Comments on: More On Stan Joplin’s Exit

By: Matt Sussman

Matt Sussman — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 21:21:42 +0000

“Have you actually been to the games and counted heads? The # is nowhere near the announced attendance.”

I’ve been to probably 75 percent of the Rockets home games in the Stan Joplin era. And yes, they include season ticket holders who aren’t present into the attendance. I imagine they aren’t the only schools to do that, although I will concede they probably have more empty seat season ticket holders, because they probably have more season ticket holders overall, being perhaps the largest metro city in the MAC.

“coaches use that against UT in recruiting saying the coach is a lame duck finishing out his contract.”

Not having a coach right now sure doesn’t help a recruit’s cause wanting to go to UT either. Like propagandist pamphlets, competing coaches will say anything.

“Not one of the top guards, but top 50 point guards in the country. That sounds better that it actually means. Maybe he can replace, if he qualifies academically, the point guard who “left” the team and will not do interviews with any local media.”

I was waiting for the part where you were going to disagree with me on that, but it seems you’re actually saying the same thing I am, only in a negative connotation.

“If you have done your homework as a sports writer you will know the “rumor/theory” on why possibly he is not with the team. Which I feel also comes into play with Stan’s dismissal.”

Hey, I’ve heard it all, believe me. I realize and understand the reasons behind getting rid of him, some which may not have anything to do with W-L records or NCAA tournaments. But it doesn’t discredit any reasons I feel he should have stayed as head coach. And the timing was still horrible.

By: Wojo

Wojo — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 15:11:26 +0000

You are kidding right? I just read your article on the love fest for Stan. By all accounts he is a class guy but that doesn’t mean he should stay UT’s coach. I have never seen interest in UT basketball lower. Have you actually been to the games and counted heads? The # is nowhere near the announced attendance. Your recruiting point was wrong. Unless you give Stan an extension past the one remaining year on his contract other coaches use that against UT in recruiting saying the coach is a lame duck finishing out his contract. So you either give an extension or you buy out final year. Has been done that way for ever. As for recruiting, the disaster of this season and the numerous players who couldn’t make the grade. I realize a mid-major team like UT needs to take some chances to get good players but come on, 5 in one group not qualifying academically. “I can’t wait till one of the top 50 points guards in the country enrolls”. Not one of the top guards, but top 50 point guards in the country. That sounds better that it actually means. Maybe he can replace, if he qualifies academically, the point guard who “left” the team and will not do interviews with any local media. If you have done your homework as a sports writer you will know the “rumor/theory” on why possibly he is not with the team. Which I feel also comes into play with Stan’s dismissal. Maybe next years team will be better and might compete for a MAC title but Stan has not shown he has the ability to take it to the next level and stay there. Why can’t Toledo be a Kent State who seems has a very good chance of making the NCAA’s every year? The time had come to go get a new coach who hopefully can restore UT to the days of fan interest and constistent chances of NCAA’s bids.
Wojo

By: trs

trs — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 03:51:39 +0000

We will probably never know how many C-note origami mouths have been yelling into Mike O’Brian’s ear to fire Stan. I’m guessing it was more than enough to make him decide to pull the trigger. I think that Stan Joplin more than earned the opportunity to get behind the wheel of UT’s new 30 Million dollar recruiting tool and see what he could do with it.

By: Matt Sussman

Matt Sussman — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:45:43 +0000

West Coast, Missouri Valley, Atlantic 10 … none of them are Division I Bowl Subdivision conferences.

By: MP

MP — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:43:36 +0000

I don’t necessarily think that Toledo thinks they have one of the best programs in the MAC. One trip to the MAC title game does not entitle you to think that, and it would be strange indeed if Toledo thought it had one of the best men’s basketball teams and subsequently fired their men’s basketball coach.

As I said before, Toledo expects more from their team though. Perhaps more importantly, Toledo sees other smaller (admit it) conferences sending 2-4 teams to the NCAA Tournament year after year and thinks, “Why can’t that be the MAC?” Indeed, the MAC has sent 2-3 teams on occasion, and Toledo obviously sees no reason that they can’t be one of those teams.

And you know what? They’re right, and every team in the MAC should think this way as well. However, as I’ve also said before, you make a good point by essentially asking, “If not Joplin, then who?” Truth be told, I don’t know. But there’s nothing wrong with wanting and expecting more from your team, and let’s remember that Joplin had 12 years! 12 friggin’ years!

If you’re not going to take a team to the Tournament in that time period, you’re never going to take a team to the Tournament.

By: Shaggy

Shaggy — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:48:43 +0000

Rockets Forfeit Game, Cornered in Locker Room by Bear

Coach Dakich: “Oh God, why did I bring a bear with us?!”