mdbear said:

---

I would love to see DeCuire as head coach and Dennis Gates brought in as Associate HC. DeCuire is a solid strategist and Gates is an awesome recruiter. Of course, the head coach chooses his assistants.

---

socaltownie said:

---

OaktownBear said:

---

BearGoggles said:

---

GoCalBears said:

---

ducky23 said:

---

This decision is going to come down to how we see ourselves as an Academic/Athletic institution. Are we going to insist on seeing ourselves as the only honest program in a sea of corruption. Are we going to continue to view our academics as a crutch and not as an advantage. Is Cal such an amazingly unique place, that the only coach who could possibly navigate its unruly waters is someone who has been here before and "gets Cal?"

I think if you abide by those rules (which I'm not necessarily disagreeing with) then your ceiling is only going to be so high. You can hire Decuire and be satisfied with a clean program that graduates its players and may get an occasional victory in the tournament. And i think for a lot of us, that will be fine. (and again, I'm not saying this is necessarily the wrong take).

But if your aspirations are higher, if you dream of finally breaking thru and making a final four, I think you gotta think differently and break a few dishes along the way. We have to be able to level the playing field when it comes to recruiting. That means spending money on a practice facility. That means getting your hands a little dirty and "lowering yourself" to actively making connections in the AAU community. It means taking kids who may not be perfect academic fits (but at least someone who you can work with - someone like a Jason Kidd as a student athlete).

I'm not saying we go out and hire Rick Pitino. But we also don't need to tie two hands behind our back by using our so called uniqueness and academic prowess as an excuse rather than an advantage. There is no reason we can't raise our expectations while still coloring within the rules.

And if we are going to be serious about raising our expectations, we need to hire someone out of our comfort zone. And that's not necessarily Kidd (though I'd be fine with him). There are several other guys out there (like Nate Oats, Shaka Smart - if fired, Becky Hammon, Mike Anderson) who would all have higher ceilings than Decuire (but maybe not "perfect" fits).

---

Agreed. Though, if Cal hire Becky Hammon can she coach both men and women basketball team (and yes, earning both HC's salary)?

---

Cross posting this - I also posted on the paid board.

I'm sure I'll get killed for this, but what on earth are Becky Hammon's qualifications for the Cal head coaching job? No head coaching experience and no experience as even an assistant in college.

I literally know nothing about her beyond what Wikipedia tells me, so perhaps I'm missing something. But after Wyking, why would Cal want to take a flyer on another coach with no head coaching experience? Can someone please explain to me why she's considered a strong candidate for Cal?

Regarding Decuire, can someone please explain the recruiting dynamic when he was Monty's assistant. Was Decuire willilng to play the AAU game and would he be as a head coach? I understand he was responsible for landing Crabbe, Matthews, etc., but the overall recruiting under Monty was spotty. Is there a reason to think Decuire will do a better job on that front as a HC?

---

You really aren't going to find Hammon's qualifications on a resume. She has been assistant for the Spurs and is thought of as a rising star in the assistant coaching ranks. People like Pop have been glowing in their reviews of her.

Personally, I think it might be too risky for Cal at this point, not because she is a woman but because she doesn't have a lot of experience and because it is all NBA. It's not the usual profile of a successful head college basketball coach. But I think you will see her successfully coaching somewhere in the near future. I definitely see why someone would be willing to take the risk given the impression she has made on the right people

---

LOL. She will be given that opportunity in a mid-major where recruiting can play a back seat. But no AD in his RIGHT MIND would take that risk. I am sure she is a great coach. But again, her ability to sell that she can help a kid make the show would seem....well....limited.

One of the things going for Travis is that, while an assistant, he CAN point to guys like Crabbe who are making bank.

#teamtravis
#turnerwhyyougottagodothat

---

PtownBear1 said:

---

DeCuire seems like the logical hire. Not super exciting, but also relatively low risk. No scandals, proven success as a HC, and knows Cal. I would be happy with this hire if he can assemble a good team of recruiters (Grace?).

---

socaltownie said:

---

Anytime you want to feel good about Cal and say, "Well at least we are not THEM" you can read this article. I am smiling ;-)

https://247sports.com/college/washington-state/Article/Washington-State-basketball-commentary-WSU-hoops-job-search-wont-be-easy-Ernie-Kent-Travis-DeCuire-Cougars-WSU-130052410/

---

socaltownie said:

---

Anytime you want to feel good about Cal and say, "Well at least we are not THEM" you can read this article. I am smiling ;-)

https://247sports.com/college/washington-state/Article/Washington-State-basketball-commentary-WSU-hoops-job-search-wont-be-easy-Ernie-Kent-Travis-DeCuire-Cougars-WSU-130052410/

---

oskirules said:

---

Where are the objectors? Three 20 win seasons, two first place conference finishes, one NIT, one NCAA tourney in 4 seasons. DeCuire it is. Bring in Gates as an assistant and Jorge G as regulator.

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

Jackieridgle said:

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

So did Sandy Barbour, but they were overruled by the foreigners(Birgeneau&Wilton) who want to change Cal's athletic moniker to "Berkeley!" They stuck aroung for one more cup of coffee.

---

griz fan said:

---

Montana fan here, hating the thought of TDC leaving Missoula but I thought I'd try to give you my impressions. You should check out the clip of the presser after we lost to Michigan if you want a taste of TDC. He talks about team GPA (3.0 this year) and every player he's had graduating. Rorie as an example mentions how when he came here from Oregon he really didn't care about school and he's now working on his 2nd degree. His team seems to have a lot of respect for him because he's not a BSer and plays no favorites.

Having watched Griz hoops since Tinkle and Krystkowiak played I can tell you no coach has recruited better players here. Ever. And he looks for quality, team oriented players, in that sense he's "old school". He's an impressive communicator, very polished without sounding phony. People are very impressed here and hate the thought of him leaving but given the (relatively) lousy salary it's inevitable. He's just an all around class dude.

I'll finish with an anecdote you might find interesting . His first year they had the conference tourney on campus and it was here, the Griz were playing in the chipper. My pal and I went outside to have a smoke and ran into a little guy, obviously not a local and as we talked found out it TDC's uncle from Tacoma. He was obviously proud and just gave hints about Travis' ambitions for the program and it was fascinating. If he comes to Cal it won't be to finish middle of the PAC pack. He'll be recruiting top 100 guys that will play hard on both O and D and commit to team ball, guys he could only dream about getting to Montana. I sure hope he sticks around here for another year but if you guys get him you are getting a quality guy who is a winner.

---

Yogi Bear said:

---

griz fan said:

---

Montana fan here, hating the thought of TDC leaving Missoula but I thought I'd try to give you my impressions. You should check out the clip of the presser after we lost to Michigan if you want a taste of TDC. He talks about team GPA (3.0 this year) and every player he's had graduating. Rorie as an example mentions how when he came here from Oregon he really didn't care about school and he's now working on his 2nd degree. His team seems to have a lot of respect for him because he's not a BSer and plays no favorites.

Having watched Griz hoops since Tinkle and Krystkowiak played I can tell you no coach has recruited better players here. Ever. And he looks for quality, team oriented players, in that sense he's "old school". He's an impressive communicator, very polished without sounding phony. People are very impressed here and hate the thought of him leaving but given the (relatively) lousy salary it's inevitable. He's just an all around class dude.

I'll finish with an anecdote you might find interesting . His first year they had the conference tourney on campus and it was here, the Griz were playing in the chipper. My pal and I went outside to have a smoke and ran into a little guy, obviously not a local and as we talked found out it TDC's uncle from Tacoma. He was obviously proud and just gave hints about Travis' ambitions for the program and it was fascinating. If he comes to Cal it won't be to finish middle of the PAC pack. He'll be recruiting top 100 guys that will play hard on both O and D and commit to team ball, guys he could only dream about getting to Montana. I sure hope he sticks around here for another year but if you guys get him you are getting a quality guy who is a winner.

---

Montana has an amazing group of coaches who've coached that program. It's like getting a 5 star rating if you coached at that school. All those guys went on to future success.

---

helltopay1 said:

---

I've always liked travis. My only reservation ( minor) is that he';s been away from the California recruiting scene for many years. So---will he have serious catching up to do??Is this a serious or minor handicap??

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

PtownBear1 said:

---

DeCuire seems like the logical hire. Not super exciting, but also relatively low risk. No scandals, proven success as a HC, and knows Cal. I would be happy with this hire if he can assemble a good team of recruiters (Grace?).

---

Sort of my take as well. His experience at Cal puts him higher than Turner in my book. He likely would insist on some concrete efforts to build the practice facility. Not an inspirational (albeit more risky) hire like Kidd. He could work. Not sure he is a major P5 recruiter, but he can get one. Sorta like all the candidates for Cal, plus and minuses. No slam dunk hire the guy like ewe had with Monty so far

---

joe amos yaks said:

---

helltopay1 said:

---

I've always liked travis. My only reservation ( minor) is that he';s been away from the California recruiting scene for many years. So---will he have serious catching up to do??Is this a serious or minor handicap??

---

Coach DeCuire's current uMT team includes starting players from Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Alameda Counties.

---

socaltownie said:

---

Yogi Bear said:

---

griz fan said:

---

Montana fan here, hating the thought of TDC leaving Missoula but I thought I'd try to give you my impressions. You should check out the clip of the presser after we lost to Michigan if you want a taste of TDC. He talks about team GPA (3.0 this year) and every player he's had graduating. Rorie as an example mentions how when he came here from Oregon he really didn't care about school and he's now working on his 2nd degree. His team seems to have a lot of respect for him because he's not a BSer and plays no favorites.

Having watched Griz hoops since Tinkle and Krystkowiak played I can tell you no coach has recruited better players here. Ever. And he looks for quality, team oriented players, in that sense he's "old school". He's an impressive communicator, very polished without sounding phony. People are very impressed here and hate the thought of him leaving but given the (relatively) lousy salary it's inevitable. He's just an all around class dude.

I'll finish with an anecdote you might find interesting . His first year they had the conference tourney on campus and it was here, the Griz were playing in the chipper. My pal and I went outside to have a smoke and ran into a little guy, obviously not a local and as we talked found out it TDC's uncle from Tacoma. He was obviously proud and just gave hints about Travis' ambitions for the program and it was fascinating. If he comes to Cal it won't be to finish middle of the PAC pack. He'll be recruiting top 100 guys that will play hard on both O and D and commit to team ball, guys he could only dream about getting to Montana. I sure hope he sticks around here for another year but if you guys get him you are getting a quality guy who is a winner.

---

Montana has an amazing group of coaches who've coached that program. It's like getting a 5 star rating if you coached at that school. All those guys went on to future success.

---

+1. It may be hard to keep coaches but whomever has been running your Athletic department has an amazing eye for (and for developing) coaching talent.

Goes back 40 plus years to Jud Heathecoate, the only real bummer was Pat Kennedy for a couple years in the 90's. Most were assistants who took over when the head guy left for greener pastures.

---

griz fan said:

---

joe amos yaks said:

---

helltopay1 said:

---

I've always liked travis. My only reservation ( minor) is that he';s been away from the California recruiting scene for many years. So---will he have serious catching up to do??Is this a serious or minor handicap??

---

Coach DeCuire's current uMT team includes starting players from Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Alameda Counties.

---

Two recruits from LA and 1 from San Diego this year, all played in the top division, 1 league MVP. One from LA last year. Josh Vasquez had 25 against Montgomery when they lost in the playoffs this year, I think Montgomery is/was about 15 in the USA today national poll.

---

bearmanpg said:

---

To be truthful, Josh Vasquez PLAYED for Montgomery (Bishop Montgomery not Mike)

Correctemundo, my bad. They lost to Sierra Canyon in the game I'm referring to, they (SC) ended up at #12 in the USA today national poll. We are pretty jacked for Josh to suit up for the Griz this fall in any event. Good luck to Cal hoops with or without TDC. I'll be following closely if he ends up in the Bay Area.

---

wifeisafurd said:

---

PtownBear1 said:

---

DeCuire seems like the logical hire. Not super exciting, but also relatively low risk. No scandals, proven success as a HC, and knows Cal. I would be happy with this hire if he can assemble a good team of recruiters (Grace?).

---

Sort of my take as well. His experience at Cal puts him higher than Turner in my book. He likely would insist on some concrete efforts to build the practice facility. Not an inspirational (albeit more risky) hire like Kidd. He could work. Not sure he is a major P5 recruiter, but he can get one. Sorta like all the candidates for Cal, plus and minuses. No slam dunk hire the guy like ewe had with Monty so far

---

Jackieridgle said:

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

So did Sandy Barbour, but they were overruled by the foreigners(Birgeneau&Wilton) who want to change Cal's athletic moniker to "Berkeley!"

---

Cal8285 said:

---

Jackieridgle said:

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

So did Sandy Barbour, but they were overruled by the foreigners(Birgeneau&Wilton) who want to change Cal's athletic moniker to "Berkeley!"

---

Ouch. Whatever you may think of Birgeneau, don't blame him for hiring Cuonzo over Travis, since Dirks had been chancellor since the previous summer when that happened. Dirks and Wilton were the culprits here. Most of us thought that Cuonzo over Travis was the right call. In hindsight, yeah, maybe Monty and Sandy knew more than us posters.

---

Jackieridgle said:

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

So did Sandy Barbour, but they were overruled by the foreigners(Birgeneau&Wilton) who want to change Cal's athletic moniker to "Berkeley!"

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

I recall most people were excited about Cuonzo. He had a decent resume, we were "poaching" him from another high major program (even though the reality was that we were an escape route for him), and he was coming off a Sweet 16.

I personally was cautiously optimistic but relieved. I wanted TD, but wasn't upset with CM. I never got the feeling that he was going to be here very long however, because of the circumstances of his hiring and the fact that he did not have any ties to the region. He's a Midwest guy, and low and behold, he bolts for a Midwest job after 3 years. It just felt like a weird fit from the beginning.

I think people generally want a splashy hire, but those are not necessarily the best. Virginia poached Tony Bennett from Wazzu coming off a season where he went 17-16 and lost to St. Mary's in the NIT 1st Round.

Cal8285 said:

---

Jackieridgle said:

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

So did Sandy Barbour, but they were overruled by the foreigners(Birgeneau&Wilton) who want to change Cal's athletic moniker to "Berkeley!"

---

Ouch. Whatever you may think of Birgeneau, don't blame him for hiring Cuonzo over Travis, since Dirks had been chancellor since the previous summer when that happened. Dirks and Wilton were the culprits here. Most of us thought that Cuonzo over Travis was the right call. In hindsight, yeah, maybe Monty and Sandy knew more than us posters.

---

---

socaltownie said:

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

I recall most people were excited about Cuonzo. He had a decent resume, we were "poaching" him from another high major program (even though the reality was that we were an escape route for him), and he was coming off a Sweet 16.

I personally was cautiously optimistic but relieved. I wanted TD, but wasn't upset with CM. I never got the feeling that he was going to be here very long however, because of the circumstances of his hiring and the fact that he did not have any ties to the region. He's a Midwest guy, and low and behold, he bolts for a Midwest job after 3 years. It just felt like a weird fit from the beginning.

I think people generally want a splashy hire, but those are not necessarily the best. Virginia poached Tony Bennett from Wazzu coming off a season where he went 17-16 and lost to St. Mary's in the NIT 1st Round.

Cal8285 said:

---

Jackieridgle said:

---

seattlebear02 said:

---

I wanted Cal to hire Coach Trav five years ago. Not a "splashy" hire but his teams seem to be very solid on offense and defense at Montana. Time will tell if he can indeed land 5* players but I think he will be able to land solid 3-4 year players. He was the main recruiter for Ahmaad Rorie and Jaylen Nowell. Both would've come to Cal if he was hired five years ago. Maybe we don't land Rabb or Jaylen Brown but I think DeCuire can build a very solid program with 3-4 year players and he definitely knows how to navigate the UC system.

---

So did Sandy Barbour, but they were overruled by the foreigners(Birgeneau&Wilton) who want to change Cal's athletic moniker to "Berkeley!"

---

Ouch. Whatever you may think of Birgeneau, don't blame him for hiring Cuonzo over Travis, since Dirks had been chancellor since the previous summer when that happened. Dirks and Wilton were the culprits here. Most of us thought that Cuonzo over Travis was the right call. In hindsight, yeah, maybe Monty and Sandy knew more than us posters.

---

---

No. It was the right call at the time. 99% of AD's would have made that hire. Hindsight on that one is 20/20.

---

tsubamoto2001 said:

---

Well, that's your opinion. I wasn't all in on CM like you were. You defended him till the end. Not saying this in an attacking way, just saying that the decision was far from a "no-brainer." Fit is so important in college coaching hires and CM was an odd fit from the beginning in my view.

---