|
|
Post by lmills72 on Feb 13, 2023 21:22:28 GMT -6
Okay let’s level set here with the coaches salary package. What I need to understand is how is Kent/Senderoff (12 yrs), Toledo/ Kowalczyk (11yrs)and Akron/Groce (4yrs) able to keep their coach and they are always at the top of the conference? Why shouldn't we expect to manage our coaching situation the same?? Yet we talk about Lewis as if it's a given he's gone in a year or two if he keeps succeeding!! In the MAC you have to be MORE than at the top of the conference for the big boys come calling. Kowalczyk has had some good teams, but he has never won the conference tournament, never taken a team to the Big Dance. Senderoff has one NCAA appearance and since then he's had decent teams but nothing that was going to make him a hot commodity. His shot was after the NCAA appearance but that passed and he was still at KSU for whatever reason. Groce was a hot commodity after taking Ohio to the dance in 2 of 3 years, He got his shot and couldn't meet the standard. Now he's back in the MAC. Like water they've kind of found their level. It might not be that high level we think all coaches want. Maybe they still want that shot at the big-time program or maybe they're satisfied with their place. After all it's not a bad place. But Lewis is newer to the head coaching game. I think you have to assume he'd like a shot at a big-time program, that it's not just his goal to make Ball State a mid-major powerhouse. And there are schools around that are desperate enough to reclaim their former glory that they will reach (they have been reaching) for the person they think might get them there. Not only are they desperate to reclaim that glory, they're desperate to do it with "one of their own." If he gets that shot there's a chance he will stay for decades and have loads of success, but more likely he'll be fired at some point. After that, probably at best he begins a Steve Alford-like path through the coaching ranks. Possibly he finds his level somewhere else in the MAC or a similar conference. At the moment, I'd be fine if his career took a Rich Maloney-like journey. |
|
|
|
Post by rmcalhoun on Feb 13, 2023 21:38:54 GMT -6
Another thought is Lewis might not work at just any school. Im actually kinda shocked it has so far worked here. There will be many schools that will not embrace a beer drinking, cussing, very knight like Dude unapologetically running their program.
|
|
|
|
Post by mattg on Feb 14, 2023 12:06:41 GMT -6
I’d be weary of an extension so soon. Case in point is what is happening here in my neck of the woods, Jacksonville. Jacksonville Univ. had an amazing year last season with their 1st year head coach who can from UF. They lost in their conference championship game and had 20 wins I think. JU extended him shortly after the season was over. This year they returned the majority of the team and a new “stud” transfer from Illinois. They are now struggling to stay around the .500 mark and struggle to score 60 points per game. I still think he’s the right coach but the morale around the team is pretty down compared to last year.
I hope we continue to build upon our success this year as 20 wins is in sight. I also hope to see continued success instead of just a 1 year wonder like what JU appears to be doing.
|
|
|
|
Post by rmcalhoun on Feb 14, 2023 13:20:51 GMT -6
Not an extension unless a year add.. A renegotiation of current terms
|
|
|
|
Post by realitycheck on Feb 14, 2023 14:41:21 GMT -6
I think he likes it here so far and has really been embraced. I also think he wants to build some success at BSU and then pick the job he wants, not jump at the first bigger offer. Let's pump the brakes and see what we do in the next two weeks and how recruiting goes. If we can retain Coleman, Sparks, Sellers, Pearson, Jihad and bring in two really good guards from the transfer plus maybe a good wing we could be the favorite for next year. If he wins 22 and makes the semi finals that is a helluva first year. Win the whole shebang next year and who knows.
|
|
|
|
Post by universityjim on Feb 14, 2023 15:02:57 GMT -6
We need bigs!
Almost every MAC team has 3-4 6'8"+ players to throw at Sparks and all we've got to counter when he gets in foul trouble is Jihad before we have to get small. We've got 10 big man fouls to give to their 20. We need at least one more who can contribute immediately. And a point guard.
|
|
|
|
Post by williamtsherman on Feb 14, 2023 18:06:26 GMT -6
Almost every MAC team has 3-4 6'8"+ players to throw at Sparks Well I've only seen one game this year but MAC teams very rarely have 4 players 6-8 or bigger that can walk and chew gum at the same time. I've always felt that Lewis was fairly well blessed as a MAC coach just by having Sparks. Now that Jihad is a positive factor on the bench, I feel that way even more. HOWEVER the future is another matter and entirely depends on Lewis himself, and he should be recruiting quality bigs RIGHT NOW. Because 1) you don't want to rely entirely on freshman bigs and 2) I assume we all have the proper fear and respect for the transfer portal - enough said. |
|
|
|
Post by cardfan on Feb 14, 2023 20:23:55 GMT -6
I won’t be surprised if Coleman decides to go the pro route after this season. (Whether it’s g league or overseas or whatever). I think Lewis can snag a good guard transfer because he’s really good with guards and lets them play a little, but it would be crucial if he could get a sold power forward or center via the portal. Doesn’t have to be a star, just a strong 6’8 or better kid who can give us quality minutes behind Sparks. (Assuming sparks stays)
|
|
|
|
Post by lmills72 on Feb 14, 2023 21:39:13 GMT -6
We do have the 6-7 high schooler in the fold. I know he'll just be a freshman but nobody expected much out of Sparks either. And whatever his game is, a player with some skill who is receptive to coaching can change. Look at Jihad this year.
|
|
|
|
Post by 00hmh on Feb 14, 2023 21:55:04 GMT -6
We do have the 6-7 high schooler in the fold. I know he'll just be a freshman but nobody expected much out of Sparks either. And whatever his game is, a player with some skill who is receptive to coaching can change. Look at Jihad this year. Decent recruit but can't expect much next year. |
|
|
|
Post by lmills72 on Feb 14, 2023 22:22:11 GMT -6
We do have the 6-7 high schooler in the fold. I know he'll just be a freshman but nobody expected much out of Sparks either. And whatever his game is, a player with some skill who is receptive to coaching can change. Look at Jihad this year. Decent recruit but can't expect much next year. Yeah but how much do we need? I think if you get 8-12 minutes a game from another front-court player you've made strides. And just saying, he's already committed. So ... if he's capable of giving anything between Hendriks and Jihad level play, that's something. Get one transfer from the portal who's better than that and you could look pretty good up front. |
|
|
|
Post by 00hmh on Feb 14, 2023 23:46:34 GMT -6
Very good.
As cardfan says we may need to replace 2 good guards. Coleman, Jacobs, not easy.
That could be the big recruiting challenge. You're right that to keep Jihad, Pearson and Sparks and add anything at all up front, we're pretty good there.
I'd like an athletic 6-6 wing who could defend on the wish list.
|
|
|
|
Post by Lurkin McGurkin on Feb 15, 2023 7:24:05 GMT -6
I'm more concerned about a bigger school coming for Sellers.
|
|
|
|
Post by realitycheck on Feb 15, 2023 7:31:10 GMT -6
I'm more concerned about a bigger school coming for Sellers. I think we can keep everyone we want to keep. Replacing Jacobs will be a tall task. He’s so well rounded offensively and on D, doesn’t turnover, just so solid. I can’t imagine Coleman leaving if we don’t win it all. If we return the core and get another wing and an experienced guard to replace DJ we will be really good again. |
|
|
|
Post by JacksonStreetElite on Feb 15, 2023 9:06:28 GMT -6
I'm more concerned about a bigger school coming for Sellers. I think we can keep everyone we want to keep. Replacing Jacobs will be a tall task. He’s so well rounded offensively and on D, doesn’t turnover, just so solid. I can’t imagine Coleman leaving if we don’t win it all. If we return the core and get another wing and an experienced guard to replace DJ we will be really good again. Yep, I'm much more concerned about getting a PG. Jacobs can do it all at the 1 and will be a huge loss. |
|
