It would be better for the new coach to make small incremental steps...winning 2 or 3 games more each year so by year 5 his resume will ensure that he stays with the U for 5 years. Win big the 1st year and expectations are set so high that if he can't improve each year after he will be run out of town.
At a school that was sub .500 for 12 straight seasons before he got there (and for 5 more seasons after he left), I think that’s somewhat impressive.
Well, Gates has more HC and NCAA experience. Not much more but more.
Gates is 41, Pitino is 38 today. He was 31 when he was hired, with one year of HC experience and 7 years as an assistant (College of Charleston, Northeastern, Louisville, Florida, and Duquesne).
Fair, but if he gets fired from here several years from now, he’s going to get repeatedly clubbed on here for “2 years of head coaching experience” as the reason that we all should have known it was a bad hire from the start.
I'd be happy with Gates. The hype on him really centers around the fact that he is a black coach, if we are all honest about it. He seems to have a great rapport and is inspirational. Other than that, there is zero information that informs us that he can or will get it done at the Big Ten level. Again- I like him, but at the moment he is a check the box hire and I think a fairly likely hire because the U is under great pressure to hire a minority.
C'mon man. You're revealing all my little secrets that I have stashed just in case.
It is definitely his weak point right now. Dutcher is my preference today but I am very intrigued by Gates. If he is the hire I am glad he has had such extensive assistant experience, though, in addition to a couple years establishing his program at Cleveland State.
I’m not arguing for Pitino to be retained, I’m mostly arguing against the idea that his one season at FIU was largely unremarkable. It was the best season that school had in about a 20 year span from the late 90’s until like 2 years ago.
"Expected to part ways" and actually parting ways are 2 very different things. And the U has been silent all day on the matter. Leads me to believe they're waiting for Pitino to get the New Mexico or another gig and avoid the contract buyout before they announce anything.
Will there be anyone left from this year's team? I doubt a potential NBA player would worry about hanging with a few ex teammates.
Not true. His head coaching history is short and successful, but his past assistant experience is solid at successful high major Florida State. None of that has anything to do with the color of his skin. I do believe you are correct that there is strong pressure to hire a minority candidate, but calling Gates a "check the box candidate" because of that does a disservice to him and Coyle and anyone else he might consult.
Unfortunately, if he gets the job, the Star Tribune did him a disservice making a big deal about the diversity issue right at this time. It will be perceived that way because of it. It's not fair to him, he'd be a legit candidate in any case. It's a short-term issue. If he wins, it doesn't matter. Still wish they hadn't done that.
Not 13 players, but it's reasonable to think there could be a 50% turnover of the current roster.
Why did they say that Johnson participated in senior night? Would seem to indicate he is done here?
Gotta like our starting front court if both Johnson and Robbins are back. Solid base for the new coach.
Well, good luck to Richard. Hope he finds success.
Oooo..... more bad luck.
Really? I hope he gets run out of Albuquerque with pitchforks. He can’t coach! He did nothing for us but waste a decade. F Pitino.
Very much seeing the lack of the word "Fired" in this release. And yet, that word is front and center of every media headline.