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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 20, 2006
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With news articles by Greg Hansen, Bruce "Columbo" Pascoe, Gary Parrish, the revolving door for assistant coaches (In: Pennell & Dunlap - Out:O'Neill, Simon, & possibly Pastner), and the interest of the 2009 recruits having been shaken, and the very public divorce between Lute & Christine.
The longer this goes on, the worse it gets for Arizona. Especially if Pastner does bolt for Memphis. Olson has been the best thing to happen to Arizona basketball. Heck, the best thing to happen to Arizona sports since he arrived on the scene back in the early 80's. But the program has become a side-show at a circus. It has already started to affect recruiting, and many players have thought about bailing because of the situation. I'm not heading for the hills and "jumping off the bandwagon" that I was never on, but it almost getting to the point where Lute is deconstructing the house that he built.
I'm not on the Lute bashing line yet, and consider the circumstances, he is going about business as usual and doing what needs to be done. But I think these circumstances have hurt Arizona basketball more than any PR Firm, smooth talking by Livengood and Olson, or return of any specific player can compensate for. It is going to take success in the PAC-10 and nothing less than a Sweet 16 appearance to keep Arizona in competition for elite recruits. Arizona basketball isn't obsolete, but they have taken a huge step back 20 years to where they'll need to pony up and prove something on the court. With all the uncertainty swirling around the program, coaches, etc. it is going to be the teams performance that will get the better 2009 recruits interested in the program.
What do you think the effects of the drama have been?
- Irrepairable - Only forcing out Olson and hiring a top tier coach will fix this.
- Troublesome - It's going to take next year's performance to fix it.
- Annoying - Livengood, Olson, and the new coaching staff are going to have to do some fancy footwork, but it's fixable.
- Insignificant - Olson and Arizona are too big of names for this to be a problem.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 12, 2006
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i know that "bandwagon" comment was pointed at me, Naterb, but that's ok.  I chose "troublesome". I think he needs to be stating why he's making these changes so as to help the recruits understand that we're not satisfied with how things have been going the last few years. Maybe he's been saying this and I've missed it. But at least give Miles a reason. Be direct. Tell him "you're not cutting the mustard" or whatever. People can take straight-talk more than they can silence.
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 20, 2006
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I know that "bandwagon" comment was pointed at me...lol - Actually, it wasn't.
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Reputation:87
Level:All-Star
Since:Oct 18, 2007
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I believe the main problem is Livengood not doing his job. He should have prepared succession planning prior to the contract extension to 2010. He could/should have Lute active in the process, but not an after thought once he's 73, not to mention the current circus going on now.
Livengood also has done a horrific job with the football program, post Tomey. The two coaches are bad, we will miss a bowl again, and its back to the drawing board. The recruiting fallout to ASU this football season is just another example. Stoops can blame it on academics all he wants, but at the end of the day state schools have the same requirements. As a Cat Fan and alumni, it's hard to say the Lisa Love has done a great job in a short period of time (i.e. Erickson, Sendek) at ASU.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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who cares about football...lol...jk.... I agree with a lot of things that are being said about the negative things happenening in the program I have 2 thoughts
1. succession plan
Why is this becoming so poular the last couple years. call them "coaches in waiting". I think it works in some situations, but sometimes it isn't great. AZ doesn't have to figure out who they're going to hire today for when Lute retires. No one really knows when he's going to be done. I don't personally beleive they need to find out who their next head coach is going to be... and I have a feeling they won't make that mistale again (COUGH.. Kevin O'neil... COUGH)
2. Recruits still getting to the league
AZ is still having players get to the NBA.. Let's face it, the majortiy of players want to go to a school who is going to better prepare them to play professional (NBA). I believe U of A has the most NBA players behind UCONN in the NBA...
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Reputation:99
Level:Superstar
Since:Sep 20, 2006
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Succession Plan:
I think that Arizona needs to avoid a succession plan, period. This has become a popular trend recently to avoid any temporary decline or lull in talent for elite schools. When done right it is quite effective. However, for the most part it causes a lot of confusion and chaos. It's okay not to have a successor lined up, UNC didn't when Dean Smith took off, and they're doing just fine.
By starting a succession plan, it says that Livengood and the University believe that 73 and growing is too old, and that Olson isn't capable of handling this on his own. Not a good recruiting scenario if your own employer is saying that. When the question arises about who will replace Olson, since that will new recruits will experience in the coming years, Arizona simply needs to be dedicated to hiring the best coach available, and make that known.
There's no simple solution, by any extent of the imagination, but a succession plan where the future coach is the AHC, is probably the worst thing Arizona could look to do.
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Reputation:94
Level:All-Star
Since:Feb 28, 2007
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I agree 100% Naterb... thanks for repeating what i said...lol...as for this hurting the recruiting process, yes it probably doesn't help.. but assuming Budinger leaves this season (who knows for certain), we only need 2 more guys for our 2009 class assuming Gaddy stays committed... I believe our seniors next season are onobun, bagga, and tangara... remember only one of them plays... so this could be seen as a positive... Here's the major downside: if Hill and Jennings (and Chase??) were to jump to the NBA, then this might be a major issue... just trying to put a positive spin on things... not to look to far ahead, but someone brought it up.. and it's a good point
Naterb, since you mentioned UNC... take a look @ their 2009 class already... depending on the site you look at...I believe they have 4-5 star recruits already committed... How the Wear bros. got out of the hands of UCLA and U of A is a little surprising, but I don't know much about that situation and UNC obviously is a phenomenal school
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