the right to explore his options. I respect capitalism. I'm just saying let's keep this in mind the next time a 19 year old kid does the same thing.
And before you hyperventilate, I'm not saying Brad doesn't have the right to explore his options. I respect capitalism. I'm just saying let's keep this in mind the next time a 19 year old kid does the same thing.
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OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
Yep, totally rational and logical fanbase. Any coach would be fortunate to be part of a fan base with such reasonable outlooks on basketball.
OrangeBlue98
- Des Moines, IA
Unless Kentucky has suddenly grown a conscience, I fail to understand why they wouldn’t be laser focused on Chris Beard right now.
Yes, he has baggage. But when has that stopped Kentucky in the past? The guy is a legitimately good coach, and I feel like he would be a very good fit at Kentucky. Plus, I’d have to think any sort of buyout at Ole Miss is chump change for Kentucky.
What are the other choices? Only Sean Miller.
EDG!!!
Man I hope UK gets embarrassed in this coaching search (but stay away from BU) and has a stretch of some awful years of bball…a man can dream
Well, it would appear that you and many other probably undervalue Brad! It seems he is HIGHLY thought of in the coaching world.
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