Post by hawaii bill on Jan 26, 2012 11:14:11 GMT -5
You know, the sad thing is that if a smart, capable guy took this job, albeit with a facilities upgrade, there's no reason why Iona couldn't be perennial mid-major power. You could make a good living and have a satisfying career. I guess you can say that about a lot of places, but the location is good and there is some history to build on. It could be a very attractive long-term job.
Our overall budget is pathetic vi-a-vis expectations of all of us on this board. That's partly why we have the schedule we have this year and the CIT situation last year. I don't know if the $$$ will ever be there, but now is the time to put the presssure on a first year president who is contemplating a strategic plan.
Our overall budget is pathetic vi-a-vis expectations of all of us on this board. That's partly why we have the schedule we have this year and the CIT situation last year. I don't know if the $$$ will ever be there, but now is the time to put the presssure on a first year president who is contemplating a strategic plan.
Maybe we should send him a copy of the Flutie Effect report" that appeared in the Southern Economic Journal:
Schools that make it to the Sweet 16 in the men's basketball tournament see an average 3 percent boost in applications the following year. The champion is likely to see a 7 to 8 percent increase, but just making the 65-team field will net schools an average 1 percent bump.
For George Mason University, in addition to increases in fundraising, attendance at games and other benefits, freshman applications increased 22 percent the year after the team made its magical run. The percentage of out-of-state freshmen jumped from 17 percent to 25 percent, and admissions inquiries rose 350 percent.
Gonzaga was virtually unknown in most parts of the country until it broke into the national tournament in the mid-'90s. The Bulldogs have been in the tournament every year since 1999, and during that time enrollment has grown from just over 4,500 to nearly 7,000. Inquiries have jumped from about 20,000 per year to 50,000, and Gonzaga attracts students from Eastern states where it doesn't recruit.
The cheapest and most efficient way to increase enrollment, attract higher rated students, get national attention and increase the overall reputation of a school is to invest in football or basketball. Basketball is a far cheaper model to invest in and I think our new president will see this investment as a way to increase fundraising across the board. For a few hundred thousand a year.... the school could jump ahead in every measure.
I've said before, God Bless him if he goes to SJ's. That's like going home for him. I don't care if coaches use Iona as a stepping stone. But while you're on the stone if you can focus on your friggin' job during the season I'd appreciate it. Pretty sure that's what you're getting paid to do. Don't want to hear he was "meeting with/talking to SJ's" before a MAAC game. He can talk all summer with them.
I like the guy. I wish him well. Lyon's leaving a year after he hired Cluess didn't exactly set an example of loyalty. We don't get guys who are loyal to the program. Does Willard even know we exist anymore?
Big Jeff was going to run down 95 for the SH job, after alums ponied up a boatload of money for the guy. Who in their right mind would say such a thing publicly, even if you felt it in your heart.
Loyalty? Don't talk to me about loyalty? Playoffs? Playoffs? ;D
Iona needs to fix people running off to other schools. Like any other contract... you hold peoples feet to the fire or make a buyout very expensive. Iona needs to make it very clear to people who are being considered for a coaching job that they will hold them to the contract.
Not sure if that works in Iona's best interest. IMO, I hope a guy like Willard does great at Seton Hall, and if Cluess bolts he does great at his next job. Makes this job more attractive to the next candidate who's hell bent on winning! Our best hire is the guy who recognizes this is a stepping stone on their career path and success is necessary. You just don't want to remove the guys ability to move on. Iona can ill afford to have a coach become complacent! The reality is Iona may be a Mid- Major in Basketball, but in the world of college finance and endowments it is a very small school; thus basketball success is predicated on having a hungry coach looking to succeed and getting an opportunity for their big payday, unfortunately it will be somewhere else.
I'm fine with being a perennial contender in the MAAC, assuming the landscape doesn't completely change and turn the MAAC into a smaller, weaker league.
The greatest poster in the history of the MAAC as determined by THREE separate polls.
You know, the sad thing is that if a smart, capable guy took this job, albeit with a facilities upgrade, there's no reason why Iona couldn't be perennial mid-major power. You could make a good living and have a satisfying career. I guess you can say that about a lot of places, but the location is good and there is some history to build on. It could be a very attractive long-term job.
I think space and zoning restrictions are a major obstacle to a meaningful upgrade to the facilities. That said, they certainly could make some improvements. The recent renovations have reduced seating capacity by about 20% and to me the place looks more "high schoolish" than ever on TV.
I think the larger question is whether is is really in the best interest of the college to invest the millions needed to make Iona a "perennial mid-major power". (with no guarantee that such a status would be achieved).
As as fan, I'd say, "Of course it is!". But objectively, I'm not sure what the return on investment would be. Would it improve Iona as an institution of higher learning, more than investing in projects that directly improve academics? It might, if basketball success leads to much larger contributions and increased admissions applications, but I'm not sure that would be the case.
Also, most coaches always seem to be looking up to that next rung on the ladder, no matter how good the situation and what level they are at. Even coaches at top 25 programs seem to jump at the chance to coach at top 10 programs.
If I am Cluess I would try and win and ride out my career at Iona. He will be 53 years old soon and I am sure security means something to him. If he jumps to Saint John's and does not produce with Lavin's recruits, he will be gone in two years. I would rather have a nice paycheck to keep Iona competitive than to get tossed into the pressure cooker for a fat check that could disappear in a couple of years.
Post by St. Louis Gael on Jan 26, 2012 11:51:56 GMT -5
There are some harsh words about Coach C on this Board over the past few days.
I am disappointed about the Sienna loss, as I know is he. As I posted, I am surprised that we got away from what I perceived as a mid season adjustment in basically 10 minutes of basketball. We executed for ten minutes and then completely lost focus. Coach does not go Bobby Knight nor, thank goodness, does he go Fran McCaffery.
I did see Coach clapping on the sideline, but I read it as trying to get his team snapped back in. The man has shown nothing but class since he came to Iona. I can question his coaching from time to time, but I have no reason to question his integrity.
If I am Cluess I would try and win and ride out my career at Iona. He will be 53 years old soon and I am sure security means something to him. If he jumps to Saint John's and does not produce with Lavin's recruits, he will be gone in two years. I would rather have a nice paycheck to keep Iona competitive than to get tossed into the pressure cooker for a fat check that could disappear in a couple of years.
I think it depends upon how fat that "fat check" is. If a coach at this level gets offered 5 years at a million a year, guaranteed, from a strictly, financial perspective, he should jump at the offer. It he is only offered twice what he is getting at the mid-major, and only a portion of it is guaranteed, and the program he'd be going to has competitive disavantages in its conference, he'd do well to consider staying put for a while.
If I am Cluess I would try and win and ride out my career at Iona. He will be 53 years old soon and I am sure security means something to him. If he jumps to Saint John's and does not produce with Lavin's recruits, he will be gone in two years. I would rather have a nice paycheck to keep Iona competitive than to get tossed into the pressure cooker for a fat check that could disappear in a couple of years.
Cluess after the Hofstra game expressed how much he hates losing, that speaks to his competitive nature. People with competitive natures don't shy away from pressure cookers they embrace them, that's what makes them succeed.
There are some harsh words about Coach C on this Board over the past few days.
I am disappointed about the Sienna loss, as I know is he. As I posted, I am surprised that we got away from what I perceived as a mid season adjustment in basically 10 minutes of basketball. We executed for ten minutes and then completely lost focus. Coach does not go Bobby Knight nor, thank goodness, does he go Fran McCaffery.
I did see Coach clapping on the sideline, but I read it as trying to get his team snapped back in. The man has shown nothing but class since he came to Iona. I can question his coaching from time to time, but I have no reason to question his integrity.
Coach is ours for the rest of this season.
Yes, and if he doesn't get these guys on the same page and playing up to their capabilities he'll definately be here next year ;D
If I am Cluess I would try and win and ride out my career at Iona. He will be 53 years old soon and I am sure security means something to him. If he jumps to Saint John's and does not produce with Lavin's recruits, he will be gone in two years. I would rather have a nice paycheck to keep Iona competitive than to get tossed into the pressure cooker for a fat check that could disappear in a couple of years.
Cluess after the Hofstra game expressed how much he hates losing, that speaks to his competitive nature. People with competitive natures don't shy away from pressure cookers they embrace them, that's what makes them succeed.
If Lavin got $1 Million coming from UCLA... they would pay Tim about $500,000 plus incentives. If I am in my late 30's or 40's I go.... not in my 50's..
SJU also has an assistant with lots of great experience in Mike Dunlap.
If I am Cluess I would try and win and ride out my career at Iona. He will be 53 years old soon and I am sure security means something to him. If he jumps to Saint John's and does not produce with Lavin's recruits, he will be gone in two years. I would rather have a nice paycheck to keep Iona competitive than to get tossed into the pressure cooker for a fat check that could disappear in a couple of years.
Cluess after the Hofstra game expressed how much he hates losing, that speaks to his competitive nature. People with competitive natures don't shy away from pressure cookers they embrace them, that's what makes them succeed.
Lol... he might not shy away but is wife might. This is a guy who never saw this much money before.... I am sure his wife loves Iona. Also going to one of the Bigs can cause further issues by requiring travel all over the country to recruit. His family may not like that either.... not everything is about money or a challenge.
Cluess after the Hofstra game expressed how much he hates losing, that speaks to his competitive nature. People with competitive natures don't shy away from pressure cookers they embrace them, that's what makes them succeed.
Lol... he might not shy away but is wife might. This is a guy who never saw this much money before.... I am sure his wife loves Iona. Also going to one of the Bigs can cause further issues by requiring travel all over the country to recruit. His family may not like that either.... not everything is about money or a challenge.
It's always about the money! Always! BTW there are more schools out there than just SJU!
You know, the sad thing is that if a smart, capable guy took this job, albeit with a facilities upgrade, there's no reason why Iona couldn't be perennial mid-major power. You could make a good living and have a satisfying career. I guess you can say that about a lot of places, but the location is good and there is some history to build on. It could be a very attractive long-term job.