Grading coaching hires of 2014

#1

YankeeVol

Let's Geaux Peay
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#1
Jeff Goodman at ESPN

Tennessee

Hire: Donnie Tyndall -- AD Dave Hart wasn't getting a big-name coach, and he even swung and missed with Louisiana Tech's Mike White. Instead, he wound up with a guy in Tyndall who is a true grinder, someone who has won at Morehead State and Southern Miss, and someone who is already familiar with the region. Is it a home run? Maybe not, but it's a solid double.
Grade: B

For Ss & Gs

California

Hire: Cuonzo Martin -- Count me as a fan of Martin's. He's high-character; he holds his kids accountable; and he took the Vols to the Sweet 16 this past season. I'd love this hire for Sandy Barbour (athletic director) and Glenn Sugiyama (search firm) even more if it were in the Midwest at a place such as Missouri, but I think Martin was a good choice considering the circumstances. The question becomes how long it'll take for Martin to establish inroads on the West Coast, where he doesn't yet have strong connections.
Grade: B
 
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#2
#2
Ironically there's a story on the Cal board that Barbour didn't want to hire Martin but got overruled by the higher ups at Cal.
 
#3
#3
Good find. I know it's' early but I prefer Tyndall.over Martin at this stage . He seems a better fit and will likely bring more enthusiasm. Cautiously optimistic.
 
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#5
#5
Ironically there's a story on the Cal board that Barbour didn't want to hire Martin but got overruled by the higher ups at Cal.

And hopefully the fans aren't talking bad about him he might get his feelings hurt and leave.
 
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#7
#7
I don't know what ESPN Goodman means by swing and miss, White wanted to play hard ball and ended up still working for pocket change. Hart knew what he was doing and got the best end of the deal by far for Tennessee.
 
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#16
#16
What made u think that

I think last years team had terrible on court chemistry, and like I said at the time I think while next years team might now have the superstars they'd be a better more balanced team.

Last years squad had 5 guys doing 99% of the work, I think you would've seen more balance and effort out of next years squad. We will never know, but I continually said that I thought next years squad was a 20 win team.
 
#17
#17
Which is likely an ideal situation for him

Yeah you don't want a fanbase that is too passionate that likes their team to show effort every single game. You also don't want the fans to be too loud you might wake Martin up from the sleep his boring system puts him in.
 
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#19
#19
The problem with the previous regime is that the style of play was so boring. If you win no big deal because ultimately that's what matters ex. WISCONSIN but if you are losing it's hell.
 
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#20
#20
I think last years team had terrible on court chemistry, and like I said at the time I think while next years team might now have the superstars they'd be a better more balanced team.

Last years squad had 5 guys doing 99% of the work, I think you would've seen more balance and effort out of next years squad. We will never know, but I continually said that I thought next years squad was a 20 win team.
They did 99% of the work bc the guys behind them sucked......u would still have the guys behind them that struggled and four incoming freshman that we would have to rely on.
 
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#21
#21
They did 99% of the work bc the guys behind them sucked......u would still have the guys behind them that struggled and four incoming freshman that we would have to rely on.
Theres a difference between riding the bench because you suck and riding the bench because you're inexperienced. Experience got the PT last year. Next years squad "would have" had a lot of young guys next year and I personally thought the chemistry this year was off. Until they finally started clicking the last month of their season.
 
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#23
#23
Yeah you don't want a fanbase that is too passionate that likes their team to show effort every single game. You also don't want the fans to be too loud you might wake Martin up from the sleep his boring system puts him in.

Are you gonna change your tune in <5 minutes, or you sticking with this one for a little while?
 
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#24
#24
They did 99% of the work bc the guys behind them sucked......u would still have the guys behind them that struggled and four incoming freshman that we would have to rely on.

It was my opinion, like I said we will never know either way. My point was more so that I wasn't one of those saying next year was gonna suck regardless, so going .500 this year is A ok. My opinion was next year was a 20 win team, and therefore going .500 next year would suck a$$.

Once again, jmo
 
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