sluggo said:

---

It was the defense.

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

A PG and a big. And a good, smart, positive coach.

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

A PG and a big. And a good, smart, positive coach.

---

New coach most important. I hope for a big and a shooter. I think R. Brown can back up Askew at point. Shooting is a huge problem.

---

sluggo said:

---

It was the defense.

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does…

And unless donors buy out Fox, it won't happen. The Chancellor won't pay that.

---

TheFiatLux said:

---

sluggo said:

---

It was the defense.

---

At least the pressers are getting shorter... So we've got that going for us...

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does…

And unless donors buy out Fox, it won't happen. The Chancellor won't pay that.

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

4thGenCal said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

A PG and a big. And a good, smart, positive coach.

---

New coach most important. I hope for a big and a shooter. I think R. Brown can back up Askew at point. Shooting is a huge problem.

---

Shooting is a huge problem, but I think Celestine and Alajiki can be decent secondary shooters in a good offense with R.Brown as the primary shooter.

But yeah, at least one more shooter, maybe a stretch big? We really will only have Okafor next year.

I'd still like to see more of Wren Robinson THIS year. Clayton, is out, Brown sits with foul trouble. He played great in his brief appearances.

---

Agree - only possible reason not to play Wren Robinson - is that Paris Austin reached out to the staff and said give this guy a chance on the team "He can play and will help you" and since WR came out of the student body, its maybe a bad look to play him over the guys who were recruited. Won't change the outcomes, but would improve the guard play in stints. Team has the worst shooting (other than Stanford game) I have seen in decades. Poor offense, poor ball movement, and thus extremely difficult to win - unless the other team goes into a complete flat mode with even worse shooting than Cal.

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

---

Agreed. Though I would start by showing Fox the door (call it "administrative leave") and promoting Andrew Francis to interim head coach. That costs nothing, but signals change. The boosters can then be involved in what the new staff is going to look like, but it would be smart to go with a young charismatic coach making less than $1 million (maybe a lot less) and spend the money on NIL instead.

The remainder of the season would be Francis' opportunity to try out for that role, but no obligation on Cal's side. It would at least be a relief for everyone, make the rest of the season more interesting and would eliminate the current ambivalence fans have about showing up and supporting the team, fearing that would be seen as support for Fox.

---

sluggo said:

---

4thGenCal said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

A PG and a big. And a good, smart, positive coach.

---

New coach most important. I hope for a big and a shooter. I think R. Brown can back up Askew at point. Shooting is a huge problem.

---

Shooting is a huge problem, but I think Celestine and Alajiki can be decent secondary shooters in a good offense with R.Brown as the primary shooter.

But yeah, at least one more shooter, maybe a stretch big? We really will only have Okafor next year.

I'd still like to see more of Wren Robinson THIS year. Clayton, is out, Brown sits with foul trouble. He played great in his brief appearances.

---

Agree - only possible reason not to play Wren Robinson - is that Paris Austin reached out to the staff and said give this guy a chance on the team "He can play and will help you" and since WR came out of the student body, its maybe a bad look to play him over the guys who were recruited. Won't change the outcomes, but would improve the guard play in stints. Team has the worst shooting (other than Stanford game) I have seen in decades. Poor offense, poor ball movement, and thus extremely difficult to win - unless the other team goes into a complete flat mode with even worse shooting than Cal.

---

That and that he is 5'11'', which is not good for defense. I am not saying I agree, but there can be other reasons than a conspiracy. Crazy that Askew played until the final second to not make the score look as bad. Like it fooled anyone.

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

---

Agreed. Though I would start by showing Fox the door (call it "administrative leave") and promoting Andrew Francis to interim head coach. That costs nothing, but signals change. The boosters can then be involved in what the new staff is going to look like, but it would be smart to go with a young charismatic coach making less than $1 million (maybe a lot less) and spend the money on NIL instead.

The remainder of the season would be Francis' opportunity to try out for that role, but no obligation on Cal's side. It would at least be a relief for everyone, make the rest of the season more interesting and would eliminate the current ambivalence fans have about showing up and supporting the team, fearing that would be seen as support for Fox.

---

He is owed something like 4 million dollars. I am not sure you can jump off the cliff of putting him on leave before you have the money, even it would feel good to do it.

---

He gets the same money either way. I'd rather have Andrew Francis coaching the team the rest of the season or even next year too until someone puts up the money to give Fox his lump sum payment and hire a new guy.

---

Big Dog said:

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

---

and if I was one of those big boosters, I'd respond, "thank you so much for the offer, John, but no way I will contribute as long as you remain in your current position." (The covid contract extensions are just inexcusable.)

---

sluggo said:

---

Big Dog said:

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

---

and if I was one of those big boosters, I'd respond, "thank you so much for the offer, John, but no way I will contribute as long as you remain in your current position." (The covid contract extensions are just inexcusable.)

---

Yes, it probably would not work, but what is there to lose?

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

---

It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

---

There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

---

Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

---

You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

---

In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

---

If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

---

If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

---

Agreed. Though I would start by showing Fox the door (call it "administrative leave") and promoting Andrew Francis to interim head coach. That costs nothing, but signals change. The boosters can then be involved in what the new staff is going to look like, but it would be smart to go with a young charismatic coach making less than $1 million (maybe a lot less) and spend the money on NIL instead.

The remainder of the season would be Francis' opportunity to try out for that role, but no obligation on Cal's side. It would at least be a relief for everyone, make the rest of the season more interesting and would eliminate the current ambivalence fans have about showing up and supporting the team, fearing that would be seen as support for Fox.

---

He is owed something like 4 million dollars. I am not sure you can jump off the cliff of putting him on leave before you have the money, even it would feel good to do it.

---

He gets the same money either way. I'd rather have Andrew Francis coaching the team the rest of the season or even next year too until someone puts up the money to give Fox his lump sum payment and hire a new guy.

---

If you serve the whole year you are not interim. Next year they would have to pay Francis at least a million if he was the head coach, and probably you have to give him multiple years. Not literally true, but it is already getting awkward that Jones was fired after two years and Fox who is equally bad (worse imo) got an extension.

Not sure what Francis makes now. You can't spend money you don't have.

---

Pretty sure Bozeman did not get a raise (or it was minimal) when we fired Campanelli, even when we removed the interim label.

I'm pretty sure there is no law we have to pay $1 million. Randy Bennett makes half that at St. Mary's.

Francis could continue next year at essentially the same contract plus incentives. If worst came to worst.

Labaugh gets less than $100k at CCSF, I'm pretty sure he'd take the Cal job for double.

Pasternak makes $375,000 at UCSB

Again, these are worst case scenarios if we have no money.

Moreover, firing Fox this season saves at least $900,000 in future obligations to him under his contract. If Francis is paid $80,000 now, you could fire Fox and pay Francis, or Labaugh, or DeCuire, or Legans or… the same as Randy Bennet for next year and the year following for zero net cost to Cal. You would then be done with Fox's contract and could give raises or to center pay someone the $1.9 million per year you were paying to Fox.

---

Big C said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

sluggo said:

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

sluggo said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

sluggo said:

---

calumnus said:

---

ncbears said:

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It's hard to imagine what person would want to take over this program - the roster is .... what it is. The person would have to be a dynamic recruiter - more than dynamic - would have to be heroic.

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There will be roster openings.

If you had 2 or 3 top level players added to the returning core of Celestine, Newell, Alajiki, Okafor and Askew, I think you could have a decent team if they also had a good, smart, positive coach. Then you build from that.

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Incoming freshman Brown is good and adds to ball handling and shooting. Need one or two more incoming plus a good, smart, positive coach.

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You are assuming we don't lose a Newell or Okafor.
Both should have multiple NIL h transfer options from schools that support hoops much better than Cal does….,

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In football Cal just got the message that NIL was more important than the other ways booster money was being used. Right now a 100 million dollar basketball practice facility has been suggested. Perhaps there will be a pivot?

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If I was a basketball fan (admittedly, they lost me), I would spend my money on NIL than basketball facility. Of course, I would need to see a good coaching change, otherwise I would feel like I'm just burning money. For big dollars, players will practice in a large tent if need be, but they have to feel good about the coaching staff. No dollar payment can override that.

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If I was AD I would bring together the whoever is left as a basketball booster, or whoever can be brought back into the fold, along with the people behind CAlegends.com. I would say "help me rebrand/reboot Cal basketball. I need X dollars to get rid of the fraud and bring in someone good, and you will have a big input in hiring. I will stop trying to collect for my from a different era practice facility, and you will work together on NIL to make Cal competitive in basketball recruiting. Who is in?"

And if Pasternack is the only way to do this, then make it Pasternack, though he would not be my choice otherwise.

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Agreed. Though I would start by showing Fox the door (call it "administrative leave") and promoting Andrew Francis to interim head coach. That costs nothing, but signals change. The boosters can then be involved in what the new staff is going to look like, but it would be smart to go with a young charismatic coach making less than $1 million (maybe a lot less) and spend the money on NIL instead.

The remainder of the season would be Francis' opportunity to try out for that role, but no obligation on Cal's side. It would at least be a relief for everyone, make the rest of the season more interesting and would eliminate the current ambivalence fans have about showing up and supporting the team, fearing that would be seen as support for Fox.

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He is owed something like 4 million dollars. I am not sure you can jump off the cliff of putting him on leave before you have the money, even it would feel good to do it.

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He gets the same money either way. I'd rather have Andrew Francis coaching the team the rest of the season or even next year too until someone puts up the money to give Fox his lump sum payment and hire a new guy.

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If you serve the whole year you are not interim. Next year they would have to pay Francis at least a million if he was the head coach, and probably you have to give him multiple years. Not literally true, but it is already getting awkward that Jones was fired after two years and Fox who is equally bad (worse imo) got an extension.

Not sure what Francis makes now. You can't spend money you don't have.

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Pretty sure Bozeman did not get a raise (or it was minimal) when we fired Campanelli, even when we removed the interim label.

I'm pretty sure there is no law we have to pay $1 million. Randy Bennett makes half that at St. Mary's.

Francis could continue next year at essentially the same contract plus incentives. If worst came to worst.

Labaugh gets less than $100k at CCSF, I'm pretty sure he'd take the Cal job for double.

Pasternak makes $375,000 at UCSB

Again, these are worst case scenarios if we have no money.

Moreover, firing Fox this season saves at least $900,000 in future obligations to him under his contract. If Francis is paid $80,000 now, you could fire Fox and pay Francis, or Labaugh, or DeCuire, or Legans or… the same as Randy Bennet for next year and the year following for zero net cost to Cal. You would then be done with Fox's contract and could give raises or to center pay someone the $1.9 million per year you were paying to Fox.

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I'm pretty sure the reality of coaches' salaries nowadays is that all coaches have agents and schools in our conference pay "Pac 12 market value". The absolute floor is what Wyking Jones made (a million per year). Whatever DeCuire makes in Montana (or wherever he is) is irrelevant. He would be making probably 1.5 here. Otherwise, why didn't they hire Wyking for half of what they gave him?

I believe the process is similar to the one that keeps ratcheting executive salaries higher and higher and explains why these guys' contracts now need to have at least two years left on them at all times (used to be one). Basically collusion to make the rich richer. Agents, executive compensation committees, etc.

Just a guess, but Bennett has to be making more than 500k at St. Mary's, doesn't he?

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