Commentary on CAG Not Being Fired This Year

[CajunCrimson]

This is where I place the blame on CAG. He needs to put in a better system. Playing Cooper at the 4 is a complete waste.

It's because our 4 is playing at the 5......

Also, our Fresh Phenom isn't playing like one.....and should be at the 4 -- but he has NO meat on his bones.....

In football you can miss on a few recruits.....in Hoops, it's very hard.

Hang tight ya'll -- it's coming!

 

[MOAN]

This season is not over! Coach Grant is doing a good job and this team has the potential to end the season with 25-26 wins! With every one but Steele coming back next year plus new recruits, this team will be highly regarded and should win 4-5 more games than this year which would put them in the 30 win range! That would be a great year for Bama standards in basketball!

If the team that started the season winning a tourney in Madison Square Garden shows up in Nashville this team could win those 25-26 in the NCAA's. If not, and they can make it back to Madison Square Garden, then that feat can be reality where it started. Either way one damn fine season if you ask me and a great spring board to even greater things for next year!

 

[JBama_in_PCOLA]

I think he'll break out next year. He shouldn't be let go. We had a great team until the injury bug hit. Auburn loss really hurt and we just couldn't close out games for some reason. With what we have coming back we should make the dance easily.

 

[lorange]

That's why I'm hopeful about next year and the following year (Senior: Lacey, Randolph, Jacobs, and Coop and a Junior in Retin).

Next year may be a lot like this year. I think CAG is a good man and I still have high hopes for this program. It's premature to speak of firing the coach because the nucleus of a very good team is in place. We can't afford any more crazy events to wreck a season like the past 3 such as losing to multiple teams that shouldn't stand a chanch against us and having disciplinary meltdown in the middle of the season. Our recruiting efforts are a concern to me. We still have 2 vacant roster spots. There are some teams loading up for next year.
All this being said, if we can maintain our defensive effort and can discover a post player who can catch the ball and either shoot or pass the ball back outside, we could be a very good team. Our offense needs a makeover. I don't know CAG background on the offensive side of the ball but we are lacking there. Some good recruiting would really make a difference. Just some thoughts.

 

[WylieTexasTider]

I am in the camp that feels CAG has not shown he is the man to lead the program forward. IMO, Mal Moore needs to make it clear he expects the offense to change and either hire an assistant to install and run the offense or, if Mal feels that assistant is already in place, he needs to be given the power to run the offense. Same thing Mal reportedly did to Shula after the 2006 season. If CAG refuses, time to cut our losses. Our AD revenues are at all time highs, imagine if we spent of basketball like we do football. B/C of the success of Coach Saban we can attract a top coach. We CAN afford to make our next coach a top 10 paid coach in America.

Someone previously said who would you hire: Well, in no order...

Tom Izzo
Brad Stevens
Greg McDermott
Buzz Williams

Stevens and McDermott are paid equal or less than Grant. Izzo makes around $3.5MM and Buzz brings in around $2.8MM. The SEC would be a step up for Stevens and McDermott and a pay raise and modest promises towards basketball facilities would be required.

Buzz probably costs in the $3.5-$4.0 range along with major renovations to Coleman, and practice facility/locker room etc. Izzo would probably have to come closer to what Billy and Cal are paid. Nick Saban could and would be a huge factor in selling Tom on coming to BAMA AND convincing Mal a new arena and total control Izzo would demand are needed.

Nick Saban has said before that when ALL the programs are strong it makes recruiting that much easier. We have top notch programs in Gymnastics, softball, M/W Golf and football. No reason basketball can't be on that list. If Saban succeeds Mal as AD like many believe/want, he is going to DEMAND a BB team that wins. Winning can start next season if CAG agrees to make the needed changes, else, time to get rid of him and move on...

 

[Alasippi]

It's because our 4 is playing at the 5......

Also, our Fresh Phenom isn't playing like one.....and should be at the 4 -- but he has NO meat on his bones.....

In football you can miss on a few recruits.....in Hoops, it's very hard.

Hang tight ya'll -- it's coming!

Pollard was a point guard in high school and while he has no future there in college he's really had quite a tough adjustment trying to learn the forward position. He's played very very tentative but he has some ability.

Agree that basketball is more difficult to recruit because only in rare occasions can you be certain about a prospect.

An example would be Lacey, Randolph and Cooper. They're all three pretty good players and getting better every game but coming out of high school they were the 2nd 4th and 8th rated shooting guards in America. One would think they'd be lighting it up but if they have a problem it's consistency in shooting. Go figure.

We're gonna be allright.

sip

 

[Alasippi]

I am in the camp that feels CAG has not shown he is the man to lead the program forward. IMO, Mal Moore needs to make it clear he expects the offense to change and either hire an assistant to install and run the offense or, if Mal feels that assistant is already in place, he needs to be given the power to run the offense. Same thing Mal reportedly did to Shula after the 2006 season. If CAG refuses, time to cut our losses. Our AD revenues are at all time highs, imagine if we spent of basketball like we do football. B/C of the success of Coach Saban we can attract a top coach. We CAN afford to make our next coach a top 10 paid coach in America.

Someone previously said who would you hire: Well, in no order...

Tom Izzo
Brad Stevens
Greg McDermott
Buzz Williams

Stevens and McDermott are paid equal or less than Grant. Izzo makes around $3.5MM and Buzz brings in around $2.8MM. The SEC would be a step up for Stevens and McDermott and a pay raise and modest promises towards basketball facilities would be required.

Buzz probably costs in the $3.5-$4.0 range along with major renovations to Coleman, and practice facility/locker room etc. Izzo would probably have to come closer to what Billy and Cal are paid. Nick Saban could and would be a huge factor in selling Tom on coming to BAMA AND convincing Mal a new arena and total control Izzo would demand are needed.

Nick Saban has said before that when ALL the programs are strong it makes recruiting that much easier. We have top notch programs in Gymnastics, softball, M/W Golf and football. No reason basketball can't be on that list. If Saban succeeds Mal as AD like many believe/want, he is going to DEMAND a BB team that wins. Winning can start next season if CAG agrees to make the needed changes, else, time to get rid of him and move on...

..with all due respect, "a basketball team that wins"? We win one more game and we've won 20 games three years in a row for the first time since 91.

As far as the four coaches you listed forget it. It's not just about money with these guys. It's about the total package--fan support, facilities, tradition, ability to recruit big time players etc.

Most every big time player we've ever had has been from Alabama or Mississippi. Both states have little D-1 talent anymore, and while coaches like Izzo could certainly convince a high school stud from Alabama to play at Michigan State he'd have fits trying to get a stud from Michigan to come play in Tuscaloosa.

We're not a basketball school, it's that simple. We've had some outstanding teams and we've put a lot of players in the NBA but we have no tradition of championships so we're by no means going to attract Coaches like Izzo.

The irony is, if Donovan had indeed gone to the NBA then Grant would be the Head Coach at Florida, beating our brains out and all the Grant naysayers would be saying, "Why can't we get an Anthony Grant?" lol

Never seen less patience for a guy who's doing a really good job of building the foundation for a consistently successful program.

sip

 

[mark4tide]

In year 4, there should be a strong sense of turnaround, especially in basketball. The thing is, there isn't. If you look only at the record, it might seem one way. However, take into consideration the games we've lost (Mercer, Tennessee, Tulane) and the games we could easily have lost. It honestly feels like Auburn football's "Forever Young" Chizik teams. We're stuck where we are, and are sliding whether you want to admit it or not. We need to pull the plug now as opposed to later when rebuilding will be more difficult.

3 straight 20 win seasons. First time it has been done since 1992. We have been competitive in all games except two this year. Just how are we sliding? It would be a big mistake to let CAG go.

 

[RTR91]

I am in the camp that feels CAG has not shown he is the man to lead the program forward. IMO, Mal Moore needs to make it clear he expects the offense to change and either hire an assistant to install and run the offense or, if Mal feels that assistant is already in place, he needs to be given the power to run the offense. Same thing Mal reportedly did to Shula after the 2006 season. If CAG refuses, time to cut our losses. Our AD revenues are at all time highs, imagine if we spent of basketball like we do football. B/C of the success of Coach Saban we can attract a top coach. We CAN afford to make our next coach a top 10 paid coach in America.

Someone previously said who would you hire: Well, in no order...

Tom Izzo
Brad Stevens
Greg McDermott
Buzz Williams

Stevens and McDermott are paid equal or less than Grant. Izzo makes around $3.5MM and Buzz brings in around $2.8MM. The SEC would be a step up for Stevens and McDermott and a pay raise and modest promises towards basketball facilities would be required.

Buzz probably costs in the $3.5-$4.0 range along with major renovations to Coleman, and practice facility/locker room etc. Izzo would probably have to come closer to what Billy and Cal are paid. Nick Saban could and would be a huge factor in selling Tom on coming to BAMA AND convincing Mal a new arena and total control Izzo would demand are needed.

Nick Saban has said before that when ALL the programs are strong it makes recruiting that much easier. We have top notch programs in Gymnastics, softball, M/W Golf and football. No reason basketball can't be on that list. If Saban succeeds Mal as AD like many believe/want, he is going to DEMAND a BB team that wins. Winning can start next season if CAG agrees to make the needed changes, else, time to get rid of him and move on...

First, Coleman may be older than some would like, but there will be no renovations done. Not after being remodeled a few years ago.

Second, CNS helped get CAG to Bama in 2009 IIRC. I remember he met with him prior to CAG taking the job. He also meets with recruits if the coaches ask. He obviously approves of CAG.

In my book, Stevens and McDermott qualify as mid-major coaches. The same thing Grant was when Bama got him from VCU. If folks don't like Grant, why do they want repeat the same coaching search as the last?

 

[BamaMTA06]

Someone previously said who would you hire: Well, in no order...

Tom Izzo
Brad Stevens
Greg McDermott
Buzz Williams

You can not be serious with that list of coaches. :biggrin:

 

[RTR91]

You can not be serious with that list of coaches. :biggrin:

Thinking the same.

Other than having his son play for him, what has McDermott done anyway?

 

[BamaMTA06]

Thinking the same.

Other than having his son play for him, what has McDermott done anyway?

Great coach at Northern Iowa. HORRIBLE at Iowa State. Went back to the mid-majors and had his high major talent son to come play for him.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

ARK is a great example of what happens when you turn over the basketball HC every four years. I can remember when the younger members here were moaning and crying for Anderson when Gottfried was here. Injuries/whiffs can knock the stuffing out of a season. Ask Calipari. Grant will get two more years to see if he can right the ship. Coach K would have been fired at this point, if the "Fahr'im now!" younger, impatient crowd were listened to. There's just no point whatsoever in keeping on saying he needs to be fired now. After the 1000th time, it gets very tiresome and repetitive - and it's totally futile...

 

[CrimsonProf]

ARK is a great example of what happens when you turn over the basketball HC every four years. I can remember when the younger members here were moaning and crying for Anderson when Gottfried was here. Injuries/whiffs can knock the stuffing out of a season. Ask Calipari. Grant will get two more years to see if he can right the ship. Coach K would have been fired at this point, if the "Fahr'im now!" younger, impatient crowd were listened to. There's just no point whatsoever in keeping on saying he needs to be fired now. After the 1000th time, it gets very tiresome and repetitive - and it's totally futile...

Fully endorse this.

 

[teamplayer]

I don't think firing Grant should even be thought about this year. It is true that we have had a few terrible games this year, but with no post presence and very little shooting ability and very little depth we have managed to win 20 games. Next year, however, we should see real, measurable improvement when it comes to wins and consistency of play.

 

[Matt0424]

I want to post four coaches resumes, and you pick which ones sound the best...

COACH A:
17-13 (6-8)
10-17 (4-10)
11-17 (3-11)
24-10 (7-7)


COACH B:
15-6 (10-4)
12-12 (6-8)
16-9 (10-4)
16-11 (8-6)

COACH C:
17-15 (6-10)
25-12 (12-4)
21-12 (9-7)
19-10 (11-5)

COACH D:
13-17 (5-11)
14-15 (6-10)
22-9 (10-6)
29-8 (12-4)

 

[BamaBuff24]

ARK is a great example of what happens when you turn over the basketball HC every four years. I can remember when the younger members here were moaning and crying for Anderson when Gottfried was here. Injuries/whiffs can knock the stuffing out of a season. Ask Calipari. Grant will get two more years to see if he can right the ship. Coach K would have been fired at this point, if the "Fahr'im now!" younger, impatient crowd were listened to. There's just no point whatsoever in keeping on saying he needs to be fired now. After the 1000th time, it gets very tiresome and repetitive - and it's totally futile...

I agree with you.

What I don't understand folks don't understand our past in hiring Basketball Coaches. We have never hired a big name in basketball. CCMN coached at Transylvania before he came to Alabama by CAR recommendation to CPB. CWS was assistant to CCMN before he became head coach. CRP of Louisville and CBD of Florida had high praises for CAG and even CNS said Alabama hired a good man. We have no big guys and CMG did not leave the cupboard full. I have heard people said OSU and UF does it. Well, both schools enrollment is setting about 50,000 and Alabama has just got into 20,000s in the last ten years. That is why UNC, KU, Duke, and any big east schools don't have football programs. That is why the big 7 is leaving the football conference with their name. And the big kids want to go to the big schools. Also, most of the kids have come from the southeast, check the rosters the past 40 years. It is going to take awhile before good things come. And besides Kentucky and Florida have been the only consistent teams in the SEC. Look at CKS and Vandy this year. Patience is a virtue. RTR!!

 

[CrimsonProf]

I agree with you.

What I don't understand folks don't understand our past in hiring Basketball Coaches. We have never hired a big name in basketball. CCMN coached at Transylvania before he came to Alabama by CAR recommendation to CPB. CWS was assistant to CCMN before he became head coach. CRP of Louisville and CBD of Florida had high praises for CAG and even CNS said Alabama hired a good man. We have no big guys and CMG did not leave the cupboard full. I have heard people said OSU and UF does it. Well, both schools enrollment is setting about 50,000 and Alabama has just got into 20,000s in the last ten years. That is why UNC, KU, Duke, and any big east schools don't have football programs. That is why the big 7 is leaving the football conference with their name. And the big kids want to go to the big schools. Also, most of the kids have come from the southeast, check the rosters the past 40 years. It is going to take awhile before good things come. And besides Kentucky and Florida have been the only consistent teams in the SEC. Look at CKS and Vandy this year. Patience is a virtue. RTR!!

A very fair point - well worth mentioning.

 

[RTR91]

ARK is a great example of what happens when you turn over the basketball HC every four years. I can remember when the younger members here were moaning and crying for Anderson when Gottfried was here. Injuries/whiffs can knock the stuffing out of a season. Ask Calipari. Grant will get two more years to see if he can right the ship. Coach K would have been fired at this point, if the "Fahr'im now!" younger, impatient crowd were listened to. There's just no point whatsoever in keeping on saying he needs to be fired now. After the 1000th time, it gets very tiresome and repetitive - and it's totally futile...

Only disagree in one aspect. I don't think this young wanting one thing while the older fans want another. I know a guy in his 70s that wants Grant gone. I want him to stay, and I'm in my 20s.

 

[Rama Jama]

I agree with you.

What I don't understand folks don't understand our past in hiring Basketball Coaches. We have never hired a big name in basketball. CCMN coached at Transylvania before he came to Alabama by CAR recommendation to CPB. CWS was assistant to CCMN before he became head coach. CRP of Louisville and CBD of Florida had high praises for CAG and even CNS said Alabama hired a good man. We have no big guys and CMG did not leave the cupboard full. I have heard people said OSU and UF does it. Well, both schools enrollment is setting about 50,000 and Alabama has just got into 20,000s in the last ten years. That is why UNC, KU, Duke, and any big east schools don't have football programs. That is why the big 7 is leaving the football conference with their name. And the big kids want to go to the big schools. Also, most of the kids have come from the southeast, check the rosters the past 40 years. It is going to take awhile before good things come. And besides Kentucky and Florida have been the only consistent teams in the SEC. Look at CKS and Vandy this year. Patience is a virtue. RTR!!

Just to make a point. enrollment here is almost 34,000. It is expected to be at 35,000 next fall.