Departures

[parkerj]

Here (http://www.jsonline.com/sports/panthers/3-top-uwm-players-considering-leaving-team-b99693324z1-373273901.html)'s the initial article by Rosiak about Springs, Johnson and Arians asking for their releases

[parkerj]

And maybe I'm reading too far into it, but whatever sliver of hope there was for their returns seems to be in doubt. Johnson and Springs RT'd a guy saying they were "leaving" rather than correcting him. Here's the picture from Johnson's twitter:

885

[Spirit of Bruce]

It's the natural course of things after a coaching change for players to contemplate moving on. As both those guys are outstanding at what they do, I hope a coach is hired that they like.

Another thing I've wondered is whether the new coach will retain Boudreau, Chris Hill, and/or Allan Hanson. With Chris and Al being part of Panther lore, and Boudreau's great recruiting prowess, perhaps one or a couple are here? What do you guys think?

[jhart05]

I would put the chances of any of the coaching staff returning at about 1%.

Just my personal feeling.

[Spirit of Bruce]

I guess it would ultimately depend on if Rob gets another gig. They'd go with him in that scenario. I think Rob would be a legitimate candidate at both Saint Louis and Pitt. Some will laugh at that I'm sure, but he does have Bo and Izzo in his corner. Those are pretty great references on a resume.

[parkerj]

No way he would get either of those or he never would've been bought out.

If he's going to get another HC job, it'll probably be some sort of step down.

[Spirit of Bruce]

He obviously was going to be bought out regardless of result, what are you talking about?

If you put that staff in a stable situation with adequate facilities, I bet alot of you would be pretty salty at the results they would produce. And considering I spent much of the 12-13 season with a Bruce Pearl bighead in the student section, I can hardly be called a Jeter apologist.

[jhart05]

I don't really understand what you're trying to say. "Salty at the results"???

I doubt any of the coaching staff will want to come back and work for this AD again, even if asked by the new coach. That's why I say a 1% chance.

And I doubt Rob would be up for a job at Pitt or StL. I don't think either school would hire any coach who was just fired from a low Mid-Major Conference like the Horizon.

[BBF]

I don't think anyone associated with the program -- coaches OR players -- WANT to continue at Milwaukee under the circumstances. The only way any of the assistants would do that, I think, would be out of economic necessity. It's obviously harder for the players, who have to think about eligibility issues also. It's absolutely cruel that any of them who might want a fresh start at a school that actually supports its program might have to give up a year of eligibility or even just wait a year. And I suspect that if it were up to this administration, they'd be just as happy to see them all leave if they could figure out a way to field a team without them.

Which brings us to what surely must be a key consideration for our AD as she surveys the potential carnage her intemperate and unnecessary decision has left behind: she needs to find a coach who either has the chance of convincing players to stay, or of being able to bring in a boatload of new players very quickly. If he can do the former (and assuming, of course, that Jordy is one of the players willing to stay), there is at least a chance for the team to finish above the bottom half of the league next year. If he must do the later, look out below. The likelihood of getting a large cohort of D1 worthy players at the last minute is negligible. Moreover, it would naturally raise questions as to whether the recruiting philosophy will suddenly be allowed to change here, for the benefit of "Amanda's guy." Anyone know if Walter Waters still has any eligibility?

[BBF]

I don't really understand what you're trying to say. "Salty at the results"???

I doubt any of the coaching staff will want to come back and work for this AD again, even if asked by the new coach. That's why I say a 1% chance.

And I doubt Rob would be up for a job at Pitt or StL. I don't think either school would hire any coach who was just fired from a low Mid-Major Conference like the Horizon.

I think Spirit of Bruce is saying that our now former staff, at a school with an administration that actually was stable and supportive, would produce some pretty fine results.

And by the way, parkerj, what exactly would constitute a "step down" right now? Any school that isn't an active dumpster fire might well be a step UP.

[parkerj]

He obviously was going to be bought out regardless of result, what are you talking about?

If Pitt or Saint Louis were interested in hiring Jeter as their Head Coach, they would be paying the buyout. If somebody else is interested in paying to get rid of the coach you don't want anymore, you let them give you money instead of giving money away (see: Vanderbilt)

[Jimmy Lemke]

Players are waiting until after the hire is made. I'd make a guess as to who stays but it's almost impossible without knowing the events of the next couple weeks.

[parkerj]

And by the way, parkerj, what exactly would constitute a "step down" right now? Any school that isn't an active dumpster fire might well be a step UP.

Chicago State, for one ;)

But honestly, any lower level conference where even the top teams are still a while away from paying their coaches >200 grand. I don't necessarily think Milwaukee's heading for a dumpster fire (though if our next coach was on that list that came out earlier this week...yikes)

[parkerj]

Players are waiting until after the hire is made. I'd make a guess as to who stays but it's almost impossible without knowing the events of the next couple weeks.

That's good. It just stood out to me that both guys tweeted out the message from Poneman and neither corrected him.

[Jimmy Lemke]

Chicago State, for one ;)

But honestly, any lower level conference where even the top teams are still a while away from paying their coaches >200 grand. I don't necessarily think Milwaukee's heading for a dumpster fire (though if our next coach was on that list that came out earlier this week...yikes)

You're really scraping the bottom of the barrel - few head coaches make under 175k

[parkerj]

You're really scraping the bottom of the barrel - few head coaches make under 175k

In terms of base salary, Scott Nagy makes 150 grand for a South Dakota State team that's finished first or second in the Summit 5 years in a row. Most of the Summit seems to be in that range or lower. I would imagine the conferences whose champions need conference tournament upsets elsewhere to avoid 16-seeds are in the same boat.

I will say that after looking at it for a bit, his best bet is probably going to be as a Power Conference assistant, because nobody at that level in the midwest is likely to be hiring and many schools outside the MW may be hesitant to bring in a guy who has only ever coached in that area (though Chicago connection could be appealing)

[Spirit of Bruce]

Yes, that is exactly what I was trying to say BBF.

[parkerj]

Here's a list of potential suitors for Akeem. If he leaves, I wouldn't have any trouble rooting for him at several of those schools

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Milwaukee grad transfer Akeem Springs has heard from Florida State, Ole Miss, VCU, Creighton, Butler, Minnesota, Illinois State, others.</p>&mdash; Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) <a href="https://twitter.com/jeffborzello/status/714146427694358528">March 27, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[jhart05]

If that's what he's saying, not sure why he's directing that here, or towards me.

Why would anyone be "salty" if the former coaches go on and have success somewhere else?

Well, except maybe the current AD.

[Spirit of Bruce]

I wasn't directing anything at you personally, hart.

[BBF]

Oh, I agree Milwaukee's not heading for a dumpster fire. We're already there.

All I want for our guys is that they be in a position to succeed. I have utterly no confidence that will occur at Milwaukee. No matter who the coach is, you are talking about a program where the administration is willing to sabotage the chance for success to enable their own ambitions. Fool me once, shame on you.

That said, the ties that bind are very strong. Of course I could understand the guys wanting to continue to play together. If they do, so be it and I hope they do well finishing as Panthers.

But take Jordy as an example. His choice right now is to play for a coach he doesn't know, for an administration openly hostile to the program's success, in a league that has made repeated bad decisions. OR -- he could transfer to any number of high major programs that would be thrilled to have him for a year after he sits out next year. There has been speculation about him possibly going to Wisconsin. I have no idea if there is anything to that. But just imagine it. UW's starting point, Koenig, graduates next year. If Jordy went to Madison and sat out, in the 17-18 season he would be given the keys to a Ferrari. Can you imagine what he would do with Happ, Van Vliet, Thomas, Hill, Illikainen, Iverson, Pritzl and Kobe King around him? Would that be bitter for Panther fans? Sure, but it would be awesome for Jordy. Let's be honest -- at Milwaukee Jordy has maybe a 25% chance of playing in the tournament. I'm probably being ridiculously optimistic with that figure. At UW he'd have a near 100% chance, with a team with an opportunity to go deep. And I'm only talking about Wisconsin because I know their situation and there has already been public speculation. Can you doubt there are probably many opportunities like that available to him?

[parkerj]

Oh, I agree Milwaukee's not heading for a dumpster fire. We're already there.

We'll agree to disagree there, though the hire is pretty pivitol and I'm not optimistic right now.


All I want for our guys is that they be in a position to succeed. I have utterly no confidence that will occur at Milwaukee. No matter who the coach is, you are talking about a program where the administration is willing to sabotage the chance for success to enable their own ambitions. Fool me once, shame on you.

I can't imagine Amanda would sabotage the next coach. This hire is on her and she spent almost a half a million extra to get it done now. If it goes up in flames, she's putting herself in a very bad spot.



Can you doubt there are probably many opportunities like that available to him?


Not at all, look at Akeem's list!!!

[BBF]

I literally don't understand how any coach could walk into this situation and think "Oh, but I'm special -- it will be different for me."

That's the definition of blind optimism -- and foolishness.

[parkerj]

Because Jeter wasn't her hire. If he "fails", that's on Bud. If this coach fails, it's on Braun. The extra money she forked over to make this hire only amplifies the need for it to be successful.

[BBF]

That's a nice theory. Here's an alternate theory: there's always someone else to blame.

[DKelly28]

I don't think anyone associated with the program -- coaches OR players -- WANT to continue at Milwaukee under the circumstances. The only way any of the assistants would do that, I think, would be out of economic necessity. It's obviously harder for the players, who have to think about eligibility issues also. It's absolutely cruel that any of them who might want a fresh start at a school that actually supports its program might have to give up a year of eligibility or even just wait a year. And I suspect that if it were up to this administration, they'd be just as happy to see them all leave if they could figure out a way to field a team without them.

Which brings us to what surely must be a key consideration for our AD as she surveys the potential carnage her intemperate and unnecessary decision has left behind: she needs to find a coach who either has the chance of convincing players to stay, or of being able to bring in a boatload of new players very quickly. If he can do the former (and assuming, of course, that Jordy is one of the players willing to stay), there is at least a chance for the team to finish above the bottom half of the league next year. If he must do the later, look out below. The likelihood of getting a large cohort of D1 worthy players at the last minute is negligible. Moreover, it would naturally raise questions as to whether the recruiting philosophy will suddenly be allowed to change here, for the benefit of "Amanda's guy." Anyone know if Walter Waters still has any eligibility?

A bit off topic, but I was all set to make a reply to BBF's post featuring such names as James Douglas, Peter Karle, Jon Brown and the Big O himself, Olivier De Smedt, when I came across this link while looking up the spelling of his name - http://www.horancares.com/obituary/Olivier-V.-De-Smedt/Lakewood-CO/1448112