The off-season coaching moves continue to surprise me.
In yet another “we need to hire somebody” move, Miami tabbed former George Mason head guy Jim Larranaga as its new coach.
Apparently, people weren’t lining up (like other jobs this cycle) to lead the Hurricanes. Some people reportedly were hoping for Kansas State’s Frank Martin, but for whatever reason that didn’t happen.
Larranaga is a safe hire. He offered rock star status at one point in his career, but now at 61 he is probably at his final stop.
The guy had major success at mid-major George Mason. He led the school to a Final Four appearance in 2006 and five overall NCAA tournaments. He was in Virginia for 14 seasons and complied a 273-164 mark. He is 470-334 in his college career.
But this new job is far from the George Mason gig. Miami has a reputation of being cheap with its basketball program. Larranaga will need to win against program apathy. And then there is this small matter (I’m kidding for my foreign readers) of playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). For example, Duke and North Carolina will present problems unlike anything Larranaga faced in the mid-major circuit.
But this is a good move for Larranaga. He accomplished about all there is at George Mason. He comes to Miami with little expectation and little fanfare. And if it doesn’t work out, he can retire to his fishing boat or some other recreational activity.
Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami. Show all posts
Monday, April 25, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
More Coaching Talk
If you think the folks at NC State were surprised with their basketball hire, what about the fans at Missouri?
Missouri named former University of Miami coach Frank Haith as its new coach this week. And the initial reaction was far from favorable
To be blunt, schools weren’t exactly knocking down the door to hire Haith. He complied a 129-101 record in seven seasons at Miami, but only a 43-69 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Canes went to just one NCAA tournament, but four NIT affairs.
No doubt Haith jumped at the Missouri opportunity. Rumors said he was on the hot seat in Florida. So, apparently Missouri gave him a huge break.
The jury is still out whether Haith can coach. Some say he was hindered in Miami by the school’s lack of support for the basketball program. Some say he did more with less. He comes to Missouri with more resources and more support.
He battled the likes of Duke and North Carolina in the ACC, but the Big 12 Conference has top talent too. Texas, Kansas and Kansas State will make life interesting for the new Missouri coach. Word has it Haith is a strong recruiter and he will need those skills in his new conference.
Missouri tried to make a splash hire in courting Purdue’s Matt Painter. In these first few months, Haith will need his public relations skills as much as his coaching ones. He must prove that splash doesn’t necessarily translate into success and there are different paths to the victory column
Missouri named former University of Miami coach Frank Haith as its new coach this week. And the initial reaction was far from favorable
To be blunt, schools weren’t exactly knocking down the door to hire Haith. He complied a 129-101 record in seven seasons at Miami, but only a 43-69 mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Canes went to just one NCAA tournament, but four NIT affairs.
No doubt Haith jumped at the Missouri opportunity. Rumors said he was on the hot seat in Florida. So, apparently Missouri gave him a huge break.
The jury is still out whether Haith can coach. Some say he was hindered in Miami by the school’s lack of support for the basketball program. Some say he did more with less. He comes to Missouri with more resources and more support.
He battled the likes of Duke and North Carolina in the ACC, but the Big 12 Conference has top talent too. Texas, Kansas and Kansas State will make life interesting for the new Missouri coach. Word has it Haith is a strong recruiter and he will need those skills in his new conference.
Missouri tried to make a splash hire in courting Purdue’s Matt Painter. In these first few months, Haith will need his public relations skills as much as his coaching ones. He must prove that splash doesn’t necessarily translate into success and there are different paths to the victory column
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Iowa-Ohio State Meet in Iowa City
What figured to be a red-letter Big Ten game at the beginning of the football season will not happen today in Iowa City, Iowa.
Ohio State (9-1, 5-1) is the only team playing for the Big Ten title and BCS aspirations, while Iowa (7-3, 4-2) hopes to spoil the Buckeyes plans and moved up in the bowl pecking order.
Iowa should provide Ohio State some stiff competition. Some say the Hawkeyes play according to the strength of its competition or big name opponent. The last two weeks Iowa looked sluggish in a win over Indiana and then fell to Northwestern last week. The Hoosiers and Wildcats aren’t exactly the cream of the Big Ten.
Ohio State has frankly played weak competition. The Buckeyes did defeat a solid Miami of Florida team, but lost convincingly to Wisconsin. So people are still wondering if the Buckeyes are huff or puff. Today’s game should be a good indication.
It’s senior day in Iowa City. Iowa can take its frustrations out on Ohio State. The Hawkeyes have plenty of motivation despite a disappointing record.
Ohio State better bring its A-game or the Buckeyes will be in trouble.
Ohio State (9-1, 5-1) is the only team playing for the Big Ten title and BCS aspirations, while Iowa (7-3, 4-2) hopes to spoil the Buckeyes plans and moved up in the bowl pecking order.
Iowa should provide Ohio State some stiff competition. Some say the Hawkeyes play according to the strength of its competition or big name opponent. The last two weeks Iowa looked sluggish in a win over Indiana and then fell to Northwestern last week. The Hoosiers and Wildcats aren’t exactly the cream of the Big Ten.
Ohio State has frankly played weak competition. The Buckeyes did defeat a solid Miami of Florida team, but lost convincingly to Wisconsin. So people are still wondering if the Buckeyes are huff or puff. Today’s game should be a good indication.
It’s senior day in Iowa City. Iowa can take its frustrations out on Ohio State. The Hawkeyes have plenty of motivation despite a disappointing record.
Ohio State better bring its A-game or the Buckeyes will be in trouble.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Bye-Bye Baseball at Cal
University of California (Cal) announced this week that it was cutting five sports including baseball.
Back in the day, sports were almost sacred. Sports were hardly ever slashed, they actually grew. But this is a new era and with tight money, everything is on the potential hit list.
However, I find it interesting that every time baseball is finished at a major university, there is a tremendous outcry. I love professional baseball, but apparently the sport of baseball it isn’t popular on most college campuses. Sure you have your USC, Florida State, Miami programs, but can you tell me the four finalists in last season’s College World Series?
College baseball is considered a “minor” sport because it doesn’t generate enough money to finance itself. So sports like baseball must depend on the cash cows such as football and men’s basketball or other athletic monies.
I wonder why college baseball isn’t more popular. Is it because of the lack of major scholarship money? Is it because the media doesn’t provide college baseball much attention?
We have three state universities in Iowa and only the University of Iowa still offers baseball. The University of Northern Iowa dropped its program early this year. Iowa State dropped its team a while back.
Look for more college baseball fields to grow silent unless some multi-million dollar pro stars come to the rescue.
Back in the day, sports were almost sacred. Sports were hardly ever slashed, they actually grew. But this is a new era and with tight money, everything is on the potential hit list.
However, I find it interesting that every time baseball is finished at a major university, there is a tremendous outcry. I love professional baseball, but apparently the sport of baseball it isn’t popular on most college campuses. Sure you have your USC, Florida State, Miami programs, but can you tell me the four finalists in last season’s College World Series?
College baseball is considered a “minor” sport because it doesn’t generate enough money to finance itself. So sports like baseball must depend on the cash cows such as football and men’s basketball or other athletic monies.
I wonder why college baseball isn’t more popular. Is it because of the lack of major scholarship money? Is it because the media doesn’t provide college baseball much attention?
We have three state universities in Iowa and only the University of Iowa still offers baseball. The University of Northern Iowa dropped its program early this year. Iowa State dropped its team a while back.
Look for more college baseball fields to grow silent unless some multi-million dollar pro stars come to the rescue.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The Big 12 Conference Dilemma
I have been blogging in recent days about possible Big Ten expansion. I mentioned that Missouri and Nebraska would probably bolt the Big 12 to accept Big Ten offers if asked.
It seems the Big 12 is the ripe conference for picking. Colorado and Texas are other league schools often mentioned for realignment. The last major picking came from the Big East when Boston College, Miami and Virgina Tech joined the ACC.
Frankly, the Big 12 is in a state of flux. Big 12 fans want to know what's happening.
Last week, the University of Oklahoma President and its athletic director basically stated that the conference will probably remain the same. You got to believe that the Big 12 Commissioner will do all he and the conference can to prevent this possible raiding.
I understand this expansion talk on one hand, but on the other hand, I don't. We are talking the almighty dollar here and the thought that expansion is a necessary and positive step.
Although, I have said in recent posts that Nebraska and Missouri should go to the Big Ten if asked, my sullen reasoning is basically it will happen whether I want it to or not. I would actually favor the Big 12 staying the same.
Notre Dame could save everyone lots of stress. The Big Ten wants a football championship game and it needs only one team. The Irish play as an independent, but if they join nobody else gets hurt except maybe NBC. Notre Dame would join a powerful league while it still has an opportunity. Notre Dame is pretty stubborn though and is still holding out.
But if the Irish remain committed to their independence, why not seek just one team from another league. If the Big Ten does that, then it gets a title game and the other conference loses just one member.
I know I make it sound simple. And on the surface, it is. But the Big Ten should be careful with its expansion. The ripple effect might come back to haunt the conference one day. If the Big Ten expands too far, it might became to exclusive and only be able to play member schools.
It seems the Big 12 is the ripe conference for picking. Colorado and Texas are other league schools often mentioned for realignment. The last major picking came from the Big East when Boston College, Miami and Virgina Tech joined the ACC.
Frankly, the Big 12 is in a state of flux. Big 12 fans want to know what's happening.
Last week, the University of Oklahoma President and its athletic director basically stated that the conference will probably remain the same. You got to believe that the Big 12 Commissioner will do all he and the conference can to prevent this possible raiding.
I understand this expansion talk on one hand, but on the other hand, I don't. We are talking the almighty dollar here and the thought that expansion is a necessary and positive step.
Although, I have said in recent posts that Nebraska and Missouri should go to the Big Ten if asked, my sullen reasoning is basically it will happen whether I want it to or not. I would actually favor the Big 12 staying the same.
Notre Dame could save everyone lots of stress. The Big Ten wants a football championship game and it needs only one team. The Irish play as an independent, but if they join nobody else gets hurt except maybe NBC. Notre Dame would join a powerful league while it still has an opportunity. Notre Dame is pretty stubborn though and is still holding out.
But if the Irish remain committed to their independence, why not seek just one team from another league. If the Big Ten does that, then it gets a title game and the other conference loses just one member.
I know I make it sound simple. And on the surface, it is. But the Big Ten should be careful with its expansion. The ripple effect might come back to haunt the conference one day. If the Big Ten expands too far, it might became to exclusive and only be able to play member schools.
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