He’s always been like this. Guy wants to make the safe hire and coast into retirement.
Mitch vs Boosters
- Thread starter LXWildcat
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Fairly generous use of “playoff team”. They aren’t exactly rolling or a contender and by most every indication I can find, want him gone sooner rather than later.
They have 40 losses. Hardly a playoff team. They may sneak in. But I doubt it.
Donovan has been gone from college too long. Who knows how long it would take or if he could adapt to it again. Portal and nil are things he has never experienced. Drew is used to both, is a solid coach, and comes from a coaching family. I think he would do well
Mitch is very up and down. I like the brooks hire, and some other ones, he has also had some terrible ones.
He signed a 4 year extension last year. Who wants him gone from the Bulls?
By the way, the Hurley stuff sounds like a smoke screen. To keep Drew thinking he’s the second choice in case Billy goes south. He’s probably thinking it’s natural for us to be courting Hurley but doesn’t care to be 3rd on the waiting list. They don’t want to run him off. Hurley isn’t coming here there’s no way. Why hasn’t Drew declined by now, made a statement? Could we be giving respect to Donovan until his game is over? Using Hurley as a smoke screen?
I’m thinkin it. Billy would have shot that question down with the playoff game coming up. His job is on the line.
Holy crap I think it’s Billy!
I’m thinkin it. Billy would have shot that question down with the playoff game coming up. His job is on the line.
Holy crap I think it’s Billy!
It's gotta be Billy. The timing is just too perfect.
I liked Drew's approach when he had McCasland and Tang on his staff--he valued their input and was willing to listen and adjust. I've not cared for his replacements. They've recruited well still-in fact they've recruited better in terms of HS talent but too much ISO ball for my liking and think that's because the Big XII loves to have hand to hand combat allowed defensively. So you need guards to breakdown and bail you out as most teams are allowed to be far more physical then other conferences. But I hated his approach against Clemson in the loss this year.
That said, he was willing to adjust and pressure Clemson to get his team back in the game and did so early enough it helped his team--wished he'd have stuck with it as he took it off when it got down to a 1 possession game. But he made a great in game adjustment and really it came down to not caring for the guard he brought in from VCU--thought he was a bad fit for the other guys.
Another key factor in that game--his 84% FT shooter went 5-11 from FT line (JaKobe Walter) and that will lose any coach a game. Drew didn't trash him-but stood up for him. Good look.
Defensively I had a friend send me a text today that isn't as high on him and mentioned how the new rules have really seen a decline in the effectiveness of his defense as less charges have been called and it was a big aspect of his defensive rotations-he had that 6'4 FB player who was a great role player on the championship team--wore #11 and forgetting his name but he'd take a bunch of charges. Friend pointed out since they can't use that as a defensive tactic/weapon, they've had their "hole in the middle" defenses exploited. Missi was a help this year and impressed as a reclassified FR who left Boogie Fland's PSA Cardinals AAU team to go to Baylor.
Love his use of guards/wings offensively--just would like to see more flow/sets run and again this may not be a Drew thing--I hate Big 12 offenses that aren't Kansas right now. It's iso/bail out ball reliant on a single scorer or guards who shot jack-be it Lipsey/Gilbert/Jones, Shead/Sharp/Cryer, and when they played teams who could score in Tournament they were at a huge disadvantage.
But get Drew the Mitchell/Butler/Teague type flow/trio and they were fantastic to watch. I would prefer more from his Bigs--but they play hard and play to their roles in his system but at UK he'll need to tweak that IMO--can't just have nobody contributing.
Which is why I am for upgraded staff additions for him like he had with McCasland/Tang at one time and let's see what he can do-when he likely gets the job.
Put a decent-sized, but not extortionist buyout in his contract, so if he does leave for the NBA, UK gets a nice chunk of change to use towards his replacement.
That’s the first I’ve seen about Hurley being considered almost inevitable to try the NBA, but that could be a legitimate red flag if people who should know actually consider it likely. No matter how good of a coach he is, it’s not guaranteed that he’d win the championship in his first 1-2 years here if he were to be hired. Winning championships is hard, and winning 3 in a row or even 3 out of 4 hasn’t happened since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, and there’s been some mighty good coaches who tried. If you’re basically banking on just a couple of good runs before he leaves, it might make better sense to see who else is available, and if you know you can have a coach you consider somewhat comparable who would be in it for the long haul and build some continuity, going that direction instead.
Of course the debate will be over whether Drew is really that comparable, which is honestly tough to tell at this point. He’s been around long enough to have some disappointments in the tournament, so it feels like the excitement of a new star in the coaching ranks has worn off of him compared to Hurley being fresh off a back-to-back, but their career records aren’t as radically different as the recency bias suggests. I honestly seem to be in the minority at the moment, but I wouldn’t be outraged by Drew being the hire.
Of course the debate will be over whether Drew is really that comparable, which is honestly tough to tell at this point. He’s been around long enough to have some disappointments in the tournament, so it feels like the excitement of a new star in the coaching ranks has worn off of him compared to Hurley being fresh off a back-to-back, but their career records aren’t as radically different as the recency bias suggests. I honestly seem to be in the minority at the moment, but I wouldn’t be outraged by Drew being the hire.
They probably read Rupp RaftersLook at how smug these pricks are
You said playoff team. They aren't a playoff team. They're a 9 seed with 41 losses gramps.
It's a big story no doubt. But should Kentucky hire Lisa Bluder or Caitlyn Clark because they supposedly draw all these viewers and overshadowed the men's tournament-which I personally don't buy but each their own. I think people showed interest and watched but there's a reason that Phoenix had the 3rd largest attendance in the history of the Final Four and it wasn't because people are bored/hate Men's CBB.
Depends where you grow up. Big East Country they think the BET at MSG is the biggest event of the season and unmatched in CBB. That event is special to many Big East fans, players/coaches. It's unmatched in terms of electricity for a Conference Tournament and holds a place like no other. So as a player/coach who played in that event, Hurley may find that holds nostalgia too. Everyone's why/what they value is different.
We all got a peak into Ellen Calipari's view of leaving Lexington today. That was NOT a woman who wanted to leave. Thought it was cool of her to say goodbye and thanks but you could see that it wasn't her preference. Just because she's younger, what if that's Andrea Hurley's take on where she is now?
I first was all in on Donovan. Then I thought of logistics. He knows non of the players out there. Knows nothing of NIL. No players can follow him th UK. How would he assemble a team over the summer? Plus he would be behind from the start.
He hasn't experienced portal or NIL, but free agency / roster management exist in the NBA. Imagine telling an NBA coach they could hand pick their team, there's no salary cap, and they've got as much funds as anyone. Could be fun for them I'd imagine
Cal's gone and he's still insufferable.
I've operated all along that Dan Hurley and Jay Wright were top choices but never coming.
My choice was Nate Oats. I'm also a Billy Donovan fan but timing is up against it for UK.
Good friend Aike had a great comment of "this job makes you better than you are" and in that case, I'm warming to Drew because he does have a NC and like a lot of the players he's recruited/had on his teams.
My choice a few years ago was to reach out to Miami Heat Assistant Coach Chris Quinn but that was put to rest a few years ago hearing he was looking to be an NBA HC.
He tried to tell me Billy Donovan isn’t a good coach in another thread. Lmao 🤣 I’ve never in my life heard or seen someone say that
Lets just hope he does not call Billy Gillispie again. See how much better Scott Drew looks now?
Exactly what i was thinking. If it’s a 5-7 year deal with a decent buyout and he bolts for the NBA after 2 years, who cares you basically got 2 years of the best coach in college basketball for free
Rich he’s only makin 6 million per year and he’s about to lose his job to. Add it all up.
It’s Billy. The hold up is Billy.
I don't care who we lose in the portal. You take that chance if Billy Donovan is coming. Talk about a shockwave hire.
If the choice is between sacrificing this upcoming season (due to logistics and timing) to get Donovan or taking Drew and having a much better upcoming season (if he can bring his class and hang on to some current players/new commits), which way would you go as AD/boosters?
I’m personally going Donovan hands down but curious as to your thoughts on the coaching talent gap and ceiling between the two.
You take Billy every day. Totally United fan base, NBA pedigree now, knows how to build championship rosters.
And how many coaches (on the books) have won titles at 2 different programs. And Kentucky is the next best thing to the NBA. He can still have an incredible legacy. Look at his age and this opening, look at Chicago about to fire him. Listen to his answer BEFORE the playoff game, and the Hurley smoke screen tonight. No word from Drew I’m just adding this up again.
They better not f this up. If you can get Billy you get Billy period. Shock waves through the basketball world more than Calipari in ‘2009.
Hell really if you think about it it’s directly in front of our face.
Boosters won't allow Mitch to go after Drew without considering Donovan and Hurley. I say Hurley says no, Boosters say ''Isn't there someone you forgot to ask, Mitch"? And he goes after BD. And that's the hire. Drew gets a sweet raise at Baylor.
If Billy Donovan wants the job. then I'd take him 100 out of 100 times. Thing is I'd have to know NOW. I want to see him pull a Larry Brown (he left the Nets in the Playoffs to take the Kansas job)
We need to see the program start to get things in place. I tend to trust people who provide good information to me though and Anonymous who posts on here and has great insight into the UF program has REPEATEDLY said that Donovan is a no go for the CBB environment. Wants no part of NIL/constant re-recruiting of the roster, etc....
Scott Drew is what I'm expecting and if it's someone else--will support that person. But I was told Dan Hurley is not happening. Hope that there's some miracle. But I'm laughing how Matt Jones is shitting all over the UConn people for their welcome home greeting and ignoring that they have a Championship Celebration Parade set for Saturday in Hartford. I mean if you are going to dabble as a reporter then report the ENTIRE story.
I’m limited.
Exactly. Billy would have shot that down before the playoffs. No way he gives that kind of answer before a damn playoff game. Omg we’re about to hire Donovan. 🫣
Well maybe I guess unless it falls apart.
Unless Mitch screws this up. But listen a max of Billy a floor of Drew it could be way worse.
They won’t give the Billy the week. We’ll pay way more than 6 million and I wonder if Billy knows he’s not getting another NBA job.
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UConn definitely doesn't have money. They make $5 mil per year from conference, we make $50 mil. UConn is in a severe negative in operations, and barely could scrape together his salary now..... UK is far into the green. They do not have close to UK money it's not even debatable.
I'm still amazed that we're even having this convo. It's surreal.
This. Next year shouldn’t be that big of a concern with a coaching change this late. I’m more worried about the future beyond that and if we get Drew, Mitch is gonna give him a leash people didn’t know existed because they’re buds. You hire Donovan, wait 10 day 20 days I don’t care. If he doesn’t work out in 2-3 years then you can move on. That’s how it works sometimes.
And if the thought of Mitch not wanting to hire a guy that does so good he may bolt after a few years , causing Mitch to have to do the hiring process over again then that’s lazy on his part and maybe he could go ahead and retire now.
If it plays out I will support the program as always but the bones are screaming out in protest.
Drew doesn't feel right to me. I just catch nothing special. No outstanding area of innovation. No particular zeal exuded. Doesn't seem hungry, much less desperate to win. No bad guy/overdog streak.
Just a better than solid ball coach that may or may not have caught lightning in a bottle because it sure isn't like he is pounding at the door or at least crawling toward it tooth and nail to me otherwise.
I'll hope I'm wrong if he comes and be cheering on the Cats as always in any event.
The knicks are actually good tho. Doesn’t seem like they firing the coach anytime soon
Don’t think he will leave but you can apply why leave to just about every successful school that’s not a blue blood. Washington’s coach rebuilt them into a power, went to a title and Washington had the money to pay him whatever and he still went to Alabama. You never know, winning at UK is much different then winning at UConn.
If DeBoer won the NC do you think he still makes that move? If he won back to back do you think he makes that move? Obviously I disagree and think he'd be at UW.
Winning is winning. When you proclaim how you are part of a program that has "Run College Basketball for the last 25-30 yrs"....usually means you value winning at a level that matters quite a bit and think where you are winning is held in high esteem.
Look I get it, you want hope that a dream scenario unfolds. It would be fantastic to be wrong but was told it's not happening. So I process different. Let's see them move to people who want this job and want to get back to the point they can take elite programs on and beat them to get back to Final Four and win National Championships.
There has to be some boosters pushing for Donovan right? He’s clearly a bigger hire than Scott Drew
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