Did I just get an order for pink paper in Iowa City?

[HeneryHawk]

V, your examples totally crap out your statement about SA being the worst. To include Amaker as a good coach is a complete laugher and a total stretch, Michigan always has talent, the athletes, why arent they winning? HUH? Matta is a decent coach, and that was well considered, but lets see if he can build upon the terrific base he has with OSU.

As for development lacking, you would say that these guys havent developed or would you prefer to say they havent developed to your lofty standards? They all have gotten better ( and dont forget, many guys in all sports "top out", and we have seen that before ), look at JH´s shooting, his ballhandling ( His game management may be worth a question, but I believe that is really an issue of trying way too hard to make instant results ). Bru is definitely better, he plays stronger, works farther out from the box ( he tried to do that his FR year, and was way out of his league, now he can, and does shoot okay out there ), his defense is better, but minutes affects him late. PP definitely was better, no doubt,....but to elablorate of the guy everyone seemed to hate doesnt do any good. EH was much better, do you remember how he looked the first year in the program ? This, his first year in a full seaon role, he ran into a block, just like sophs often do. He should be able to do better next year, no matter who the coach is. Henderson is improving as the minutes increase, and his D off the ball has picked up much better than last year, or even earlier in the season. Adam, is just playing lights out, esp compared to ISU. At the half season on, he trailed off, now he is getting stronger. Adam was supposed to be soft and not like contact, but that doesnt seem to be the guy I see. Alex is improving too, and for a FR, that is a good thing, a bonus to get. I think to say there is no improvement is just the same crap that is being bandied about to justify the end of SA, but to me, it insults the effort these kids put in, and I dont doubt how hard they work. If SA is gone, I am fine with it. I just DEMAND that a replacement be an upgrade, not a retread or some sentimental choice, but a true improvement. Most of the guys you all mention are pretty weak. Few, Crean, Callipali ( although, I have my doubts about him, he would be top flight and recruit like crazy ) among others are attainable. There is no ggod reason to take a lesser coach. If that is the case, why not save the money and keep the guy you have?
_________________
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

St Louis Cardinals 2011 AND 2006 World Series Champions

[vackerman]

Amaker has had his hands tied all year. His team has been befuddled by injuries and is now playing walk ons. He walked into a situation where he lost scholarships for something done in the past. To say he´s not a good coach isn´t really fair in the grand scheme of things. Sure, he´s not all world, but then again, Bruce Weber not exactly a strategist - he´s got superior athletes.

The rumor on the street is Amaker might head back to the ACC to take the Virginia job if Gillen is canned. He´s always said he´d like to go back to that area (closer to home).

Now for development, I´ll give you that the guys took a step forward, but when people are saying JH is the glue of the team and he is consistently going 5-16 a night - something has got to change. That´s where a coach steps in and designs plays to run to his stars strengths. The offense they are running today is the same one they ran 6 eyars ago when Steve came to town.

So in what tier do you place Alford? Is he a top tier guy so you have to get someone from that tier? Is he a mid level guy so you can move up with a top tier program?

What about the program? It used to be one of the top dogs in the Big Ten - now, it´s a mid level program. If this is the case, why would some big time coach want to come to Iowa. It doesn´t make sense. Better to take your lumps with someone who will get the most of the players rather than wait for all this talent to develop IMHO.

[T-Rex]

v, I think a name would come to Iowa if he knew he could bring them back to prominence. I don´t think it would be that difficult. It´s just difficult for Alford to do. And, Henery, like I mentioned previously, people wanted a big name (Stoops) when Fry retired and they hired Ferentz, a questionable move. So, a guy who´s head college coaching was modest success in Maine become one of the best coaches in college football right now. Who figured? My point is that just because Mr. Popularity might not get hired at Iowa does not mean that he won´t be successful with Iowa kids. Also, you have to consider the fact that there just might not be a big name to draw for next year.

[HeneryHawk]

Iowa is STILL a top 40 program. The Big Ten gives it a provenance not offered in many other places. The program has had success, and can and will again. Fry gained much from an organizational aspect from the maine experience and the NFL offered tons more, he wasnt a sleeper. As for the "hot" commodity type, I am not advocating that as certain success or the need to get, but I do not believe a retread or a lower level guy without any provenance himself is a needed get as no one wants to come here ( I am sick of the sorry sad sack types who would accept lesser just to make a change ). Alford, with his performance would not be a top tier guy right now, he record clearly demonstrates that. Cna he get better? No doubt in my mind. Can he do it here? Who knows? He may not have a chance to crawl out of the hole he has dug himself into, the momentum may be too big to overcome. What ever it is, it isnt our choice anyway.

As for the coach designing plays for a star, that is sweet to say, but you have to have the personnel to do it. The O has changed some over the years, and the past two years is has bben more potent and more running has been on the slate. With JH, you can only feature so much, as other options are needed to stretch a D, it isnt like the old NBA where a strict man to man forced over loads. Also, as JH is primary ball handler, it limits how much he can physically do. AH has stepped up big time, now Bru is the target to shut off. Today I think also showed how much these guys had been pressing, and with PP gone, it greatly pressed them and that has led to a sort of self fulfilling prophecy type of outcome....the media and internet has predicted melt down, I bet it was in the heads of the kids....that isnt easy to deal with. Lets see how they do on the next two games, and if they are playing as relaxed. Hansen´s slump sure didnt help this season either ( and that isnt all on him, but things get cumulative ), AT has appeared to be developing quickly here at the end, something that was hoped for earlier in the year, but normal for freshmen.

And tell me why wouldnt a top flight guy want to be at Iowa? It is absurb to think that Iowa isnt a draw. Success is very attainable in Iowa City, the past proves that, and so does the wonders of the football program at present.


_________________
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

St Louis Cardinals 2011 AND 2006 World Series Champions

[HeneryHawk]

From preseason on, my biggest concern is that this team needed a dominant rebounder ( to go with Bru ) and low post defender. You have that, this team is totally different. Also, as mentioned elsewhere, one wonders how this team would have developed/done, if PP hadnt been with them from day one. The upheaval he created sure changed the team dynamic, and greatly increased the pressure on the guys. After watching how much the guys are filling their roles ( and had fun today ) since he was dismissed, it makes me wonder how it would have been. But, no reason to dwell, it is what it is, you manage the best you can.
_________________
Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain

St Louis Cardinals 2011 AND 2006 World Series Champions