Link to Fox addressing the team

24,999 Views | 173 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by rkt88edmo
KoreAmBear
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BeachedBear said:

OaktownBear said:




I've been around youth sports a long time. The last huddle and cheer "together" (I can't put an exclamation point on that) is literally the most lackluster I have ever heard.
They cut the prior scene, where Conor's mom apologizes about forgetting to bring the juice boxes!
She also unraveled his corn rows, which upset the players.
RJABear
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UrsaMajor said:

I think we may have reached the point of diminishing returns in terms of dissecting every tidbit of information ......
OK, .... but did you see the angle of his left hand ? Some might see it as nurturing. Others would see it as almost militaristic.
calumnus
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stu said:

OaktownBear said:

I think most thought he came off boring and uninspiring.
That was the feeling which prompted my complaint (This isn't a service academy, it's Berkeley.)

I wonder how the players took it if they had to sit through 2 hours and the producer showed us just the most inspiring 2 minutes.


Yes, it is like a 2 minute movie preview for a 2 hr comedy where they apparently couldn't find 2 minutes of funny material. It just does not bode well or inspire me to buy a ticket.

It may be that there was a two hour meeting and most of it was Fox and the team connecting on a personal level, players introducing themselves, discussing things that should not be public and this was the one part that was somewhat "rah, rah" so they used it. I just thought it was really awkward and uninspiring. Yes, the clip of Sueing fighting to stay awake made it look like a Saturday Night Live parody commercial.

Again, I'm trying to get to acceptance, but they aren't helping me.
KoreAmBear
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calumnus said:

stu said:

OaktownBear said:

I think most thought he came off boring and uninspiring.
That was the feeling which prompted my complaint (This isn't a service academy, it's Berkeley.)

I wonder how the players took it if they had to sit through 2 hours and the producer showed us just the most inspiring 2 minutes.


Yes, it is like a 2 minute movie preview for a 2 hr comedy where they apparently couldn't find 2 minutes of funny material. It just does not bode well or inspire me to buy a ticket.

It may be that there was a two hour meeting and most of it was Fox and the team connecting on a personal level, players introducing themselves, discussing things that should not be public and this was the one part that was somewhat "rah, rah" so they used it. I just thought it was really awkward and uninspiring. Yes, the clip of Sueing fighting to stay awake made it look like a Saturday Night Live parody commercial.

Again, I'm trying to get to acceptance, but they aren't helping me.
Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
Genocide Joe 58
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KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
KoreAmBear
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Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
True. Too bad it had to be our best player.
Genocide Joe 58
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KoreAmBear said:

Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
True. Too bad it had to be our best player.
You know, whoever our best player was, there's not a ton of difference between him and the 2nd best.

The one I'd be sorriest to lose would be Vanover.
calumnus
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Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.


Biggest test of his recruiting ability is his ability to keep the guys he has.

The players are looking for what is going to change, how can this guy 1) do something on his part to help us win, 2) help me get better, and/or 3) make basketball fun again.

His speech "I'm going to work you guys hard" implies they weren't working hard before. It fails on all three categories. Nothing there to excite them and it clearly didn't.
Genocide Joe 58
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calumnus said:

Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
Biggest test of his recruiting ability is his ability to keep the guys he has.

The players are looking for what is going to change, how can this guy 1) do something on his part to help us win, 2) help me get better, and/or 3) make basketball fun again.

His speech "I'm going to work you guys hard" implies they weren't working hard before. It fails on all three categories. Nothing there to excite them and it clearly didn't.
I'm strugging to remember. Did Monty lose anybody he cared about? I got the feeling he wasn't sorry to let Garrett Sim out of his LOI.
BearlyCareAnymore
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Yogi Bear said:

calumnus said:

Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
Biggest test of his recruiting ability is his ability to keep the guys he has.

The players are looking for what is going to change, how can this guy 1) do something on his part to help us win, 2) help me get better, and/or 3) make basketball fun again.

His speech "I'm going to work you guys hard" implies they weren't working hard before. It fails on all three categories. Nothing there to excite them and it clearly didn't.
I'm strugging to remember. Did Monty lose anybody he cared about? I got the feeling he wasn't sorry to let Garrett Sim out of his LOI.


And Sim became Jorge.

I think it was just Sim and Seeley and he kept the latter.

I must say as read the first sentence I nearly jumped out of my chair thinking you forgot our friend Sim, but you got him.
Genocide Joe 58
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OaktownBear said:

Yogi Bear said:

calumnus said:

Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
Biggest test of his recruiting ability is his ability to keep the guys he has.

The players are looking for what is going to change, how can this guy 1) do something on his part to help us win, 2) help me get better, and/or 3) make basketball fun again.

His speech "I'm going to work you guys hard" implies they weren't working hard before. It fails on all three categories. Nothing there to excite them and it clearly didn't.
I'm strugging to remember. Did Monty lose anybody he cared about? I got the feeling he wasn't sorry to let Garrett Sim out of his LOI.


And Sim became Jorge.

I think it was just Sim and Seeley and he kept the latter.

I must say as read the first sentence I nearly jumped out of my chair thinking you forgot our friend Sim, but you got him.
The part I had trouble remembering was who it was who (Richard Lee) kept a chronology of Sim's lame career.
wifeisafurd
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Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
they sure Dom, especially now with easing the ability to transfer. Add: My impression was players were transferring even if Jones stayed.
calfanz
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bummed.
Genocide Joe 58
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calfanz said:

bummed.
Stop bringing the board down with your relentless negativity
Bear19
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Yogi Bear said:

calfanz said:

bummed.
Stop bringing the board down with your relentless negativity
I think it's OK for calfanz to express his angst. Over a long period of time, negative postings consistently expressed cease to have relevancy. Harmless really.
bearmanpg
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The thing that I can't shake is Knowlton saying Fox interviewed so much better than any of the other candidates.....Was this the same Fox we saw in this video? I can't imagine this Fox impressing anyone in an interview.....Maybe he had someone come in and interview for him like Lori Laughlin had someone take her daughter's SAT......
calumnus
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bearmanpg said:

The thing that I can't shake is Knowlton saying Fox interviewed so much better than any of the other candidates.....Was this the same Fox we saw in this video? I can't imagine this Fox impressing anyone in an interview.....Maybe he had someone come in and interview for him like Lori Laughlin had someone take her daughter's SAT......


The speech hit all the talking points for an interview with an AD from the service academies. It is what old guys think is a script for a motivational speech, and addressed Knowlton's checklist and impressed some of a similar mindset here.

However, It clearly did not connect with the players. You can see why his recruiting is so bad.
HKBear97!
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oskidunker said:




Thanks for sharing as I had not seen this yet. Terribly uninspiring. Didn't like this hire from the get go and now hate it even more. What a disaster. Tone should be positive - change after two terrible seasons is good, exciting, new beginnings, clean slate. This was boring, saying you have bad habits, not gonna be in the NBA that long, gonna be hard, tone was bland, how many times did he say "okay"? What a nightmare. No wonder Sueing is bolting. Based on those faces he won't be the last.
Genocide Joe 58
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HKBear97! said:

oskidunker said:




Thanks for sharing as I had not seen this yet. Terribly uninspiring. Didn't like this hire from the get go and now hate it even more. What a disaster. Tone should be positive - change after two terrible seasons is good, exciting, new beginnings, clean slate. This was boring, saying you have bad habits, not gonna be in the NBA that long, gonna be hard, tone was bland, how many times did he say "okay"? What a nightmare. No wonder Sueing is bolting. Based on those faces he won't be the last.
1-2-3 Cancun!
calumnus
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Yogi Bear said:

calumnus said:

Yogi Bear said:

KoreAmBear said:


Well I didn't care much either way about the speech, but since it had an actual negative effect on Sueing (transfer portal), then it was not good. So far the Fox era has started off about to lose his best player. With Sueing leaving, you have to think McNeil will stay in the portal too. It's such a fun life being a Cal fan.
We were bound to have some roster change. We're at the ripping the bandaid off portion of the post-Wyking era. Doesn't mean the bandaid shouldn't come off, but coach changes equal transfers probably no matter who you hire.
Biggest test of his recruiting ability is his ability to keep the guys he has.

The players are looking for what is going to change, how can this guy 1) do something on his part to help us win, 2) help me get better, and/or 3) make basketball fun again.

His speech "I'm going to work you guys hard" implies they weren't working hard before. It fails on all three categories. Nothing there to excite them and it clearly didn't.
I'm strugging to remember. Did Monty lose anybody he cared about? I got the feeling he wasn't sorry to let Garrett Sim out of his LOI.


The guy he said was his most important recruit was Anderson, he tried to convince him he wasn't ready for the NBA and should stay in school.
3146gabby
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blungld
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KenBurnski said:


I counted at least 6 "okays." Not a good tic. It sounds dishonest.
The Bear will not quilt, the Bear will not dye!
blungld
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That meeting was NOT the time to be tough and set the bar high and be no nonsense. Such a tactical mistake.

I am not saying that being a "taskmaster" straight shooter who demands excellence on and off the court is necessarily a bad thing--though in this speech it sounded insincere and cliche coach speak. What I am saying is, be smart.

He was selected coach in a whirlwind of confusion and amidst player transfers and two historically bad years with players whose confidence is low. You don't come in saying I am going to kick your ass, reminding them the odds against being a pro and needing an education, and brandishing a rolled paper in your hand...all on video! Stupid.

That is the speech you make at first practice in the Fall. That's where you motivate them to be pushed hard.

This is the empathetic get to know you moment. This is where you soften your tone and LISTEN. You say "Hey, guys. I saw some good things towards the end of the season we can build on. I look forward to learning about Berkeley from you and us all coming together through adversity. I want to prove myself to you and let you know things are going to get better and you are in good hands. I don't expect us to know each other instantly, but I want to start building relationships now."

Make the players feel important and invested. They had NO SAY in his hire. His priority should be their buy in and not their obedience. I just can't get over what a big mistake that approach is.

You don't lay into them and then force them to do a phony "Together" cheer. I would be rolling my eyes and saying this is bulI**** if I were them. This isn't about going easy on them, or being PC, or juice boxes, or participation trophies...this is about understanding people and the situation. I would never enter any group (professional or personal) and barge in like that. That's what oblivious people do and so I wonder about his people and recruiting skills. Read the friggin' room!
The Bear will not quilt, the Bear will not dye!
stu
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blungld said:

That meeting was NOT the time to be tough and set the bar high and be no nonsense. Such a tactical mistake ... Read the friggin' room!
So true. What a way to blow up any good will.
TheFiatLux
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OaktownBear said:

calumnus said:

Uggh, why post this? I am trying to get to acceptance.

Watching that, I felt bad for the players.
1:43 is painful. I've done trying not to fall asleep at a lecture enough to know what it looks like. No idea why they would have that clip in there.

That is astoundingly bad. No, wait, it's Cal. It's exactly what I expect.
bearchamp
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Tough love worked for Norman Dale.
TheFiatLux
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TheSouseFamily said:

I would have left out the shot of Sueing but the body language of the players didn't look bad to me. There was even a shot of Gordon nodding his head to something Fox said. Regardless, I thought the video was fine and ultimately irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I don't know what people would have expected from players hearing from their new coach in person for the first time. Seems that they were listening intently and I thought the message was generally was fine. Still, it's really hard to make a judgment about a meeting from just a 2 minute clip. While I'm not over the moon with the hire, I suspect we'll ultimately give Fox good marks for his leadership and how he treats/communicates with players.

I know I get flack for this, but for cryin' out loud, if you think doing something is irrelevant, then don't do it. Don't spend the time, money or effort on it. Just like you don't send an insipid email out. But if you are going to do it, do it well. And this is not well done. Whether you think it is or not, it's not.

It's not the fact that Cal can't get the most basic, rudimentary thing rights... Well it's that... but add to that, is it's that people just go along with it and think it's OK... "Hey, I was going to go to the game anyway, so I don't care if they don't include that information" just kills me.
BearlyCareAnymore
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TheFiatLux said:

TheSouseFamily said:

I would have left out the shot of Sueing but the body language of the players didn't look bad to me. There was even a shot of Gordon nodding his head to something Fox said. Regardless, I thought the video was fine and ultimately irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I don't know what people would have expected from players hearing from their new coach in person for the first time. Seems that they were listening intently and I thought the message was generally was fine. Still, it's really hard to make a judgment about a meeting from just a 2 minute clip. While I'm not over the moon with the hire, I suspect we'll ultimately give Fox good marks for his leadership and how he treats/communicates with players.

I know I get flack for this, but for cryin' out loud, if you think doing something is irrelevant, then don't do it. Don't spend the time, money or effort on it. Just like you don't send an insipid email out. But if you are going to do it, do it well. And this is not well done. Whether you think it is or not, it's not.

It's not the fact that Cal can't get the most basic, rudimentary thing rights... Well it's that... but add to that, is it's that people just go along with it and think it's OK... "Hey, I was going to go to the game anyway, so I don't care if they don't include that information" just kills me.


This is what I just don't get. It either matters in which case you do it and you do it well. Or it doesn't matter and you don't do it, cut the marketing department and save the money.

Every piece of marketing released BY ANYONE should have a specific purpose. Before it is released it should be asked whether it fulfills that purpose. That is basic. No one was expecting a video. If they did nothing it wouldn't have been missed. They chose to do it.

If I were Fox I would be in the office of whoever is responsible for that video saying "Okay. We both chose to be here, mmkay. In this place, okay. As long as you choose too be in this place, okay, I'm going to hold you to a higher standard of performance, mmmmmkay."
tequila4kapp
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Why show a video of a coach putting a player to sleep? Seriously, what are they thinking?
GBear4Life
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I understand the consensus feeling that the 2 min video was uninspiring.

I actually think much of what he said was both true and important (e.g. lifespan of avg NBA player, importance of taking academics seriously, accountability), and that I would have liked that speech if I were 19 years old playing D1 basketball.

But I also understand why people are arguing the tone should have been different. But the fact that he was so matter of fact, no-nonsense are the people I like to be around, especially leaders.

Perhaps it's by design? He knows this team won't be good next year. Why not mix in some candidness with the optimism so that any players who think it might be too hard or whatever transfer out and free up a scholarship. I doubt there's anybody on this team he'd really think he couldn't replace with a better player who could also grow with his program.
calumnus
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blungld said:

That meeting was NOT the time to be tough and set the bar high and be no nonsense. Such a tactical mistake.

I am not saying that being a "taskmaster" straight shooter who demands excellence on and off the court is necessarily a bad thing--though in this speech it sounded insincere and cliche coach speak. What I am saying is, be smart.

He was selected coach in a whirlwind of confusion and amidst player transfers and two historically bad years with players whose confidence is low. You don't come in saying I am going to kick your ass, reminding them the odds against being a pro and needing an education, and brandishing a rolled paper in your hand...all on video! Stupid.

That is the speech you make at first practice in the Fall. That's where you motivate them to be pushed hard.

This is the empathetic get to know you moment. This is where you soften your tone and LISTEN. You say "Hey, guys. I saw some good things towards the end of the season we can build on. I look forward to learning about Berkeley from you and us all coming together through adversity. I want to prove myself to you and let you know things are going to get better and you are in good hands. I don't expect us to know each other instantly, but I want to start building relationships now."

Make the players feel important and invested. They had NO SAY in his hire. His priority should be their buy in and not their obedience. I just can't get over what a big mistake that approach is.

You don't lay into them and then force them to do a phony "Together" cheer. I would be rolling my eyes and saying this is bulI**** if I were them. This isn't about going easy on them, or being PC, or juice boxes, or participation trophies...this is about understanding people and the situation. I would never enter any group (professional or personal) and barge in like that. That's what oblivious people do and so I wonder about his people and recruiting skills. Read the friggin' room!


Exactly, you summed it up perfectly. How can someone be paid $millions to coach basketball and have no team building skills?

Then the Cal marketing department puts the train wreck on the Internet.
TheFiatLux
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OaktownBear said:

TheSouseFamily said:

I would have left out the shot of Sueing but the body language of the players didn't look bad to me. There was even a shot of Gordon nodding his head to something Fox said. Regardless, I thought the video was fine and ultimately irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I don't know what people would have expected from players hearing from their new coach in person for the first time. Seems that they were listening intently and I thought the message was generally was fine. Still, it's really hard to make a judgment about a meeting from just a 2 minute clip. While I'm not over the moon with the hire, I suspect we'll ultimately give Fox good marks for his leadership and how he treats/communicates with players.
Souse - it is really hard to make a judgment about a 3 hour football game from just a 2 minute clip. And yet they release them and their point is to fire up the fanbase. Cal even made videos that made Dykes' first year look good. That's the point of the video. To make Cal look good.

I expect nothing from players hearing from their new coach for the first time. Which is why I said they should have kept the meeting private. They chose to release something. They didn't have to. No one was expecting it.

I've been around youth sports a long time. The last huddle and cheer "together" (I can't put an exclamation point on that) is literally the most lackluster I have ever heard. Which might be completely reasonable given this is a team meeting in a classroom 6 months before the next game. Why show this?

I have zero judgment of Fox from this. What I expect from Fox in his first team meeting is irrelevant. This is a video released to the pubic to get fans on board. It is a lame video. It makes Fox look lame and that is unfair to him.

Fox - No judgment
Video - Lame.

I just watched that again, for some reason (I'm in full-on Cal masochist mode).

The part where he talks about the average NBA career being 4.7 years...maybe 6 years... and then you're 30 and you have to figure out what to do with the rest of your life... I'd be like, OK, I just made $25M in that timeframe... I think I'm good. And if i was really smart, which many of our guys are, I'd say, i invest that conservatively (after various professional fees) so as to get a 4% annuity, I'm living on 1/2 million dollars a year for the rest of my life. yea, i think I'm good with that too. What was your point Coach?

The degree isn't your safety net if you make it to the Association... it's for if you don't. I know, I know...

And that "together" at the end is just sad... Seriously, sad. That's the only word I can think of.

KoreAmBear
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calumnus said:

blungld said:

That meeting was NOT the time to be tough and set the bar high and be no nonsense. Such a tactical mistake.

I am not saying that being a "taskmaster" straight shooter who demands excellence on and off the court is necessarily a bad thing--though in this speech it sounded insincere and cliche coach speak. What I am saying is, be smart.

He was selected coach in a whirlwind of confusion and amidst player transfers and two historically bad years with players whose confidence is low. You don't come in saying I am going to kick your ass, reminding them the odds against being a pro and needing an education, and brandishing a rolled paper in your hand...all on video! Stupid.

That is the speech you make at first practice in the Fall. That's where you motivate them to be pushed hard.

This is the empathetic get to know you moment. This is where you soften your tone and LISTEN. You say "Hey, guys. I saw some good things towards the end of the season we can build on. I look forward to learning about Berkeley from you and us all coming together through adversity. I want to prove myself to you and let you know things are going to get better and you are in good hands. I don't expect us to know each other instantly, but I want to start building relationships now."

Make the players feel important and invested. They had NO SAY in his hire. His priority should be their buy in and not their obedience. I just can't get over what a big mistake that approach is.

You don't lay into them and then force them to do a phony "Together" cheer. I would be rolling my eyes and saying this is bulI**** if I were them. This isn't about going easy on them, or being PC, or juice boxes, or participation trophies...this is about understanding people and the situation. I would never enter any group (professional or personal) and barge in like that. That's what oblivious people do and so I wonder about his people and recruiting skills. Read the friggin' room!


Exactly, you summed it up perfectly. How can someone be paid $millions to coach basketball and have no team building skills?

Then the Cal marketing department puts the train wreck on the Internet.
What do you C? UC train wrecks.
KoreAmBear
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TheFiatLux said:

OaktownBear said:

TheSouseFamily said:

I would have left out the shot of Sueing but the body language of the players didn't look bad to me. There was even a shot of Gordon nodding his head to something Fox said. Regardless, I thought the video was fine and ultimately irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I don't know what people would have expected from players hearing from their new coach in person for the first time. Seems that they were listening intently and I thought the message was generally was fine. Still, it's really hard to make a judgment about a meeting from just a 2 minute clip. While I'm not over the moon with the hire, I suspect we'll ultimately give Fox good marks for his leadership and how he treats/communicates with players.
Souse - it is really hard to make a judgment about a 3 hour football game from just a 2 minute clip. And yet they release them and their point is to fire up the fanbase. Cal even made videos that made Dykes' first year look good. That's the point of the video. To make Cal look good.

I expect nothing from players hearing from their new coach for the first time. Which is why I said they should have kept the meeting private. They chose to release something. They didn't have to. No one was expecting it.

I've been around youth sports a long time. The last huddle and cheer "together" (I can't put an exclamation point on that) is literally the most lackluster I have ever heard. Which might be completely reasonable given this is a team meeting in a classroom 6 months before the next game. Why show this?

I have zero judgment of Fox from this. What I expect from Fox in his first team meeting is irrelevant. This is a video released to the pubic to get fans on board. It is a lame video. It makes Fox look lame and that is unfair to him.

Fox - No judgment
Video - Lame.

I just watched that again, for some reason (I'm in full-on Cal masochist mode).

The part where he talks about the average NBA career being 4.7 years...maybe 6 years... and then you're 30 and you have to figure out what to do with the rest of your life... I'd be like, OK, I just made $25M in that timeframe... I think I'm good. And if i was really smart, which many of our guys are, I'd say, i invest that conservatively (after various professional fees) so as to get a 4% ammortization, I'm living on 1/2 million dollars a year for the rest of my life. yea, i think I'm good with that too. What was your point Coach?

The degree isn't your safety net if you make it to the Association... it's for if you don't. I know, I know...

And that "together" at the end is just sad... Seriously, sad. That's the only word I can think of.


Fiat - you have trained us well to look at what bad marketing looks like. And yes this was bad. At first I didn't really think about it too much. Just a first meeting who cares. But after comments from OTB, calumnus and Blngld, yes I would agree this was just pathetic. But maybe that's what drew Knowlton to Fox, that military type talk. Omg they could have just hired Decuire, an African American man who exudes class and knows Cal, and everything would have been good: we would have been excited, players I'm sure would have stayed (I mean how can you not like Decuire) and we would have had an up and coming coach coming off a league title (not a coach coming off a sabbatical after being fired) in the mold of Monty who has California recruiting ties ready to go. Oh and he would have saved us a lot of money. Nope. This happened.
BearlyCareAnymore
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TheFiatLux said:

OaktownBear said:

TheSouseFamily said:

I would have left out the shot of Sueing but the body language of the players didn't look bad to me. There was even a shot of Gordon nodding his head to something Fox said. Regardless, I thought the video was fine and ultimately irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. I don't know what people would have expected from players hearing from their new coach in person for the first time. Seems that they were listening intently and I thought the message was generally was fine. Still, it's really hard to make a judgment about a meeting from just a 2 minute clip. While I'm not over the moon with the hire, I suspect we'll ultimately give Fox good marks for his leadership and how he treats/communicates with players.
Souse - it is really hard to make a judgment about a 3 hour football game from just a 2 minute clip. And yet they release them and their point is to fire up the fanbase. Cal even made videos that made Dykes' first year look good. That's the point of the video. To make Cal look good.

I expect nothing from players hearing from their new coach for the first time. Which is why I said they should have kept the meeting private. They chose to release something. They didn't have to. No one was expecting it.

I've been around youth sports a long time. The last huddle and cheer "together" (I can't put an exclamation point on that) is literally the most lackluster I have ever heard. Which might be completely reasonable given this is a team meeting in a classroom 6 months before the next game. Why show this?

I have zero judgment of Fox from this. What I expect from Fox in his first team meeting is irrelevant. This is a video released to the pubic to get fans on board. It is a lame video. It makes Fox look lame and that is unfair to him.

Fox - No judgment
Video - Lame.

I just watched that again, for some reason (I'm in full-on Cal masochist mode).

The part where he talks about the average NBA career being 4.7 years...maybe 6 years... and then you're 30 and you have to figure out what to do with the rest of your life... I'd be like, OK, I just made $25M in that timeframe... I think I'm good. And if i was really smart, which many of our guys are, I'd say, i invest that conservatively (after various professional fees) so as to get a 4% ammortization, I'm living on 1/2 million dollars a year for the rest of my life. yea, i think I'm good with that too. What was your point Coach?

The degree isn't your safety net if you make it to the Association... it's for if you don't. I know, I know...

And that "together" at the end is just sad... Seriously, sad. That's the only word I can think of.


I am just flabbergasted at how out of touch adults can be about messaging to young people. How much they forget about being that age. No, you wouldn't have been motivated by that. Sorry. No. That speech was not designed to reach young people. It was designed to make adults feel good. It is like every assembly my kids get fed about drugs, or bullying or the perils of social media, or too much screen time, etc. My kids are very straight laced and they come back rolling there eyes and tell me it all is what the parents think is helpful and the kids don't want to listen to and they've heard it a million times before.

I guarantee you every guy in that room has heard the "you need an education in case basketball doesn't work out" speech many times. None of them are sitting there thinking "you mean I might NOT make millions in the NBA?" If they haven't gotten it yet, a new adult they don't know coming in and telling them isn't going to do it.

Yes, the message was all very important and needs to be conveyed. It does not need to be conveyed in a lecture in the first meeting. They don't know him. There is no reason for them to listen to him. He needs to gain trust and respect. That's when the message can be delivered. What th.ey needed was a confidence boost and something to believe in.

 
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