POLL: Coaching at “Blue Blood” Programs now …

[megablue]

With NIL$$$ and the Transfer Portal, is coaching and being successful at “Blue Blood” programs 1) More difficult, 2) Less difficult, or 3) About the same ?? Four (4) SEC teams in the Elite Eight, without Kentucky, certainly says something ..,

 

[megablue]

It seems more difficult to me … but it may take a few years to really be able to tell.

 

[Rafterman]

Good question. I would say it’s just different. If you are blue blood with lots of money then it’s probably easier but if the funds are all equal then it’s pretty much the same.

 

[UK90]

I’m certain it does not provide the same recruiting advantage that it once did.

Few of today’s players give a shit about what your program did back in the 40s and 50s. They just wanna hear how much NIL money you’re offering right now.

 

[know1]

At the Blue Bloods it's definitely easier.

 

[Mike-D]

It's as difficult as this. How good is your head coach? Bottom line.

 

[Blueheart32]

Not sure if it makes it more difficult but there is added work because you not only have to recruit new players but you have to recruit your current players that you would like to keep

 

[TNCatfanforever]

With NIL$$$ and the Transfer Portal, is coaching and being successful at “Blue Blood” programs 1) More difficult, 2) Less difficult, or 3) About the same ??

It hasn’t affected Duke. Still getting the best freshman and plugging holes with top NIL guys

 

[Fox2monk]

Seems more difficult but Duke is doing just fine so.

 

[Son_Of_Saul]

It all comes down to nil. If a program's fan base truly cares, they'll find the money. Kentucky lacks the billionaires that some other programs have like BYU, but we have millions who care. Are they willing to pay? That's all that matters at this point.

 

[Edgarman]

Good question. I would say it’s just different. If you are blue blood with lots of money then it’s probably easier but if the funds are all equal then it’s pretty much the same.

The problem is every top 25 programs actually has as much money as any blue blood program. Do you think we have more money than TX, aTm, Auburn, Bama, TN, and Florida. If Bruce Pearl needed an additional $2 million for a kid, he would call Yellow Wood and he has the kid. Barnes needs extra money, call Haslem. Money for schools is not going to be a problem, it is still going to depend on how good the coaches can recruit.

 

[megablue]

The problem is every top 25 programs actually has as much money as any blue blood program. Do you think we have more money than TX, aTm, Auburn, Bama, TN, and Florida. If Bruce Pearl needed an additional $2 million for a kid, he would call Yellow Wood and he has the kid. Barnes needs extra money, call Haslem. Money for schools is not going to be a problem, it is still going to depend on how good the coaches can recruit.

I agree with you ... and for Bruce Pearl, Tim Cook is a huge Auburn sports fan, especially football.
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, is a passionate Auburn University fan, having earned his degree in industrial engineering there. He's known to support the Auburn Tigers, especially in football, and has even spoken to the team before games.

• Auburn Alumnus:
  Cook graduated from Auburn University with a degree in industrial engineering in 1982.
  
  
• Football Fan:
  He's a dedicated Auburn football fan, often expressing his support for the Tigers.
  
  
• Spoke to the Team:
  Before the 2021 Iron Bowl, Cook addressed the Auburn football team, emphasizing the importance of pushing beyond expectations.
  
  
• "It's Our Time":
  He even used the Auburn team's motto for the 2017 season, "It's our time," in a Twitter post.
  
  
• Captains of Industry Award:
  In 2021, he was honored with the Auburn "Captains of Industry Award" and attended the Auburn vs. Alabama football game.
  
  
• Bruce Pearl:
  After Auburn's basketball team made it to the Final Four, Bruce Pearl, the Auburn basketball coach, convinced Tim Cook to add an Auburn basketball emoji to his Twitter profile.
  
  
• Travels to Games:
  Cook has been known to travel to Auburn games, even sporting an Auburn polo for a game against Cal.
  
  
• "My love for Auburn came through Auburn football"

 

[trueblujr2]

Good question. I would say it’s just different. If you are blue blood with lots of money then it’s probably easier but if the funds are all equal then it’s pretty much the same.

NIL has made it to where there are a lot more players in the game now. It’s why the SEC has more teams competing than ever. When you couldn’t openly pay players, the great kids gravitated towards the blue bloods for their history and tradition and exposure. Now there are a lot of traditional SEC football powers that have the $$$ to put towards bringing in great basketball players as well. A lot more competition for the portal guys and top blue chip players.

 

[Lempface]

I went with about the same. I still think the name recognition and prestige is holding on to its importance about as much as prior years. But this may change as we move forward. BYU getting top recruits is a sign, but will it become the norm?

 

[megablue]

NIL has made it to where there are a lot more players in the game now. It’s why the SEC has more teams competing than ever. When you couldn’t openly pay players, the great kids gravitated towards the blue bloods for their history and tradition and exposure. Now there are a lot of traditional SEC football powers that have the $$$ to put towards bringing in great basketball players as well. A lot more competition for the portal guys and top blue chip players.

I agree ... but bringing in not only great players, but great coaches, as well. The coaching in the SEC is pretty ridiculous !!

 

[bigblueinsanity]

Its definitely tougher. Much tougher. Before nil, tradition recruited for you. Now its just money. Plus you have to rebuild your team every year.

 

[megablue]

Its definitely tougher. Much tougher. Before nil, tradition recruited for you. Now its just money. Plus you have to rebuild your team every year.

Not to mention that transfers used to have to sit a year ...

 

[storm1507]

I really don't know how it affects coaching but I think that it is more difficult to be a fan. This year helped....hope it continues.

 

[megablue]

I really don't know how it affects coaching but I think that it is more difficult to be a fan. This year helped....hope it continues.

I know I'm stating the obvious, but especially in basketball and football ... it is hard for fans (fanatics) to remember and accept that only ONE TEAM can WIN IT ALL !!

 

[tf4fun]

It all comes down to nil. If a program's fan base truly cares, they'll find the money. Kentucky lacks the billionaires that some other programs have like BYU, but we have millions who care. Are they willing to pay? That's all that matters at this point.

How much money do you think it takes to build a final 4 team? I'm really curious in what people think! When you start adding up the math, that's being thrown around, it's crazy! Take dent for a example, you pay him 3+ mil how many other position can you throw 3+ mil at? Then fill in the other positions along with your depth!

I'm thinking BYU duke ect will have a nil over 20 mil! Am I wrong?

 

[ukcatz12]

I think the calculus on coaching at a blue blood has changed a bit. I don't think the job itself is any easier or harder than it used to be because most blue blood programs have NIL that is good enough. The thing that's changed is how the elite coaches themselves view the attractiveness of the blue blood schools.

In the '90s it was a huge advantage. Program prestige mattered to kids, the resources were better, etc. That made it easier to get the elite players and coaches would jump at the opportunity.

It's not like that anymore. You don't need to be at a blue blood program to win big. Bennett, Drew, Oats, Pearl, and Beard have all proven that at non-powerhouse basketball schools. A guy like Drew and stay at Baylor for the rest of this career, get paid very well, deal with low expectations, and have the court named after him when he retires. Short of scandal he's probably not getting fired. Going to a blue blood for him is just more pressure and more aggravation with almost zero additional benefit expect maybe a better salary.

In 2025 I don't think the pressure and expectations of coaching at a blue blood are worth it for the vast majority of coaches unless the coach has a previous tie to the program.

 

[truebluewildcat]

I think it’s going to be more difficult to dominate multi year cycles.

Football and basketball.

That’ll be fractal too. Meaning you’ll probably see it at many layers. Not just elite tier blue blood P4.

So Bama and UGA will be fine but we won’t see 3-5 year stretches of dominance where the only loss either of them have is to the other.

Basketball…not only did UConn, KU, UNC not sniff late round. But neither did Gonzaga. Zags not blue blooded but they are the elite mid major. Few was on a run of 28-30 wins a year and at least S16.

 

[ukcatz12]

I think it’s going to be more difficult to dominate multi year cycles.

It's funny, because if you look at the modern era this is precisely how most successful programs have gotten their titles. Being very good almost every year but dominant for a few years in a row.

• Duke: Three title games and two titles in a two year span from '90-'92. Two title games and one title from '99-'01.
• Kentucky: Three title games and two titles in a three year span from '96-'98. Four Final Fours, two title games, and one title from '10-'15.
• Mich. St.: Three final fours and one title in a three year span from '99-'01
• UNC: Two final fours and a title from '08-'09 and then two title games and a title in '16-'17
• Florida: Two titles in '06-'07
• Villanova: Two titles in a three year span from '16-'18

Tournament success at the highest level often comes in bunches.

 

[megablue]

It's funny, because if you look at the modern era this is precisely how most successful programs have gotten their titles. Being very good almost every year but dominant for a few years in a row.

• Duke: Three title games and two titles in a two year span from '90-'92. Two title games and one title from '99-'01.
• Kentucky: Three title games and two titles in a three year span from '96-'98. Four Final Fours, two title games, and one title from '10-'15.
• Mich. St.: Three final fours and one title in a three year span from '99-'01
• UNC: Two final fours and a title from '08-'09 and then two title games and a title in '16-'17
• Florida: Two titles in '06-'07
• Villanova: Two titles in a three year span from '16-'18

Tournament success at the highest level often comes in bunches.

UCONN had two (2) little mini-streaks:
2011, 2014
2023, 2024

NOTE: They also won it in 1999 and 2004.

 

[jace2012]

It would help all coaches if the players get one free transfer and then sit out a season after anymore. I don’t know how NIL would come in to play if there was a second transfer but they can figure it out

 

[ukfan1622]

How much money do you think it takes to build a final 4 team? I'm really curious in what people think! When you start adding up the math, that's being thrown around, it's crazy! Take dent for a example, you pay him 3+ mil how many other position can you throw 3+ mil at? Then fill in the other positions along with your depth!

I'm thinking BYU duke ect will have a nil over 20 mil! Am I wrong?

I feel confident in this answer to your question: nobody here knows.

 

[Duke Blu]

Seems more difficult but Duke is doing just fine so.

I wasn’t sure about hiring John when it was announced. I thought it would be too tough of a situation for a young guy with no coaching experience to follow K like that.

But looking back, and I don’t know if K and the administration had this in mind, but in this new era of NIL, I think John was the perfect hire. I feel like the older more established coaches ate struggling with it. In spite of Izzo’s success this year, he clearly doesn’t like it.

John has embraced it and if the way he has built this team is any indication, I think he may be a trailblazer in this era.

 

[catlogic15]

If we’re going to consistently get outbid by BYU for basketball players, might as well disband the program.
Just kidding of course, but this will get old very quickly.

 

[truebluewildcat]

It's funny, because if you look at the modern era this is precisely how most successful programs have gotten their titles. Being very good almost every year but dominant for a few years in a row.

• Duke: Three title games and two titles in a two year span from '90-'92. Two title games and one title from '99-'01.
• Kentucky: Three title games and two titles in a three year span from '96-'98. Four Final Fours, two title games, and one title from '10-'15.
• Mich. St.: Three final fours and one title in a three year span from '99-'01
• UNC: Two final fours and a title from '08-'09 and then two title games and a title in '16-'17
• Florida: Two titles in '06-'07
• Villanova: Two titles in a three year span from '16-'18

Tournament success at the highest level often comes in bunches.

Exactly.

What are multi year runs?

Staffs and rosters sticking together.

Lot more turnover now. OAD is turnover. We experienced that with Cal. People bitched the whole time. Is it fair? IDK you tell me? We got 1 F’ing title to show for it.

Throw in portal, NIL, and higher rates of staffing turnover due to money improving throughout the sport at all levels. As well as expansion of sports media/coverage and ability for folks to see and follow more programs:

Big dogs actually aren’t disproportionately benefiting in the new era.

They get the advantage in the old era. When they can recruit a core group of guys on prestige, keep a staff from hoping, get all the press.

Not in a era when Scott Drew says “nah I’m good at Baylor”

 

[storm1507]

I know I'm stating the obvious, but especially in basketball and football ... it is hard for fans (fanatics) to remember and accept that only ONE TEAM can WIN IT ALL !!

I think the March Madness tourney is the absolute hardest for the best team to win it all. Whether that is good or bad depends on if UK is the best team. I sure hope Pope has at least 15 years here. But, he's going to need to get UK into serious contention for a title in the next few years to keep the fans on his side. We are a fickle bunch overall.