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I was at school Tuesday afternoon thinking "With my day off on Wednesday, I can finish my homework early and finally get around to that end of the year basketball report I was planning on."
Guess not.
1. I don't blame Cuonzo Martin for leaving, just like I don't blame Dave Hart for not giving him a big contract extension. It was obvious that when the contract extension details came out, that Dave Hart didn't believe in Cuonzo Martin. And who can blame Cuonzo Martin for wanting to leave at a place where he was not exactly wanted? It was an amicable split for both sides. I don't think as a fan their should be hatred on either side.
2. Do I think this is a great situation for Tennessee? Not at this moment. Would my preferred situation be for Cuonzo Martin to have accepted that contract extension and give him one final year to prove he can lead Tennessee to consistency? Yes. I think stability is highly important. I've made the statement I didn't believe Cuonzo Martin is the guy, but I wasn't 100% sure. I would have preferred to know for 100%, but I don't get that opportunity and that's not making me cry tears. It is what it is.
3. I found it very interesting that most of the current and former players expressed some sort of support for Coach Martin. In a firing, you expect that. But when it comes to a coach leaving, that usually isn't the case. It seemed like the players felt Coach Martin was being treated unfairly. Maybe that was the case. I don't really have a strong opinion either way (though the petition was really stupid). It seems however the players were truly happy for Martin.
4. I found Dave Hart's press conference to be nothing but your usual case of AD talk, except for the "we are looking for a rising star" quote. That seems to show exactly where Tennessee will be going with their search...the mid-major route.
5. I think Cal got a slightly above average basketball coach. I have no idea how he will recruit there, but I expect consistent 20 win seasons at Cal, just like Tennessee. It's not a home run hire, but Cuonzo will bring consistently and will not let that program sink by any stretch of the imagination.
6. Now on to Tennessee. I don't expect big money to be spent. I would wager to bet there will be a $2M cap for the head coach. It's a shame, but I expect that max price.
7. The thing I feel worst for is the incoming freshmen. It is really unfair to Jordan Cornish, Phil Cofer, C.J. Turman, and Larry Austin Jr. that they have to go through this and it's partially why I hate the early signing period. Those four guys have been committed for close to a year now and to have their careers yanked under them like that is just unfair. I hope that Dave Hart and the new incoming coach do the right thing and let them go from their papers if they so choose to want that.
8. The Tennessee BoT has made me AD. Woo Hoo!!! Now, they have given me a cap of $2.5M to find a head coach. The first person I call is Ben Howland and it's not even a second thought. He's a program builder who is an excellent defensive coach and recruit in the South. He has some baggage (inconsistent play, turmoil in the program with players) but nothing that is major with the NCAA and I think a lot of that can be explained because of the pressure at UCLA. At Tennessee, he would not have that problem. He'd win 25 games a year at UTK. I truly believe that.
9. If I had to make a prediction............Tennessee hires Archie Miller from Dayton. Nothing I know, just a gut feeling.
10. This is not fun. I really hate coaching searches because as a Tennessee fan, I'm tired of going through them. However, the world turns. It's a new day. I think Tennessee has a chance to really establish itself as a basketball power with the correct coaching choice. I believe that Dave Hart will not screw up the hire. I don't know if he will make the right one. This is an incredible chance. Tennessee has great facilities, big time budget, good tradition, and the NCAA isn't looming over its head like it did in April 2011 when Martin was hired. This could be the hire that puts UT on the map.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
Guess not.
1. I don't blame Cuonzo Martin for leaving, just like I don't blame Dave Hart for not giving him a big contract extension. It was obvious that when the contract extension details came out, that Dave Hart didn't believe in Cuonzo Martin. And who can blame Cuonzo Martin for wanting to leave at a place where he was not exactly wanted? It was an amicable split for both sides. I don't think as a fan their should be hatred on either side.
2. Do I think this is a great situation for Tennessee? Not at this moment. Would my preferred situation be for Cuonzo Martin to have accepted that contract extension and give him one final year to prove he can lead Tennessee to consistency? Yes. I think stability is highly important. I've made the statement I didn't believe Cuonzo Martin is the guy, but I wasn't 100% sure. I would have preferred to know for 100%, but I don't get that opportunity and that's not making me cry tears. It is what it is.
3. I found it very interesting that most of the current and former players expressed some sort of support for Coach Martin. In a firing, you expect that. But when it comes to a coach leaving, that usually isn't the case. It seemed like the players felt Coach Martin was being treated unfairly. Maybe that was the case. I don't really have a strong opinion either way (though the petition was really stupid). It seems however the players were truly happy for Martin.
4. I found Dave Hart's press conference to be nothing but your usual case of AD talk, except for the "we are looking for a rising star" quote. That seems to show exactly where Tennessee will be going with their search...the mid-major route.
5. I think Cal got a slightly above average basketball coach. I have no idea how he will recruit there, but I expect consistent 20 win seasons at Cal, just like Tennessee. It's not a home run hire, but Cuonzo will bring consistently and will not let that program sink by any stretch of the imagination.
6. Now on to Tennessee. I don't expect big money to be spent. I would wager to bet there will be a $2M cap for the head coach. It's a shame, but I expect that max price.
7. The thing I feel worst for is the incoming freshmen. It is really unfair to Jordan Cornish, Phil Cofer, C.J. Turman, and Larry Austin Jr. that they have to go through this and it's partially why I hate the early signing period. Those four guys have been committed for close to a year now and to have their careers yanked under them like that is just unfair. I hope that Dave Hart and the new incoming coach do the right thing and let them go from their papers if they so choose to want that.
8. The Tennessee BoT has made me AD. Woo Hoo!!! Now, they have given me a cap of $2.5M to find a head coach. The first person I call is Ben Howland and it's not even a second thought. He's a program builder who is an excellent defensive coach and recruit in the South. He has some baggage (inconsistent play, turmoil in the program with players) but nothing that is major with the NCAA and I think a lot of that can be explained because of the pressure at UCLA. At Tennessee, he would not have that problem. He'd win 25 games a year at UTK. I truly believe that.
9. If I had to make a prediction............Tennessee hires Archie Miller from Dayton. Nothing I know, just a gut feeling.
10. This is not fun. I really hate coaching searches because as a Tennessee fan, I'm tired of going through them. However, the world turns. It's a new day. I think Tennessee has a chance to really establish itself as a basketball power with the correct coaching choice. I believe that Dave Hart will not screw up the hire. I don't know if he will make the right one. This is an incredible chance. Tennessee has great facilities, big time budget, good tradition, and the NCAA isn't looming over its head like it did in April 2011 when Martin was hired. This could be the hire that puts UT on the map.
Go Vols!!! :hi:
