Jordan

[MUBasketball]

Great hire! I'm thrilled. Big improvement over Jeter I guarantee it.

Kudos to Braun!

[uwm97]

Based on what?

[MUBasketball]

Based on what?

Highly regarded. Learned under Beilein who is an excellent coach. Not only is Beilein a great coach, plays a very fun style. I would assume Jordan will implement the same thing at Milwaukee.

I think Jordan is much better than Webster would have been. TJ would have been a great choice also, but I really like this hire.

[MU/Panther]

I love it! Well done! I can't wait!

[uwm97]

The EXACT same things were said when Jeter was hired. Who know what style he'll play. Jeter said they'd continue to push the ball when he was hired and we know how that turned out. This was a safe hire and I don't see how this is going to lead to these expectations Braun has set. I hope it works out but this appears to be more of the same.

[MUBasketball]

The EXACT same things were said when Jeter was hired. Who know what style he'll play. Jeter said they'd continue to push the ball when he was hired and we know how that turned out. This was a safe hire and I don't see how this is going to lead to these expectations Braun has set. I hope it works out but this appears to be more of the same.

Well, after 10 years with Jeter we know it didn't work. It was time to shake things up. Just because they look alike and were both assistant coaches doesn't mean they'll have the same results!

[uwm97]

"Shaking things up" is doing something different. This isn't something different. It's the same resume 11 years later.

[MUBasketball]

"Shaking things up" is doing something different. This isn't something different. It's the same resume 11 years later.

LaVall Jordan isn't Rob Jeter, right? I'm pretty sure they are two different people. So in fact yes, this is shaking things up. They are basketball coaches, how much different does anybody's resume look! Would you have been happy with Otzelberger? How is his resume any different from Rob's?

Rob was here 10 years and was average. It was time to move on. Why are people fighting change?? I don't understand it. Let's try for something better and not the same average status quo of the past 10 years.

[TheSultan]

"Shaking things up" is doing something different. This isn't something different. It's the same resume 11 years later.


Who do you think UWM was going to get? You are either looking at a D2 or D3 coach, or a top assistant somewhere. Just because an assistant was hired 11 years ago, and they are hiring another one now, that doesn't mean the same results will occur.

[BBF]

And there it is: Our new coach is a young assistant from a Big Ten program known for its very slow tempo offense. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Rob Jeter!

Er, I mean, Lavall Jordan. :confused:

Putting aside the farcical nature of this entire process for the moment, here is my favorite Lavall Jordan clip. It happens at 36 seconds. I'm not being funny, either. I always appreciated that he enjoyed the moment, even though his team had just been stung by an incredible shot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLRHJbNyN6M&nohtml5=False

[BBF]

By the way, an MU fan saying we made a great hire is cute. It's sort of like us saying MU made a great hire in WOJO! Gosh, I sure hope we can expect similarly spectacular results!

[IWB]

Coaching Career


2003-04 Butler University Coordinator of Basketball Operations
2004-07 Butler University Asst Coach
2007-10 University of Iowa Asst Coach
2010-present University of Michigan Asst Coach

Coaching Career Breakdown


Year School Record Conf. Finish Postseason

2003-04 Butler 16-14 (8-8) 6th
2004-05 Butler 13-15 (7-9 ) 7th
2005-06 Butler 20-13 (11-5) 2nd - NIT, First Rd
2006-07 Butler 29-7 (13-3) 2nd - NCAA, Sweet 16

2007-08 Iowa 13-19 (6-12) 8th
2008-09 Iowa 15-17 (5-13) 10th
2009-10 Iowa 10-22 (4-14) 10th

2010-11 Michigan 21-14 (9-9) t-4th - NCAA, 3rd Rd
2011-12 Michigan 24-10 (13-5) t-1st - NCAA, 2nd Rd
2012-13 Michigan 31-8 (12-6) t-4th - NCAA, National Runner-up
2013-14 Michigan 28-9 (15-3) 1st - NCAA, Elite Eight
2014-15 Michigan 16-16 (8-10) 9th
2015-16 Michigan 23-13 (10-8) 8th - NCAA, Opening Rd, 1st Rd

[BBF]

Who do you think UWM was going to get? You are either looking at a D2 or D3 coach, or a top assistant somewhere. Just because an assistant was hired 11 years ago, and they are hiring another one now, that doesn't mean the same results will occur.

Good God. We can only HOPE for the same result.

[uwm97]

who do you think uwm was going to get? You are either looking at a d2 or d3 coach

ding! Ding! Ding!

[MUBasketball]

By the way, an MU fan saying we made a great hire is cute. It's sort of like us saying MU made a great hire in WOJO! Gosh, I sure hope we can expect similarly spectacular results!

Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business Class of '06.

Any other comments?

[BBF]

So what section are your season tickets in for Panther basketball?

[dylanrocks]

ding! Ding! Ding!

Where is the Board of Regents during all of this?

[JGPanthers]

Really Fran?

[uwm97]

The impressive coaching history that Ganzer put up looks very familiar to me....

[Tyrunner0097]

Butler fans really wanted him to replace Stevens when he left.

[IWB]

Butler fans really wanted him to replace Stevens when he left.

As soon as I started looking for info on him I found that exact line a few times. While he may be very similar to Jeter only younger, if a fan base that had just gone to back to back Final Fours wanted him as their head coach - that should say quite a bit about how well respected he is.

[dylanrocks]

I don't know if we'll ever get an answer to this in part because we're not covered by the local paper, but I would really like to know how seriously Billeter, Miller, Semling, Grzesk and Diener were considered for this position.

It seems that there were some very viable candidates with a track record of success as a head coach who were passed over here.

I would love to get some illumination on things.

[uwm97]

Where is the Board of Regents during all of this?
Hopefully the alarm clock Mone has underneath his desk will go off soon so as to alert him to the new/old coach his subordinate just hired.
"Heartbreaker, brew baker..."

[Skrapheap]

LaVall Jordan isn't Rob Jeter, right? I'm pretty sure they are two different people. So in fact yes, this is shaking things up. They are basketball coaches, how much different does anybody's resume look! Would you have been happy with Otzelberger? How is his resume any different from Rob's?

Rob was here 10 years and was average. It was time to move on. Why are people fighting change?? I don't understand it. Let's try for something better and not the same average status quo of the past 10 years.

Because we aren't fighting change, from our point of view.

We all recognize that as Athletic Director, Amanda Braun had the authority to fire Rob Jeter. We all recognize that she has done so, and that a coach will be hired to replace Jeter.

She has given us precious little reason to believe that she is up to the task of hiring a better coach, so far.

Insanity is defined, famously, as doing the same thing and expecting different results. You will have to pardon those of us who think that by hiring this coach, Amanda Braun would be doing the same thing and expecting different results.

If she really wants to elevate the program, why hire someone who even appears to be Rob Jeter redux?

Granted, if she was actively sabotaging Rob Jeter to try to get rid of him (a charge of which i have yet seen no refutation from Amanda Braun), she is likely to give her hire more support. What guarantee that is of better results remains to be seen.

[Goose85]

By the way, an MU fan saying we made a great hire is cute. It's sort of like us saying MU made a great hire in WOJO! Gosh, I sure hope we can expect similarly spectacular results!

So are you only supposed to follow, cheer, or support one team?
If you are a MU fan you can't also cheer for UWM, or if you are a UW fan you can't also follow or support UWM?

[TheSultan]

ding! Ding! Ding!

Well hiring a D2 or D3 coach is hardly a guaranty of success either.

[dylanrocks]

That's the money phrase,
'Heap: "Elevating the program."

So Braun must expect Jordan to deliver better than a 20-13 record and an RPI of 165 or above next season.

Actually, she must expect him to lead the team to an RPI of 100 or above; she said so to the local paper.

Otherwise, why would she have made a change?

[TheSultan]

By the way, an MU fan saying we made a great hire is cute. It's sort of like us saying MU made a great hire in WOJO! Gosh, I sure hope we can expect similarly spectacular results!


Hey just offering an opinion. Unlike some people, I don't have an obsessive need to reference another basketball program as a response.

[BBF]

Hey just offering an opinion. Unlike some people, I don't have an obsessive need to reference another basketball program as a response.

Wasn't actually referring to you, but good on you.

[BBF]

That's the money quote, 'Heap: "Elevating the program."

So Braun must expect Jordan to deliver better than a 20-13 record and an RPI of 165 or above next season.

Otherwise, why would she have made a change?

You forgot top three finish in the H League, I believe.

[MU/Panther]

By the way, an MU fan saying we made a great hire is cute. It's sort of like us saying MU made a great hire in WOJO! Gosh, I sure hope we can expect similarly spectacular results!
Do you every shout the f... up.

[Jimmy Lemke]

All right I'm killing this now - STOP with the fighting. We can all be adults here.

[Jimmy Lemke]

Lavall Jordan is a great hire.

[BBF]

Lavall Jordan is her guy. She owns him. He will need to prove otherwise. That's the bottom line.

[BBF]

Do you every shout the f... up.

You sound like Mark Belling. Hey Mark, is that you?

[MU/Panther]

You sound like Mark Belling. Hey Mark, is that you?Thanks, I'll take that as complement. :cool:

[BBF]

Res ipsa loquitur.

[uwm97]

Lavall Jordan is a great hire.
I hope he is, but I have serious doubts. Why do you think he is?

[parkerj]

On the bright side, the general consensus among Michigan fans seems to be that Jordan is considered a bigger loss than Alexander.

[FrankTheTank]

On the bright side, the general consensus among Michigan fans seems to be that Jordan is considered a bigger loss than Alexander.

I noticed the same thing. On top of the fact he was their highest paid assistant. Part of me wonders if he had any other interviews/looks from some other programs; though it does seem like AB got her top choice

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

I have hopes that LJ will be a good hire. He seems very grounded as a person, and highly respected at Michigan. How he will be as a HC remains to be seen. If the players decide to stay, that will say a lot to me.

[Buppie05]

Alright, well in Jordan we trust.

[shaun]

Reading about how Lavall Jordan is good with guards, I would think that this would give Akeem and Jordy really good reason to stay with the team.

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

It's official: http://bit.ly/1qxXEdH

I'll go on record as supportive of the hire, although I fear he will be here only until Beilein retires at Michigan. I really hope that we protected ourselves in the contract with a very healthy buyout...I mean REALLY healthy.

I long for the day when an announcement of a new coach does not immediately trigger the thoughts of the next coaching search.

[MayorCK]

I think we'd lose him to Butler first, but that's just a thought.

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

I think we'd lose him to Butler first, but that's just a thought.

Whoever calls first...The MU boards were filled with "good luck....see you in a few years" type messages. Like I said, we either better have a strong buyout clause or be ready to pull a Dick Strong and write a really big check or two.

[parkerj]

I think we'd lose him to Butler first, but that's just a thought.

Maybe, but Holtmann seems to be doing a good (but not incredible) job so far and Beilein is 63.

[MU/Panther]

LaVall Jordan is a rising star in coaching. He is a terrific teacher, an expert recruiter, and an excellent tactician. LaVall learned it and lived it the Butler Way and was an integral part of Michigan's success. He is a class individual in every respect. Milwaukee has a great one in LaVall Jordan." –*Jay Bilas, ESPN Analyst

[MayorCK]

Maybe, but Holtmann seems to be doing a good (but not incredible) job so far and Beilein is 63.

Both great points J, but unless LaVall has a Bruce-like 4-5 seasons here, Michigan will make a much bigger splash to replace Beilein. He is an Upper Echelon coach, second in the B1G only to Izzo currently IMO, and Wolverine alums will expect another one. Remember, Beilein came from West Virginia, so Michigan isn't afraid to take another high-major's head coach. Heck, Harbaugh might even talk them into stealing bro-in-law Crean from Indiana! (As a casual Michigan basketball fan, that would be awful.)

[Spirit of Bruce]

I like the hire. If he brings Spike Albrecht and a 1-for-1 from Coach Beilein, I'll like it even more!

[BBF]

I wish him luck. For many years, I have told young interviewees that if they could write down their ideal job, find it, and then when they got there found they didn't like the people they were working for, they would hate that job.

So yeah, I wish him luck. He will need more of it than he knows right now. Leopards don't change their spots.

[uwm97]

How about we start winning some conference tournaments before worrying about where he'll go next? I hope he does leave in three years. That means we're kicking some ass again.

[BBF]

Yeah, it's been years since we did that.

Two years.

[uwm97]

And eighth before that.

[dylanrocks]

Damn Butler!

(And everyone knows that I deeply admire the Bulldogs.)

[Jimmy Lemke]

I hope he is, but I have serious doubts. Why do you think he is?

Everyone had question marks. Billeter only got Augie going the last 2 years out of 13 - he wasn't even Rob Jeter through 11. Donte Jackson is great, but he's only in year 2 as HC and in D-II. Pat Miller was never a candidate. The other guys are all assistants.

I think he's a great recruiter, a great personality, and his baptism in college basketball was in a program with the best culture a mid-major has ever put together, so I know he knows what needs to be done. Calling timeouts and making subs? That's a learning curve. But this guy is a leader and a quick one at that. I think he'll be just fine.

But don't kid yourself - it takes a village. And when the town shaman is poisoning the well, it really doesn't matter what the mayor can do.

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

I'm just gonna leave this here...


http://youtu.be/WTyDsiSaXIE

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

Sports Central discussion of LJ: https://soundcloud.com/620-wtmj/brendan-quinn-gives-the-inside-scoop-on-lavall-jordan

[Jimmy Lemke]

Press conference at 4 pm., Fireside Lounge in the Union.

[MU/Panther]

https://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeePanthers/videos/vb.127175082152/10153655574422153/?type=2&theater

[GoPanthersGo23]

Excited about the hire to be honest....it's nice to actually have a bit of positive news after all the AD crap we had to endure.

[GoPanthersGo23]

If am I not mistaken, he took undersized guard Trey Burke to B1G Player of the Year & Trey was a finalist for National Player of the Year as well. This could bode even better for Jordy if he decides to stick around.

[FrankTheTank]

It's great to hear all the positive things being said about LJ - a lot of great press for our program from some people on the national stage. His reputation seems to be as good as their is and he has the backing of some former players that our kids can relate too. Hopefully they stick around next season, it could be fun to watch Jordy and Akeem being coached by LJ. Either way, welcome to the family Coach Jordan, damn glad to have you lead our program!!

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

https://www.facebook.com/MilwaukeePanthers/videos/vb.127175082152/10153655574422153/?type=2&theater


Is it just me or could that have been filmed in 2005? :)

[MU/Panther]

Is it just me or could that have been filmed in 2005? :) Not the same actors in other spots. :o

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

Press Conference reactions:

Hearing AB go on and on about how important integrity is makes me want to vomit.
She has a long way to go to not look like a deer in the headlights doing these things.
Loved the slip by LJ: "University of Milwaukee" twice!!!
Love the nod to Jeter....must make AB squirm
Man....he looks like RJ's little brother....or younger self, even
Like his humility a lot
Not convinced that he was AB's choice...Mone made the call....I think in more ways than one.
I hope he can keep the team together...he seems to have the right approach to it.
I wonder what they have told him about the previous few years...and how he reacted....would love to be a fly on the wall for that conversation
Wish I could hear his mom....sounded like she stole the show!
Man....he reminds me of RJ
Like his flat out statement that the players are the priority....wonder how that makes AB feel?
He slipped in the Hoosiers "same 10 ft"...nice
He seems to "get" the program-donor relationship....I hope they stay out of his way in the AD on that. Wonder how much of the board and such he has been exposed to.
It still feels odd to have a Butler guy at the helm....like the Packers hiring a former Bear at head coach.


Overall take: Seems like a genuine guy. Very young, but I can see why he was held in such high regard at MU. He did not seem overwhelmed to me. Felt very much like he has a plan for his first few weeks here and knows what he wants to accomplish.I would feel much, MUCH, better if he was not under the watchful eye of AB...I just refuse to trust her in anything...she has not earned it.

[Skrapheap]

Welcome to Milwaukee Basketball, Coach Jordan.

Watch your back.

[MU/Panther]

Of course I felt the media missed at asking some questions. For one would have been about putting together a coaching staff and the time table on that.

[MU/Panther]

Todd Rosiak*‏@Todd_Rosiak

Deal in place for LaVall Jordan will pay him $350,000 annually plus incentives.

[MU/Panther]

Todd Rosiak*‏@Todd_Rosiak

Jordan also receives a salary pool of $300,000 to hire "4.5 assistant coaches/support staff."

[dylanrocks]

Todd Rosiak*‏@Todd_Rosiak

Deal in place for LaVall Jordan will pay him $350,000 annually plus incentives.

That seems like too much for someone with no head coaching experience. His predecessor was only making $100,000 more.

[parkerj]

That seems like too much for someone with no head coaching experience. His predecessor was only making $100,000 more.

Coaching salaries are getting crazy in general.

[CoachC]

If am I not mistaken, he took undersized guard Trey Burke to B1G Player of the Year & Trey was a finalist for National Player of the Year as well. This could bode even better for Jordy if he decides to stick around.


He took Burke to the Big Ten Player of the year and finalist for player of the year? I keep hearing that in Jordan's bio but wasn't Burke a MCDONALD'S HIGH SCHOOL ALL AMERICAN? What more did the coach do?

[parkerj]

I keep hearing that in Jordan's bio but wasn't Burke a MCDONALD'S HIGH SCHOOL ALL AMERICAN?

...no?

[DunneDeal]

I wanted to hear him start saying the "Milwaukee Way" ala Butler haha but I like what I heard today. Can't wait to get the chance to meet Coach Val, and see where this goes

[MU/Panther]

Coaching salaries are getting crazy in general.Correct, got to pay the 2016 going rate.

[Jimmy Lemke]

Welcome to Milwaukee Basketball, Coach Jordan.

Watch your back.

I got his back.

[Jimmy Lemke]

Todd Rosiak*‏@Todd_Rosiak

Jordan also receives a salary pool of $300,000 to hire "4.5 assistant coaches/support staff."

Jeter's staff (2014-15):

Boudreau - 85k
Conroy - 75k
Chambliss - 56k
Hill - 36k
Hanson - 36k

That's ~288k, so just about what Jordan will have.

[MU/Panther]

Jimmy, I wish our lousy Milwaukee media would have asked about timetable on putting together a coaching staff and who he might be looking for.

[MU/Panther]

Todd Rosiak*‏@Todd_Rosiak

Jordan said he hopes to have at least two staff members “on the ground” by Monday in Milwaukee.

[Skrapheap]

Anybody have an idea how $300k compares to the assistant salary pool at other league teams? D1 in general?

What kind of talent can you hire for that kind of money?

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

Staff salaries are hard to get details on. What we do know is that the $300k number is just a little more than RJ was given ($288k), so it is probably not over the top money, but not a pittance either.

For reference, here is a link to all the Tournament coaches' salaries (http://sports.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/mens-basketball/coach/). I would note that the number reported for Vall is $350k plus bonuses, which is about 50 of 64 on this list, and about the same as UNC-Wilmington and Stephen F. Austin.

As for assistants, take a look at this GlassDoor data. Interesting to see some of the averages in the list itself (the aggregate is worthless, IMO). http://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/assistant-basketball-coach-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm (https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/assistant-basketball-coach-salary-SRCH_KO0,26.htm)

Oregon Women's Basketball Assistant: $110,000 (ave of 2) = total of 2 would be $220,000. That is Pac 12 Women, mind you.
Northwestern Men's Basketball Assistant: $89,661 (ave of 5) = total of 5 would be $448,305. And that is a low end number in the Big 10 I am sure.

My take? I don't think $300k is a huge investment, as far as the industry goes. For Milwaukee, it is an increase, but probably not much more than the old staff would have been paid if they had been retained, after annual increases.

Looks to me like we just rolled over the old budget into the new coach and really haven't increased spend here at all....well, except for the money going to the buyout, of course, which does nothing for the program. Vall is making a bit less than RJ was, but not much, and the staff spend is a wash.

Another "sideways" move, I guess.

[Jimmy Lemke]

Anybody have an idea how $300k compares to the assistant salary pool at other league teams? D1 in general?

What kind of talent can you hire for that kind of money?

My source at Detroit says McCallum's replacement pool will have over $1 million - $500,000 for the head coach (they believe it will be Bacari Alexander) and over $500,000 for the assistants and support staff.

I know of three guys who would take pretty low money to get on this staff, but I haven't met Coach Vall yet so I can't be sure.

[MU/Panther]

Tom Pipines*‏@pipspicks

Excited 2 visit with @LaVall_Jordan @MKEPanthers men's B'ball coach #FOX 6 SPORTS BLITZ 2nite 10:35 hope you'll join @tvvfoxsix yours truly

[MU/Panther]

UWM's new basketball coach putting pieces in place

www.jsonline.com/sports/panthers/uwms-new-basketball-coach-putting-pieces-in-place-b99707187z1-375808751.html

[TheDarkHawkReturns]

Man....feel for the guy....this has to be the most difficult D1 staff to build in the history of D1 staffs.

[BBF]

Come to Milwaukee! The fans are in an uproar, the players are running for the exits and the administration will stand behind you just as long as there's a cliff right in front of you. But hey -- at least you'll be in a one bid league. And you better get that bid, buddy boy.

By the way, intramural paintball gets the gym at 2:30 so clean up those towels, dammit!

[Jimmy Lemke]

We need to protect LaVall Jordan and his staff. Everyone needs to keep pushing, and keep pushing as loudly as possible. This is the only way we can enact real change.

[BBF]

How does that work when any financial support gets controlled by the admin?

It's a fantasy to think that he will be allowed to coach without interference. People don't change. Good luck to him.