uneblinstu’s postgame chatter: vol 11, ed 8 - Illinois

[hhcmatt]

Compare and contrast what happened here with Moos last year with what happened in Washington St

https://www.cougcenter.com/wsu-cougars-basketball/2017/5/2/15525304/ernie-kent-contract-roll-over-bill-moos

 

Quote

“To be quite frank, in men’s basketball, I thought we made great strides in a season where the league was extremely tough,” Moos told Jacob Thorpe of the Spokesman-Review. “But most importantly, we’ve had a real good recruiting year and we’ve made some changes in the staff that I think will energize that program and also continue to boost us in recruiting.”

 

The article goes on to tell how Moos is basically full of it.

 

If Miles was Eric Piatkowski he would have received a muliyear extension had his contact been allowed to dwindle down in the first place

[brfrad]

I might be in the minority with Moos and Miles.  The only problem with it, is it got dragged out.  Miles had 2 good years. Both ended up with quick exits.  The other 4 years were not good at all.  So, the year after his last good season, we crapped the bed.  I have no problem giving him one more year with the caveat of another good year, leads to a longer extension. 

[ladyhusker]

Holy smokes I hadn't seen that before,@hhcmatt. Good Lord, that makes this past offseason that much more maddening. I get wanting your own guy, but come on...does Ernie Kent have some compromising photos of him with that goat or something? The inconsistency is crazy.

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[49r]

That's why I keep saying the ones who want Miles gone (whether it's by firing or he chooses to leave on his own) should be careful what they wish for.  

 

Because if their wish comes true, what they're gonna get is Ernie Kent.

[Art Vandalay]

First, there is no way Ernie Kent will coach here. Different situation in we pack the house and have way more resources. I am not sure what Moos will do in hoops but I get the feeling that someone above him is not a fan. I am hoping Bill just wanted to see for himself over a period of time to decide. Still wish he would have extended to contract though

[hhcmatt]

3 hours ago, ladyhusker said:

Holy smokes I hadn't seen that before,@hhcmatt. Good Lord, that makes this past offseason that much more maddening. I get wanting your own guy, but come on...does Ernie Kent have some compromising photos of him with that goat or something? The inconsistency is crazy.

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I think Kent is there for the same reason Leach is: take an unemployed guy with former success on the cheap and hope it works out for your broke program. Leach it did, Kent it did not.

We're not poor here so no, Ernie Kent is not coming here. Just based on how Moos hires though if he ever did have to hire someone it would probably be a Thad Matta type guy...someone unemployed with past success

 

 

[Dean Smith]

5 hours ago, ladyhusker said:

This was all hashed out back in April, but for good times' sake and because I'm procrastinating my monstrous to-do list today, I'll bite. But I'm going to take the lazy way out and paste here what I posted then, because I'm cocky enough to think it basically all still holds true. (But I'm on my phone so please forgive the lack of formatting.)

I'll add that I also think Moos impacted his own credibility in all this -- if he truly believed his team was worthy of a spot in the NCAA last year, he would have acted accordingly. Now whenever he calls someone to pump up a Husker team, in any sport, the appropriate response should be "Why should I believe you? You didn't even believe in your own guy enough to act like what you said was true last time." Say what you will about UCF looking silly claiming the national title in football last year -- there's no doubt they believed in their team, and put their money where their mouth was. There's something to be said for that kind of belief in your guy.

-----

Here's the thing -- I think 2018-19 is only another do-or-die year because that's what the narrative became after the season.

Rewind six-ish weeks. Selection Sunday just happened and we were left out, but Bill Moos had spent the last week calling everyone in his phone to tell them how awesome Nebrasketball is. We're sitting at 22-10, which by most standards (especially in Nebraska) is a good season. We had a double-bye in the Big Ten Tournament, and yes, we lost to Michigan, but so did a couple really good teams, so while that sucks, it's not like we're not in good company. And the NIT may have inexplicably just crapped on us, but it's a team we played once already to start the season and jumped out to a 20-point lead at halftime so a win isn't impossible.

Let's say that, at that point, the AD announces that despite what the committee decided, this was a really good season and we believe we're heading the right direction (because dang it, everyone who ever met Bill Moos in a bar once at a Final Four has heard from him this week about how great this team is and why we deserved to be in the tourney), and so with that in mind, we're looking forward to building on this year's success and taking the next step in 2018-19 with Tim Miles, who has received a 2-year extension. Could he still fire Miles if next year goes poorly? Sure. But does it also highlight the good things about this season (I can think of at least 22 of them right off the bat...) and give us a little momentum in the offseason? Yep. Maybe we still lose in Starkville, but maybe everyone isn't so pissed off when they go, knowing that at least their administration thinks they accomplished something. Or maybe we even say this conversation and announcement all happens after Moos and Miles met the first time...probably still works out OK.

Instead, we got a whole bunch of silence, a ton of rumors (some of which may or may not be true, but it plants speculation regardless), and now a pall over what could have been a pretty important offseason with a coach who now looks like a lame duck and an AD who looks like he doesn't believe in his coach. All this so he could weigh out whether to fire a guy who just got a school record for conference wins and placed 4th in the Big Ten? Wait on it a year. If we suck, call your coach of choice and offer him a boatload of money then, and we're really no worse for it. If we win, great, we've got a winner. But this do-or-die narrative was cosigned, if not created, by the administration's lack of support and decisive action at the appropriate time.

The ultimatum season didn't need to happen. Maybe Shawn Eichorst painted Bill Moos into a corner, but Moos turned around and pooped in it. He (and his staff) had the opportunity to write their own narrative and this is what they chose. I think that's certainly worthy of criticism, because I think all this could have all been avoided with some competent PR, and instead, we're treated to a doom-and-gloom offseason and a pressure cooker inside PBA next year.

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And you can draw a straight line from this away from Nebraska and right to Pitt for Xavier Johnson. And this is the last time I will mention his name but it seems there are several on this board that have a slight crush on Xavier. Amir is our guy and I'm in on him the whole way. But anyone out there that wants to defend Moos and rave about Xavier Johnson you are contradicting yourself.

[cipsucks]

It was so refreshing with the hiring of Scott Frost, to have everyone from administration on down to the coaching staff, on the same page and happy.  I don't think that has ever happened in my lifetime for men's basketball.  Maybe in the early 60's, but I was focused on playing with tinker toys then....

[Norm Peterson]

4 hours ago, brfrad said:

I might be in the minority with Moos and Miles.  The only problem with it, is it got dragged out.  Miles had 2 good years. Both ended up with quick exits.  The other 4 years were not good at all.  So, the year after his last good season, we crapped the bed.  I have no problem giving him one more year with the caveat of another good year, leads to a longer extension. 

 

That analysis might work if you were evaluating your office of real estate agents or insurance sales reps.

 

Did Miles succeed his first season or did he crap the bed? That season tied for his fewest conference wins along with year #3, in which you say he crapped the bed.  Were they both bed crapping seasons?

Edited December 15, 2018 by Norm Peterson

[Art Vandalay]

1 hour ago, Dean Smith said:

And you can draw a straight line from this away from Nebraska and right to Pitt for Xavier Johnson. And this is the last time I will mention his name but it seems there are several on this board that have a slight crush on Xavier. Amir is our guy and I'm in on him the whole way. But anyone out there that wants to defend Moos and rave about Xavier Johnson you are contradicting yourself.

 

That is not necessarily true. I really loved X (also 100% in Amir’s corner and like him more now since he chose us). I also firmly wanted Miles extended and think that was a mistake by Moos. However unless you know someone real close to the higher ups in the program there COULD be other reasons. I say could because I do not know anything for sure either. Moos might have been givin some guidance on what to do with Tim from his bosses. I would actually be surprised if they did not have an opinion.I have also heard Hunter was looking around before the no extension was determined and he was why X was coming. I hope we have a great season and Moos is all in on Tim and if not we obviously will have more clarity on the situation.

 

bottom line like so many things it is not always cut and dried.

[Norm Peterson]

Man, that Leonidas dude really crapped the bed at Thermopylae, huh?

[Norm Peterson]

So, William Travis.  Totally crapped the bed at the Alamo.  I guarantee they didn't give him a contract extension after that one.

[Dead Dog Alley]

1 hour ago, Norm Peterson said:

Man, that Leonidas dude really crapped the bed at Thermopylae, huh?

Well...he sure wasn’t back coaching that next season...

[ShortDust]

10 hours ago, Dean Smith said:

And you can draw a straight line from this away from Nebraska and right to Pitt for Xavier Johnson. And this is the last time I will mention his name but it seems there are several on this board that have a slight crush on Xavier. Amir is our guy and I'm in on him the whole way. But anyone out there that wants to defend Moos and rave about Xavier Johnson you are contradicting yourself.

Bingo! Thanks Moos!

[brfrad]

17 hours ago, Norm Peterson said:

 

That analysis might work if you were evaluating your office of real estate agents or insurance sales reps.

 

Did Miles succeed his first season or did he crap the bed? That season tied for his fewest conference wins along with year #3, in which you say he crapped the bed.  Were they both bed crapping seasons?

They were not good seasons.  We finished in the bottom 4 in the conference those other 4 years.  I don't want to figure out how to avoid playing the 1st day.  

 

I am not a fan of Moos.  He almost blew the only reason he was hired.  Meeting with Frost before a job was open.  He drug out Miles' extension.  I could see why he gave him 1 year.  Reward him for a good year.  Give him 2 or 3 extra years, and extra money if the team does what we think they are capable of doing.

[hskr4life]

13 minutes ago, brfrad said:

They were not good seasons.  We finished in the bottom 4 in the conference those other 4 years.  I don't want to figure out how to avoid playing the 1st day.  

 

I am not a fan of Moos.  He almost blew the only reason he was hired.  Meeting with Frost before a job was open.  He drug out Miles' extension.  I could see why he gave him 1 year.  Reward him for a good year.  Give him 2 or 3 extra years, and extra money if the team does what we think they are capable of doing.

 

I think the problem is that your “reward” for a good year is seen as a kick to the nuts for most people... including the one who probably matters most.

[Huskerpapa]

18 hours ago, cipsucks said:

It was so refreshing with the hiring of Scott Frost, to have everyone from administration on down to the coaching staff, on the same page and happy.  I don't think that has ever happened in my lifetime for men's basketball.  Maybe in the early 60's, but I was focused on playing with tinker toys then....

You are right Cip.  Even when we had Danny and we were playing big boy basketball, there was a group out there who didn't like his style, his approach or his East Coast swagger/language.  They wanted someone more Nebraskan, sort of like Barry Collier.

[nustudent]

Still think Moos was in a lose lose situation last year.

 

If he doesn't believe in Miles and gives him a traditional extension and this year goes bad and Moos gets rid of him...that looks bad.  No one is going to be defending the Moos extension then.

 

If he does nothing or only a 1-year extension, he's criticized for not committing long term.

 

Eichorst dug a major hole for Moos to dig himself out of.   Pretty much whatever Moos did last spring was going to be criticized by some.

[hskr4life]

Just now, nustudent said:

 

 

If he doesn't believe in Miles and gives him a traditional extension and this year goes bad and Moos gets rid of him...that looks bad.

 

 

Far less criticism if Moos goes this route.  Besides, odds were that this year was not going to go bad.  

 

The right A.D. thing to do was give him the traditional extension.  It's a lot easier explanation because it's the smart thing to do.

[nustudent]

3 minutes ago, hskr4life said:

 

Far less criticism if Moos goes this route.  Besides, odds were that this year was not going to go bad.  

 

The right A.D. thing to do was give him the traditional extension.  It's a lot easier explanation because it's the smart thing to do.

 

Far less criticism ON THIS BOARD.  Don't think that's the universal opinion.  

 

And as far as the odds...unless my memory is off on timing...we were still waiting on player announcements.   So I think there was still alot up in the air. 

Edited December 16, 2018 by nustudent

[The Polish Rifle]

Ahh the Moos argument once again. It’s been days since we’ve had this. I like Moos, Frost, Miles and Cook. I think all them like each other. I also think Moos and Miles are on the same page and Miles will be handsomely rewarded for this season if it goes well. There always has to be a bad guy...

[HB]

4 minutes ago, The Polish Rifle said:

Ahh the Moos argument once again. It’s been days since we’ve had this. I like Moos, Frost, Miles and Cook. I think all them like each other. I also think Moos and Miles are on the same page and Miles will be handsomely rewarded for this season if it goes well. There always has to be a bad guy...

 

What is your basis for saying Moos and Miles "are on the same page"?  What's your basis for saying "they like each other?"  

[The Polish Rifle]

3 minutes ago, HB said:

 

What is your basis for saying Moos and Miles "are on the same page"?  What's your basis for saying "they like each other?"  

Just what I think. Nothing more than that. Just don’t believe the idea that there is a huge disconnect and Miles will bounce the minute he has a better offer. Has Moos put a ton of faith in Miles to this point? No, I’ll concede that. But Miles has to know his accolades to date don’t warrant a huge contract. 1 tournament appearance in 6 years has you on the hot seat at EVERY power 5 school. I believe Moos plainly stated the extension will be there when the results are there, and Miles knows that. No inside indormation, just saying what I believe. 

[nustudent]

2 minutes ago, The Polish Rifle said:

Just what I think. Nothing more than that. Just don’t believe the idea that there is a huge disconnect and Miles will bounce the minute he has a better offer. Has Moos put a ton of faith in Miles to this point? No, I’ll concede that. But Miles has to know his accolades to date don’t warrant a huge contract. 1 tournament appearance in 6 years has you on the hot seat at EVERY power 5 school. I believe Moos plainly stated the extension will be there when the results are there, and Miles knows that. No inside indormation, just saying what I believe. 

 

Agree with a lot of this.

[HB]

3 hours ago, The Polish Rifle said:

Just what I think. Nothing more than that. Just don’t believe the idea that there is a huge disconnect and Miles will bounce the minute he has a better offer. Has Moos put a ton of faith in Miles to this point? No, I’ll concede that. But Miles has to know his accolades to date don’t warrant a huge contract. 1 tournament appearance in 6 years has you on the hot seat at EVERY power 5 school. I believe Moos plainly stated the extension will be there when the results are there, and Miles knows that. No inside indormation, just saying what I believe. 

 

Kind of a rehash of whether Moos handled it correctly and/or fairly, not how Miles thinks about it.    It is about more than a "huge contract".   it was 2 ADs delaying and making no, or very late and tepid public comments of support.  And these coaches aren't dumb, they know what it means and where they stand.    And its wearing.   It's not a good situation.  Doesn't mean it can't be worked out, but it's not warm and friendly, and definitely not on the same page.   Miles will have options, and believe me he will consider them.   But, all we can do now is win games and see how it shakes out.