Rick Byrd and Greg Kampe

#1
TNHopeful505

TNHopeful505

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#1
This may be posted already, I just wanted to see what people's thoughts were, and I couldn't find it anywhere else.

KNS said that two interested candidates for the job were Greg Kampe (Oakland) and Rick Byrd (Belmont)

Greg Kampe has been with Oakland since 1984, has a record of 444-322 (Counting the time in DII), and has made the tourney 7 times, making it as far as Regional finals in 96, and winning the Summit League the past two years. His team finished 26-9 this year.

Rick Byrd coached Belmont to 30 wins this year, winning the A-Sun, and coaching his team to the NCAA tournament this year, as well as 4 other times since 2005. Since 2005, he has placed 1st or 2nd in the A-Sun. He was born in Knoxville. He has an overall record of 610-333, and at Belmont, is 518-278. He also won a NAIA Championship at Belmont before they became NCAA Div. 1.

I don't think these guys would be terrible choices, their teams always were dangerous, and I honestly had Belmont picked to go far this year, but drawing Wisconsin was just bad luck for them.

What do you guys think?
 
#2
#2
It would be interesting to see if they could recruit to a bigger school.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#3
#3
TNHopeful505 said:
This may be posted already, I just wanted to see what people's thoughts were, and I couldn't find it anywhere else.

KNS said that two interested candidates for the job were Greg Kampe (Oakland) and Rick Byrd (Belmont)

Greg Kampe has been with Oakland since 1984, has a record of 444-322 (Counting the time in DII), and has made the tourney 7 times, making it as far as Regional finals in 96, and winning the Summit League the past two years. His team finished 26-9 this year.

Rick Byrd coached Belmont to 30 wins this year, winning the A-Sun, and coaching his team to the NCAA tournament this year, as well as 4 other times since 2005. Since 2005, he has placed 1st or 2nd in the A-Sun. He was born in Knoxville. He has an overall record of 610-333, and at Belmont, is 518-278. He also won a NAIA Championship at Belmont before they became NCAA Div. 1.

I don't think these guys would be terrible choices, their teams always were dangerous, and I honestly had Belmont picked to go far this year, but drawing Wisconsin was just bad luck for them.

What do you guys think?
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That was the DII regional finals, just to be clear.

He's certainly built up the program from DII to a seriously dangerous DI mid-major. Byrd hasn't done quite that, but he's done good things at Belmont. I do question both of their abilities to recruit at a high level.
 
#5
#5
I agree on the recruiting, but I mean, we took Bruce from UW-Milwaukee, and we had doubts about him. I think the key is going to be the recruiting. They can win, and win with little talent, but can they get SEC talent in. So much of taking a mid-major guy is just having faith in them. I'm not sure who we'll get, but I don't think these guys would be terrible choices. They've been pretty consistent the past few years, especially Byrd.
 
#7
#7
Don't know enough about Kampe to comment other than the win in Knoxville this year.

I love watching Byrd's teams play. X's and O's I'd take him in a hearbeat. Not sure he could recruit though, nor do I think he's willing to do what it takes to recruit at a SEC level school.
 
#8
#8
tigervol9802 said:
Don't know enough about Kampe to comment other than the win in Knoxville this year.

I love watching Byrd's teams play. X's and O's I'd take him in a hearbeat. Not sure he could recruit though, nor do I think he's willing to do what it takes to recruit at a SEC level school.
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I'm sure he can throw a mighty fine backyard barbeque.
 
#9
#9
I think Kampe is past his prime (not discounting that he did beat us this year). Byrd wouldn't be a first-choice, but I wouldn't be utterly heartbroken if we had to fall back on him. Recruiting with either of these guys would be my biggest concern.
 
#11
#11
Does anyone feel like Byrd, coming from a Christian school, would at least run a clean program? I feel more confident with him in that area.

They're not my number one choices, but I don't think that if it falls to them, that we should be sad about it. I feel like they're potentially great coaches. And they're coaches that have loyalty to their schools it seems, being there long times. Byrd is a Knoxville guy, and could probably work the areas alright. It's just hard to know how people will recruit.
 
#14
#14
Coach Byrd would be a good and realistic choice.

Might need to change AD's tho....coach Byrd was fond of coach Green.
 
#15
#15
If this is the best Tn could come up with then there is going to be some pissed off people.But like I have said before MH and the other clowns will go the cheapest route.
 
#17
#17
tnvols72 said:
If this is the best Tn could come up with then there is going to be some pissed off people.But like I have said before MH and the other clowns will go the cheapest route.
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I have really began to believe that money does not matter as much to coaches anymore. We can throw all the money we have at a high end coach who has had success for a long time, but if he's built up a program that is a power and that is recruiting itself, then why would he leave that, and risk hurting his career at a place where hes' going to have to rebuild? I mean, we may throw the bank at a great coach, and he may leave a great school to come to our program, but most coaches that are great have it made where they are. Most likely, we will hire a guy who is a mid-major, and therefore, won't require a lot of money, but who wants to take his abilities to a higher proving ground. Many want the chance to be in the same league as Kentucky and Florida, and coach against them. Thats' a good draw.

But as far as money goes, I'm convinced that looking good and sitting pretty at a job you've built that has continual success is more important than making a few extra bucks for a rebuilding job. JMO.
 
#18
#18
thegeneralneyland said:
Byrd has stated multiple times that he has no interest in leaving Belmont.
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I'm just going by what's in the KNS article. An anonymous source said that Rick Byrd and Greg Kampe both had interest. It makes sense, Rick was born in Knoxville, and may have family there, plus, it's a step up the ladder. He may have said that, but has he said it in the past week? Job in your hometown, in a power conference, that's open and in a position to hire a mid-major coach? That'd draw my interest if I was him.
 
#19
#19
Not bad coaches by no means, but not the youngest either. The fans are looking for a young, hot commodity. Someone that is going to bring energy to the program. I dont see either of those coaches bringing that. We will have a good understanding of where we're headed after the next couple of days in the tournament.
 
#20
#20
If Shaka Smart and/or Chris Mooney make it to Elite 8, and win over Florida State and Kansas, then they move WAY up on my list. Richmond's win would be more impressive, since it's against the number 1. But, for VCU to make it through FSU, Purdue, and Georgetown is a heck of a streak to come off of.

Those two are fairly young guys. And Bruce was 46 when we hired him, and he brought energy to the program. It's just all about the individual. Do I really want a coach that has the personality of drying paint? Not really. But do I want Lane Kiffin 2.0? Of course not. I want someone who players like, who I like as a man, and who will win and develop talent. Nobody will try to do what Bruce did, because that was Bruce. But I still think we can get a energetic coach regardless of age.
 
#21
#21
Im sure Kampe has been offered jobs at bigger programs before. I don't see him going anywhere. Plus he's a little older than most UT fans would want. The thing with Byrd would be if he could recruit at the next level. He's had some good success at Belmont.
 
#23
#23
TNHopeful505 said:
If Shaka Smart and/or Chris Mooney make it to Elite 8, and win over Florida State and Kansas, then they move WAY up on my list. Richmond's win would be more impressive, since it's against the number 1. But, for VCU to make it through FSU, Purdue, and Georgetown is a heck of a streak to come off of.

Those two are fairly young guys. And Bruce was 46 when we hired him, and he brought energy to the program. It's just all about the individual. Do I really want a coach that has the personality of drying paint? Not really. But do I want Lane Kiffin 2.0? Of course not. I want someone who players like, who I like as a man, and who will win and develop talent. Nobody will try to do what Bruce did, because that was Bruce. But I still think we can get a energetic coach regardless of age.
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I agree, it really just depends on how that person handles things. With that being said, I still believe there are other people higher on the board right now. Another name to keep your eye on is Buzz Williams of Marquette
 
#24
#24
TThe only drawback to S. Smart is that he's doing it with players he didn't recruit.
 
#25
#25
TheVolunteer said:
I agree, it really just depends on how that person handles things. With that being said, I still believe there are other people higher on the board right now. Another name to keep your eye on is Buzz Williams of Marquette
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Marquette is wishy washy to me. They got absolutely thrashed in conference tournament, but obviously is doing well right now. Their performance and preparation and focus for UNC will say a lot to me about Buzz's coaching ability.

One big thing I'm looking for is a coach who can prepare to win-or at least hang tough- in the big games. And there's no better stage to see that on than right now.
 
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