I'm going to add this, it's a little political, but given that I think that it carries huge weight for Texas...I'm going to add it. In an era where African American coaches are greatly unrepresented....how, in the world, can you let go of an African American coach, who just took his team to the pinnacle? That would be the biggest kick to the groin that you could hand that community. The heat would be unrelenting and quite frankly, deserved. Just my take.
College Hoops Coaching Carousel
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Eh....If Texas lets him go, it is tough to say it is because of that. He has obviously not had success building a program before and therefore it would be based on his merits and the situation the team is in.
To be fair, never underestimate Texas' ability to make dumb decisions.
I agree 100% that it's tough to say it's because of that. However, what are the optics? What will public opinion be. Most people on this board are basketball crazies that know the ins and outs. We're talking about your standard, run of the mill Texas fan. What will that look like and how would it be portrayed in the media? I would not want to be the UT AD right now. Again, this is all assuming that the scuttlebutt here the last couple of days actually has legs.
Agreed. That looked like an inspired, passionate, well oiled machine tonight. I was in Des Moines and saw them when I bought all three sessions hoping that the beloved would advance. That was a really well run team that was always under control and poised. One more W and to me....he's untouchable.
Yes, but pretty much all Texas fans and now the media is pushing for Terry to get the job. Sounds like it's pretty much a done deal regardless of what happens from here on out
AyoDos11
- Southern Illinois
I think the only people who would take this angle would be media talking heads who don't really know much about coaching. Your average fan will care more about the coaches previous accomplishments.
Plus, this is Texas we're talking about, not New York or California.
TyinLex
- Kentucky
I’m a fan of Underwood and will be happy if he returns, but he does need to work on these points bluemountain laid out, most importantly, the in-game adjustments. If the lack of game-planning and in-game adjustments continue at the same level next season with a 1st/2nd round exit, we’ll be looking to move on.
It’s not just Loyola, that was tipping point, remember the Chattanooga game last year, or the lackluster Missouri losses, the Penn St losses, the too-little-too-late-game flurry come backs, the blown leads, the blown leads that still result in Ws but feel like heart attacks. Yes, you can say those are typical of all college teams, but it’s the biggest games that Underwood’s inefficiencies tend to bubble to the surface.
I think the optics are awful but this is Texas we're talking about.
It will be fascinating to see what Texas does. If they make the final four, it has to be Terry or a MASSIVE name that people could understand discarding the guy man who not only kept the ship afloat, but guided it safely to harbor.
You can not bring in a Brad Underwood or someone of similar stature and not expect to be roasted by the media and a large portion of the fanbase.
You can not bring in a Brad Underwood or someone of similar stature and not expect to be roasted by the media and a large portion of the fanbase.
Is that not a dumb decision? Fans and media "pushing"?
Granted it is natural. But for an AD to make a decision based on fans and media is dumb IMO.
If I'm the Texas AD, Terry is my fallback choice. Even if you give him complete credit for this season with a team lead by 3 5th year Srs put together by a different coach, then looking at Terry's complete resume, I see impressive assistant, 7 seasons at Fresno State 1 NCAA tournament, no WAC titles, 3 years at UTEP, not good results.
I actually see it as quite the opposite, Terry is making his job easier. No one would take Rodney Terry over Nate Oats. If he can bring in Eric Musselman and his 2 Elite 8s and a Sweet 16 in the last 3 years, I'm sure his fanbase would be excited.
If he could bring in Jerome Tang, who has a 9 seed between him and a Final 4, then a 5 or 6 seed between him and the title game. Let's get crazy and say KSU wins it all. That would make KSU 29-9 and a national title in his 1st year as a head coach. Over the prior 3 seasons combined KSU has only won 34 games. That's one of the most impressive turnarounds I've ever heard of. You bring him, with his long standing Texas connections your fanbase is thrilled.
So Terry performing well gives him the ability to swing for the fences and if he strikes out, just say oh Terry has done so well he's earned the job and the fanbase will still be happy.
However, if Terry gets the job, the top 3 scorers and I believe #5 are gone since they've already played 5 years. They've got two 5 star guys coming in next year, don't think either have decommitted, but there is some rebuilding to be done. He's not going to have Beard's team for the rest of his career. So there is pretty big risk given his previous 10 years of results as a head coach.
In the era of NIL, portal, and multi-millions of anything, everything is a crap shoot.
How do the stats of any coach matter? How does the coaching philosophy of a coach matter? After all at some point in the process NIL and the portal takes over and fans and media have a bigger say than a coach and his/her staff.
Heck, TWO of our players had to let us know we do not have to worry, that they will be here next year (after that bet they do not know).
How do the stats of any coach matter? How does the coaching philosophy of a coach matter? After all at some point in the process NIL and the portal takes over and fans and media have a bigger say than a coach and his/her staff.
Heck, TWO of our players had to let us know we do not have to worry, that they will be here next year (after that bet they do not know).
The optics wouldn't be as bad as if this were college football or the NFL where there seems to be some legit concerns over minorities getting a fair shake in head coach hirings.
Thankfully college basketball is in better shape in that regard with a new crop of rising talent getting more opportunities like Tang, Gates and Shrews to name a few. Plus considering Terry has already had a couple swings and did not fare too well as a head coach, that can always be pointed to as a reason to not give him the job officially. Although I am sure he will be a high major head coach somewhere by the start of next season after this performance. But it certainly adds another major variable to the decision for the Texas AD.
I think most of us recognize how great BU has been and don't want the BU era to end.
I am a little disappointed he's apparently been so open to leaving what he's referred to in the past as a "dream job," and I'd be lying if I said it didn't give me some measure of concern as to where the program is headed. And I don't think anyone can really say whether we'd be better off with BU or with Miller going forward. But I do think the most prudent thing, given the choice, would be to proceed with BU (something about not changing horses mid-stream).
But my point about inferiority complex was really not about BU or Miller. It was about people constantly devaluing our program's status. We aren't a blue blood, sure, but neither are a lot of programs. We're absolutely in the same tier as Arizona or Texas, and certainly a better job than KSU. I think the Groce years traumatized some of us to the point where we believe that period of time is representative of Illinois basketball, when really that was the anomaly, not the norm.
If the Texas job ends up going to Terry or someone not named Jerome Tang, would Tang up and leave KSU for some other job out there? Is he content to stay where he is or looking to jump? Final Four in his first year (potentially) and being on staff for a national title team have to be attractive to a lot of programs out there.
Fighter of the Nightman
- Chicago, IL
YES, dude. Exactly.
ChiefGritty
- Chicago, IL
I think the fact that despite all the money and facilities and ambition, Texas is not in fact a basketball school and their fans don't measure the school's success in basketball terms is a big, big factor in Terry's favor. Remember, he didn't just turn up there under Beard, he's the guy that recruited Kevin Durant and DJ Augustin and other big names under Rick Barnes. He played at a little D2 school in Austin. He's their guy, he brings positive vibes, they aren't going to worry about what the future holds or what kind of hire their status says they "have" to make as much as we would, or as much as they would for a football coach.
Now, Chris Del Conte is an outsider and a dead-eyed ambitious guy who wants to make a splash like when he lured Jamie Dixon to TCU or Beard to UT, as well as a seasoned veteran of the AD profession who understands very well why Terry is probably a shortsighted idea.
It might be too late. It will definitely be too late if they beat Miami. Good for Terry, he has seized this moment.
Now, Chris Del Conte is an outsider and a dead-eyed ambitious guy who wants to make a splash like when he lured Jamie Dixon to TCU or Beard to UT, as well as a seasoned veteran of the AD profession who understands very well why Terry is probably a shortsighted idea.
It might be too late. It will definitely be too late if they beat Miami. Good for Terry, he has seized this moment.
You aren’t suggesting this would be nuanced are you?
Big Jack
- Decatur
Damn Pru you were stylish back then having different hubcaps in each side of your car would have never considered doing that....NOICE!!!!!!
USAFILLINI
- Florida
Texas would hire another coach after he was given the Interim tag, barring him winning it all. No bad optics if he leaves for another job. He’s been told as much, why he’s looking at other jobs.
Outstanding post.
pruman91
- Paducah, Ky
my car had Cragar's both sides and Big Daddy mufflers..........jacked up rear end...pioneer 8 track with 6 chrome JBL speakers .....
Many upgrades underneath the cowl induction hood........I disgraced many GTO Judges and Dodge Charger's and Super Bees......
I really really did..........................
redwingillini11
White and Sixth
- North Aurora
Yep, the first domino is going to fall in the wrong direction. Nothing is changing here.
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