2010-11 Head Coach...

[PeterMartin08]

Where do you stand?

[fordhamram]

I think you can pretty much judge how people feel from the 200 threads already devoted to this.

Not to be mean, but pretty much half the threads on the first page are dedicated to a similar topic and just about every thread has this exact question in mind.

[PeterMartin08]

I think you can pretty much judge how people feel from the 200 threads already devoted to this.

... precisely why I created the poll

[Stringer Bell]

I actually like the idea of a new poll every week to measure the change in attitude based on our play and the coaching rumors slowly coming out.

[Buzz]

I think Grasso if given the opportunity could create a winning program at Fordham.
I also strongly believe that nobody at Fordham has the cajones to bring Grasso back because his record has been a disaster on paper.
I expect Fordham to go after a coach with a better resume and lower ceiling.
In some ways, hasn't Grasso's time as head coach been a microcosm of the entire program... an impossible situation.

My guess Fordham plays it safe, goes with a coach who's of little risk (on paper) and gets little reward (with wins).
Only the names will change

[ramfan01]

I don't know if JG will get the job for next year.  I think yesterday's disaster put a serious wound in his candidacy.  However, I have always felt that he has a great upside, and I believe that many non-Grasso supporters agree with this.  If we decide to go another way, I believe it would wise to make a concerted effort to keep Grasso on the staff if at all possible.  I don't know what it would take for this to happen, but there must be some way to make it possible.

[connram99]

I don't know if JG will get the job for next year.  I think yesterday's disaster put a serious wound in his candidacy.  However, I have always felt that he has a great upside, and I believe that many non-Grasso supporters agree with this.  If we decide to go another way, I believe it would wise to make a concerted effort to keep Grasso on the staff if at all possible.  I don't know what it would take for this to happen, but there must be some way to make it possible.

+1, We must retain Grasso.

[ace93]

... precisely why I created the poll

I don't want to over-manage here, but there is a very similar poll already open, it does not close until after the season and it allows people to change their vote.  Just something to keep in mind.

Speaking of over-managing, I think if a new coach is hired the AD would be over-managing a bit if he puts too much pressure on the new coach to try to hire Grasso as an assistant.  At the same time, any coach in his right mind would want to try to do so for the recruiting connections, but at the same time it could undermine his authority with the players.  Grasso wants the job, at least some of the players likely want him to get the job so to keep him on staff; that would make for a tricky relationship.

[high school hoops]

I don't want to over-manage here, but there is a very similar poll already open, it does not close until after the season and it allows people to change their vote.  Just something to keep in mind.

Speaking of over-managing, I think if a new coach is hired the AD would be over-managing a bit if he puts too much pressure on the new coach to try to hire Grasso as an assistant.  At the same time, any coach in his right mind would want to try to do so for the recruiting connections, but at the same time it could undermine his authority with the players.  Grasso wants the job, at least some of the players likely want him to get the job so to keep him on staff; that would make for a tricky relationship.

Ace, I respect your intentions in trying to find a way to keep Grasso if he does not become our HC. Yet, it is completely unrealistic. He is greatly respected as a recruiter and otherwise by many, and would likely be an assistant at a Big major if he does not get the Fordham job. Do you really think he would honestly have an interest in being an assistant at Fordham at this point? While I do support him as our next coach, I also understand the reservations of many posters. Let's be realistic, he will either be our HC or a top assistant at a major next year.

[ace93]

Ace, I respect your intentions in trying to find a way to keep Grasso if he does not become our HC.

I think you misinterpreted my post or I phrased it poorly.  Probably the latter. That was not my point or goal in my post at all.

[PeterMartin08]

46 votes is a fair sample for a 24 hour period...

Essentially, 70%+ are giving Grasso a 'satisfactory' or better vote of confidence - A very solid clip considering this is on the heels of a disappointing GW performance...

Two tough road games (URI - RPI 23, Richmond - RPI 27), followed by home Bonaventure next Wednesday

A home victory and another incoming recruit to join James & Armand would be a very convincing way to close February

For all intents and purposes, the morning of 2/25 looks like a date where some final judgments can be made

[RAM71]

Question: Who would you take in this new era of cash?
Bob McKillop  5 (19.2%)
Steve Donahue  6 (23.1%)
Mike Rice  5 (19.2%)
Fran McCaffrey  9 (34.6%)
Tom Pecora  1 (3.8%)
 
Total Voters: 26

Doesn't look like an overwhelming demand for Pecora. Who was his one vote? I guess any port in a storm (even Fordham) for a 52 year old guy who fears for his job. Is he going to have the energy and drive needed at Fordham?

Has anyone seen his buyout- looks like a problem to me. I can't see Father McShane approving a large buyout to another "lesser" school. Didn't 85 report that he already makes $500,000?     
 

[El Jefe]

What I find interesting about the "national" search for a coach is that the position has not been posted on the University's web site.  Three assistant FB coaching positions are listed, but nothing for BB.  DW exited 10 weeks ago.  Everyone knows JG is officially an interim head coach.  I would expect some type of job listing.  The AD cannot wait until after the season is over to start collecting resumes.   Makes you wonder if a decision has indeed been made and a "national" coaching search is being carried out only for the sake of formality. 

For those who are frustrated and have suffered with Fordham BB over the years (count me in), the attached link to an article by Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports may be of interest.  In their 72 years of BB, Northwestern University has never made the NCAA tournament.  NW has had some winning seasons, including this year (17-9).  However, NW is not expected to go to the dance as a result of their home loss to Penn St. this past Wednesday.  Fordham's NCAA drought pales in comparison.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/story/12942087/latest-loss-likely-to-lock-northwestern-out-of-elusive-ncaa-bid

[shortshot]

What I find interesting about the "national" search for a coach is that the position has not been posted on the University's web site.  Three assistant FB coaching positions are listed, but nothing for BB.  DW exited 10 weeks ago.  Everyone knows JG is officially an interim head coach.  I would expect some type of job listing.  The AD cannot wait until after the season is over to start collecting resumes.   Makes you wonder if a decision has indeed been made and a "national" coaching search is being carried out only for the sake of formality. 

I don't know if it is common practice to post an opening for a Head Coaching job. Does anyone know if it was posted after TBC was fired and after Clausen left? I think a "national" search is actually being made but I'm not sure  if it would meet our definition of national. We are getting more publicity for BB about the DC opening than we have in probably the past 4 years combined so I'm sure the word is out to anyone and everyone who might be interested.

[ayteefie]

EL Jefe, the entire national search in essence is misleading. DW got fired. Frank immediately announced that we were conducting a "national search" for a new head coach. However, at the same time, Frank announced that Jared Grasso would be a "finalist" for the position. Obviously, how can you declare an assistant coach, especially one coming off the heels of the worst season in 106 years to be a "finalist" before the national search has even begun! 

I could see if they said Jared was going to be a candidate. But to thrust the guy into being a  "finalist"  before you even start the search undermines the entire credibility of the purported search.

 

[lj]

I was solidly behind hiring JG when DW got canned.  However, my support is now flimsy at best.  I've attended 3 games since he took over, and my concerns are 1)  They don't seem to be that well coached and 2)  They don't seem that motivated. 

The first problem can be solved by bringing in an experienced Xs and Os coach.  Plus, JG has not had these guys for so long, so perhaps it takes a while to build up game plans and plays.  In other words, I am willing to give him a pass on this, although it still worries me.  Remember, a big complaint about DW was that he couldn't coach Xs and Os and that no player got any better under his guidance.  I'm not so sure that it is any different under JG.

The second issue worries me more.  These players were supposed to LOVE JG, and once the dark cloud of DW was removed, we were supposed to see them free, loving the game, playing with enthusiasm.  Sorry to say, but from what I have seen, it hasn't happened.  They have looked just as disinterested while getting blown out in the second half of games under JG as they did under DW.  Now, getting blown out may have a lot to do with it, but I thought that was one of a coach's primary functions - to motivate.  I just haven't seen it so far.

If JG is named HC, I will not be unhappy.  However, I think that we are doing ourselves a huge disservice if we don't conduct a thorough search.

Plus, and here is the bell I keep ringing.....none of this matters at all as long as Grank is in power.  Whoever is named HC is doomed to failure in the end until we clean house. 

[Vinseiro]

Not new or earthshattering, but the buzz is that serious thought is being given to retaining Grasso on staff to a desirable new head coach.  The new money may help.

[Ram I Am]

Not new or earthshattering, but the buzz is that serious thought is being given to retaining Grasso on staff to a desirable new head coach.  The new money may help.

I am not adverse to the new HC keeping Grasso on as an assistant.  In fact, I posted about the possibility in a different thread a couple weeks back.  However, it would be crazy to place that as a requirement of the new HC.  He should have sole discretion of who he hires for staff.  As Bill Parcells once said, "If they're expecting me to make Sunday dinner, they should at least let me shop for the groceries."

[85RAM]

Three weeks ago I was willing to give it to Grasso.  Now I say, blow it up and start again!

[NYRam07]

I'm a huge supporter of keeping Grasso on as an assistant... if the new HC wants to go that route. I dont see a downside to that move IF the new HC is on baord with the move. I think its best case scenario for us as i've been saying for awhile now.

[ace93]

Agreed.  That decision should be mostly for the head coach to make, but the AD should also be able to opine and suggest.  Let's not forget that for a good while many here suggested that the AD should force DW to fire someone from his staff and replace him with an experienced x's and o's assistant.

[SIram]

Agreed.  That decision should be mostly for the head coach to make, but the AD should also be able to opine and suggest.  Let's not forget that for a good while many here suggested that the AD should force DW to fire someone from his staff and replace him with an experienced x's and o's assistant.

True, but it was only because we were right

[John]

Watched the Iona-William & Mary bracketbuster game coming home on the redeye from California, and I have to say, I was very impressed with Kevin Williard, the Iona coach who racked up the team's 20th victory. His team, too, has 6 freshmen, although a better distribution of kids across all 4 years. He seemed mature beyond his years, and had some classy touches for his outgoing seniors.

[PA Ram]

Let's not forget that for a good while many here suggested that the AD should force DW to fire someone from his staff and replace him with an experienced x's and o's assistant.

That's really a punitive move, though, right?  "You're not getting it done and before you get canned, we're going to force this move on you".  Seems a tough message to deliver to a coach who is just starting with you. 

I agree with your other line about the AD being able to suggest it.

[ace93]

That's really a punitive move, though, right?  "You're not getting it done and before you get canned, we're going to force this move on you".  Seems a tough message to deliver to a coach who is just starting with you. 

I agree with your other line about the AD being able to suggest it.

I hear you, but I am not a believer in forcing an assistant onto any coach.  If you want to fire them, then fire them, if not just let them do their job.  If they fail with the assistant you forced on them you are giving them a built in excuse.