Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta hopes lightening doesn't strike twice.
About four years ago, Barta hired Todd Lickliter from a successful mid-major in Butler University. We all know how that one turned out. It was a failure with a capital F.
Today, Barta announced his second new mid-major coach in Siena's Fran McCaffery.
McCaffery was quick to dismiss the similarities with the Lickliter hire. He said that he has turned around three programs. Lickliter did just one.
Well, like new coaching announcements, they were selling hope in Iowa City, Iowa. Hawkeye fans need lots of hope these days. The program is in terrible shape. I don't know what is worse: losing all those games for three years or fan apathy.
Iowa fans were crying out for a coach that runs an uptempo, entertaining style. It sounds like McCaffery will meet that wish.
If first impressions are correct, his demeanor is like the last coach. Maybe he does have fire in his belly, but it didn't show (if he does) at the press conference. Sounds like Mrs. McCaffery is the vocal one in the family. The best part of the press conference for me was when Barta mentioned that they have a seat belt on the Mrs. chair in the arena.
Mrs is probably the best player in the family. She played college ball at Notre Dame. Maybe they should play a game of h-o-r-s-e against each other in Hawkeye Carver Arena. That would probably draw a nice crowd.
Indeed, McCaffery has a solid track record. Now we will see if he can put people in the seats and successfully match up with other Big Ten coaches like Thad Motta, Tom Izzo and Bruce Weber.
What do you think of the new Iowa coach?
Showing posts with label Big Ten Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Ten Tournament. Show all posts
Monday, March 29, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
Norfthern Iowa Returns 'Home'
Northern Iowa loves playing in St. Louis. And tonight's Sweet 16 match up against Michigan State just happens to be in the Gateway to the West city.
The Panthers have won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis the last two years. It's really their home away from home. Even though this game is played in a different venue (the Edward Jones Dome), Northern Iowa will appreciate the familiarity of St. Louis
The fans enjoy it too because they are within driving distance. Look for a huge Panther gathering tonight.
I look for Northern Iowa to perform well. This veteran, no-nonsense club will be ready. The Panthers need to control the pace because Michigan State will want to run them out of the arena. The Spartans will also try to pressure them to submission. Northern Iowa needs to withstand that and get the basketball in their half-court offense.
The Panthers strength is their defense. But they must play outstanding offense too. They need sold three-point shooting and their usual success at the free throw line.
Northern Iowa wants to have a chance for the victory near the end of the game. This tilt promises to be a war against a tournament-tested Big Ten opponent.
And the Panthers need to seize the opportunity. With two victories already in the tourney, they hope to continue to surprise the expects. This Northern Iowa team is going where no other Panther squad has been before and there is no reason to interrupt the march now.
The whole state of Iowa is cheering for the Panthers. I sense most of America will support them too.
Can the Panthers really beat Michigan State?
The Panthers have won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in St. Louis the last two years. It's really their home away from home. Even though this game is played in a different venue (the Edward Jones Dome), Northern Iowa will appreciate the familiarity of St. Louis
The fans enjoy it too because they are within driving distance. Look for a huge Panther gathering tonight.
I look for Northern Iowa to perform well. This veteran, no-nonsense club will be ready. The Panthers need to control the pace because Michigan State will want to run them out of the arena. The Spartans will also try to pressure them to submission. Northern Iowa needs to withstand that and get the basketball in their half-court offense.
The Panthers strength is their defense. But they must play outstanding offense too. They need sold three-point shooting and their usual success at the free throw line.
Northern Iowa wants to have a chance for the victory near the end of the game. This tilt promises to be a war against a tournament-tested Big Ten opponent.
And the Panthers need to seize the opportunity. With two victories already in the tourney, they hope to continue to surprise the expects. This Northern Iowa team is going where no other Panther squad has been before and there is no reason to interrupt the march now.
The whole state of Iowa is cheering for the Panthers. I sense most of America will support them too.
Can the Panthers really beat Michigan State?
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lickliter Under Fire at Iowa
You realize you have a problem in your athletic department when your football team wins more games than your basketball team. Such is the case at the University of Iowa.
The Hawkeye basketball team lost their opening round game at the Big Ten Tournament Thursday and finished the season 10-22. The Iowa football team won the Orange Bowl game earlier this year and concluded its season 11-2.
Speculation is running high regarding the future of Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter. Lickliter has recorded three losing seasons at the school and it doesn't look good for the former Coach of the Year (at Butler University).
This isn't what Iowa Athletic Director Gara Barta envisioned when he hired Lickliter to replace unpopular Steve Alford. Barta was hoping Lickliter could restore some glory to the program (re: Ralph Miller, Lute Olson, Tom Davis)
There are apparently deep cracks in play . Players are leaving and so are the fans. It seems like at the end of the season, one of the biggest questions is what players will leave the program (voluntarily or involuntarily). Fans are showing their displeasure by not attending games. Attendance is below 9,000 and may be as low as about 5,000. Ouch! Fans frequently complain about Lickliter's style of play.
With all this negativity, Lickliter probably will not return as coach. The odds are definitely not in his favor.
Apparently, he will receive a $2.4 million payout if it is the end. And Lickliter will probably resurface at another school. But Hawkeye fans would have preferred winning seasons and NCAA tournament appearances
What do you think about the Lickliter situation?
The Hawkeye basketball team lost their opening round game at the Big Ten Tournament Thursday and finished the season 10-22. The Iowa football team won the Orange Bowl game earlier this year and concluded its season 11-2.
Speculation is running high regarding the future of Iowa basketball coach Todd Lickliter. Lickliter has recorded three losing seasons at the school and it doesn't look good for the former Coach of the Year (at Butler University).
This isn't what Iowa Athletic Director Gara Barta envisioned when he hired Lickliter to replace unpopular Steve Alford. Barta was hoping Lickliter could restore some glory to the program (re: Ralph Miller, Lute Olson, Tom Davis)
There are apparently deep cracks in play . Players are leaving and so are the fans. It seems like at the end of the season, one of the biggest questions is what players will leave the program (voluntarily or involuntarily). Fans are showing their displeasure by not attending games. Attendance is below 9,000 and may be as low as about 5,000. Ouch! Fans frequently complain about Lickliter's style of play.
With all this negativity, Lickliter probably will not return as coach. The odds are definitely not in his favor.
Apparently, he will receive a $2.4 million payout if it is the end. And Lickliter will probably resurface at another school. But Hawkeye fans would have preferred winning seasons and NCAA tournament appearances
What do you think about the Lickliter situation?
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