Curious what type of coach Cuonzo will hire to replace Yanni-another pure recruiter or an offensive minded bench coach? Front end talent of the rotation (Jaylen, Rabb, Ty, Bird) was very good, but the back end (Mathews, Singer, K2, Domingo) isn't strong enough to make a deep run. Improvement comes from more talent top to bottom (pure recruiter) or someone who can get more out of lesser talent (bench coach). Leaning toward a recruiter with West Coast ties, but can see a case for a bench coach.

This is going to be interesting.

Hufnagel's termination isn't even final yet. It's possible, even if unlikely, that he could still be voluntarily reinstated. Nevertheless I'm sure Martin has feelers out. But what happens if they finalize his termination and he sues for wrongful termination and reinstatement? That decision could take years. Meanwhile Cal hires someone and moves forward knowing if they're ordered to rehire Hufnagel they have to let someone else go due to the NCAA limit on coaches? It could get real messy.

OldBlue1999;842670391 said:

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Hufnagel's termination isn't even final yet. It's possible, even if unlikely, that he could still be voluntarily reinstated. Nevertheless I'm sure Martin has feelers out. But what happens if they finalize his termination and he sues for wrongful termination and reinstatement? That decision could take years. Meanwhile Cal hires someone and moves forward knowing if they're ordered to rehire Hufnagel they have to let someone else go due to the NCAA limit on coaches? It could get real messy.

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The jury appeal of his case is in the minus column.

BearDevil;842670383 said:

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Curious what type of coach Cuonzo will hire to replace Yanni-another pure recruiter or an offensive minded bench coach? Front end talent of the rotation (Jaylen, Rabb, Ty, Bird) was very good, but the back end (Mathews, Singer, K2, Domingo) isn't strong enough to make a deep run. Improvement comes from more talent top to bottom (pure recruiter) or someone who can get more out of lesser talent (bench coach). Leaning toward a recruiter with West Coast ties, but can see a case for a bench coach.

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Personally I would like to see someone hired with very deep SoCal roots. Yanni actually had that - with a lot of pull at places like Westlake. But it isn't like he is necessarily UNIQUE in that regards.

You know who I would be asking for advice from - Mr. Mathews Senior. Who does HE like among the SoCal coaching community.

bearister;842670394 said:

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The jury appeal of his case is in the minus column.

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That may be true (I don't agree), but he's already found an attorney willing to represent him and indicated that he will sue if necessary. I think he feels he needs to clear his name to continue his career. That's a strong incentive.

OldBlue1999;842670391 said:

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Hufnagel's termination isn't even final yet. It's possible, even if unlikely, that he could still be voluntarily reinstated. Nevertheless I'm sure Martin has feelers out. But what happens if they finalize his termination and he sues for wrongful termination and reinstatement? That decision could take years. Meanwhile Cal hires someone and moves forward knowing if they're ordered to rehire Hufnagel they have to let someone else go due to the NCAA limit on coaches? It could get real messy.

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Generally that's not how it works. The University would be required to pay him damages but it's not like the cops will show up and force Martin to put him back on the coaching staff. He'd get a payout for "breach of contract" and other damages and that would be it.

I'm pretty sure reinstatement is an available remedy in wrongful termination cases, at least under certain theories. I'm not an employment attorney though, so maybe someone who is can clarify. I've only been exposed to those cases peripherally.

BearDevil;842670383 said:

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Curious what type of coach Cuonzo will hire to replace Yanni-another pure recruiter or an offensive minded bench coach? Front end talent of the rotation (Jaylen, Rabb, Ty, Bird) was very good, but the back end (Mathews, Singer, K2, Domingo) isn't strong enough to make a deep run. Improvement comes from more talent top to bottom (pure recruiter) or someone who can get more out of lesser talent (bench coach). Leaning toward a recruiter with West Coast ties, but can see a case for a bench coach.

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Agree, but I and I assume many were surprised that Yanni was the prime recruiter for Brown and Rabb. We were led to believe CM was in Rabb's ear for years, and also Brown. I feel that it was evident that there was something missing from a coaching standpoint especially offensively this year. If CM was the one who controlled that aspect he must get someone in to bring the offense together and run a modern day offense. If he fails to recognize this and brings the same system next year it won't make a big difference how well we recruit. I think most observers felt that we should have played better ball, regardless of the record. The fact that the Pac 12 was a disaster in the NCAA's will not go unnoticed by recruits. Coaches with big egos usually have a tough time getting a good assistant with the authority to do his thing. Don't know if this is CM, but it make one wonder and hope for the right decision.

I wouldn't lump Matthews in with the "not strong enough" group. He held the team together much of the time. Also, remember, Matthews, Singer Rooks, Domingo, Moute a Bidias were recruited by MM (I know Domingo came in with Martin, but was originally a Monty recruit.

UrsaMajor;842670415 said:

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I wouldn't lump Matthews in with the "not strong enough" group. He held the team together much of the time. Also, remember, Matthews, Singer Rooks, Domingo, Moute a Bidias were recruited by MM (I know Domingo came in with Martin, but was originally a Monty recruit.

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2016 Bears had a S16 rotation, but not without Ty and Bird. Jaylen and Rabb would start and Ty and Bird would be rotation players on every team in the nation. Mathews is a good player, just not sure he'd play at Kansas or UNC. Don't see Bird, Mathews, Singer, K2, Domingo, Roman, and Coleman as a S16 rotation.

I'm pretty sure it will be someone who buys into the family dynamic of this staff. That may eliminate some offensive-genius bench coaches (but not all).

Like recruiting, it's not check the boxes, press the buttons and have the replicator create the perfect assistant. There will likely be multiple discussions/meetings and a decision to take the best available candidate. Wouldn't discount any prior relationships that CM may have had as a HC or assistant as well.

Richard Midgely!

bearister;842670394 said:

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The jury appeal of his case is in the minus column.

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I wouldn't count on that. Jury selection will be epic.

socaltownie;842670395 said:

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Personally I would like to see someone hired with very deep SoCal roots. Yanni actually had that - with a lot of pull at places like Westlake. But it isn't like he is necessarily UNIQUE in that regards.

You know who I would be asking for advice from - Mr. Mathews Senior. Who does HE like among the SoCal coaching community.

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This may be a totally ridiculous suggestion but what about Mr. Matthew Sr. himself. He coached at USF, is at Riverside now. Don't know if interested, and he has one son a senior to be, and the other entering USC. May not even work for him.

BeachedBear;842670437 said:

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I'm pretty sure it will be someone who buys into the family dynamic of this staff. That may eliminate some offensive-genius bench coaches (but not all).

Like recruiting, it's not check the boxes, press the buttons and have the replicator create the perfect assistant. There will likely be multiple discussions/meetings and a decision to take the best available candidate. Wouldn't discount any prior relationships that CM may have had as a HC or assistant as well.

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The Dubs have that "family dynamic", AND the best defensive coach in the history of the world, and whoever devised their cutting-edge offense that everyone now wants to emulate; and I can't imagine that Cuonzo, with his perspective on life, is incapable of living with a creative, powerful assistant. I'm not even convinced that the current guys, especially Jones and Webster are not that kind of assistant whose influence will be felt more as time goes on.

So what if he does? He'd get an award for lost pay and whatever, not reinstatement.

OldBlue1999;842670391 said:

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Hufnagel's termination isn't even final yet. It's possible, even if unlikely, that he could still be voluntarily reinstated. Nevertheless I'm sure Martin has feelers out. But what happens if they finalize his termination and he sues for wrongful termination and reinstatement? That decision could take years. Meanwhile Cal hires someone and moves forward knowing if they're ordered to rehire Hufnagel they have to let someone else go due to the NCAA limit on coaches? It could get real messy.

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IMO he will seek a recruiter first and foremost. Cuonzo needs players to play his style.

How about that ex UCLA coach Who is now broadcasting college games. I thought he was a damn good recruiter

Basketball Bear;842670638 said:

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How about that ex UCLA coach Who is now broadcasting college games. I thought he was a damn good recruiter

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Lavin

Basketball Bear;842670638 said:

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How about that ex UCLA coach Who is now broadcasting college games. I thought he was a damn good recruiter

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Recruiting for[COLOR="#0000FF"] UCLA[/COLOR] when he did does not qualify Lavin as a "damn good recruiter". Although I will admit that he is a charmer with a gift of gab which certainly helps.

OldBlue1999;842670400 said:

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I'm pretty sure reinstatement is an available remedy in wrongful termination cases, at least under certain theories. I'm not an employment attorney though, so maybe someone who is can clarify. I've only been exposed to those cases peripherally.

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I don't know of it's an available remedy or not but in this case it's entirely untenable. Seems more probable to me the university would be writing a bigger check to avoid that scenario.

To who though? To her? Or Huff? If he prevails with a wrongful termination then I can see a scenario where he gets reinstated but sanctioned. One crazy outcome could be his reinstatement but CM agrees to leave. Or both get some sort of settlement and move on. The only certainty in this case is that the University is going to pay somebody. And all 3 will have clouds on their careers.

I don't see an asst being hired till Cuonzo signs a contract, and who knows how fast might happen.

oskigobears;842670734 said:

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I don't see an asst being hired till Cuonzo signs a contract, and who knows how fast might happen.

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For both Cal and Cuonzo, you would think each party would really want to know one way or the other by the Final Four (weekend after this). Cuonzo -- if he needs to find an assistant...or if he wants to begin/continue talks with other ADs. Cal -- if they need to replace a head coach.

The Final Four eases logistics, but of course the process will play out as it must. Still, the longer this takes to figure out, the more it will hurt perception for both sides. How much damage will that perception do? That is another question.

BearDevil;842670383 said:

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Curious what type of coach Cuonzo will hire to replace Yanni-another pure recruiter or an offensive minded bench coach? Front end talent of the rotation (Jaylen, Rabb, Ty, Bird) was very good, but the back end (Mathews, Singer, K2, Domingo) isn't strong enough to make a deep run. Improvement comes from more talent top to bottom (pure recruiter) or someone who can get more out of lesser talent (bench coach). Leaning toward a recruiter with West Coast ties, but can see a case for a bench coach.

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Can a replacement coach be hired before the 'investigation' is complete?

I guess another eight months won't adversely affect the basketball program, right?

OldBlue1999;842670391 said:

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Hufnagel's termination isn't even final yet. It's possible, even if unlikely, that he could still be voluntarily reinstated. Nevertheless I'm sure Martin has feelers out. But what happens if they finalize his termination and he sues for wrongful termination and reinstatement? That decision could take years. Meanwhile Cal hires someone and moves forward knowing if they're ordered to rehire Hufnagel they have to let someone else go due to the NCAA limit on coaches? It could get real messy.

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Reinstatement into Buh's old position.

roqmoq;842670664 said:

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Recruiting for[COLOR="#0000FF"] UCLA[/COLOR] when he did does not qualify Lavin as a "damn good recruiter". Although I will admit that he is a charmer with a gift of gab which certainly helps.

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Tired of his made up cliche phrases, however.
Trying to emulate dick vitale too much.
Many announcers seek "their" line:
Diaper dandy
Onions
Oh my
Why not
I'm sure we could make a list of 50 of these, assigned to various guys.

Gottleib relies on facts and opinion, not catchy phrases. A less opinioned guy, who uses no new terminology is Jim Nance. Walton is repetitive, conference of champions, but it's language you don't need a translation key to.

Every time I have to refer to my translation card, or their "calling card" sheet of idioms, I grow weary.

"The Grateful Dead, they're my best friends. Their message of hope, peace, love, teamwork, creativity, imagination, celebration, the dance, the vision, the purpose, the passion all of the things I believe in makes me the luckiest Deadhead in the world."