GBear4Life said:

---

GoCal80 said:

---

Hard for me to imagine that Kidd would be given serious consideration at Cal. He fails to check way too many boxes.

---

LMFAO!

Nothing amazes me more than the deluded sanctimony of our fan base.

A two-time NBA HC, a 1st ballot HOF player, a world champion, and an alum -- arguably the most notable and successful Cal athlete ever -- doesn't "check enough boxes" at a university coming off it's worst season in history. In what galaxy would Cal EVER be in the conversation for a candidate like this??? Kidd, regardless of any player development and X's-O's flaws would give Cal instant national visibility.

I bet the people echoing these silly sentiments thought Musselman wasn't a good fit either, who also was a former NBA HC and is an elite player development/X's-O's guy, an absolute "coach rat", because he had a DUI 100 years ago a hair above the legal limit.

As many say here, this is why we can't have nice things. If reports are true and the AD is eyeing JKidd, whether it's because of donors or not, they deserve kudos, for once.

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

That's why I'm a little leery of Jason even though I'm not against it (could be uptick in recruiting).

Russell Turner, Travis Decuire and Kyle Smith are my favorites.

---

OdontoBear66 said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

That's why I'm a little leery of Jason even though I'm not against it (could be uptick in recruiting).

Russell Turner, Travis Decuire and Kyle Smith are my favorites.

---

Like you, I would love JK, but my favorites are Turner, DeCuire and Smith too. An interesting parallel is Patrick Ewing at G'town. He is recruiting well and building a nice team, but even though going from the basement to middle of the pack, the fans there are still getting anxious. That's where I would project us in two years. The glamor of the big name wears off if the wins are not there. I do think JK's recruiting would be awesome though.

---

socaltownie said:

---

OdontoBear66 said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

That's why I'm a little leery of Jason even though I'm not against it (could be uptick in recruiting).

Russell Turner, Travis Decuire and Kyle Smith are my favorites.

---

Like you, I would love JK, but my favorites are Turner, DeCuire and Smith too. An interesting parallel is Patrick Ewing at G'town. He is recruiting well and building a nice team, but even though going from the basement to middle of the pack, the fans there are still getting anxious. That's where I would project us in two years. The glamor of the big name wears off if the wins are not there. I do think JK's recruiting would be awesome though.

---

Georgetown's issues are really far beyond PE. The rumblings are probably bad sportswritter crap as they gin up eyeballs - -- Big East of today ain't your father's Big East - a 2 invite conference and one that really lost a ton in the conference reshuffle. It has become, in some ways, the East Coasts version of the WCC - Vilianova (aka Zaga) and the 9 sisters of mercy. Hell - what is the current Big East media contract - a tie into to ESPN but competing for good slots with ACC, SEC, and Big Ten?

---

socaltownie said:

---

OdontoBear66 said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

That's why I'm a little leery of Jason even though I'm not against it (could be uptick in recruiting).

Russell Turner, Travis Decuire and Kyle Smith are my favorites.

---

Like you, I would love JK, but my favorites are Turner, DeCuire and Smith too. An interesting parallel is Patrick Ewing at G'town. He is recruiting well and building a nice team, but even though going from the basement to middle of the pack, the fans there are still getting anxious. That's where I would project us in two years. The glamor of the big name wears off if the wins are not there. I do think JK's recruiting would be awesome though.

---

Georgetown's issues are really far beyond PE. The rumblings are probably bad sportswritter crap as they gin up eyeballs - -- Big East of today ain't your father's Big East - a 2 invite conference and one that really lost a ton in the conference reshuffle. It has become, in some ways, the East Coasts version of the WCC - Vilianova (aka Zaga) and the 9 sisters of mercy. Hell - what is the current Big East media contract - a tie into to ESPN but competing for good slots with ACC, SEC, and Big Ten?

---

socaltownie said:

---

I thought just Marquette and nova. Who are the other 2?

---

GoCal80 said:

---

GBear4Life said:

---

GoCal80 said:

---

Hard for me to imagine that Kidd would be given serious consideration at Cal. He fails to check way too many boxes.

---

LMFAO!

Nothing amazes me more than the deluded sanctimony of our fan base.

A two-time NBA HC, a 1st ballot HOF player, a world champion, and an alum -- arguably the most notable and successful Cal athlete ever -- doesn't "check enough boxes" at a university coming off it's worst season in history. In what galaxy would Cal EVER be in the conversation for a candidate like this??? Kidd, regardless of any player development and X's-O's flaws would give Cal instant national visibility.

I bet the people echoing these silly sentiments thought Musselman wasn't a good fit either, who also was a former NBA HC and is an elite player development/X's-O's guy, an absolute "coach rat", because he had a DUI 100 years ago a hair above the legal limit.

As many say here, this is why we can't have nice things. If reports are true and the AD is eyeing JKidd, whether it's because of donors or not, they deserve kudos, for once.

---

Interesting response. I have a hunch that certain folks who will have to sign off on the coaching hire will place a high premium on a candidate who is a good role model with a squeaky clean personal history and evidence of great character and promise for complete development and mentoring of student athletes. Even perceptions otherwise that might not be fully justified could prove problematic. I believe that this administration supports efforts to achieve excellence in revenue sports, but Cal will never be a "win at any cost" university.

---

ducky23 said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

That's why I'm a little leery of Jason even though I'm not against it (could be uptick in recuruiting).

Russell Turner, Travis Decuire and Kyle Smith are my favorites.

---

Someone explain to me the fascination with Kyle smith (I'm open to listening - I just don't know that much about him)

A brief look at his head coaching career looks ok but nothing spectacular. If this guy wasn't coaching just across the bay, would any of you really know who he was? I could probably come up with a bunch of mid major coaches with similar head coaching success.

---

LOUMFSG2 said:

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

That's why I'm a little leery of Jason even though I'm not against it (could be uptick in recruiting).

Russell Turner, Travis Decuire and Kyle Smith are my favorites.

---

I agree with KAB, although I'll expand the description slightly from a coach who is good at X's and O's to a coach who is good at maximizing the talent he has, and being able to win with less talent. There are lots of factors that go into the ability to get the most of out players: player and skill development, motivation, schemes and plays, recognizing strengths and weakness, putting players in the best position to succeed and build confidence.

We need a coach who has a good combination of those skills. I really like the core of players that Wyking has brought to the program, and I'll like it even more if McNeill reconsiders, or at least there are no other major transfers out. I believe it is a competitive group. But it is not so talented compared to the rest of the league that it can win without strong coaching. As talented as some of our guys are, we are still not at the level of Arizona, UCLA, Oregon or USC in terms of pure talent. Washington under Hopkins and ASU are also in a strong position. Out-recruiting these teams to a level where we could overcome sub-par coaching is such a tall order, especially given the perception of our program right now. I just don't see how we get over the hump on recruiting alone.

In order to get where we need to be, we need a coach who can take talented kids, and get the total to be greater than the sum of the parts. Obviously the coach will need to continue to recruit strong kids to maintain competitiveness, but the first step has to be maximizing our talent, and winning at some level.

I really believe that our best path, the one with the highest likelihood of success, is to find a head coach at a successful mid-major program, with a proven track record to being able to win. And I think there are plenty of those guys out there. DeCuire and Turner are in the group, but there is Nate Oats, Matt McMahon, John Brannen, Craig Smith, and others. We need to find a proven winner.

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats

After reading these articles:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/mar/22/analysis-is-buffalos-nate-oats-the-run-and-gun-coa/

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2019/03/hurley-and-oats-friends-and-competitors-fueled-buffalo-basketballs-rise.html

Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/buffalo-coach-nate-oates-signs-extension-through-2024/2019/03/14/2f8ab58e-46a8-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html

---

socaltownie said:

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats

After reading these articles:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/mar/22/analysis-is-buffalos-nate-oats-the-run-and-gun-coa/

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2019/03/hurley-and-oats-friends-and-competitors-fueled-buffalo-basketballs-rise.html

Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/buffalo-coach-nate-oates-signs-extension-through-2024/2019/03/14/2f8ab58e-46a8-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html

---

I am NOT convinced that this style would work (AT ALL) in a conference like the Pac-12. You want a high risk, high reward hire that would be Oats.

High Reward: It works. Exciting basketball that become "must see" event.

Downside Reward: Oats learns there is a REASON why 4 starts pick UCLA, UoA, Oregon, and U$C. THose teams have the dates with the Bears circle in red as guys that grew up and EXCELLED on the AAU Circuit with no defense feast on the Bears, padding their stats and highlight reels as they out athlete the bears and beat them 103 to 81.

---

OaktownBear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats

After reading these articles:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/mar/22/analysis-is-buffalos-nate-oats-the-run-and-gun-coa/

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2019/03/hurley-and-oats-friends-and-competitors-fueled-buffalo-basketballs-rise.html

Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/buffalo-coach-nate-oates-signs-extension-through-2024/2019/03/14/2f8ab58e-46a8-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html

---

I am NOT convinced that this style would work (AT ALL) in a conference like the Pac-12. You want a high risk, high reward hire that would be Oats.

High Reward: It works. Exciting basketball that become "must see" event.

Downside Reward: Oats learns there is a REASON why 4 starts pick UCLA, UoA, Oregon, and U$C. THose teams have the dates with the Bears circle in red as guys that grew up and EXCELLED on the AAU Circuit with no defense feast on the Bears, padding their stats and highlight reels as they out athlete the bears and beat them 103 to 81.

---

I really think Cal needs to think of the system that will work FOR CAL.

Honestly, I think the optimal lineup to PLAN for would be something like:

PG - Keith Smith
SG - RFK
SF - Theo
PF - Lampley or Kamp
C - Yogi Stewart

Shoot lot's of threes. Sacrifice athleticism for shooting, passing and smarts because you aren't going to get a lot of athleticism the way we are currently constructed. Go with size, defense and rebounding at the center spot. Solid passing, rebounding and scoring from the PF. Establish that game plan and then hope every once in a while to recruit a star to replace one of those guys in the lineup.

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

OaktownBear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats

After reading these articles:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/mar/22/analysis-is-buffalos-nate-oats-the-run-and-gun-coa/

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2019/03/hurley-and-oats-friends-and-competitors-fueled-buffalo-basketballs-rise.html

Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/buffalo-coach-nate-oates-signs-extension-through-2024/2019/03/14/2f8ab58e-46a8-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html

---

I am NOT convinced that this style would work (AT ALL) in a conference like the Pac-12. You want a high risk, high reward hire that would be Oats.

High Reward: It works. Exciting basketball that become "must see" event.

Downside Reward: Oats learns there is a REASON why 4 starts pick UCLA, UoA, Oregon, and U$C. THose teams have the dates with the Bears circle in red as guys that grew up and EXCELLED on the AAU Circuit with no defense feast on the Bears, padding their stats and highlight reels as they out athlete the bears and beat them 103 to 81.

---

I really think Cal needs to think of the system that will work FOR CAL.

Honestly, I think the optimal lineup to PLAN for would be something like:

PG - Keith Smith
SG - RFK
SF - Theo
PF - Lampley or Kamp
C - Yogi Stewart

Shoot lot's of threes. Sacrifice athleticism for shooting, passing and smarts because you aren't going to get a lot of athleticism the way we are currently constructed. Go with size, defense and rebounding at the center spot. Solid passing, rebounding and scoring from the PF. Establish that game plan and then hope every once in a while to recruit a star to replace one of those guys in the lineup.

---

I think we got everyone except the PG.

PG - Paris is not the Keith Smith prototype.
SG - I think Bradley can fill this role. Or have Bradley be the 1 and find some shooters.
SF - Sueing can do well in this role.
PF - Kelly I can see has great upside.
C - Vanover. He's the x-factor.

---

KoreAmBear said:

---

OaktownBear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats

After reading these articles:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/mar/22/analysis-is-buffalos-nate-oats-the-run-and-gun-coa/

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2019/03/hurley-and-oats-friends-and-competitors-fueled-buffalo-basketballs-rise.html

Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/buffalo-coach-nate-oates-signs-extension-through-2024/2019/03/14/2f8ab58e-46a8-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html

---

I am NOT convinced that this style would work (AT ALL) in a conference like the Pac-12. You want a high risk, high reward hire that would be Oats.

High Reward: It works. Exciting basketball that become "must see" event.

Downside Reward: Oats learns there is a REASON why 4 starts pick UCLA, UoA, Oregon, and U$C. THose teams have the dates with the Bears circle in red as guys that grew up and EXCELLED on the AAU Circuit with no defense feast on the Bears, padding their stats and highlight reels as they out athlete the bears and beat them 103 to 81.

---

I really think Cal needs to think of the system that will work FOR CAL.

Honestly, I think the optimal lineup to PLAN for would be something like:

PG - Keith Smith
SG - RFK
SF - Theo
PF - Lampley or Kamp
C - Yogi Stewart

Shoot lot's of threes. Sacrifice athleticism for shooting, passing and smarts because you aren't going to get a lot of athleticism the way we are currently constructed. Go with size, defense and rebounding at the center spot. Solid passing, rebounding and scoring from the PF. Establish that game plan and then hope every once in a while to recruit a star to replace one of those guys in the lineup.

---

I think we got everyone except the PG.

PG - Paris is not the Keith Smith prototype.
SG - I think Bradley can fill this role. Or have Bradley be the 1 and find some shooters.
SF - Sueing can do well in this role.
PF - Kelly I can see has great upside.
C - Vanover. He's the x-factor.

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats.........
Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap

---

socaltownie said:

---

GoCalBears said:

---

Nate Oats

After reading these articles:

https://lasvegassun.com/news/2019/mar/22/analysis-is-buffalos-nate-oats-the-run-and-gun-coa/

https://www.newyorkupstate.com/sports/2019/03/hurley-and-oats-friends-and-competitors-fueled-buffalo-basketballs-rise.html

Nate Oats would be an excellent hire. He recently signed an extension, but the buyout is cheap.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/buffalo-coach-nate-oates-signs-extension-through-2024/2019/03/14/2f8ab58e-46a8-11e9-94ab-d2dda3c0df52_story.html

---

I am NOT convinced that this style would work (AT ALL) in a conference like the Pac-12. You want a high risk, high reward hire that would be Oats.

High Reward: It works. Exciting basketball that become "must see" event.

Downside Reward: Oats learns there is a REASON why 4 starts pick UCLA, UoA, Oregon, and U$C. THose teams have the dates with the Bears circle in red as guys that grew up and EXCELLED on the AAU Circuit with no defense feast on the Bears, padding their stats and highlight reels as they out athlete the bears and beat them 103 to 81.

---

Bear19 said:

---

Extremely disappointing that Knowlton doesn't already have his MBB "guy" ready to roll. It was not exactly a secret that Jones would have to go.

Knowlton announced that Jones is staying, and THEN talks to the players, after one decided to transfer after learning that Jones was coming back? Why did the players HAVE to storm the castle, to demand that either Jones would go, or they would?

Knowlton doesn't already have a "stable" of coaches he's worked with prior the coming to Cal?

What is this search firm bringing to the table that a top notch P-5 AD doesn't already have?

Knowlton is impressing me less and less as time goes on. He better get his act together, fast, or we're headed for another failed hire.

---

Bear19 said:

---

Extremely disappointing that Knowlton doesn't already have his MBB "guy" ready to roll. It was not exactly a secret that Jones would have to go.

Knowlton announced that Jones is staying, and THEN talks to the players, after one decided to transfer after learning that Jones was coming back? Why did the players HAVE to storm the castle, to demand that either Jones would go, or they would?

Knowlton doesn't already have a "stable" of coaches he's worked with prior the coming to Cal?

What is this search firm bringing to the table that a top notch P-5 AD doesn't already have?

Knowlton is impressing me less and less as time goes on. He better get his act together, fast, or we're headed for another failed hire.

---

Alkiadt said:

---

Bear19 said:

---

Extremely disappointing that Knowlton doesn't already have his MBB "guy" ready to roll. It was not exactly a secret that Jones would have to go.

Knowlton announced that Jones is staying, and THEN talks to the players, after one decided to transfer after learning that Jones was coming back? Why did the players HAVE to storm the castle, to demand that either Jones would go, or they would?

Knowlton doesn't already have a "stable" of coaches he's worked with prior the coming to Cal?

What is this search firm bringing to the table that a top notch P-5 AD doesn't already have?

Knowlton is impressing me less and less as time goes on. He better get his act together, fast, or we're headed for another failed hire.

---

Knowlton never announced anything until the termination statement.
He spoke candidly to many people, but don't distort facts.

---

OaktownBear said:

---

Alkiadt said:

---

Bear19 said:

---

Extremely disappointing that Knowlton doesn't already have his MBB "guy" ready to roll. It was not exactly a secret that Jones would have to go.

Knowlton announced that Jones is staying, and THEN talks to the players, after one decided to transfer after learning that Jones was coming back? Why did the players HAVE to storm the castle, to demand that either Jones would go, or they would?

Knowlton doesn't already have a "stable" of coaches he's worked with prior the coming to Cal?

What is this search firm bringing to the table that a top notch P-5 AD doesn't already have?

Knowlton is impressing me less and less as time goes on. He better get his act together, fast, or we're headed for another failed hire.

---

Knowlton never announced anything until the termination statement.
He spoke candidly to many people, but don't distort facts.

---

I agree we should stick to the facts.

That said, what he did do lead to media reports that Jones was staying and it does not sound like those media sources were being unreasonable. I would say for me personally that I go into things presuming a new AD is doing a good job. I haven't judged him to do a bad job, but I he lost that presumption with me.

1. You don't run around telling people you support the coach if you don't. You go silent or deflect with cliche's.
2. There should have been zero doubt in his mind a change needed to be made. Being deliberative is not an excuse for not engaging in that deliberation ahead of time and knowing you can add information as it comes in. He should have been prepared for weeks with donors and the administration that we MAY need to make a change and laid the groundwork.

I don't have a problem with the timing of the firing if he needed to take that time to arrange things. I have a problem with the fact that he didn't know what he wanted to do (or that he knew what he wanted to do but communicated so horribly).

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

Nate Oats to Alabama. That was quick. Not sure on the dollar figures, but he likely gets a big raise.

---

socaltownie said:

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

Nate Oats to Alabama. That was quick. Not sure on the dollar figures, but he likely gets a big raise.

---

Should we start to get nervous? I am starting to feel like I did 2 years ago when we ended up with Jones.......

---

socaltownie said:

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

Nate Oats to Alabama. That was quick. Not sure on the dollar figures, but he likely gets a big raise.

---

Should we start to get nervous? I am starting to feel like I did 2 years ago when we ended up with Jones.......

---

OaktownBear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

Nate Oats to Alabama. That was quick. Not sure on the dollar figures, but he likely gets a big raise.

---

Should we start to get nervous? I am starting to feel like I did 2 years ago when we ended up with Jones.......

---

I'm not on any premium or anything, but was there any reason to believe that Cal and Oats had each other in mind?

---

OaktownBear said:

---

socaltownie said:

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

Nate Oats to Alabama. That was quick. Not sure on the dollar figures, but he likely gets a big raise.

---

Should we start to get nervous? I am starting to feel like I did 2 years ago when we ended up with Jones.......

---

I'm not on any premium or anything, but was there any reason to believe that Cal and Oats had each other in mind?

---