You don't look at a house unless you're interested in moving. It looks like Rick is on the move.
After his initial comments ( which I have long suspected were for the NCAA’s disciplinary people) that he would retire at Iona and this was his last gig, etc. he has steadily found reasons to move away from that position, leaving the door open. I think he always wanted options and that he could leave if the right position presented itself. Didn’t mean he was definitely leaving. Didn’t mean he was definitely staying. He's been fairly open about that. When he speaks and tweets sometimes you have to ask yourself who is he addressing his remarks to? Iona. Some P-5 AD or a group of AD's? The NCAA? Personally, for example, I thought all the talk about injuries this year was a message to P-5 AD's & boosters/fans to inform them if he didn't win the conference championship, that was the reason - not that he lost it and can't coach anymore. Couldn't understand why a coach as successful as he is would feel the need to keep telling everyone about all the injuries.
Last Edit: Mar 18, 2023 10:39:48 GMT -5 by hawaii bill
It’s not a destination job. Grasso & Anderson would leave at the next best offer just like Young. It’s about who you think would give you the best three years and then find that guy again, unfortunately.
I disagree. I think Grasso would be loyal to Iona, he knows the program, it is home for him, he would come in and win right away, and he would potentially bring Cluess with him in some capacity.
As for Anderson, he has an identical profile to Cluess, except for the fact that he has a year of D1 experience under his belt, and now an NCAA Tournament win to boot. He is 51-years old, I have to believe he is more settled and his priorities will be different than a hot shot young assistant looking to make a name for himself.
I think guys like this would jump only for a job worth leaving for — high major, huge salary, etc — as they should. But I don’t see them jumping at the next best offer.
There is little loyalty in this business. It just is what it is. Not sure we want a “lifetime” coach anyway, unless that person is extraordinary. The larger conversation is what underpins all of this-what does Iona want to be re men’s basketball? Grasso would leave for St John’s in 3 or 4 years after Pitino is done there, if offered.
I disagree. I think Grasso would be loyal to Iona, he knows the program, it is home for him, he would come in and win right away, and he would potentially bring Cluess with him in some capacity.
As for Anderson, he has an identical profile to Cluess, except for the fact that he has a year of D1 experience under his belt, and now an NCAA Tournament win to boot. He is 51-years old, I have to believe he is more settled and his priorities will be different than a hot shot young assistant looking to make a name for himself.
I think guys like this would jump only for a job worth leaving for — high major, huge salary, etc — as they should. But I don’t see them jumping at the next best offer.
There is little loyalty in this business. It just is what it is. Not sure we want a “lifetime” coach anyway, unless that person is extraordinary. The larger conversation is what underpins all of this-what does Iona want to be re men’s basketball? Grasso would leave for St John’s in 3 or 4 years after Pitino is done there, if offered.
Exactly. One thing Pitino hasn't lied about. College hoops is now a minor league pro system. Is what it is.
Just as important as the hiring of the next coach, IF Pitino leaves, is for Iona to get the NIL collective rolling.
Post by ichoops2018 on Mar 18, 2023 9:41:37 GMT -5
My thing is, Iona has essentially become the same exact programs as Vermont and Colgate. Powerhouses in their conferences that always find themselves getting the automatic bid but losing in the first round of the tournament year in and year out. How can Iona take that next step? Obviously that’s what Pitino was hired to do but hasn’t. It seems like that’s what the Iona administration is focused on and they’re not gonna settle for just anyone.
Post by St. Louis Gael on Mar 18, 2023 9:42:23 GMT -5
With the clarity of three plus year old memory, I think the sentiment on this board was that we would be fine with three years of Pitino. Well, we got the three years. Part of that sentiment was that a NCAA win would be our deliverance. Didn't happen.
Assuming the Pitino era is over, and I think it is, the standard is still Jim Valvano with Tim Cluess a close second. (How you guys going to feel if the SJU deal falls apart?) Speaking of Cluess, how is his health? Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but I keep looking for his name to pop up in all this speculation.
Post by hawaii bill on Mar 18, 2023 9:44:49 GMT -5
We can speculate about all kinds of things, throw all kinds of theories out there because we don't have any information. Bob LaPenta is a major donor to Iona. It makes sense for any Iona President to keep him happy within the bounds of reason. He may have asked Carey to help his friend Rick get back into the business by hiring him for three or four years and Carey may have said sure, thinking he would repay LaPenta for his largesse and create a relationship with Rick that would help Iona down the road once Rick left for the "big time." Heck waive the buy out so he's only committed to three years here. Rick seems very appreciative to Carey and Iona. If he moves on and does well in the BE or where ever, it's nice to have an ally at that level. Especially as things shake out with re-alignment, etc. RP wins, Iona wins, LaPenta wins. Win-wins are good for everyone. Under this scenario, everyone wins.
With the clarity of three plus year old memory, I think the sentiment on this board was that we would be fine with three years of Pitino. Well, we got the three years. Part of that sentiment was that a NCAA win would be our deliverance. Didn't happen.
Assuming the Pitino era is over, and I think it is, the standard is still Jim Valvano with Tim Cluess a close second. (How you guys going to feel if the SJU deal falls apart?) Speaking of Cluess, how is his health? Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but I keep looking for his name to pop up in all this speculation.
Love Tim, but I want a team that's not a one trick pony.
With the clarity of three plus year old memory, I think the sentiment on this board was that we would be fine with three years of Pitino. Well, we got the three years. Part of that sentiment was that a NCAA win would be our deliverance. Didn't happen.
Assuming the Pitino era is over, and I think it is, the standard is still Jim Valvano with Tim Cluess a close second. (How you guys going to feel if the SJU deal falls apart?) Speaking of Cluess, how is his health? Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but I keep looking for his name to pop up in all this speculation.
On a personal level, don't care if Pitino leaves. But it's not about me, it's about the players and staff, so I hope Pitino looks at these kids and decides to stay.
They deserve to run it back at Iona next year. Could very well be the best MM program in the country.
As far as Cluess. No idea about his health, but I do know he's still following Iona hoops, since he has "liked" some of my tweets about Iona on Twitter. He's the real G.O.A.T
My thing is, Iona has essentially become the same exact programs as Vermont and Colgate. Powerhouses in their conferences that always find themselves getting the automatic bid but losing in the first round of the tournament year in and year out. How can Iona take that next step? Obviously that’s what Pitino was hired to do but hasn’t. It seems like that’s what the Iona administration is focused on and they’re not gonna settle for just anyone.
The next step an ncaa win could easily have happened with a non UConn matchup. Finally earn a better seed and get the worst possible matchup. Can’t just be good, need luck too, both in the Maac tournament and the ncaa matchup, and then in the ncaa game. In the latter 2 luck never has been there for Iona.
Last Edit: Mar 18, 2023 10:00:45 GMT -5 by Joebird
There is little loyalty in this business. It just is what it is. Not sure we want a “lifetime” coach anyway, unless that person is extraordinary. The larger conversation is what underpins all of this-what does Iona want to be re men’s basketball? Grasso would leave for St John’s in 3 or 4 years after Pitino is done there, if offered.
Exactly. One thing Pitino hasn't lied about. College hoops is now a minor league pro system. Is what it is.
Just as important as the hiring of the next coach, IF Pitino leaves, is for Iona to get the NIL collective rolling.
I don't know what he has done re NIL, but if he has helped to start a legitimate program that could be a bigger long-term contribution to Iona than beating UConn yesterday. He keeps saying he transformed the "culture." If that's accurate and people at Iona are motivated to do the little and big things to sustain a high quality basketball program that is good. If people want to win, expect to win instead of wallowing in self-pity and negativity (ah you can't do anything here, why bother?) that is good.
Edit: Nothing against Joe, see the above about luck. You have to make your own luck.
Last Edit: Mar 18, 2023 10:01:07 GMT -5 by hawaii bill
Then MG should make that a priority in his next hire and President Carey should not just dismiss the next coach’s buyout for no reason
Iona caught lightning in a bottle with Cluess. Iona fans have been spoiled.
Sure a couple similar instances were mentioned by I05. But that's only a couple out of 365 D1 programs. Iona needs to hire the best possible coach they can get. Whether that's Young, Anderson, Grasso or like Super has mentioned another coach who shows interest (there will be many). You don't make this next hire based off the thought of whether or not he might want to stay a long time. That's the definition of "settle".
Would be a huge mistake to hire a coach based on how long he might stay
BTW. speaking of Cluess and buyouts. I get it's a new president, but if Iona didn't waive the buyout for Cluess, you sure as hell don't waive it for Pitino.
Even if it was down to 1M, that money could have been used to raise the salary pool for assistant coaches. Which would have made Iona an even more Attractive job than it already is
I think we need someone who is motivated by a long-term vision to build the program to reach the next level. Of course if the B10 or ACC comes calling they will leave, as they should. But look at hires like Willard, for example. They were never invested in the program and they had one foot out the door and one eye on their next contract the minute they arrived on campus. I am just saying let’s avoid that profile if we can, I think we deserve better at this point.
Our possibilities for next year: Pitino, Grasso, Young, Anderson and I agree with Super, have to see who may express interest, got a feeling there is a big time option who will throw their hat in the ring, that we haven’t even thought of yet. One other name I would consider if interested- Tim Welsh. Iona has to now be considered one of the best mid major jobs in the country, think we will have some great options.
Last Edit: Mar 18, 2023 11:32:28 GMT -5 by Joebird
Iona caught lightning in a bottle with Cluess. Iona fans have been spoiled.
Sure a couple similar instances were mentioned by I05. But that's only a couple out of 365 D1 programs. Iona needs to hire the best possible coach they can get. Whether that's Young, Anderson, Grasso or like Super has mentioned another coach who shows interest (there will be many). You don't make this next hire based off the thought of whether or not he might want to stay a long time. That's the definition of "settle".
Would be a huge mistake to hire a coach based on how long he might stay
BTW. speaking of Cluess and buyouts. I get it's a new president, but if Iona didn't waive the buyout for Cluess, you sure as hell don't waive it for Pitino.
Even if it was down to 1M, that money could have been used to raise the salary pool for assistant coaches. Which would have made Iona an even more Attractive job than it already is
I think we need someone who is motivated by a long-term vision to build the program to reach the next level. Of course if the B10 or ACC comes calling they will leave, as they should. But look at hires like Willard, for example. They were never invested in the program and they had one foot out the door and one eye on their next contract the minute they arrived on campus. I am just saying let’s avoid that profile if we can, I think we deserve better at this point.
That's easier said than done. Every coach that interviews for the Iona job is going to say the same thing, lay out their long term vision. Any coach that has success at Iona, will be offered a HM job, paying much more money. Could be offered the job at their "dream job". If so they are going to leave. Even Cluess wanted to leave at one point. In fact wasn't it twice? Hofstra and SJU with the buyout killing it both times?
We got lucky with Cluess. This is a business, whether we like it or not. You don't hire a lesser candidate because you think he might stay longer. That would be a disservice to the program Cluess built, the fan base and quite frankly Iona itself.
Hire the best candidate and worry about the future when it comes
With the clarity of three plus year old memory, I think the sentiment on this board was that we would be fine with three years of Pitino. Well, we got the three years. Part of that sentiment was that a NCAA win would be our deliverance. Didn't happen.
Assuming the Pitino era is over, and I think it is, the standard is still Jim Valvano with Tim Cluess a close second. (How you guys going to feel if the SJU deal falls apart?) Speaking of Cluess, how is his health? Maybe wishful thinking on my part, but I keep looking for his name to pop up in all this speculation.
On a personal level, don't care if Pitino leaves. But it's not about me, it's about the players and staff, so I hope Pitino looks at these kids and decides to stay.
They deserve to run it back at Iona next year. Could very well be the best MM program in the country.
As far as Cluess. No idea about his health, but I do know he's still following Iona hoops, since he has "liked" some of my tweets about Iona on Twitter. He's the real G.O.A.T
Agreed. At this point, couldn’t care less what Pitino does. He has handled this situation so poorly and has proven that he still has the same negative egotistical traits that he always has gotten accused of. What I do care about is keeping these players at Iona because I’m very confident next year would be the best team we’ve ever had, with or without RP. What has he accomplished that other Iona teams have not? If he leaves - good riddance. Just don’t blow up an already good program that was on the rise to greatness on your way out.
