Showing posts with label Mizzou basketball coach. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mizzou basketball coach. Show all posts

Monday, April 4, 2011

Mizzou Hires Frank Haith - Wait, Who?

I don't understand Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden. He goes from trying to hire one ot the top tier coaches in America, to hiring a coach who was on the verge of being forced at a mediocre (at best) basketball school. Frank Haith has coached Miami University's basketball team for 7 seasons. He's been to the NCAA Tournament a total of once. He has a 38% winning percentage in the ACC in the last 7 years - to give some perspective, that's roughly equivalent to Iowa State's performance in the Big 12 over the last 7 seasons. Not Good. Alden really fouled up this one, and there is no shortage of criticism from MU fans either.

With good reason. Even if Haith wins a National Championship at Missouri, this is a bad hire. Why? Because he doesn't have the kind of pedigree that a coach needs to be at a big time program. Obviously Alden doesn't think he has a big time basketball program - it's embarrassing. It's almost like he's settling for a guy that he likes personally and simply getting the hire over with. It's really incomprehensible.


Now what. Well, I guess the we have to give the guy a chance. By all accounts he's tremendous person - honest, loyal, family man, all that, and that does count for something. He's got a reputation as a good recruiter, and he plays a more traditional brand of basketball that Missouri is surely ready for after the Mike Anderson Era. I wish the man well, and he doesn't deserve all the negative comments coming his way, but he may just be over his head. He does give a great "mean look" though.

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Painter Will Stay at Purdue, Mizzou's Search Goes On

Matt Painter was in an enviable position yesterday. He had two big time athletic programs basically bidding for his services. The day ended with him staying put at his alma mater with a sweet half a million dollar raise and eight more years on his contract.

This after a full court press from Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden, who flew to Florida to meet with Painter who was vacationing there. The Missouri AD reportedly offered north of $2 million/year, but ultimately Painter wanted to stay at the school he played at, Purdue University.


Missouri fans were all a "twitter" yesterday as a report came out of St Louis that Painter would be accepting Missouri's offer. After news that he would stay at Purdue was announced, Mizzou fans felt that familiar punched in the gut feeling. With years of athletic disappointments in the past, most Mizzou fans, I'm sure, could feel it coming. I know I did. Alden went from hero to zero on Mizzou message board Tigerboard.


Mike Alden, the search goes on. There are still good candidates available, two of which are in this year's Final Four - VCU coach Shaka Smart, and Butler Coach Brad Stevens. Anything less than a Home Run hire could be trouble for Mike Alden - I don't think fans will stand for an unproven mid major coach this time around. I would also suggest to Mr Alden to do everything in his power to keep information out of the hands of the media. That can blow a potential deal in a heartbeat.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Purdue Coach Matt Painter Meets with Missouri

It has now been made official that Purdue coach Matt Painter is meeting with Missouri's athletic department to discuss the open mens' basketball coach vacancy. Painter was expected to have met with Missouri officials sometime yesterday in Florida, where his family is currently on vacation.


In response to this news, Purdue is now issuing statements that they will do everything in their power to keep Painter. One would think it wouldn't be that hard. Painter is from Indiana, played at Purdue under legendary coach Gene Keady, and is already in his dream job. Why exactly would he want to leave?


The simple answer is money. Painter feels like he isn't being given enough for his services as well as the necessary resources to hire good assistants. Painter currently makes about 1.3 million a year in base salary, and Missouri is thought to be offering a seven year deal worth $14 million.


Overall, this feels like a reach on Mizzou's part. Most insiders expect Painter to stay if Purdue's counter offer is good enough, and I would agree. Painter is likely using Missouri to get a better offer from Purdue, and so far it appears this is working. Credit Missouri Athletic Director Mike Alden for going after the best possible candidate (and trying to avoid another Quin Snyder hire), but it appears Painter might be too hard to get.

DISCLAIMER

This is a legally confirmed "open forum" website that is not responsible for any content posted within. The opinions, articles and comments on this site do not reflect the opinions of the owner of this site, or it's subsidiaries.