The Official MU Coaching Search Thread

[PastorMikH]

Edit: In attempt to make it easier to actually follow the news amidst the banter talk, I will try to add links to articles posted here in the topic header. To aid in this, please post the link to the article. Also note, if you saw the news on another BB discussion, unless it has a verifiable link to a news source, I won't be putting it up here.


PastorMikH's post (#428) more on Curators meeting and info on Anderson deal.
Link (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/mizzou/story/D16BA8716F747C378625713D0024691B?OpenDocument)

PastorMikH's post (#389) concerning Special Curators meeting called to discuss Alden
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansa...ws/14192692.htm

PastorMikH's post (#385) on UAB's Anderson as new HC
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14186959.htm

PastorMikH's post (#383) More on Stewart taking shots at Alden
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/14180293.htm

Cochise's post (#369) concerning Stewart taking shots at Alden.
http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaab/news;...cnnsi&type=lgns

PastorMikH's post (#349) concerning St L Post writer's support for Altman as HC.
Link (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/B5592ABC79C88A288625713A00383D33?OpenDocument)

PastorMikH's post (#347) about Alden not concerned
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/14172968.htm

Posted by KingPriest2 in his thread about Link/Sundvold/Marruci out of search commitee. I thought it would be handy to have the link here for refference.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/14169528.htm

PastorMikH's post (#333) about Alden ready to start interviews
Link (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/mizzou/story/E0C98CBB5CE51CFF8625713A00744AE7?OpenDocument)

PastorMikH's post (#312) Alden looking to interview Mike Anderson
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/mizzou/story/2AEDF7B0CD2C4EEF8625713A002272E7?OpenDocument

PastorMikH's post (#311) Alford talking about non-interview and trying to keep from burning bridges talk.
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006...0322Spor005.asp

PastorMikH's post (#310) more on Alfort with some tibits on the planed hiring process
http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006...0322Spor005.asp (http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Mar/20060322Spor005.asp)

Cochise's post (#232) about Alford NOT interviewing at MU
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansa...ts/14160389.htm

PastorMikH's post (#202) concerning a tidbit about possible canidates
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2379069

Saulbadguy's post (#171) concerning Gardner declaring to go pro. No link

Booger's post (#164) concerning some coaching scoops from Sportsline
http://www.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/doyels_dribbles

nychief's post (#156) concerning ISU here and Alford/MU
http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9326259

PastorMikH's post (#150) concerning Beilein
Link (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/25598A9B2AD394B086257136002301BE?OpenDocument)

nychief's post (#138) concerning Sunvold upset over direction with Huggins.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/colleges/university_of_missouri/14155565.htm

TK13's post (#129) concerning hires that should not happen
http://www.sportsline.com/collegeba...l/story/9324444

PastorMikH's post (#101) link to the investigation report.
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sp...DA?OpenDocument

PastorMikH's post (#101) article on Huggins as a good HC for MU
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/mizzou/story/629D196CD9CCD0478625713300693CDA?OpenDocument

KChiefs1's post (#86) concerning Gabe DeArmond is endorsing Bob Huggins for Mizzou Head Coach
http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=525474


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I have yet to see any threads addressing this and thought maybe we MU fans could keep track of news on one thread.

I have came accross a couple of articles already suggesting a number of names.

For starters...

Anyone interested in Bob Huggins? Sounds like he's willing to talk if Mizzou calls and some Alumni are pushing for him according to the KCStar fishwrap

LINK (http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/colleges/university_of_missouri/14127756.htm)

He's 25th in winning percentage and 36th on the list of all time victories with 567. The Star article does suggest that the players he recruits can be problems and I read on wikipedia that he is a great coach but struggles in the NCAA tourney and has never beated a higher seeded team in the tourney.


I have also read a couple of articles from the Columbia fish wrap that throw some possible names (one even mentioned Tubby Smith but why would he leave Kentucky).

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Mar/20060315Spor005.asp

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Mar/20060315Spor004.asp


And here's one article from the Columbia Daily Tribune about the most recent investigations...

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Mar/20060319Spor011.asp


Any other Tiger Fans hear of news or have opinions on possible names throw them in here.

KU fans that want to add derogatory input should be told that we are hoping to find a HC that can actually get us past the first round of the NCAA.:)

[PastorMikH]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/colleges/university_of_missouri/14127756.htm

Huggins being boosted for Tigers job
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star

COLUMBIA — Bob Huggins has vaulted to the top of the list of coaches that influential boosters are pushing Mike Alden to hire as Missouri’s next basketball coach.

Huggins said Friday that he’s definitely willing to listen if the Tigers call. So far, he said, no one from MU has contacted him.

But, Huggins said: “We’re going to listen to whoever wants to talk.”

Huggins — forced out at the University of Cincinnati after 16 years, a 399-127 coaching record and 14 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament — said he wouldn’t be scared off by the soap opera surrounding Quin Snyder’s departure and the questions of Alden’s stance as athletic director.

“I don’t know that much about it,” Huggins said.

Welcome to the world of wooing, and being wooed by, coaching candidates.

The real news was that Missouri may finally be ready to seriously start contacting, even interviewing, serious candidates.

Multiple sources told The Star on Friday that if Alden and Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton can be convinced, Huggins could be on campus in Columbia talking to the search committee early next week. Alden said he couldn’t comment when contacted by The Star for a reaction.

One source said Huggins and Rick Majerus were being pushed as the clear 1-2 choices for the Mizzou job. Majerus, formerly the coach at Utah, is — like Huggins — free and clear to talk to Missouri. Neither is coaching now. They not only are the highest-profile names on Missouri’s list, but the most available.

“If I was going to offer the job to one person,” one booster told The Star, “I’d offer it to Huggins today. The guy can coach. We need to win, and he’d win.”

The drawback, of course, is that Huggins has a reputation for recruiting players that either are trouble or soon will be. Missouri backed off on Detroit prep star Robert Whaley after Whaley was charged with rape. When the charges were dropped, Whaley eventually ended up playing at Cincinnati.

Several boosters said that Alden, who just emerged from a messy divorce with Snyder, is concerned over signing any coach with a larger-than-life ego.

“But if you get a coach without one,” another booster said, “you may not get much of a coach.”

■ NO NEWS CONFERENCE: Earlier Friday, the office of Missouri systems president Elson Floyd announced that a news conference involving Floyd, Alden and Deaton had been canceled. One booster, who said he had spoken to Floyd, said Floyd told him that the news conference would not be rescheduled because it was time for Missouri to move on.

“That’s the best news I’ve heard in a month,” the booster told The Star.

The general thinking among boosters, according to sources, was that if Alden can be convinced that Huggins or Majerus might be the right man for the MU job, the process of hiring one of them could be relatively short.

Money is apparently no huge hurdle, and either Huggins or Majerus might be willing to be hired at a more reasonable financial level than some other candidates. West Virginia’s John Beilein, for instance, has a $3 million buyout.

The same sort of talk has linked Huggins to Kansas State as well in the last week.

“We at least need to interview him,” one source told The Star.

[Brock]

KU fans that want to add derogatory input should be told that we are hoping to find a HC that can actually get us past the first round.:)

Of what, the NIT?

[Bowser]

I hear Danny Manning isn't doing much these days........

[PastorMikH]

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Mar/20060315Spor005.asp

MU should make beeline to WVU

By JOE WALLJASPER Tribune sports editor
Published Wednesday, March 15, 2006

In the weeks since Quin Snyder departed, interest about the circumstances of his departure has given way to curiosity about his replacement. The names suggested have ranged from a guy who hasn’t been a head coach at any level - Larry Drew - to a guy who has won an NCAA championship - Tubby Smith.

It’s mid-March. Time to abandon the extremes and get serious.

If the next coach isn’t indisposed with the side project of winning a national title, Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden would like to hire his man by the Final Four.

As usual, the deficiencies of the previous coach will be priorities for the next coach. In this case, Alden is looking for someone who is low-maintenance, someone who doesn’t have NCAA baggage, someone who, if not a Midwesterner, at least has the personality and desire to fit in here. Alden wants a proven winner without an outsized ego.

In order, I like the following short list of coaches who fit that profile: West Virginia’s John Beilein, Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon and Alabama-Birmingham’s Mike Anderson.

Of the three, the home run hire is Beilein. The least likely to reject is Anderson. The most likely to use this process to get a whopping raise from his current employer is Dixon.

Beilein started at the bottom and has won his way to the top. He has coached in the high school, junior college, NAIA, NCAA Division II and Division I ranks with a career college record of 522-308. Consider the contrast to Snyder, whose first head-coaching job was in the Big 12.

Beilein, who is considered one of the best offensive coaches in the nation, took over a West Virginia program with only seven scholarship players in 2002. The Mountaineers went to the Elite Eight last year, and they’re ranked 22nd nationally this season. Although the 53-year-old Beilein is a New York native and went to college in the state of West Virginia, he has at least a hint of a connection to Missouri - his brother lives in Clayton.

Why would Beilein or Dixon leave established programs in the Big East - the best basketball conference in the nation - to rebuild in the Big 12? Money, for one thing. Dixon and Beilein make roughly $600,000 to $700,000, while Missouri paid Snyder $1.2 million. In the case of Beilein, he has a senior-dominated team, so if he’s ever going to leave, this would be a logical time.

The drawback is a contract that runs through 2012 and reportedly would cost more than $3 million to buy out. Four years ago - when Snyder almost left for Washington - Alden could have scared up that kind of money with a few phone calls, but his approval rating has dipped since the messy breakup with Snyder. If it could be done, though, it would be worth it to have the closest to a sure thing Missouri could get within the personality parameters Alden wants.

Dixon’s ability is a little less certain because he inherited a strong program from Ben Howland and didn’t have to rebuild it. But he certainly hasn’t let anything slip in three years, going 77-21 with three trips to the NCAA Tournament.

The 40-year-old Dixon has four years left on a contract that underpays him, although Pittsburgh Athletic Director Jeff Long has publicly stated that he will do his best to keep Dixon around. Arizona State is expected to make a push for Dixon, who grew up in California, but Missouri should be able to outbid ASU if Dixon is ready to move.

To me, Anderson is the next-best choice after Beilein and Dixon. He has guided UAB to the NCAA Tournament in three of his four years there and beat No. 1-seeded Kentucky in the second round in 2004. Until Louisville and Marquette defected to the Big East after last season, Conference USA was a tough league, so he’s competed with the big boys. The 46-year-old disciple of Nolan Richardson has a career record of 88-40.

His buyout has one fewer zero than Beilein’s. His full-court defensive pressure might be the best ticket to win quickly at MU, because the current Tigers struggle to make any shot longer than a layup.

So that’s my list. It doesn’t include John Calipari or Tom Crean - well-paid coaches who would be wise to stay put. It doesn’t include Rick Majerus or Bob Huggins - proven winners, hungry to coach again, but with NCAA and/or personal baggage. It doesn’t include Billy Gillispie - Alden is hesitant to poach from another Big 12 school. It doesn’t include the Missouri Valley guys. Although Creighton’s Dana Altman matches the personality profile, the fact he was fired at Kansas State is a concern.

Missouri could do worse than any of the names in the previous paragraph, but one day before the NCAA Tournament begins in earnest, why not dream big with Beilein?

[PastorMikH]

Of what, the NIT?


Thanks for the proof-reading there Brock. I have made the necesary corrections.

[PastorMikH]

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006/Mar/20060315Spor004.asp

Searching for its man amid Madness
Missouri angles for coach while tourney begins.

By STEVE WALENTIK of the Tribune’s staff
Published Wednesday, March 15, 2006

It’s been a month since Quin Snyder officially resigned his post as Missouri’s head basketball coach and nearly a week since the Tigers were eliminated from the Big 12 Conference Tournament, bringing a merciful end to a forgettable season.

With the NCAA Tournament getting into full swing tomorrow, Athletic Director Mike Alden is on the clock, and MU fans are waiting to see whom he will entrust with the task of rebuilding the program.

At least six potential candidates - Alabama-Birmingham’s Mike Anderson, West Virginia’s John Beilein, Memphis’ John Calipari, Marquette’s Tom Crean, Pittsburgh’s Jamie Dixon and Texas A&M’s Billy Gillispie - will be trying to steer their teams through the Field of 65. When their runs end, they might be listening to overtures from Alden.

Alden said Monday he wants to reserve further comment about the process until he has found his coach.

Calipari, 47, is the most well-known coach to be linked to the Missouri job. He’s also the most expensive. Calipari’s contract reportedly pays him a base salary of $1.15 million per year, and with incentives, his annual income exceeds $1.5 million.

"What I wanted to do was get him to the point where there wouldn’t be a college job he’d leave for," Memphis Athletic Director R.C. Johnson told the Memphis Commercial-Appeal in January 2004 after Calipari signed the extension that runs through 2010.

Johnson seems unlikely to let Calipari leave without a fight, but he might not have to battle to get the coach to stay.

The Tigers, despite playing in depleted Conference USA, reached the NCAA Tournament for the second time since 1997, and they did it as a No. 1 seed. Calipari could repeat that feat next season, as only one Tiger to see significant minutes is a senior this season.

Last week, he told the Commercial-Appeal he wasn’t looking to leave Memphis, but he said he’d be willing to listen to potential suitors.

"The reality is that it is much harder here than it is at an established school in an established conference," he told the paper. "That’s just the truth."

But asked if that meant he would jump at a chance to go to a BCS school, he said: "No. Because we’ve got it going here now. … But if I ever felt like there wasn’t an appreciation here, yeah, I’d leave. If you can’t appreciate what we’re doing here, then I’ll take off.

"That’s fine. But I don’t feel that way. I think people appreciate what we’re doing."

Crean, 40, likely feels the same way about his situation at Marquette.

He signed a long-term contract believed to be worth about $1.2 million annually after taking the Golden Eagles to the Final Four in 2003.

That hasn’t stopped his name from surfacing on candidate lists. He was tied to the Illinois opening in 2003. In 2004, it was Ohio State. This season, Crean, like Calipari, has been rumored to be under consideration at Indiana and Missouri. But he downplayed talk of him leaving Marquette.

"I mean, just go to the track record," he told The Associated Press in February. "There’s never been any reason to think those things." I’ve "got a long-term contract, got a young team. There’s no reason to even fuel that speculation or spend a lot of time talking about it."

Unlike Calipari, Crean coaches in the most established of conferences, the Big East, which earned a record eight NCAA Tournament bids this season. He is also working in the $31 million Al Maguire Center, a practice facility the school opened in 2004.

On Feb. 28, the 12th Man Foundation at Texas A&M announced plans to raise funds for a $13 million upgrade to the school’s basketball facilities. Those improvements might be necessary to keep Gillispie, 46, in College Station, Texas, at a school with little basketball tradition.

Gillispie has already received one raise at Texas A&M, and his contract could pay him close to $1 million this season. He will likely get another increase after guiding the Aggies to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1987 this season.

He has already denied rumors that he’d be willing to bolt to the Big 12 North.

"Despite what has been reported, I am not interested in the position at Missouri," Gillispie said in a statement, even before Snyder’s resignation was final. "It’s unfair to everyone involved that I have to respond at all."

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Saturday that Gillispie returned a phone call from Bob Beaudine, the head of an executive search firm based in Plano, Texas, who has been hired to help with the Missouri coaching search. Gillispie told the paper their conversation "mainly concerned one of Gillispie’s friends in coaching."

"Billy has given me every assurance that he is committed to Texas A&M," Athletic Director Bill Byrne told the Star-Telegram. "And we are certainly committed to him."

Pittsburgh might need to show similar commitment to keep Dixon, 40, from listening to offers from Missouri and Arizona State. Budget constraints have forced Dixon’s team to take commercial flights to most road games, and his current contract, which has four years remaining, only pays him about $600,000 per season.

Athletic Director Jeff Long seems prepared to give Dixon a raise after his third straight NCAA Tournament appearance and an appearance in the Big East championship game.

"I want to make it clear that we think the job Jamie is doing is outstanding, and we want him to be here a long time," Long told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette two weeks ago. "It’s my job to keep Pitt the best opportunity for Jamie Dixon. And I think Pitt is the best opportunity for Jamie Dixon."

The school was reportedly willing to pay Dixon’s predecessor, Ben Howland, more than $1 million per season when he left for UCLA three years ago. Dixon could command that much, and he has hired Boston-based lawyer Dennis Coleman to represent him as he seeks a new deal.

Coleman represents more that 35 college coaches, including West Virginia’s Beilein. Like Dixon, Beilein could be willing to listen to an offer from Alden. Five of the Mountaineers’ top six scorers are seniors this season, meaning he could be rebuilding if he stays in Morgantown, W.Va.

"I coach my team where I’m coaching right now, and that’s all I do," Beilein told the Charleston, W.Va., Gazette last week when asked about rumors that he might leave West Virginia. "I can’t help it if my name’s out there. All I can do is coach my team. And that’s all I do."

But getting the 53-year-old to Columbia could be expensive. He signed a renegotiated seven-year contract after taking the Mountaineers to the Elite Eight last year.

The deal pays him about $700,000 per season, but it requires Beilein to pay $500,000 for every year remaining on his contract if he goes to another school, according to the Gazette.

UAB’s Anderson, 46, could be a low-cost alternative to Beilein. He agreed to a contract extension in 2004 that pays him a base salary of $600,000 through the 2009 season. The deal contains a one-time buyout of $300,000.

Should he come to Missouri, he would surely be due a raise. He has taken the Blazers to the NCAA Tournament the past three seasons, and he guided them to the Conference USA title game this season.

Like Gillispie, Anderson was quick to downplay interest in the Tigers’ head coaching vacancy.

"I’m the head coach at UAB," Anderson told the Birmingham News only a day after Snyder stepped aside in February. "I’m focusing on our basketball season right now."

Though he hails from Birmingham, Anderson might listen to an offer from Missouri because MU’s facilities dwarf those at UAB and it would likely bring a heftier contract.

Those are not the only coaches Alden will be evaluating as he moves forward with the coaching search. More than a dozen have been mentioned as candidates to fill the vacancy.

A search committee, headed by Alden, that includes associate athletic director Mario Moccia, MU deputy chancellor Mike Middleton, broadcaster Gary Link and former MU standout Jon Sundvold, is expected to whittle down that list, maybe as early as the end of this week.

[Saulbadguy]

*Serious discussion*

I've heard boosters really want Huggy Bear at MU but I don't think Alden will take "the risk" of perpetuating the negative image of MU athletics. I think they will try to get a candidate with no "baggage."

I've heard rumors of John Calipari at Memphis (HIGHLY unlikely from what i've heard), Beilein from West Virginia, Dana Altman from Creighton, and even Billy Gillespie from Texas A&M.

The latter might surprise you, but i've heard that Billy is a bit upset with the A&M AD, because they won't commit enough resources to the basketball program. Beilein is probably the same situation, although he might just want more money.

[PastorMikH]

http://www.columbiatribune.com/2006...0319Spor011.asp


Investigations are over, but this case still isn’t closed

By JOE WALLJASPER Tribune sports editor
Published Sunday, March 19, 2006

After spending 24 days investigating Missouri basketball Coach Quin Snyder’s departure, Dalton Wright and Jean Paul Bradshaw admitted Thursday that their report wouldn’t change many minds.

Those who felt Athletic Director Mike Alden fouled up and covered up would continue to think that way. Ditto for those who thought the investigation was a witch hunt by University of Missouri President Elson Floyd.

But the majority, Bradshaw said, just wanted the whole affair to be over and for Missouri to get on with hiring Snyder’s replacement. That was how Bradshaw and Wright felt, and their report was an even-handed reflection of that. The only blame they assigned was that the university did a poor job of explaining Snyder’s ouster.

When Wright and Bradshaw finished answering questions, there was a can’t-we-all-just-get-along vibe in the cozy, hunting-lodge setting of the Stoney Creek Inn. At that point, it seemed possible that Floyd and Alden could go out and shoot a moose together. In fact, a news conference was called for the next day with Floyd, MU Chancellor Brady Deaton and Alden scheduled to appear together.

Friday morning, the news conference was called off. The university’s release said, "To allow sufficient time for University leadership and individual Board members to review in detail the report and related matters, the University of Missouri, the UM-Columbia campus and the MU Athletic Department will have no further comment at this time."

The key words were "related matters," which meant: What do we do about Alden? Members of the Board of Curators studied the report over the weekend and will decide whether they’re ready to put this to bed.

What Deaton’s investigation and the independent review revealed about Alden’s actions - the reports were generally sympathetic to him - weren’t as important as the fact that Floyd called for two investigations. That says all you need to know about what Floyd thinks of Alden. He doesn’t trust him and doesn’t think Deaton is strong enough to supervise him. Some members of the Board of Curators - Don Walsworth excluded - share Floyd’s sentiments.

What does that mean? Maybe nothing, maybe the nuclear option, although firing Alden would be a radical and expensive choice. Alden has four years left on his contract. Another scenario has Alden reporting directly to Floyd, as opposed to answering to Deaton.

For the good of the university - not to mention the good of the coaching search - Floyd and the curators need to decide fast.

The latter possibility would eliminate the middleman the next time a problem spills over from the athletic department to the university. Floyd would gain knowledge of what Alden is doing and lose the option of pleading ignorance when something goes wrong. If there’s anything we’ve learned in the last five weeks, it’s the destructive power of miscommunication.

In Alden’s defense, it’s hard to communicate with a coach who refuses to speak with you. But once Snyder had decided to step down, it was Alden’s initial vague explanation of what happened that led to two investigations. When asked by a reporter if he directed radio broadcaster Gary Link to give Snyder his termination options, Alden began his response ominously by saying, "Let me answer that in a broad way, if I could."

If you’ve ever heard Alden interviewed, you are familiar with his speaking style. The words keep coming, but when you’re done listening, you realize not much has been said. He isn’t that way in normal conversation, but when the microphones come on, the verbiage becomes impenetrable. I’m guessing that is taught somewhere in administrator school as a good way to avoid being pinned down by the press.

In this case, though, his rambling 465-word response got him into trouble. The gist of his story was that he simply asked Link to see how Snyder was doing and was surprised that Snyder had resigned.

Because Alden’s story was drastically different than Snyder’s explanation, we started down the road to the Stoney Creek Inn. A plainspoken description of what happened would have headed this off at the pass.

Beyond that, the Snyder saga highlighted a university communication system that is set up to fail during crisis situations. The athletic department, campus and university have their own leaders with their own spokespersons. That’s too many opinions to put forth a coherent message, particularly when there is friction between the Floyd camp and the other two. The first priority of all parties is protecting themselves rather than explaining themselves.

So the story keeps going. I like a good soap opera as much as the next guy, but this one needs to end.

[Saulbadguy]

I also imagine the Valley coaches are a hot comodity at this point.

Whoever the guy is from Bradley

Mark Turgeon @ Wichita State (MU would never hire a KU guy, so cross him off the list)

Dana Altman @ Creighton (Former K-State HC)

Greg McDermott @ Northern Iowa

Chris Lowery @ SIU (Overrated IMO. Hasn't done much with Webers former players)

[ROYC75]

KU fans that want to add derogatory input should be told that we are hoping to find a HC that can actually get us past the first round of the NCAA.:)


Keep hoping. You still have the dumb and dummer as president and AD over there.

BTW, I hear that Quinn Snyder is available. Hot young prospect from the Coach K tree.

[Saulbadguy]

I've also heard Tom Creans name thrown around a bit. However, I doubt he will leave. He told EVERYONE no during the UNC-KU-Illinois coaching search/domino effect thing.

[Mr. Kotter]

Two words:

Larry Eustachy

:D




FWIW, I think he could do a good job, if he's off the juice.

[Saulbadguy]

Rick Majerus
Steve Lavin
Fran Fraschilla
Mike Davis

Just a few more names. :)

[Saulbadguy]

Two words:

Larry Eustachy

:D




FWIW, I think he could do a good job, if he's off the juice.
He probably deserves a second chance, although I doubt it will be in the Big XII. FWIW he hasn't done shit yet at Southern Miss. I think he went 11-20 this year.

[PastorMikH]

I had the same thoughts on Huggins. Looks great if you are interested in Ws only. However, we never had any stains on the BB dept under Norm and I didn't really care for the problems with players that were a part of Quin's tenure. I'd prefer a coach that kept the program clean - even if he didn't put up as many Ws (As long as he puts up Ws though).


Until this weekend, I really wasn't for the names from the MVC. I must say I'm changing my mind just a bit.

[Mr. Kotter]

Jon Sunvold? :hmmm:

[PastorMikH]

Two words:

Larry Eustachy

:D




FWIW, I think he could do a good job, if he's off the juice.


There you go Saul - he might be a good fit over there in Manhatten.:)

[PastorMikH]

Jon Sunvold? :hmmm:



Don't know about him. I do know that if Alden gets canned, he will be one of the top names for AD. Thing is on coaching, he hasn't done any. Has his own investment brokerage business (or something like that) in Columbia and is quite successful at that. I could see him makeing a move to AD, but not coaching.

[DMAC]

0% chance but, Steve Alford.

[Eleazar]

Tons of good names being thrown out here. I don't really see anyone that I would be unhappy with.

I'm kind of skeptical about Altman since he's already had an opportunity in the conference. But any of those other guys sound like great hires.

Man, I can't wait to see a real coach come in here and restore credibility to the program.

[ROYC75]

Quin Snyder to KSU and Mike Davis to MU...... That should do well .

[Eleazar]

Quin Snyder to KSU and Mike Davis to MU...... That should do well .

hahaha... I might never see the season if Snyder got hired at K-State. I would laugh into cardiac arrest.

Mike Davis is one of the few names in this thread that would piss me off.

[PastorMikH]

Quin Snyder to KSU and Mike Davis to MU...... That should do well .


KSU could do worse

[Dartgod]

Keep hoping. You still have the dumb and dummer as president and AD over there.

BTW, I hear that Quinn Snyder is available. Hot young prospect from the Coach K tree.Like you should have an opinion on coaches who don't choke in the first round. :p

[ROYC75]

KSU could do worse Heh, if they think an annual 6th place finish or worst with a rare 5th is progress .

You could have a point.

Snyders resume ........

MU Big XII Final Standings
99-00 6th
00-01 6th
01-02 6th
02-03 Tied for 5th
03-04 6th
04-05 Tied for 8th
05-06 12th

[ROYC75]

Like you should have an opinion on coaches who don't choke in the first round. :p

For a coach who gets talent and not make the NCAA compared to a coach who does and losses from time to time..... I fail to see your point.

A annual routine trip to the dance is much better than none, or the very least an trip once in awhile.

[PastorMikH]

Like you should have an opinion on coaches who don't choke in the first round. :p



Kansas did not choke. They got beat.:D

[ROYC75]

Seems like many teams in the NCAA end up losing their last game of the year..........

[ROYC75]

This KU team didn't underachive IMHO. They were young, got off to a bad start, regrouped and did well.

As for the last game, choke, NO, but it wasn't our best game of the year by any means. We got beat by a team that was better that day than us.

One could use the term choked anytime a team losses if they so desire.( of which allof KU's rivals do when KU losses a game.) Guess that the price you pay for being that much better with higher expectations than a perennial losing progam as MU.

[Dartgod]

For a coach who gets talent and not make the NCAA compared to a coach who does and losses from time to time..... I fail to see your point.

A annual routine trip to the dance is much better than none, or the very least an trip once in awhile.
You still fixated on Quin? No doubt he sucked, but he is loooong gone now.

[ROYC75]

You still fixated on Quin? No doubt he sucked, but he is loooong gone now.

But your reputation as a losing program still lingers.......... As much as our last 2 NCAA tourney visits do.

Both can be easily forgotten in time.

[KC Jones]

This thread confirms what I already knew about MU fans - the vast majority have no interest in discussing their program at all. Instead, they prefer to gratify themselves on the couch in their trailer while watching video of KU basketball teams occasional losses. I just hope you kids wash your hands before you post on the planet.

[ROYC75]

This thread confirms what I already knew about MU fans - the vast majority have no interest in discussing their program at all. Instead, they prefer to gratify themselves on the couch in their trailer while watching video of KU basketball teams occasional losses. I just hope you kids wash your hands before you post on the planet.


True, MU has no accomplishments to speak of, except a KU loss. How sad is that?

[KC Jones]

True, MU has no accomplishments to speak of, except a KU loss. How sad is that?

I guess it's all relative - they feel like they just won the conference when KU losses in the national championship tournament.

Keep aiming low little tigers, it's the best chance you have of feeling remotely successful.

[Eleazar]

This thread confirms what I already knew about MU fans - the vast majority have no interest in discussing their program at all. Instead, they prefer to gratify themselves on the couch in their trailer while watching video of KU basketball teams occasional losses. I just hope you kids wash your hands before you post on the planet.

Other than the Pastor's jibe in the thread starter (which seems like it was a joking request to keep the thread on topic) no one was talking about KU in here until the KU fans showed up.

[PastorMikH]

Other than the Pastor's jibe in the thread starter (which seems like it was a joking request to keep the thread on topic) no one was talking about KU in here until the KU fans showed up.



Yep. Add in, other than a few responses by me in retort and your post, all MU fan posts have been on topic.

[Dartgod]

This thread confirms what I already knew about MU fans - the vast majority have no interest in discussing their program at all. Instead, they prefer to gratify themselves on the couch in their trailer while watching video of KU basketball teams occasional losses. I just hope you kids wash your hands before you post on the planet.
What a dumbass statement. This thread was all about discussing the MU program until the KU fans decided to drop by an shit on it.

[PastorMikH]

I am a bit more optimistic than I was at first. The names surfacing when Quin quit didn't excite me much. A few now are more intriquing with the way the MVC has done in the NCAA and there are more names surfacing that turn heads. Some of those names have a real chance of surpassing what Norm did for years with the program.

I do think that until Floyd and his pals decide what to do with Alden, their will be nothing more than just talk. Hopefully they will decide soon so they don't miss out on some of the better prospects.

[Dartgod]

Is there any chance Alden will be fired? I'm not real optimistic about MU's future if he is still around.

[beer bacon]

I guess it's all relative - they feel like they just won the conference when KU losses in the national championship tournament.

Keep aiming low little tigers, it's the best chance you have of feeling remotely successful.

This post confirms what I already knew about KU fans - the vast majority have no interest in discussing their program at all. Instead, they prefer to gratify themselves on the couch in their trailer while watching video of MU basketball teams occasional losses. I just hope you kids wash your hands before you post on the planet.

[Eleazar]

Yep. Add in, other than a few responses by me in retort and your post, all MU fan posts have been on topic.

Maybe they are secretly MU fans. I mean, all the signs are there. They spend half their time talking about us (obsession). Either they are denegrating us (self-loathing) or they are swearing they don't even think about MU (denial).

It's ok, secret Tiger fans, you can come out of the closet. We won't judge you.

[PastorMikH]

Is there any chance Alden will be fired? I'm not real optimistic about MU's future if he is still around.


Take a look at the article posted about the investigation (post #9). Sounds like they are still deciding what to do with Alden.

[Eleazar]

Is there any chance Alden will be fired? I'm not real optimistic about MU's future if he is still around.

I'm not sure about that. It seems like if the boosters are working to influence them then they expect him to be back. If not, I would guess they might be trying to force him out instead.

In any case, I won't care that much about Alden being around if he can make the right head coaching hire. There is NO excuse this time either - there are tons of names out there, established coaches, several of whom are currently unemployed. We have our pick of many of these people, so we need to move quickly and lock up whoever is our #1 choice.

[PastorMikH]

Maybe they are secretly MU fans.




Oh, I hope not. The quality of MU fans would drop considerably if that were the case.

:)

[Dartgod]

Take a look at the article posted about the investigation (post #9). Sounds like they are still deciding what to do with Alden.
Thanks, that's a good read. I hope he's gone. Heck, Floyd should be given his walking papers too over that Ricky Clemmons fiasco. Unfortunately, if it hasn't happened by now, it won't happen at all, IMO.

[PastorMikH]

Thanks, that's a good read. I hope he's gone. Heck, Floyd should be given his walking papers too over that Ricky Clemmons fiasco. Unfortunately, if it hasn't happened by now, it won't happen at all, IMO.


The University would be a lot better off in more areas than just sports if Floyd were gone. The University has gone downhil accross the boards since he took over.


It is amazing that, with the way fans felt about Quin, his removal should have prompted celebration accross the state and a state holiday named after the AD that got him out, Alden managed to handle it in such a way that he could lose his job as well. Talk about inept.

[PastorMikH]

BTW, slightly off-topic, Congrats to Ben Askren (174lb class), Mizzou's first National Champion in wrestling.

:clap: :clap:

[ROYC75]

Other than the Pastor's jibe in the thread starter (which seems like it was a joking request to keep the thread on topic) no one was talking about KU in here until the KU fans showed up.

Oh my, shame on us KU fans. It is not nice to do to your rivals as what they do to us / you.
:rolleyes:

Is MU's standards this far off ? You can visit any KU or rivals thread and start slinging mud but feel you are a victim when the tide is reversed ?

Speaking about quality ........... ROFL

[ROYC75]

Now seriously, speaking about the topic........

IMHO, I don't see a big name coach coming in with the 2 goons in your front office. Still alot of choppy waves for a quality coach to think about.

But that's just me......

[ROYC75]

What can Floyd and Alden offer and how could they convince a quality coach to come in ?

Looks like you will be going the road of an unproven coach who wants to take a chance to move on up the ladder.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Roy, You maybe outta stick to writing hate letters to the Peoria newspaper staff.

[Eleazar]

What can Floyd and Alden offer and how could they convince a quality coach to come in ?

Looks like you will be going the road of an unproven coach who wants to take a chance to move on up the ladder.

Missouri is traditionally a fairly strong team in a major conference. The job is by definition better than one in CUSA or a minor conference or whatever. Plus you factor in that the team has a brand new arena, strong fan support when the team is competitive, and that Missouri will be paying whomever it is a lot more than they would make anywhere in a lesser conference.

To act like MU is a crappy coaching job because they haven't been successful the past couple of years is ridiculous. What vacancy out there this offseason is more desirable? Take off the blinders.

[Eleazar]

Roy, You maybe outta stick to writing hate letters to the Peoria newspaper staff.

ROFL ROFL ...I wonder if his retraction on that 20 point victory prediction is forthcoming ROFL ROFL

[ROYC75]

Missouri is traditionally a fairly strong team in a major conference. The job is by definition better than one in CUSA or a minor conference or whatever. Plus you factor in that the team has a brand new arena, strong fan support when the team is competitive, and that Missouri will be paying whomever it is a lot more than they would make anywhere in a lesser conference.

To act like MU is a crappy coaching job because they haven't been successful the past couple of years is ridiculous. What vacancy out there this offseason is more desirable? Take off the blinders.

IMHO, I think until the 2 goons in the FO is gone, it will be tought for MU to get a quality coach.

[ROYC75]

Roy, You maybe outta stick to writing hate letters to the Peoria newspaper staff.

Ya think, Hate ? Really ? It was more of me being over confident that anything. Isn't the 1st backfire or willit be the last.

[ROYC75]

ROFL ROFL ...I wonder if his retraction on that 20 point victory prediction is forthcoming ROFL ROFL

No way, I'm still waiting for the 2nd half.
:harumph:

OK, I missed that one........ so what. We got out played, we sucked that day. The better team won that day.

Props to Bradley .

[WilliamTheIrish]

IMHO, I think until the 2 goons in the FO is gone, it will be tought for MU to get a quality coach.

No Roy, I know it wasn't a hate letter. I used that word for effect.

Congrats on a fine season.

11 years and counting on the outside.

[PastorMikH]

Missouri is traditionally a fairly strong team in a major conference. The job is by definition better than one in CUSA or a minor conference or whatever. Plus you factor in that the team has a brand new arena, strong fan support when the team is competitive, and that Missouri will be paying whomever it is a lot more than they would make anywhere in a lesser conference.

To act like MU is a crappy coaching job because they haven't been successful the past couple of years is ridiculous. What vacancy out there this offseason is more desirable? Take off the blinders.


Add in to what you mentioned that some coaches are struggling against larger schools in their areas for recruites (WV to name one, Texas A&M another) I think MU has a lot of qualities that could pull away even a good Div 1 coach from a successfull program. There are also a number of solid BB Coaches at smaller schools that would be willing to put up with the likes of Alden just to make the step to the top level.

I do think that if Alden gets canned and a new AD comes in it will help matters even more though. And him getting canned is a possibility (let one or two top canidates express concern about him and that will probably be enough to push him the rest of the way out the door if he isn't gone by then anyway). Don't see Floyd leaving so there isn't much to be done there.

[gblowfish]

Figures this thread would get hijacked into more KU loss denial.
Whatever.

Guys I could live with for Mizzou's next coach:

No particular order, and no points for spelling:

Majerus
Huggins
Sunvold (either one)
Kim Anderson

Hell...why not Jevon Crudup? He's not afraid to smack guys around to make a point... heh heh...

BTW: Who's the number two guy at Duke now? Maybe we had the right path, just the wrong guy.

[Mr. Kotter]

...I think MU has a lot of qualities that could pull away even a good Div 1 coach from a successfull program.......

Like, what? Seriously. :shrug:

...I do think that if Alden gets canned and a new AD comes in it will help matters even more though...

I believe that is a prerequisite. If that happens, you have a chance to land a decent coach. Otherwise, it might be a challenge. I'd dare say KSU has a better shot at luring a quality coach, if Alden sticks around.

[chiefqueen]

Rick Majerus
Steve Lavin
Fran Fraschilla
Mike Davis

Just a few more names. :)

I think some KU fans would pay for MU to hire Fraschilla just to get him off of ESPN.

[chiefqueen]

To act like MU is a crappy coaching job because they haven't been successful the past couple of years is ridiculous. What vacancy out there this offseason is more desirable? Take off the blinders.

Indiana, 3 nat. champs, last D-I men's team to go undefeated.

[Eleazar]

Indiana, 3 nat. champs, last D-I men's team to go undefeated.

Good argument for Indiana, point taken.

[PastorMikH]

No doubt the Indiana coaching job is the best to be had at this point. However, barring a surprise retirement, I think MU would be #2 right now.

[Pitt Gorilla]

I really think it's going to be Huggy Bear.

[Boozer]

Missouri is traditionally a fairly strong team in a major conference. The job is by definition better than one in CUSA or a minor conference or whatever. Plus you factor in that the team has a brand new arena, strong fan support when the team is competitive, and that Missouri will be paying whomever it is a lot more than they would make anywhere in a lesser conference.

To act like MU is a crappy coaching job because they haven't been successful the past couple of years is ridiculous. What vacancy out there this offseason is more desirable? Take off the blinders.

Given the "problems" running the athletic department, K-State is arguably a better opening. Traditional basketball power (last twenty years notwithstanding), "fairly strong team in a major conference," "strong fan support when the team is competitive," plus an AD and administration with a demonstrated commitment to improvement. They don't have the spankin' new arena, and it's harder to get athletes to come to Manhattan than Columbia, but that's all MU has on K-State.

[Eleazar]

Traditional basketball power (last twenty years notwithstanding)

Uh, that's a pretty big qualification.

[Boozer]

Uh, that's a pretty big qualification.

That was a tweak at the KSU fans. But MU is hardly better off. In "recent relevant history" (since current recruits have been in high school), MU's performance isn't any better (if at all) than K-State's.

EDIT* I doubt any kid is going to be impressed by "The coach before me took this team to the Elite Eight when you were in fourth grade. Since then...not so much."

[ROYC75]

I would bet Alford will head back to IU. Huggins in MU, He might, just to get back to coaching. I question anybody, ( a major name, Huggins, Majeras,Davis, etc) going to MU with Alden stil there. If he were to leave, maybe they could find a quality coach with experence.

With all that is going on at MU now, the KSU job is equally if not more attrative to them.

Someone mentioned Larry Eustacy ( sp ) . I think he would probally jump at the chance just to get into ISU's throat a bit.

I honestly like Melvin Watkins. I think he could bring stability and talent to MU if given the chance.

[Eleazar]

If I were a KU fan, I would like Melvin Watkins at Missouri too.

[htismaqe]

0% chance but, Steve Alford.

Why would you want him? Overall, he hasn't done any better at Iowa than Quin did at MU.

[htismaqe]

I would bet Alford will head back to IU. Huggins in MU, He might, just to get back to coaching. I question anybody, ( a major name, Huggins, Majeras,Davis, etc) going to MU with Alden stil there. If he were to leave, maybe they could find a quality coach with experence.

With all that is going on at MU now, the KSU job is equally if not more attrative to them.

Someone mentioned Larry Eustacy ( sp ) . I think he would probally jump at the chance just to get into ISU's throat a bit.

I honestly like Melvin Watkins. I think he could bring stability and talent to MU if given the chance.

Word out of Indiana is that they don't want Alford. They're taking a good, hard look at Randy Whitman.

[PastorMikH]

I honestly like Melvin Watkins. I think he could bring stability and talent to MU if given the chance.



Yeah, he would. A constant losing record year in and year out could be considered "Stable".

[nychief]

Like, what? Seriously. :shrug:



I believe that is a prerequisite. If that happens, you have a chance to land a decent coach. Otherwise, it might be a challenge. I'd dare say KSU has a better shot at luring a quality coach, if Alden sticks around.


best facilites and millions of dollars. KSU has been a joke, always, since Henson graduated at least. I mean if you don't like MU, that is fine - but spare me the KSU is better job bunk. You are smarter than that.

[Mr. Kotter]

best facilites and millions of dollars. KSU has been a joke, always, since Henson graduated at least. I mean if you don't like MU, that is fine - but spare me the KSU is better job bunk. You are smarter than that.

Mizzou is okay....but for many of the guys being discussed, it's a lateral move....or maybe a slightly better job.

It's not Indiana, UCLA, or NC though. It's not even Texas or Oklahoma.

Of course, as a KU fan....I'd say that; even if I didn't really mean it. :p

[Saulbadguy]

I think some KU fans would pay for MU to hire Fraschilla just to get him off of ESPN.
Who gives a flying **** what KU fans think about anything?

[Lzen]

Other than the Pastor's jibe in the thread starter (which seems like it was a joking request to keep the thread on topic) no one was talking about KU in here until the KU fans showed up.

Isn't that ironic?
ROFL

As per the thread, I think MU would do well with some of the MVC coaches.

[Saulbadguy]

best facilites and millions of dollars. KSU has been a joke, always, since Henson graduated at least. I mean if you don't like MU, that is fine - but spare me the KSU is better job bunk. You are smarter than that.
MU has a joke of a president and athletic director. I think that evens the playing field out quite a bit.

[Saulbadguy]

Roy, You maybe outta stick to writing hate letters to the Peoria newspaper staff.
ROFL

[Brock]

Who gives a flying **** what KU fans think about anything?

You do.

[beavis]

Mizzou is okay....but for many of the guys being discussed, it's a lateral move....or maybe a slightly better job.
Like who?

[beavis]

With all that is going on at MU now, the KSU job is equally if not more attrative to them.
KSU is where coaching careers go to die.

[tk13]

Beilein would be a great hire. I can understand Saul's argument for KSU that they just want to win and why they'd want Huggins, but with all the baggage and crap MU's been through I think they might be better off with something other than Huggins or Majerus... but that's where they're probably going to go. They really just need a good coach who's gonna come in and field a smart basketball team and put the focus of the program back on basketball.

[WilliamTheIrish]

best facilites and millions of dollars. KSU has been a joke, always, since Henson graduated at least. I mean if you don't like MU, that is fine - but spare me the KSU is better job bunk. You are smarter than that.

MUt's have a huge edge with the new arena.

Last decent team we had was 96. NCAA first round flop.

Anyway, it'll all shake out in the next 2 weeks.

I want Huggy. If not him, I want Doherty.

[KChiefs1]

Gabe DeArmond is endorsing Bob Huggins for Mizzou Head Coach...

http://missouri.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=525474

Up until now, all the speculation about the next Missouri coach has been just that. But we're now at the point where a new coach is going to be announced very soon--possibly as soon as this week. So I figured it's about time I quit just putting the names and the rumors out there for you and took a stand.

Who should Missouri hire as its coach? I'm going on record as being the first to actually say this outside of a random Internet post: Missouri should hire Bob Huggins.

Okay, I'll give you a minute to let the outrage subside. And now I'll say it again: The Tigers should hire Bob Huggins.

Why? Well, let me attack the reasons why not. What about all the baggage, you ask. Well, it's there. You'd be stupid to deny that. Huggins brings some baggage with him. Who doesn't? Rick Majerus does. Kelvin Sampson does. Steve Alford does (his record isn't that great and he did have a guy he kicked off the team for sexual assault). John Beilein may not bring baggage, but he brings a three million dollar price tag. Billy Gillispie would cost a ton. Jamie Dixon is about the only legitimate candidate who doesn't come with some sort of an attachment that gives you reason to hesitate.

Is Huggins a saint? Not close. He's had his fair share of problems over the years, most notably recruiting kids who turned out to have some issues with the law and one very public legal problem himself. As far as the DWI, if you have never had a little too much to drink and gotten behind the wheel, pat yourself on the back. You're a better man than most. That, to me, is a non-issue. It's happened to a lot of people and it should have happened to a lot more. On the kids he's recruited, he's brought in some questionable kids, no doubt. It would be nice to say he wouldn't recruit those kids to Missouri, but I'm not sure you can say that. Missouri's job is to make sure they keep an eye on the type of kids coming into the program.

Next up, how about the graduation rate? Here is where I am going to get into some dangerous territory. Do you want a winner or do you want a coach who graduates all his kids? First of all, it's not mutually exclusive. You can have both. But in the interest of full disclosure, if you made me pick between the two and I couldn't have both, I want a winner. There, I said it. I'm a horrible person. I want my team to win games. I'd love every kid to graduate. I'd love for them all to have 3.5 grade point averages. But when the coach of the basketball team I follow goes out to recruit a kid, I'm more interested if he can hit a three on the court than in the classroom. In an ideal world these kids would be brought into college to get good grades first and to beat Kansas second. If you believe that's the case, I might make the argument you're a little naïve about the world of college athletics.

In all that argument, you're just assuming Bob Huggins will have a deplorable graduation rate. I don't think he would. The graduation rates are much more about a particular school than a particular coach. Missouri's basketball team--and its athletes in general--had the best collective grade point average ever because Missouri has a great support system in place. I could be wrong, but I doubt Quin Snyder was walking Jimmy McKinney to class or quizzing Jason Conley on his history class. I think Bob Huggins would graduate a lot of his players at Missouri.

I've left the flimsiest argument against Huggins for last: The media will attack Missouri. What has the media done just about every day for the last three years? They've attacked Missouri. And last I checked, Bob Huggins wasn't the head coach on any one of those days.

document.write(insertImage('http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/898/338248.jpg', '338248.jpg', 1, 266, 220, 1, 'Kenyon Martin is one of many NBA players who starred under Huggins.', '', 1142835635000, 'bob huggins kmart 267', 898, 'Align=Right'));http://vmedia.rivals.com/images/spacer1.gifhttp://missouri.rivals.com/uploads/898/338248.jpgAssociated Press
Kenyon Martin is one of many NBA players who starred under Huggins.

There's this rule in place at Missouri that to get your number retired in football you have to be a finalist for the Heisman trophy (in addition to some other qualifications). That goes back to Brock Olivo having his number retired and Missouri not wanting to retire too many numbers. I don't think Brad Smith should suffer because Missouri retired Olivo's number when maybe it shouldn't have.

What's that got to do with this argument? I'm getting there. I don't think Bob Huggins should pay for the mistakes made by Ricky Clemons and Quin Snyder. He didn't put Missouri on probation. Yeah, he got Cincinnati in some trouble. Maybe it's a pattern of behavior, but it takes more than once for me to call it a pattern. It's not Huggins' fault that Snyder broke the rules. Maybe he'll get in trouble, maybe he won't, but to shy away from the man because the last coach made mistakes isn't much of a reason in my book.

And the fact that the columnists and talk radio jocks in St. Louis and Kansas City don't approve isn't even on the radar of reasons not to hire him. Let Jason Whitlock and Kevin Slaten and Bernie Miklasz say what they want. If Huggins comes in here and takes Missouri to a top four finish in the Big 12 and wins 25 games in his second year, they'll all be quiet pretty soon. If you're going to let the media hire the coach, just let them coach the team.

There are all the reasons not to hire Huggins. But how about the reasons he should be the next coach.

First of all, go down the list of candidates. Pick out the best coach. Some of you probably picked Rick Majerus. Everybody that didn't picked Huggins. If you picked someone besides those two, I'll just flat out tell you I think you're wrong.

Huggins took Cincinnati to 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments. He won 75% of his games. He gets the job done on the court. He won games with offense, with defense, with intimidation. He's one of those guys who fits the classic quote about Bear Bryant: "He'll take his and beat yours and then he'll take yours and beat his." Yeah, I think Huggins is that good a coach.

Next, he's got recruits waiting in the wings. Is hiring Huggins a guarantee that you'll get Jason Bennett (http://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=6228) or John Williamson (http://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=41948) or Ryan Pettinella (http://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=47624) or O.J. Mayo (http://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=16836) or Bill Walker (http://missouri.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=2&pr_key=23567) to come to Missouri? Absolutely not. But I tell you what is a guarantee: If you hire anyone except Huggins, those kids will never even look at Mizzou. Not one of them. All year, Missouri wished for a legitimate post presence. Bennett is 7-2. Williamson and Pettinella are among the better juco prospects in the land. Mayo and Walker are the top two players in the entire class for 2007. You get those five, let me coach and I'll get you a top five seed in the NCAA tournament.

Finally, and this is perhaps the best argument of all, you hire Bob Huggins so that no one else can hire him. If Missouri passes on Huggy Bear, there is a very good chance they'll have to face him twice a season. Kansas State and Iowa State are looking for coaches. We know the Wildcats are looking at Huggins and we don't know why Iowa State wouldn't.

Seven years ago, Missouri passed on a good coach to hire Snyder. And Bill Self went to Illinois and Kansas and has summarily kicked Missouri's collective butt up and down the court since then. Do you want to see O.J. Mayo leading Huggins and Kansas State to a Big 12 title in two years? Neither do I.

Bob Huggins may not be the best human being on Missouri's list of coaching candidates. He also might be. I don't know, I've never met him. But I'll tell you this: I do think he's the best coach on the list. I do think he's the guy that can put 15,200 butts in the seats at Mizzou Arena next season. I do think he's the guy that can keep every player on the roster here. I do think he's the guy that can get national recruits to look at, and maybe even come to, Missouri.

I grew up in a time when Missouri basketball mattered. When the Tigers were fighting not for a tournament bid, but for a number one seed. When you didn't win in Columbia no matter how much talent you had. When your program was one of the best in the nation. I'd like my sons to say they grew up in a time like that too.

Right now, Missouri basketball is irrelevant. Bob Huggins makes Missouri matter again. And that's why Mike Alden has to hire him.

[Ultra Peanut]

If anyone honestly believes guys Calipari or Crean would leave their current jobs for Mizzou, they're smoking some serious crack.

Even if it were solely on a pure money basis, we'd be matching any offers all the way into the $2.5 million-plus range if necessary.

[Saulbadguy]

Memphis could and would match.

Marquette? Um...how big is their athletic budget? I don't think they could match, but like I said before, Crean has turned down bigger jobs than MU.

[Ultra Peanut]

Memphis could and would match.

Marquette? Um...how big is their athletic budget? I don't think they could match, but like I said before, Crean has turned down bigger jobs than MU.You're right about Marquette, money-wise, and you're also right about him turning down jobs like Illinois.

[PastorMikH]

This from the Sportsline website is a bit of relief...


--Although interim coach Melvin Watkins made no secret about his desire to take over the Missouri program permanently, he has no chance of becoming the coach. He went 2-5 after taking over for Quin Snyder on Feb. 12 when the Tigers beat Kansas State. Watkins stands 111-137 over his career, including six uneventful seasons at Texas A&M.



You know, Melvin might be a good fit at either Iowa State or KSU.:)

[KcMizzou]

You know, Melvin might be a good fit at either Iowa State or KSU.:)Saul would be thrilled, I'm sure.

[Eleazar]

Tigerboard has an ISU fan saying that Rob (?) Jeter, UW-Milwaukee head coach, is in serious negotiations to take the ISU job.

[Rausch]

I have yet to understand how MU can continue to recruit talent far above and beyond what you'd expect for a school with as little success as we've had and still manage to underachieve.

I suspect, and I'm going out on a limb here, that if we spent 1/2 as much time courting coaches as we did players MU sports might see better results...

[htismaqe]

Tigerboard has an ISU fan saying that Rob (?) Jeter, UW-Milwaukee head coach, is in serious negotiations to take the ISU job.

They were.

Jeter just announced he's not going anywhere.

[CoMoChief]

*Serious discussion*

I've heard boosters really want Huggy Bear at MU but I don't think Alden will take "the risk" of perpetuating the negative image of MU athletics. I think they will try to get a candidate with no "baggage."

I've heard rumors of John Calipari at Memphis (HIGHLY unlikely from what i've heard), Beilein from West Virginia, Dana Altman from Creighton, and even Billy Gillespie from Texas A&M.

The latter might surprise you, but i've heard that Billy is a bit upset with the A&M AD, because they won't commit enough resources to the basketball program. Beilein is probably the same situation, although he might just want more money.


Im not replying to you in general but the situation instead. Isn't wasnt really Quins fault for all of this mess at MU. Floyd and Alden are the ones with the baggage. They need to go, plain and simple. Having this bogus investigation about Snyders firing is just retarded. This board committee of investigators are all season ticket holders at MU. There having this investigation because it looks good as in finding out what really happened but in reality theyre just covering eachothers asses even more. Jon Sundvold needs to become AD and there needs to be a new president of MU. Clean up the house and start new. If they want better recruiting, MU should go with Huggins. Majerus would be a popular figure for someone to go to play for but Huggins would be the best option to go with if they want success.

[OnTheWarpath15]

Tigerboard has an ISU fan saying that Rob (?) Jeter, UW-Milwaukee head coach, is in serious negotiations to take the ISU job.

According to ESPN, McDermott got the job.....

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2378077

[duncan_idaho]

I personally can't stand Mike Alden, but I know even he is smart enough to realize that his future at MU rests with the next basketball coach. If the power behind the program—the boosters, the search committee, the curators—wants Bob Huggins, and Alden refuses to hire him, and his choice doesn't have success in a quick fashion, Alden will be gone. That would make me happy.

I still haven't decided where I stand on Huggins, but the reports I hear are that he wouldn't have to accept the same high-risk players at Mizzou that he did at Cincinnati (SMS and SLU don't exactly compare to Ohio State and Xavier in basketball success); I also hear that an overwhelming majority of coaches and players who have known him say great things, while an overwhelming majority of coaches and players who knew Rick Majerus say negative things. Hearing things like that makes me feel better.

I'm not a win-at-all-costs guy—I was calling for Quin's dismissal as soon as the Clemons saga unfolded—but it seems that maybe you don't have to be to think about Huggins. If Jon Sundvold thinks Huggins is the man for the job (as I'm reading and hearing), that might be enough for me.

BS—The investigation into Snyder's dismissal is a chance for Floyd to exact some revenge on Alden. Floyd had a sterling reputation and was making great progress on his plan to create a university system like the one in Wisconsin, until he agreed—at the urging of Snyder and Alden—to be a "mentor" for Clemons; he then became a scapegoat. Now, Alden is in trouble, and Floyd is doing everything he can to get rid of him. I don't blame him, and I hope Alden's snaky ass is kicked to the curb.

[Eleazar]

Good lord people! I posted that rumor last night, as rumor, before the hire was made. I'm aware from the eleventy billion posts that Jeter turned the job down.

[patteeu]

This just in: Jeter is no longer a candidate.

[PastorMikH]

This just in: Jeter is no longer a candidate.


Hmmm, that's odd. Someone on here last night said he was as good as hired.

:)



:fire:

[PastorMikH]

Not seeing much new news today out there. I did find the full text of the investigation report on the St Louis Post Dispatch site for anyone interested...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/mizzou/story/629D196CD9CCD0478625713300693CDA?OpenDocument


The longer things go on, the more the thought of Huggins grows on me. Here's an article I read on the StLPD site about Huggins and MU...

Link (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/jeffgordon/story/832E36CD289322588625713800590E60?OpenDocument)


Bob Huggins coaching Mizzou basketball -– now THAT is a provocative concept.

It would make everybody forget about Snydergate. All the chatter about the circumstances surrounding Quin Snyder’s resignation/firing would cease immediately if the school hired the controversial Huggins as his successor.

Oh, sure, some media wise guys would have fun with the hiring. Some of us might suggest the school rename Mizzou Arena to Halfway House. Perhaps the floor could be renamed the Ricky Clemons Court.

And imagine all the fun that school administrators and their wives would have making phone calls to Missouri players in the jailhouse!
Advertisement


(On the other hand, Huggins and his staff would have to pay attention to the team’s graduation rate. Successfully completing a probation sentence does NOT count as “graduation” for the purposes of NCAA accounting. That’s something Coach would have to keep in mind.)

In a weird way, though, hiring Huggins could make sense for Missouri for the following reasons:


* Both Mizzou and Huggins have much to prove. The Missouri administration must demonstrate it can get its collective act together after the Snydergate fiasco. Huggins must prove that his professional life is back in order after getting cashiered at Cincinnati.


* Missouri could have trouble competing for the hottest coaching prospects this spring, given its tarnished image within the industry. Huggins would have trouble competing for the top posts for the same reason. The two sides need each other.


* After enduring NCAA sanctions, then public embarrassment over the unhappy Clemons Affair, we presume Missouri wants to prove that it can run a basketball program the right way.

Huggins should have the same motivation after absorbing sustained criticism for bringing players with legal and academic issues to Cincinnati.


* If Missouri hired Huggins, the NCAA, the media and the entire college basketball community would keep a close eye on the program. Such intense scrutiny would presumably encourage the basketball program to operate within reasonable boundaries.


* Missouri literally can’t afford a long rebuilding program. Athletic director Mike Alden has built a more ambitious -– and expensive -– department since coming to Columbia. He counts on the men’s basketball team to pay lots of bills for the non-revenue sports.

And Huggins is all about winning. He would set the NCAA Tournament as his goal for 2007 and every year beyond that.


* Missouri should place strict guidelines on its next coach. The school should expect exemplary off-court behavior from such a high-profile employee.

The school should insist that this high-profile coach work closely with the athletic director and chancellor. The school should set clear recruiting guidelines and refuse to pursue players with serious legal or academic issues.

Given all the problems that arose in Cincinnati, Huggins will have to accept a short lease on his next job. Such restraints would make it easier for him to rehabilitate his image. He would be forced to take the high road to success.

He is an excellent coach. He doesn’t need to take short cuts to win.


As the pro-Huggins camp beats the drum to promote his candidacy, the debate rages here at STLtoday.com and elsewhere on the Internet. Would this be a brilliant move for Mizzou -– or a dreadful mistake?

I think it could actually work. Huggins seems to have the backing of Jon Sundvold, the universally respected former Missouri star. Sundvold can build Boone County support for the new coach. He can foam the runway for an easier landing.

We know from Charlie Spoonhour that Huggins isn’t nearly the ogre he appears to be from a distance. Underneath that glowering visage is a personable and funny guy. We’re not sure he is ready to show that side of himself on a daily basis, but it is in there somewhere.

Huggins would get the full attention of the incumbent players and recruits. Some may still seek their release, but none would doubt the coach’s determination to turn the program on a dime.

And for those who say Huggins’ hiring would give the basketball program a black eye, let’s get real. Under the previous coaches, recruiters Tony Harvey and Rich Daly went after many of the same guys Huggins sought for Cincinnati.

Snyder and Norm Stewart took lots of chances on kids. Most worked out, but some backfired. The point is, the bar wasn’t a whole lot higher here than at Cincinnati. So let’s not get all high and mighty about Huggins.

This guy deserves another chance and Missouri fans deserve a better basketball program. Why not take the shot?

One thing is certain: The result would not be boring

[Saulbadguy]

GOD ****ING DAMNIT WEISER HIRE HUGGINS!!!

[PastorMikH]

GOSH DARNIT WEISER HIRE WATKINS!!!




Fixed it for you.


:D

[Saulbadguy]

Hahahahaha. Melvin Watkins.

[PastorMikH]

Hahahahaha. Melvin Watkins.



I sure hope Huggy doesn't retain him as part of the coaching staff.


BTW, seriously, I know Huggy has to be on KSU's list as well, but what other names are coming up around Manhattan?

[Saulbadguy]

I read that Brady Deaton is against hiring Huggins as well.

[Saulbadguy]

BTW, seriously, I know Huggy has to be on KSU's list as well, but what other names are coming up around Manhattan?

In order..


Rick Majerus
Mike Davis
Mike Anderson
Mick Cronin
Jeff Capel
Chris Lowery
Mark Fox
Steve Lavin

[Eleazar]

I have a big feeling that it's going to be Huggins. Maybe before the week is out. Just from the stuff I have read around the web and heard on sports radio lately... admittedly, all of these are the most dubious of sources. Admittedly, I don't have any evidence.

I just think that it makes too much sense not to be true.

He's got too good of a record for a team desperately seeking to return to respectability in the conference to pass him by. 14 straight tournament appearances. 20 years out of 24 his teams won 20 games. 1 more final four than Missouri has as a university.

As for his choker rap, blah. Roy Williams used to get called a choker too. There's no mystical hex on a head coach. Nothing to prevent him from winning tournament games and reaching another final four. Besides, even without big tournament wins, his run at Cincy is light years better than what we've been dealing with for years now.

He needs to prove he can turn over a new leaf just as bad as Missouri does.

He can recruit superior talent and coach the team on the floor, something we have been lacking for a long time.

He's the 'name' coach with the most reasonable price tag.

He has at least a good portion of booster/alum support by many accounts.

I think it's the perfect match. I can't see why Missouri would not hire him post haste.

Much of this also rests on the way Huggins acted on 810 in the interview last week. He dodged the questions about whether he had been contacted or if he wanted the job like there was some negotiation going on. Sure, people in the three local medias have conflicting information they are running out all day long, but this was firsthand observation of the source.

Just got a feeling he's going to be it, and trotted out there soon probably.

[PastorMikH]

He can recruit superior talent and coach the team on the floor, something we have been lacking for a long time.


Right here is a gem. He's been able to recruit quality players just like Quin has been able to. Norm was a bit weak in recruiting. He'd have a couple of stars, ride them to graduation, then go recruit a few more giving the two year lull that happened over and over, while those players developed. Add in the ability to actually coach the players - Norm's stregnth and Quin's weakness, I think he could bring in the best of both Norm and Quin.

And with the problems of ethics. Both he and MU have to overcome their past wrong doings, so hopefully they both try to keep their noses clean.

[Eleazar]

And with the problems of ethics. Both he and MU have to overcome their past wrong doings, so hopefully they both try to keep their noses clean.

The school is being very quiet about who is being interviewed and not really saying a word about the process. That kind of leads me to believe that Huggins might be their guy, and they are trying to keep the media speculation down until the announcement is made, at which point it will be a done deal and not worth Miklsasz (sp) or Kietzman or whomever else crying about.

[PastorMikH]

I hope they are just keeping quite and not going about looking for a coach like Carl is with FAs.

Talked to Dad last night and he said there isn't anything about the coaching search in the Columbia media.


Alden may not want Huggins because he'll be a big enough profile guy that Alden won't be able to push him like he did Quin. Give him a few seasons of W's and He would have more pull than Alden.

[Saulbadguy]

You know....MU has had alot of time to court Huggins. I would have thought they'd pull the trigger earlier than this, if they were going to.

[Brock]

You know....MU has had alot of time to court Huggins. I would have thought they'd pull the trigger earlier than this, if they were going to.

Maybe they're going to pick off one of those "mid major" guys.

[Saulbadguy]

Maybe they're going to pick off one of those "mid major" guys.
Why the quotes?

[Eleazar]

You know....MU has had alot of time to court Huggins. I would have thought they'd pull the trigger earlier than this, if they were going to.

It is hard to imagine... I just chalked it up to indecision from the decision makers. We know that has been rampant recently.

I just wanted to spice things up with a totally baseless prediction. I have no evidence to back it up. I'm just guessing what will happen and publishing it here in an effort to be able to claim I knew what was going to happen all along.

Maybe if I'm wrong I'll just shrug and revise my post. I will be the Nick Athan of MU sports. :p

[Saulbadguy]

Right now i'd say K-State has a 32.2 percent chance of landing Huggins.

[Skip Towne]

Maybe they're going to pick off one of those "mid major" guys.
Yep, they are waiting for the Dance to end I suppose. Why else are they waiting? Maybe they're eyeing Coach K.

[Brock]

Why the quotes?

Because I think it's vocabulary of the past.

[PastorMikH]

You know....MU has had alot of time to court Huggins. I would have thought they'd pull the trigger earlier than this, if they were going to.


I can't nail it down to any particular source, but I think they have been waiting for the investigation to be over before getting going with their search. Though your point is a good one. Huggy was available the day Quin quit and he could have actually finished out the season had they gotten moving sooner.

[Saulbadguy]

Hmm..

Coaches in the Dance:

Duke: Coach K isn't going anywhere.

LSU: Don't even know who the coach is there. LSU has tons of money. I doubt he will go anywhere.

West Virginia: I've heard rumors of Beilein going to MU. He isn't getting the $$$ or support he wants in West Virginia.

Texas: No way.

Memphis: I've heard rumors of Calipari to MU, but they've quicky been squashed, multiple times.

Bradley: Don't know his name, but I know he is coaching his alma mater. I doubt he would go anywhere, but wouldn't that be poetic justice for K-State or MU?

Gonzaga: Few loves his situation. He's turned down others before.

UCLA: No.

UConn: No.

Washington: No. But more of a chance than the previous two.

GMU: Interesting pick. Again, I don't know much about the coach there, but surely either K-State or MU could pay more than George Mason pays.

Wichita State: Turgeon is a Jayhawk. Plus he loves Wichita. No way, no how.

Villanova: Nope.

Boston College: Nope.

Florida: Nope.

Georgetown: Nope.

[Saulbadguy]

Of course, we have to think about assistants within those programs, as well.

[gblowfish]

I just hope Mrs. Floyd help gets all dem crackers outta de Athletic Department! Damn Crackers!!

[patteeu]

Not seeing much new news today out there. I did find the full text of the investigation report on the St Louis Post Dispatch site for anyone interested...

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/mizzou/story/629D196CD9CCD0478625713300693CDA?OpenDocument

...

And for those who say Huggins’ hiring would give the basketball program a black eye, let’s get real. Under the previous coaches, recruiters Tony Harvey and Rich Daly went after many of the same guys Huggins sought for Cincinnati....

Yesterday when I saw a post of yours talking about how Missouri never had any real rules-violation controversies under Norm Stewart, I was trying to remember the name of an assistant who had the original Detroit connection (circa Doug Smith) who had resigned amid controversy during Norm's tenure. This article mentions him: Rich Daly. But when I googled him to remember the circumstances of his departure I found out that he was subsequently cleared by the NCAA of the ethical lapse that a preliminary investigation had indicated (something to do with a recruiting trip that it turned out he had never made). Learn something new everyday. I'm glad to find out that you were more right than I was on that subject. :thumb:

[PastorMikH]

Please be careful there Mr Blowfish, I don't know if a Mod would consider that over the line or not, but I do know that can be a rather fine line.
No offense felt or intended, there's a lot of good insights from a lot of posters here and I don't want to start down a road that might get the thread yanked.

[gblowfish]

Please be careful there Mr Blowfish, I don't know if a Mod would consider that over the line or not, but I do know that can be a rather fine line.
No offense felt or intended, there's a lot of good insights from a lot of posters here and I don't want to start down a road that might get the thread yanked.I'm just saying the fish is rotten from the head down. Check the jailhouse tapes from Rickey Clemon's greatest hits.

[PastorMikH]

Yesterday when I saw a post of yours talking about how Missouri never had any real rules-violation controversies under Norm Stewart, I was trying to remember the name of an assistant who had the original Detroit connection (circa Doug Smith) who had resigned amid controversy during Norm's tenure. This article mentions him: Rich Daly. But when I googled him to remember the circumstances of his departure I found out that he was subsequently cleared by the NCAA of the ethical lapse that a preliminary investigation had indicated (something to do with a recruiting trip that it turned out he had never made). Learn something new everyday. I'm glad to find out that you were more right than I was on that subject. :thumb:


Actually, I was feeling abit wrong myself. Forgot that I mentioned that or I would have retracted that part. Norm did have allegations brought up that I had forgoten about. Seems if I remember right, Daly was supposed to only be recruiting within certain geographic parameters and the allegations were that he was trying recruit outside of the parameters set for him. Though it's been a long time and my memory is rather cloudy on it.

[PastorMikH]

I'm just saying the fish is rotten from the head down. Check the jailhouse tapes from Rickey Clemon's greatest hits.


Oh, I definately agree with you there!

Who in their right minds would pay a player as bad as Clemons to play? If you are going to break the rules, at least have the common decency to break them on a player that actually helps the team.:):)


When Clemons played, he was usually the MVP of the game (for the other team).

[gblowfish]

Yesterday when I saw a post of yours talking about how Missouri never had any real rules-violation controversies under Norm Stewart, I was trying to remember the name of an assistant who had the original Detroit connection (circa Doug Smith) who had resigned amid controversy during Norm's tenure. This article mentions him: Rich Daly. But when I googled him to remember the circumstances of his departure I found out that he was subsequently cleared by the NCAA of the ethical lapse that a preliminary investigation had indicated (something to do with a recruiting trip that it turned out he had never made). Learn something new everyday. I'm glad to find out that you were more right than I was on that subject. :thumb:The assistant was Rich Daily. He also took over the team when Norm was out with colon cancer. He was the pipeline guy who worked the coaches in the Detroit area. That brought in guys like Buntin, McIntyre, Paulding and Arthur Johnson. There was a question of influence peddling over the whole Detroit pipeline. Daily got canned over it.

[tk13]

I missed this if it was posted earlier, but Gregg Doyel of CBS Sportsline did a column of the 10 coaching hires that shouldn't happen this offseason...

http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9324444

2. Bob Huggins to Missouri: Speaking of Huggs ... this marriage makes less sense than Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley. Or Michael Jackson and anyone. Former Missouri coach Quin Snyder was brought down by a steady stream of renegade players like Ricky Clemons, Duane John and Randy Pulley. And now, riding into town on his black horse, Bob Huggins? King of the renegades? You know I like you, Huggs, but let's keep it real. About the only player Snyder wanted to get into Missouri but couldn't was Robert Whaley ... and Whaley ended up playing for Huggins at Cincinnati. Still, plenty of big-money boosters want this hire to happen. Goes to show that even rich people can be stupid.

[KChiefs1]

I've heard Huggins is going to Temple.

[nychief]

I've heard Huggins is going to Temple.

bullshit. Brusier whathisname is the guy.

[PastorMikH]

Hmm..

Coaches in the Dance:





It just occured to me, they could be waiting on an coach who's team is still going in the NIT. With Alden calling shots, it wouldn't surprise me at all.

[ChiefsFanatic]

I just found out that John Calipari was an assistant coach for KU under Ted Owens.

[Saulbadguy]

http://www.powermizzou.com

Check out the headline. Rick Majerus is one of the names. The other? I'm not sure..but I bet it is Bob Huggins.

[Saulbadguy]

READ THIS POST.

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=3356441

[booger]

According to one source in the coaching circle, Steve Alford has agreed to interview with the Missouri Tigers later this week. I'm waiting for confirmation from a second source.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CycloneFanatic.com

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/news.php

The same poster at this site said last night that Rob Jeter would be introduced today as ISU's next HC.

[tk13]

READ THIS POST.

http://www.tigerboard.com/boards/missouri-tigers.php?message=3356441
That would be the smart move. I have zero faith that the leadership, boosters, and fans of MU are nearly that smart though. I don't know, I just don't see the list of available coaches as Bob Huggins then everybody else. He's a good coach, and he should be considered... but it seems like a lot of them are gonna be upset if it's not Huggins. There are other good coaches out there from both major and mid-major schools, you should at least be a bit more open minded.

[nychief]

Sundvold angered by exclusion of Huggins, Majerus in MU search
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star

Jon Sundvold began Tuesday hoping he’d be on an airplane to interview Quin Snyder’s replacement as Missouri basketball coach.

But the day ended with the search process still grounded in inertia, 39 days after Snyder resigned on Feb. 10, and search committee member Sundvold harshly criticizing a decision not to interview Bob Huggins or Rick Majerus for the vacant position.

“I’m disappointed that Rick Majerus and Bob Huggins are not being considered, even to have an interview with our committee,” Sundvold told The Star. “Our work the last three weeks has indicated that these two men could potentially be good fits at the University of Missouri.”

Sundvold, a former MU basketball star who recommended that the Tigers hire current Kansas coach Bill Self when Missouri athletic director Mike Alden chose Snyder, had personally championed Huggins and Majerus this time.

Sundvold was fully aware of Majerus’ having violated NCAA rules while at Utah and of Huggins’ record of recruiting players at Cincinnati who too often wound up on police blotters.

When faced with Alden’s objections, Sundvold appealed to Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton. Sundvold said Deaton told him he “wasn’t comfortable” with considering Huggins or Majerus.

“I respect Brady Deaton’s opinion,” Sundvold said. “I wish they would have told us this four weeks ago. I went into this with an open mind and took a look at two guys that I might not have considered at first.

“But you look into the depths of two guys. I thought they would be two candidates that should be interviewed. That’s not going to happen.”

Needing to hire a coach with a pristine off-court record would also then likely strike Memphis coach John Calipari and Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson from consideration at MU. Calipari had NCAA problems at Massachusetts, and Sampson is involved in a pending NCAA investigation of the Sooners program involving hundreds of excess telephone contacts to former recruits.

Alden said he would not discuss specifics of MU’s search process.

“I’d love to talk to you in detail,” Alden told The Star. “But I’m trying to keep the entire search process confidential.”

At Missouri, that has proven nearly impossible. And it was again on Tuesday.

Multiple sources said that Alden had spoken by telephone to Majerus and Huggins — as Monday to Huggins.

Huggins, who told The Star last week that he would be willing to listen if MU — or Kansas State, or any other viable suitor — called, did not return several phone messages on Tuesday.

Alden said that in keeping with his desire of secrecy in the search process he wouldn’t confirm contact with either Huggins or Majerus.

Huggins was the interview candidate at the end of a possible Tuesday plane ride for members of the search committee at MU.

But, again, the day came and went with no formal interview being conducted by the search group of Alden, Sundvold, Gary Link, Mario Moccia and Mike Middleton.

“We’ve been working with our committee,” Alden said, “and we think that things are kicking into a pretty high gear right now.

“We’re in the process of identifying our coach, and hopefully we’ll get that done in the not too distant future.”

About the only high-profile names left on the list are Jamie Dixon of Pitt and John Beilein of West Virginia. If either of those coaches doesn’t wind up at Missouri, the choices might fall back to some coaches who once were considered in the lower level of possible candidates.

Alden has always, for instance, liked Creighton’s Dana Altman, who was fired at Kansas State.

“I hate to be so vanilla,” Alden said, “but that’s kind of the process and the posture that we’ll take. We’ll try to keep it confidential and get it done as soon as we can.”
To reach Mike DeArmond, Missouri reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4353 or send e-mail to mdearmond@kcstar.com

[Saulbadguy]

Sorry, i'm not open minded. I want Huggins.

[nychief]

I don't like Thuggins or Fat Man, I would be much happier with Dixon or Beiline.

[KChiefs1]

According to one source in the coaching circle, Steve Alford has agreed to interview with the Missouri Tigers later this week. I'm waiting for confirmation from a second source.

Andy Katz of ESPNews is confirming that Alford is interviewing with Missouri.

[booger]

Andy Katz of ESPNews is confirming that Alford is interviewing with Missouri.

Really? Who's Iowa gonna hire now?

[KChiefs1]

Larry Eustachy?

[PastorMikH]

No way Sampson will leave OU for MU. They are name dropping to keep some of the heat down.



Sunvold needs to step up and turn up the heat. He's the one guy that could really rip Alden to pieces. I see Alden dragging his feet until all the top names are gone, then he'll HAVE to settle for a guy that he will be able to control.

[nychief]

Steve Alford would be successful at MU. He has recruited in the state, and is a mid-westerner.

[Eleazar]

Andy Katz of ESPNews is confirming that Alford is interviewing with Missouri.


arrrggghhhhhh... nooooo..... oh the humanity......

[PastorMikH]

I don't want an o-kay guy, I want a home run coach. We've sucked at football for 30 years and I see no chance of that changing in the near future. Basketball has been the one area we were at least competitive at. I want a guy that can actually take this team deep into the dance on a consistent basis and give us a chance at winning it.

Can Alford do that? Who, among the coaches we have a legit chance of landing can do that?

[tk13]

Steve Alford would be successful at MU. He has recruited in the state, and is a mid-westerner.
That would really be the biggest pro of going back to Indiana. If he could recruit in state like he has in Iowa, he would field one powerhouse of a team.

[nychief]

That would really be the biggest pro of going back to Indiana. If he could recruit in state like he has in Iowa, he would field one powerhouse of a team.

Espn.com is saying that Alford is not on the short list of Indiana, hence the MU trip. I have never thought of Alford as the MU coach before this report.

[PastorMikH]

Here's an article I missed earlier from the StLPD about Beilein. Doesn't sound like a bad option either. Hopefully the dragging of the feet is for this guy - even though it's doubtful, one can hope.


Link (http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/columnists.nsf/berniemiklasz/story/25598A9B2AD394B086257136002301BE?OpenDocument)

AUBURN HILLS, MICH. — The latest buzz on the Missouri coaching search is that Jon Sundvold and other prominent alums and boosters are pushing for the hiring of Bob Huggins.

Given Huggins' history of scandal and controversy at Cincinnati, and considering the lingering shame of the chaotic and corrupt Quin Snyder regime in Columbia, I don't understand the apparent desire to invite more trouble into the Mizzou Arena.

Before Mizzou resorts to such desperate measures, the administration should at least wait to see if West Virginia's John Beilein would consider their job. Beilein's Mountaineers, striving to gain a spot in the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season, play Northwestern State on Sunday afternoon at The Palace.

For Mizzou, Beilein isn't the only man to hire; there are other clean, upstanding and successful coaches who warrant consideration. It's just that Beilein, 53, is the right man to hire.

If Mizzou wants to restore its reputation and good name and win games, Beilein can do it. After the Snyder debacle, Mizzou must aim for a higher ideal. There is no need to look into the back alleys and get involved with shady characters; winning can be attained without making ethical compromises.

In Beilein, Mizzou gets the double bonus: great coach, great person. Beilein's reputation is impeccable. And he wins. He's the only college basketball head coach - ever - to have 20-win seasons at four different college levels. And he's done it his way: with a beautiful motion offense, with a lineup of premium shooters, and with an unusually effective 1-3-1 zone defense.

Beilein is particular about his style of play, and picky about choosing players who will perform in his system.

"With us, it's an awful lot about getting guys that really feel the game as well, and who are great teammates," Beilein said. "In our system you've definitely got to be a good shooter, a good passer and a good teammate. The chemistry is so crucial to our success. We can't have selfish kids, or pampered, egocentric kids."

With this philosophy, Beilein won at Erie Community College. He won at Nazareth, an NAIA school. He won at Division II with Le Moyne. And he's won at three stops at Division I. Beilein elevated lowly Canisius into the NCAA Tournament, and then to the NIT Final Four. At Richmond, he took over a 13-win team in 1997 and immediately won 23 games, capped by his No. 14 seed Spiders upsetting No. 3 seed South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament.

Arriving at West Virginia for the 2002-2003 season, Beilein inherited a program that had gone 8-20 overall, and 1-15 in the Big East in the previous season. In Beilein's first season the Mountaineers had only seven players on scholarship, and went 14-15, including a 30-point loss to St. Louis U. at Savvis Center.

Beilein maintained his core beliefs and stayed the course. In 2004, his second year, he nudged WVU into the NIT. In his third season, the Mountaineers lost to Louisville in double overtime in a regional final that sent the winner to the 2005 NCAA Final Four. And now West Virginia - 45-21 over the last two seasons, with 13 wins coming over ranked opponents - is trying to make another NCAA run.

"We're very fortunate that we recruited right away kids who were in for the long haul, that didn't have a grass-is- greener somewhere else mentality and were willing to stick to it," Beilein said. "We learned to be patient. Keep teaching and keep teaching and they'll evolve. And don't tell a kid what they can't do. Tell them what they can do, and you'll all grow together in time."

So why would Beilein be willing to leave West Virginia to go to Mizzou? We're not sure that he is. But there are factors to consider: is West Virginia a good long-term fit for the Big East? Will WVU, a football school, ever fill the campus arena on a regular basis? With five seniors leaving after this season - they represent 75 percent of the offense - is the time right for a move?

Beilein has a brother, Joe, who lives in Clayton. And John Beilein is crazy about Cardinals baseball. Saturday, he stopped me in the hallway outside the WVU locker room to get spring-training updates on Sidney Ponson, Junior Spivey, Larry Bigbie and Scott Rolen. So there are Missouri connections to Beilein.

Beilein won't address his future. But during the Big East Tournament, he refused to promise that he'd stay at West Virginia.

"You know what? I have never done that at any time," Beilein said. "You don't know what the future holds for you. But I love West Virginia."

The door may be open (slightly), but getting Beilein out of West Virginia is an expensive proposition. There's a $3 million buyout in his WVU contract.

For Mizzou, money shouldn't be an obstacle. Missouri has to clean its reputation, and you can't put a price on that. It's a costly task, but Beilein is worth it. And besides, think of all the money Mizzou would save in legal fees.

[booger]

Just some news from Channel 13 WHO out of the desmoines/ames area:

Keith Murphy is the sports director. Good guy who was actually recruited to espn for a sportcenter gig years ago.

As a cyclone fan I was watching for news of todays hiring of McDermott. Murphy said he was offered the KSU job yesterday accourding to a source.

Also he referred to Katz's ESPN.com article which is not new news but said that Alford actually made intial contact per Cbssportslines Doyle.

Just FYI

[PastorMikH]

Also he referred to Katz's ESPN.com article which is not new news but said that Alford actually made intial contact per Cbssportslines Doyle.

Just FYI



Hmmm, Alford contacted MU conerning the job?

[booger]

Hmmm, Alford contacted MU conerning the job?
Apparently. Looks like one way or another he is done at Iowa. If he doesn't get a job soon they could be headed twards a messy divorce.

Like I said, i am a cyclone fan and could care less about Iowa. But I tivo'd it and replayed it and thats what he claims.

[nychief]

interseting.

[PastorMikH]

Apparently. Looks like one way or another he is done at Iowa. If he doesn't get a job soon they could be headed twards a messy divorce.

Like I said, i am a cyclone fan and could care less about Iowa. But I tivo'd it and replayed it and thats what he claims.



I feel a bit better knowing he is the one initiating talks. Not too excited about him and was hoping we'd do better than him. One red flag went up when IU was reported as not interested in one of their own former players.

[nychief]

I just read the Doyel article, and he does not say that Alford contacted Mizzou -

http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9326259

[booger]

That is kinda strange.

I've heard that IU wants former player Randy Whitman pretty bad. He is an asst. coach for the Orlando magic.

[nychief]

That is kinda strange.

I've heard that IU wants former player Randy Whitman pretty bad. He is an asst. coach for the Orlando magic.

oh god.

[PastorMikH]

I just read the Doyel article, and he does not say that Alford contacted Mizzou -

http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9326259



Doesn't say that he didn't either.

[nychief]

Doesn't say that he didn't either.


but that was the source, booger said. I was just point it out.

gm

[PastorMikH]

I'm trying to find confirmation of a blurb that I read on the St L Post Dispatch BB where a guy said he heard on one of the local columbia TV news broadcasts that Garnder is declaring.

Anyone got a substantial link to back the report up?

[PastorMikH]

but that was the source, booger said. I was just point it out.

gm



Gotcha!

[booger]

I just read the Doyel article, and he does not say that Alford contacted Mizzou -

http://sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9326259
Not sure if that's the same article or not. I can't find another one.

That one has been up since this am though. Actually in that article he doesn't even mention Alford to Mizzou. Only comparing Indiana and MU coaching searches to ISU and the speculation that Iowa wanted McDermott while not getting him and now they are sure who is in their coaching future.

Watching it again Keith Murphy said " Cbssportslines Greg Doyle Writes Alford initiated contact with Missouri, If that's true it's hard to imagine him returning to Iowa"

[booger]

Coaching scoop? I've got coaching scoop. Here's what I (and now you) are hearing:

Steve Alford: Indiana is taking the nonchalant route with Alford -- as of Tuesday afternoon, the school still has not made contact with him -- but Alford isn't being so laid back. Through a representative, Alford has put out a feeler to Missouri to see if the Tigers would be interested. Is Missouri interested? No clue. Isn't it enough that I know -- and now you know -- before anyone else that Alford would consider leaving Iowa not just for Indiana, but for Missouri?

More Alford: Additionally, Alford is trying to enhance his staff should he leave Iowa. And that enhancement could include Buzz Peterson. Alford and Peterson are tight, and there's a possibility that Peterson would leave Coastal Carolina -- where he overachieved in his first season -- to become Alford's associate head coach at Indiana. Would Peterson leave Coastal Carolina for a similar position at Missouri? No clue. If needed, the current Alford assistant likely to be jettisoned is Greg Lansing.

http://www.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/doyels_dribbles

[nychief]

Gardner is declaring, but not signing with an agent... who cares though, this is a complete overhaul situation. Next year is a wash anyway.

[PastorMikH]

Coaching scoop? I've got coaching scoop. Here's what I (and now you) are hearing:

Steve Alford: Indiana is taking the nonchalant route with Alford -- as of Tuesday afternoon, the school still has not made contact with him -- but Alford isn't being so laid back. Through a representative, Alford has put out a feeler to Missouri to see if the Tigers would be interested. Is Missouri interested? No clue. Isn't it enough that I know -- and now you know -- before anyone else that Alford would consider leaving Iowa not just for Indiana, but for Missouri?

More Alford: Additionally, Alford is trying to enhance his staff should he leave Iowa. And that enhancement could include Buzz Peterson. Alford and Peterson are tight, and there's a possibility that Peterson would leave Coastal Carolina -- where he overachieved in his first season -- to become Alford's associate head coach at Indiana. Would Peterson leave Coastal Carolina for a similar position at Missouri? No clue. If needed, the current Alford assistant likely to be jettisoned is Greg Lansing.

http://www.sportsline.com/columns/weblogs/entry/doyels_dribbles





PURE SPECULATION: So, Alford wants to go to Indiana. He hasn't heard from them so he's trying to get his name out in the media to draw their attention. Maybe if there's news about him going to another Div 1 school IU will take notice. He doesn't really care about Missouri right now, but if the IU door closes and MU is still open , who knows? "Hey, BTW IU, if you give me a look, I can probably bring my top assistant in with me - but please hurry up, 'cause once I get canned, I won't have nearly as many options."

Sound about right?

[PastorMikH]

Gardner is declaring, but not signing with an agent... who cares though, this is a complete overhaul situation. Next year is a wash anyway.



I agree. Had Gardner actually been consistent and actually led like Quin wanted him to (and he promised Quin he would do), Quin might still be here.

[jettio]

Sundvold angered by exclusion of Huggins, Majerus in MU search
By MIKE DeARMOND
The Kansas City Star

Jon Sundvold began Tuesday hoping he’d be on an airplane to interview Quin Snyder’s replacement as Missouri basketball coach.

But the day ended with the search process still grounded in inertia, 39 days after Snyder resigned on Feb. 10, and search committee member Sundvold harshly criticizing a decision not to interview Bob Huggins or Rick Majerus for the vacant position.

“I’m disappointed that Rick Majerus and Bob Huggins are not being considered, even to have an interview with our committee,” Sundvold told The Star. “Our work the last three weeks has indicated that these two men could potentially be good fits at the University of Missouri.”

Sundvold, a former MU basketball star who recommended that the Tigers hire current Kansas coach Bill Self when Missouri athletic director Mike Alden chose Snyder, had personally championed Huggins and Majerus this time.

Sundvold was fully aware of Majerus’ having violated NCAA rules while at Utah and of Huggins’ record of recruiting players at Cincinnati who too often wound up on police blotters.

When faced with Alden’s objections, Sundvold appealed to Missouri chancellor Brady Deaton. Sundvold said Deaton told him he “wasn’t comfortable” with considering Huggins or Majerus.

“I respect Brady Deaton’s opinion,” Sundvold said. “I wish they would have told us this four weeks ago. I went into this with an open mind and took a look at two guys that I might not have considered at first.

“But you look into the depths of two guys. I thought they would be two candidates that should be interviewed. That’s not going to happen.”

Needing to hire a coach with a pristine off-court record would also then likely strike Memphis coach John Calipari and Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson from consideration at MU. Calipari had NCAA problems at Massachusetts, and Sampson is involved in a pending NCAA investigation of the Sooners program involving hundreds of excess telephone contacts to former recruits.

Alden said he would not discuss specifics of MU’s search process.

“I’d love to talk to you in detail,” Alden told The Star. “But I’m trying to keep the entire search process confidential.”

At Missouri, that has proven nearly impossible. And it was again on Tuesday.

Multiple sources said that Alden had spoken by telephone to Majerus and Huggins — as Monday to Huggins.

Huggins, who told The Star last week that he would be willing to listen if MU — or Kansas State, or any other viable suitor — called, did not return several phone messages on Tuesday.

Alden said that in keeping with his desire of secrecy in the search process he wouldn’t confirm contact with either Huggins or Majerus.

Huggins was the interview candidate at the end of a possible Tuesday plane ride for members of the search committee at MU.

But, again, the day came and went with no formal interview being conducted by the search group of Alden, Sundvold, Gary Link, Mario Moccia and Mike Middleton.

“We’ve been working with our committee,” Alden said, “and we think that things are kicking into a pretty high gear right now.

“We’re in the process of identifying our coach, and hopefully we’ll get that done in the not too distant future.”

About the only high-profile names left on the list are Jamie Dixon of Pitt and John Beilein of West Virginia. If either of those coaches doesn’t wind up at Missouri, the choices might fall back to some coaches who once were considered in the lower level of possible candidates.

Alden has always, for instance, liked Creighton’s Dana Altman, who was fired at Kansas State.

“I hate to be so vanilla,” Alden said, “but that’s kind of the process and the posture that we’ll take. We’ll try to keep it confidential and get it done as soon as we can.”
To reach Mike DeArmond, Missouri reporter for The Star, call (816) 234-4353 or send e-mail to mdearmond@kcstar.com

IIRC, Altman left K-State and chose to go to Creighton because he liked the school and was more comfortable in the Missouri Valley.

I have seen this claim of Altman being fired a couple of times this past week, and I think it is just an example of dumb reporters making assumptions.

[booger]

Watching it again Keith Murphy said " Cbssportslines Greg Doyle Writes Alford initiated contact with Missouri, If that's true it's hard to imagine him returning to Iowa"

That article is where it all came from. This Doyle guy seems like a punk and yes it is just speculation at this point.

[ChiTown]

IIRC, Altman left K-State and chose to go to Creighton because he liked the school and was more comfortable in the Missouri Valley.

I have seen this claim of Altman being fired a couple of times this past week, and I think it is just an example of dumb reporters making assumptions.

Huh uh. He was forced out by the AD who had the biggest donors at KSU breathing down his neck. That's a fact. But you are right, he wasn't fired.

[Saulbadguy]

Hehe.

Lancelot Link

Gardner opts for NBA
By DREW BRUNO
March 22, 2006

It was already going to be a tough rebuilding job, but Missouri’s next basketball coach’s task became a bit more daunting Tuesday.

Junior guard Thomas Gardner declared that he’s entering the June 27 NBA draft and foregoing his senior season. He said he will not hire an agent at this time, which would enable him to maintain eligibility for his final season at MU if he chooses to withdraw his name from draft consideration.

“I have the opportunity to compete against some of the world’s best players in NBA Draft camps and show that I can help an NBA franchise, without sacrificing my collegiate eligibility,” Gardner said in a statement released by the athletic department. He has until June 18 to remove himself from the draft pool.

It is the second-straight year that Missouri’s leading scorer has declared for the NBA. Last year, Linas Kleiza, a sophomore, declared for the draft and was a first-round pick. He currently averages 8.3 minutes a game with the Denver Nuggets.

Gardner’s 19.7 points per game last season was second best in the Big 12 Conference and earned him a spot on the coaches’ all-conference third team.

His decision comes on the heels of a rocky season, though, that saw both controversy and the worst Tiger record in nearly 40 years. It was a 40-point night, against rival Kansas, that vaulted Gardner’s name into NBA consciousness. In a nationally-televised Jan. 16 game, Gardner rallied the Tigers back from a late nine-point deficit to eventually win 89-86 in overtime. Afterward, Gardner and former coach Quin Snyder emotionally embraced.

Gardner dedicated the second game after the departure to Snyder, but struggled mightily on his way to nine points in a 33-point loss at Kansas.

Tuesday, Watkins confirmed he had advised Gardner in the statement.

“We are very supportive of Thomas and his decision to pursue his dreams of playing basketball in the NBA,” the interim coach said.

After the season, Gardner said he would consider who was hired as MU’s next coach in his decision. A new coach has yet to be determined, but the future Tiger coach would inherit a 12-16 team stripped of two senior starters and now its leading scorer if Gardner can’t be convinced to return.

COACH OUTLOOK: ESPN.com reported Tuesday night that Alden has received permission from Iowa’s athletic department to speak with its head coach Steve Alford about Missouri’s coaching vacancy. The former Southwest Missouri State coach could be in Columbia as soon as this week to interview, according to the report.

[kcfanintitanhell]

According to the Iowa City paper, Indiana has narrowed their list of coaches down to two, and Alford isn't one of them.

[shakesthecat]

Dear Missouri,
I know you folks don't owe us Iowanians anything but if you could do us a favor just this once and hire Alford, we'd REALLY appreciate it.

Your pals, Iowa.

[Eleazar]

arrrrrggghhhhhhh... this is my fault. everything was going well until I had to open my big freakin' yap. It was quiet, but we hadn't heard anything bad, there was reason to believe there might be a good coach coming in. Then not even 24 hours later we're thinking about pulling in some guy from the Big 11 who has a losing record in his conference.

I don't care who you are... KU fan, Chiefs fan, Royals fan.... No one suffers more than Mizzou fan.....

Where do I get some cyanide capsules.... I'll need to have them within reach when this announcement comes...

:# :# :cuss: :cuss: :cuss: :cuss:

[ROYC75]

Come on, leaving Iowa for MU is a step down , isn't it. It is going south.

[shakesthecat]

Stolen from HawkeyeReport.com

"actually, those stinkers from columbia owe us one after backing out of the football series....If they take him, I don't know about you, but I'm willing to call it even"

[Saulbadguy]

Stolen from HawkeyeReport.com

"actually, those stinkers from columbia owe us one after backing out of the football series....If they take him, I don't know about you, but I'm willing to call it even"
Heh. Now that's good.

[Saulbadguy]

Come on, leaving Iowa for MU is a step down , isn't it. It is going south.
I'd say any coach leaving a Big 10 school for a Big XII school would be a step donw.

[ROYC75]

I'd say any coach leaving a Big 10 school for a Big XII school would be a step donw.

Make that most of the Big 12 schools. You could make a case for OU, OSU, Texas as a move up or lateral depending which school you left .

But for KU, almost any Big 10 coach would be moving up to go to KU..... Ref : Bill Self.

[Saulbadguy]

ROFL

[ROYC75]

ROFL

You disagree ? How, I need to hear this one. I could use a good laugh today.

[Eleazar]

Make that most of the Big 12 schools. You could make a case for OU, OSU, Texas as a move up or lateral depending which school you left .

But for KU, almost any Big 10 coach would be moving up to go to KU..... Ref : Bill Self.

So, you've invaded the latest MU thread. Though Kansas is not a topic of discussion, you bash Missouri and pimp KU as superior to all other Big 12 schools. Are you going to start complaining again when this turns sour?

[Saulbadguy]

Sorry, I baited the dipshit. I must say it was rather simple to get him to bite.

[ROYC75]

So, you've invaded the latest MU thread. Though Kansas is not a topic of discussion, you bash Missouri and pimp KU as superior to all other Big 12 schools. Are you going to start complaining again when this turns sour?


You got tender feelings today ?

:deevee:

[Saulbadguy]

You disagree ? How, I need to hear this one. I could use a good laugh today.
I'd say Illinois is happy they got rid of Self. They get to the National title game, and no embarassing first round exits!

[ROYC75]

Sorry, I baited the dipshit. I must say it was rather simple to get him to bite.
Heh, the dipshit was this comment ............


I'd say any coach leaving a Big 10 school for a Big XII school would be a step donw.

You said ....... any for a Big 12 school.

That was a bad comment on your part.

[htismaqe]

Leaving Iowa for Mizzou is, at best, a lateral move. I guess I'm not sure where this mentality came from that says Mizzou is one of the best jobs in college basketball.

Iowa's program has more money, great facilities, and has had far more success...

[Saulbadguy]

I was being facetious, you ****ing moron.

[Eleazar]

Sorry, I baited the dipshit. I must say it was rather simple to get him to bite.

When I was in high school I was working at worlds of fun in the summer, and there were skunks all over the place out there. Big fat ones, I guess from the half-eaten hamburgers and hotdogs they find lying around. Anyway, one night near closing time one of the skunks had come out and was sniffing around in a flower bed, and a group of 4 or so unsupervised kids about 10 years old started throwing rocks at it. I was busy doing something, so I didn't get to stick around, but I was thinking... awesome, this whole area is going to smell like skunk funk here in a minute.

Sure enough, I came back that way about 10 minutes later, and one of them had been sprayed, and was bawling his eyes out, like this was not a predictable outcome. Sounds familiar.

[ROYC75]

I'd say Illinois is happy they got rid of Self. They get to the National title game, and no embarassing first round exits!


That's temp. thing...... you saying Illinois is a better basketball college than KU. Deeper in tradition ?

Please explain, again, I need a good laugh.

[htismaqe]

Apparently. Looks like one way or another he is done at Iowa. If he doesn't get a job soon they could be headed twards a messy divorce.

Like I said, i am a cyclone fan and could care less about Iowa. But I tivo'd it and replayed it and thats what he claims.

You must be the lone Cyclone fan on the planet that doesn't care about Iowa.

Even McDermott mentioned in his speech last night that it was "too much fun beating the Hawkeyes".

Newsflash! Beating Iowa means NOTHING, Cyclone fans. You beat Iowa just this season.

You're in a CONFERENCE, and Iowa isn't in it.

[Eleazar]

That's temp. thing...... you saying Illinois is a better basketball college than KU. Deeper in tradition ?

Please explain, again, I need a good laugh.

What the f*** does Bill Self have to do with the tradition of either school? Except that, once he left Illinois, they were free to establish some by playing for the national championship.

[Saulbadguy]

You must be the lone Cyclone fan on the planet that doesn't care about Iowa.

Even McDermott mentioned in his speech last night that it was "too much fun beating the Hawkeyes".

Newsflash! Beating Iowa means NOTHING, Cyclone fans. You beat Iowa just this season.

You're in a CONFERENCE, and Iowa isn't in it.
I went to the K-State/Iowa State football game, and the Clowns fans cheered louder when they heard Iowa lost to Northwestern than they did for their own team.

[ROYC75]

I was being facetious, you ****ing moron.

You never joke about KU and it's tradition, you were being serious and I called you on it. You have a valid point to many schools, being a lateral or step down, but you can't say that about Kansas.

BTA, you can about Kansas State, right.

Bill Self left Illinois even thou he built a solid team, a very talented team of his style of players. He left to a job that was / is one of the finest programs across the nation.

[Saulbadguy]

LOL! Unreal!

[ROYC75]

LOL! Unreal!

I agree, it was unlike you to make a comment like that.
;)

[PastorMikH]

Come on, leaving Iowa for MU is a step down , isn't it. It is going south.



Actually, it almost seems natural. When I lived in Missouri I was amazed at the number of people there who used to live in Iowa.

[CoMoChief]

This post confirms what I already knew about KU fans - the vast majority have no interest in discussing their program at all. Instead, they prefer to gratify themselves on the couch in their trailer while watching video of MU basketball teams occasional losses. I just hope you kids wash your hands before you post on the planet.


I wouldnt call them occasional. Its more like often.

[PastorMikH]

I'm not sure where this mentality came from that says Mizzou is one of the best jobs in college basketball.




I wouldn't say it's one of the best jobs in college basketball, but the Mu job is probably about the second best open job right now - right behind Indiana. If Alford gets canned, I'd say the Iowa job would be ranked the second pushing the MU job to third based on the fact that the MU coach's boss is an idiot.

[CoMoChief]

So, you've invaded the latest MU thread. Though Kansas is not a topic of discussion, you bash Missouri and pimp KU as superior to all other Big 12 schools. Are you going to start complaining again when this turns sour?


What he has said is all true. KU is a top 5 program in the country and arguably has the most historic program as well.

[ROYC75]

What he has said is all true. KU is a top 5 program in the country and arguably has the most historic program as well.


Meh, pay no attention to him, he's just jealous ! :D :p

[PastorMikH]

Tidbit from ESPN...

Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2379069)


Meanwhile, Missouri's search has been kept mum the past month. Multiple sources say there has been strong influential booster support for former Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins, but Alden isn't in favor of the hire. Sources confirmed that representatives for Missouri have contacted the intermediaries for LSU's John Brady and Pitt's Jamie Dixon to test their interest. Another source said Creighton's Dana Altman is a strong choice for Missouri and might be interviewed as well. A source said Missouri has also had interest in UAB's Mike Anderson.


No mention of Beilein.

[ROYC75]

Tidbit from ESPN...

Link (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2379069)





No mention of Beilein.

It appears Alden is going the cheap route. Huggins would demand the coins, the lesser unknow coach wants to chance to move up.

[Archie Bunker]

The thought of hiring Altman makes me cry.

[Saulbadguy]

The thought of hiring Altman makes me cry.
It makes me laugh.

[WilliamTheIrish]

What he has said is all true. KU is a top 5 program in the country and arguably has the most historic program as well.

WE've got tradition!!!! We have more of it!! We have Naismith's name on our court!!!

Who is Marcellus Sommerville?

[PastorMikH]

It appears Alden is going the cheap route. Huggins would demand the coins, the lesser unknow coach wants to chance to move up.



I'm thinking Alden wants to take the route of hiring a coach he can control. It would be really hard for him to control a coach with the rep that Huggy has.

[PastorMikH]

The thought of hiring Altman makes me cry.


I think I'd rather have him than Alford, but yes, I know what you mean.

[Eleazar]

WE've got tradition!!!! We have more of it!! We have Naismith's name on our court!!!

Who is Marcellus Sommerville?

Crowing about tradition reminds me of when the Raiders come to Arrowhead, and their fans can't stop talking about how many super bowls they won 25 years ago.

[Saulbadguy]

I'm thinking Alden wants to take the route of hiring a coach he can control. It would be really hard for him to control a coach with the rep that Huggy has.
MU doesn't want Huggins because currently MU has the perception of a "dirty program", and hiring a coach that has baggage would only further perpetuate that perception.

Huggins will go to a clean program.

[Eleazar]

I'm thinking Alden wants to take the route of hiring a coach he can control. It would be really hard for him to control a coach with the rep that Huggy has.

Hopefully this is much ado about nothing. Maybe in a couple of days there will be buzz about a new candidate.

I think it's pathetic that the top priority is to hire someone this time around who won't further tarnish Alden's reputation. Rather than go with a proven winner, of which there are several available, he is talking to a reject from the Big 10 who's being run out of town by the fans (a la Snyder)

Alford reminds me of the Snyder situation a whole lot. I'm going to be seriously more discouraged as a sports fan if we hire Alford (or anyone else bad) than I have ever been with any of my sports teams.

Having Quin Snyder seemingly working a lifetime appointment no matter how bad things got until this year was one thing, but when the AD is this pathetic and still seems to be untouchable, how can things get better?

[Eleazar]

What he has said is all true. KU is a top 5 program in the country and arguably has the most historic program as well.

You know, Mr. Pimp Dude, I think I speak for most of the board when I say that your opinion means sh#t on this topic. You go to MU but cheer for KU. Yeah, you have really proven your mettle as a sports fan. It must be so much more fun being a KU fan, after all, if you weren't you would have to do difficult things like root for a team when they aren't successful. Oh, the horror. Bailing on your home team (and home school even) removes any vestige of credibility that you may have been mistakenly allocated in the first place.

Now, since all you seem to have to add to any discussion is "you guys suck, we rule", go fluff Roy in private, before you two get charged with indecent exposure.

[PastorMikH]

You go to MU but cheer for KU.



I wonder if he openly supports his team on campus?:)

[Eleazar]

I wonder if he openly supports his team on campus?:)

I think they have a special parade for them every year.

[ROYC75]

Now, go fluff Roy in private, before you two get charged with indecent exposure.


Still having a bad day ? Somebody must of shit in your milk today, that's not real chocolate milk you have there sonny boy.

[htismaqe]

Hopefully this is much ado about nothing. Maybe in a couple of days there will be buzz about a new candidate.

I think it's pathetic that the top priority is to hire someone this time around who won't further tarnish Alden's reputation. Rather than go with a proven winner, of which there are several available, he is talking to a reject from the Big 10 who's being run out of town by the fans (a la Snyder)

Alford reminds me of the Snyder situation a whole lot. I'm going to be seriously more discouraged as a sports fan if we hire Alford (or anyone else bad) than I have ever been with any of my sports teams.

Having Quin Snyder seemingly working a lifetime appointment no matter how bad things got until this year was one thing, but when the AD is this pathetic and still seems to be untouchable, how can things get better?

It's interesting to hear someone on the other side say that. I've thought for maybe 3-4 years that the Alford situation at Iowa and the Snyder situation at Mizzou were eerily similar...

[ROYC75]

I wonder if he openly supports his team on campus?:)

I'm betting he keeps it quiet, but that's just me.

[PastorMikH]

I'm betting he keeps it quiet, but that's just me.


The fact that he is still able to post supports your theory.:)

[ROYC75]

Alford wasn't what Iowa was hoping he would be........ I have never been impressed with him.

OTOH, Huggins at KSU would get them back on track again.

[WilliamTheIrish]

Alford wasn't what Iowa was hoping he would be........ I have never been impressed with him.

OTOH, Huggins at KSU would get them back on track again.


Admit it Roy. You know nothing about Alford. You still only know that he's not popular at Iowa.

I can hear the google search engine going into overdrive.

[Eleazar]

Admit it Roy. You know nothing about Alford. You still only know that he's not popular at Iowa.

I can hear the google search engine going into overdrive.

:LOL:

[Eleazar]

Supposedly, you can send email to Mike Alden at aldenm@missouri.edu.


Dear Mr. Alden,

As a lifelong fan of Missouri Tigers athletics, first of all let me say that I appreciate all the hard work that you and your associates are certainly doing during this transitional period for Missouri basketball, and that I support your efforts and the university in full.

I would just like to take a moment to express my support for Bob Huggins as head coach of the Missouri Tigers. I personally feel that he's the best man for the job. Over his tenure at the University of Cincinnati, he compiled a very impressive winning percentage, as well as made his Bearcats a perennial name in the NCAA tournament, as well as an appearance in the Final Four. I believe that Bob Huggins posesses at once an impressive ability to coach basketball on the floor, and to bring in the quality of talent that the university and the fan base deserves.

I definitely understand the concerns that you and your partners in the search must have about Coach Huggins and mistakes that he may have made in years past. Certainly, those are important factors. But can we not communicate with him, talk about those things, and see what assurances we can get before ruling Mr. Huggins out as a candidate? Could we not make sure that we have the proper level of oversight in place to prevent any problems before they can take root? I hope that the search will not dismiss Huggins out of hand, but rather will communicate with Coach Huggins and explore how the University of Missouri can duplicate his past successes and improve on his shortcomings.

If you have been able to personally read this message, please know that I appreciate very much your being receptive to the input of dedicate Tiger fans like me. I think that I speak for many of us when I say that everyone deserves an opportunity to turn over a new leaf, be it an athletic program, or a coach.

I wish you the best of luck in your search, and here's to a successful future for Missouri basketball.


Sincerely,

(cochise)

[ROYC75]

Admit it Roy. You know nothing about Alford. You still only know that he's not popular at Iowa.

I can hear the google search engine going into overdrive.

Oh, nice one, too bad you are off base. BTW, Did you learn this from Wooley or was it when you wanted to take golf lessons over the internet ? :p

[PastorMikH]

Supposedly, you can send email to Mike Alden at aldenm@missouri.edu.


How about this...



Mr Alden,

I would appreciate it if you would consider Huggins as HC for the opening left vacant by Mr. Snyder's departure. I am tired of the losing ways that have began during your tenure as AD. I want a HC that can win. I happen to be a poster on the infamous ChiefsPlanet. You may remember that some from that website were responsible for www.firegreg_robinson.com - it worked too. If you will not consider Huggins as HC, we may be forced to start start the website www.firemikealden.com.


Sincerely,

(PastorMikH)

[Sully]

I honestly don't know much (anything) about Alford's situation. What has been the deal, seems like he was the hot young coaching prospect a few years back.

[ROYC75]

Supposedly, you can send email to Mike Alden at aldenm@missouri.edu.

Why did you lie to him. You should be pissed he hasn't even called him for interview .

What's this nice guy shit........ this is unlike you !
:p :Poke: ROFL

[Dartgod]

If you will not consider Huggins as HC, we may be forced to start start the website www.firemikealden.com.

You are classless and deranged.

[ROYC75]

How about this...


ROFL OK, Tell 'm how ya really feel there buddy . But repent afterwards..... OK. :)

[WilliamTheIrish]

Oh, nice one, too bad you are off base. BTW, Did you learn this from Wooley or was it when you wanted to take golf lessons over the internet ? :p


It's pretty obvious Roy. Your reply says as much.

[PastorMikH]

You are classless and deranged.


ROFL

So it shouldn't be a dot-com then? Maybe it should be a dot-edu then since he is at a school.


;)

[Eleazar]

ROFL

---

Check the domain names that you would like to register below.

FIREMIKEALDEN.COM is already taken. (click here for info)

[Eleazar]

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/14160389.htm


Iowa: Alford won’t interview at Mizzou

By MIKE DeARMOND The Kansas City StarAnother day, another name dropped lower — if not completely off — the list of potential hoops coaching candidates at Missouri.

Sources told The Star on Wednesday that Steve Alford, contrary to a report Tuesday night on ESPN.com, is not high on MU’s list of replacements for Quin Snyder. In fact, the sports information director at the University of Iowa, Alford’s current employer, told The Star that Alford would not be interviewing for the MU or any other job.

“We expect to have a release to that effect within the next hour or two,” Phil Haddy, the Iowa SID, told The Star shortly before noon on Wednesday.

Mike Alden, MU athletic director, reiterated to The Star on Wednesday that he would not comment on the specifics of the MU search process. Jon Sundvold, a member of the MU search committee who on Tuesday night revealed that Bob Huggins and Rick Majerus had been dropped from the MU candidate list, also deferred comment on the Alford reports.

However, one source close to the MU search process, told The Star on Wednesday that when Alford’s name had come up at Tuesday’s search committee meeting in Columbia, one member of the committee said he saw no need to interview Alford.

Iowa athletic director Bob Bowlsby on Tuesday confirmed to the Des Moines Register that MU had asked for, and received, permission to talk to Alford. Sources close to MU confirmed that, but reiterated that Alford was not, nor had he been, high on MU’s list of candidates.
Another source close to the MU situation told The Star that no interviews with candidates — the list does include Pitt’s Jamie Dixon, West Virginia’s John Beilein and Creighton’s Dana Altman — were scheduled for Wednesday.

A name once linked with the MU opening, Wichita State coach and former Kansas player Mark Turgeon, had been eliminated from consideration at MU.

GARDNER LOOKING AT NBA: In a released issue through the school, MU junior guard Thomas Gardner has said he will test the NBA draft waters. To retain the possibility of coming back to MU, Gardner said he would not sign with an agent. Gardner has until June 19 to withdraw from the draft and retain his college eligibility.

[htismaqe]

Dammit.

Somebody PLEASE hire Alford. PLEASE.

[PastorMikH]

.


Whew, that's a relief.


Now, can you find me an article that says Dana Altman is off the radar?

[PastorMikH]

Somebody PLEASE hire Alford. PLEASE.



I'd be willing to bet that when Iowa U saw the report they called an emergency meeting, and approved a raise and contract extension for Alford.

:fire:

[htismaqe]

I'd be willing to bet that when Iowa U saw the report they called an emergency meeting, and approved a raise and contract extension for Alford.

:fire:

Probably.

Oh well.

Football season ain't far away.

[Lzen]

WE've got tradition!!!! We have more of it!! We have Naismith's name on our court!!!

Who is Marcellus Sommerville?

Hey, congrats to the Wildcats for making the NCAA Tour........oh wait......the NIT.......no. Um..........lemme think......um...........oh, I know. Congrats on the lone victory against a group of very young and inexperienced Jayhawks this past year. Enjoy it while you can because the KSU basketball program has turned into a joke over the past 15-20 years. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I do get a good laugh out of the new Bucknell and Bradley fans by former MU and KSU fans. Now that is a joke. ROFL

[Saulbadguy]

Hey, congrats to the Wildcats for making the NCAA Tour........oh wait......the NIT.......no. Um..........lemme think......um...........oh, I know. Congrats on the lone victory against a group of very young and inexperienced Jayhawks this past year. Enjoy it while you can because the KSU basketball program has turned into a joke over the past 15-20 years. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I do get a good laugh out of the new Bucknell and Bradley fans by former MU and KSU fans. Now that is a joke. ROFL
Fear of Huggins noted.

[beavis]

How about this...
Dang... the Pastor is busting out the heavy artillery. ROFL

[KevB]

Congrats on the lone victory against a group of very young and inexperienced Jayhawks this past year

KU fans have become adept at rationalizing their disappointing performances....

[Eleazar]

Congrats on the lone victory against a group of very young and inexperienced Jayhawks this past year

The trash-talking has started already.

[PastorMikH]

Fear of Huggins noted.


Huggins to KSU Beilein to MU (Chosen because it does appear that Huggy is out of consideration at MU) and KU could drop to a middle-dweller in the Big 12 North. TU and OU keep building, and OSU get back on track, KU could find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Big 12.

[CoMoChief]

Hey, congrats to the Wildcats for making the NCAA Tour........oh wait......the NIT.......no. Um..........lemme think......um...........oh, I know. Congrats on the lone victory against a group of very young and inexperienced Jayhawks this past year. Enjoy it while you can because the KSU basketball program has turned into a joke over the past 15-20 years. I don't see that changing anytime soon.

I do get a good laugh out of the new Bucknell and Bradley fans by former MU and KSU fans. Now that is a joke. ROFL



MU and KSU fans simply dont have any other things to say about KU except Bucknell this and Bradley that. It's funny really. At least KSU's program is somewhat on the rise while MU's program has hit rock bottom, probably the lowest it's ever been in school history. Yet the fans are still talkin'. No matter how bad their team is. They keep on talkin. I can't even imagine what kind of shit talking will go on once they finish better than 5th in conference. Then us KU fans will never hear the end of it! :rolleyes:

[nychief]

MU and KSU fans simply dont have any other things to say about KU except Bucknell this and Bradley that. It's funny really. At least KSU's program is somewhat on the rise while MU's program has hit rock bottom, probably the lowest it's ever been in school history. Yet the fans are still talkin'. No matter how bad their team is. They keep on talkin. I can't even imagine what kind of shit talking will go on once they finish better than 5th in conference. Then us KU fans will never hear the end of it! :rolleyes:

Whoa, bspimpdude, ku alum?

[CoMoChief]

Huggins to KSU Beilein to MU (Chosen because it does appear that Huggy is out of consideration at MU) and KU could drop to a middle-dweller in the Big 12 North. TU and OU keep building, and OSU get back on track, KU could find themselves in the middle of the pack in the Big 12.


Yeah because we all know that while all of these schools get better, KU will not progress at all and will continue to play like young freshman. :rolleyes:

2 names to consider:

PG Sherron Collins
PF Darrell Arthur

[Lzen]

Fear of Huggins noted.

Huggins would definitely make the Sunflower Showdown interesting again. He would get KSU into the NCAAs every year. However, they would just end up like KU has the past 2 years.

[Lzen]

The trash-talking has started already.

Heh, it started Friday night.

[CoMoChief]

Whoa, bspimpdude, ku alum?


Nope, just a fan.

[PastorMikH]

Whoa, bspimpdude, ku alum?



According to post #212, it appears he is actually a student at MU.


The irony is interesting to say the least.

[Lzen]

KU fans have become adept at rationalizing their disappointing performances....

Nope. I'm pissed about that performance and there is no excuse for it. Another early exit next year and I guarantee Self will either be on a very hot seat or looking for a job.

Or perhaps you were referring to the KSU/KU game in Lawrence? Heh, whatever you want to call it doesn't make it any less true.