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
Never said it was easy.
I understand it is a business. If you look at it from that standpoint, Iona is currently paying the highest salary out of any mid major program in the country, higher than Saint Mary’s.
By all indications, we should expect to get someone in here who is a top candidate who is motivated to build the program to the next level, and we should be prepared to pay top dollar to recruit and retain him.
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.
We cannot retain our players if Pitino leaves. Just a fact.
Post by hawaii bill on Mar 18, 2023 10:36:49 GMT -5
BTW if President Carey is perceived by the BE and television execs as someone who may be amenable to reasonable requests, here and there, that ain't necessarily a bad thing either.
Last Edit: Mar 18, 2023 10:58:00 GMT -5 by hawaii bill
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
Completely agree. We need only to look at Siena for what happens when you select a head coach based on cost and perception that he will stay longer - you get a stagnant program.
Hire the best we can and ride that hire for as long as we can/should.
Post by hawaii bill on Mar 18, 2023 11:01:42 GMT -5
Got stuff to do. I know most here realize this, some may not. Over the next few days listen to what RP says. He may answer a question directly or he may choose to ignore the question and answer with a kind of prepared narrative. If it is the latter, ask yourself to whom you think that answer is directed or is he just avoiding answering the question? Be well!
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.
That’s bs on luck, sometimes maybe but does someone who gets gifted a lotto ticket and wins a million dollar make his own luck? Sometimes luck is simply luck, actually most of the time! This is the same crap I hear when people say if you put your mind to it you can do anything you want. I want to play in the nfl, I have two replaced hips and I’m 54 years old, but if I put my mind to it I’m sure I can be playing corner next year for the NY Jets!
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.
That’s bs on luck, sometimes maybe but does someone who gets gifted a lotto ticket and wins a million dollar make his own luck? Sometimes luck is simply luck, actually most of the time! This is the same crap I hear when people say if you put your mind to it you can do anything you want. I want to play in the nfl, I have two replaced hips and I’m 54 years old, but if I put my mind to it I’m sure I can be playing corner next year for the NY Jets!
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.
That’s bs on luck, sometimes maybe but does someone who gets gifted a lotto ticket and wins a million dollar make his own luck? Sometimes luck is simply luck, actually most of the time! This is the same crap I hear when people say if you put your mind to it you can do anything you want. I want to play in the nfl, I have two replaced hips and I’m 54 years old, but if I put my mind to it I’m sure I can be playing corner next year for the NY Jets!
I hear that if you go to a meditation cave and take psychedelics the Jets may have interest.
Post by jerseygael on Mar 18, 2023 12:25:21 GMT -5
Turned on Mad Dog radio on my way for coffee this morning and every guest the host had on was asked about Pitino going to St. John's. Everyone said they thought it was a done deal. Hope we have started our search. Not sure what our team is going to look like next year but I think we will unfortunately lose a good deal of our current roster. Hope I'm wrong.
One thing about St John’s; a high percentage of their fan base comes across as knuckle dragging dese, dose, and dems morons. Must be a “fun” group to have to deal with.
I loved when Pitino got here. I believed what he said that he wanted to make us the Gonzaga of the East. He knew the challenge of being in a one bid league better than anyone. We can’t go through this process with him every year. Not good for the school, not good for recruiting and most importantly not good for the kids that work so hard to play here. IMHO….. time to move on.
I loved when Pitino got here. I believed what he said that he wanted to make us the Gonzaga of the East. He knew the challenge of being in a one bid league better than anyone. We can’t go through this process with him every year. Not good for the school, not good for recruiting and most importantly not good for the kids that work so hard to play here. IMHO….. time to move on.
Good post. Hard to argue when you put it this way.
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.
Bill,
Couldn’t agree more about the injuries. Walter, Daniss, Nelly, Shema, BJL all played in at least 32 games. That’s 5 of your best 6 players (not sure where you want to rank QS). Pitino talked like he lost his starting 5. Nelly and Daniss played in every game and Shema all but 1.
He is an incredible coach and among the best self promoters in his profession.
