Asst. Coach Ben Johnson to Minnesota

[TheKamdyMan]

Maybe we should of hied Adam Barnes in place of Ben Johnson. We would have Akoy and would not have invested time in an assistand for 1 year.  Just a thought...

 

nothing against Adam because he does fine work in Houston but if he wanted to be a coach in college, why isnt he trying to get in the door anywhere?  Hes got a good gig in Houston and can be a good funnel for talent to Nebraska but if he was a B1G worthy assistant he would have plenty of suitors already beating down his door and would be coaching.

[Hooper]

 

 

We need the best coaches/recruiters we can find who can commit to being here for more than 5 minutes. What we don't need are former Husker heroes with little to no coaching experience, no recruiting experience, no recruiting connections and little to offer except enthusiasm and a love for the program. That's not how you build a winner in my opinion.

 

We desperately need a big-time recruiter on this staff who actually wants to be here for longer than it takes to eat a hamburger. I hope we can find one.

That's kinda what I thought.  Mixed emotions about Strickland.  Loved him as a player.  But looking for a job at this level as his first coaching gig is kinda putting the cart before the horse.  If Strickland wants to coach, he would prove himself by taking a job at a lower level and working his way up.  We know plenty about Strickland as a player.  We know very little about what he would do as a coach and we just don't have the luxury of being able to hire someone who has no track record.

 

If Strickland were serious about coaching, he'd be coaching, period. You either embrace it as a career or you don't. Strick should have 10 years of coaching experience under his belt by now if he were truly serious about it. He should have been cutting his teeth at lower-level programs and grinding his way up. Then I'd be interested in giving him a serious look. As it stands now, he doesn't even deserve an interview in my view. This isn't a hobby -- it's a profession.

Well, he was coaching last year.  And people change professions all the time.  He wanted to try his hand at working in the front office, so he did that first.  Nothing wrong with that and really has no bearing on whether or not he'd be passionate or capable at coaching.  He still wants to be involved in the game and teach it.  So he's starting that process you speak of.  Also, it's be impossible for him to have 10 years of experience since his playing days ended 8 years ago.  In theory, he's got a wealth of basketball knowledge with an NBA pedigree that you'd think would be appealing to young players.  

 

Let's calm down with the vitriol about whether or not Strick deserves an interview.  It's an easy jump to make considering his experience and connection to the program and a mention of him is not the same thing as an endorsement.  Also, the basketball program is not in the same position as the football program.  This IS a program that you can take a risk on a guy like Strick.  I don't know whether Miles will or should take another look at him, but the connection is a natural one to make from the outside looking in.

 

I don't understand why we should "calm down with the vitriol" about Strickland. I understand you have a different perspective, but I fail to see why my perspective is in need of "calming down." I thought I made some valid points.

 

What Nebraska desperately needs right now is a big-time recruiter. Harriman is a fine recruiter, especially at the international level, but I'm not sure there's an ace recruiter on this staff, and we desperately need one in my opinion. Strickland may have the potential to be a great recruiter, but he's proved nothing and has very little coaching experience. In other words, he's not a guy who would even be given a sniff if he didn't play ball in Lincoln.

 

In general, I'm tired of nepotism hires (on the football side) at Nebraska, in which a guy's birth state or playing for Nebraska seemingly means more than real qualifications and an ability to bring excellence to the position.

 

I happen to believe that Strickland stacks up extremely poorly against a lot of potential candidates out there who have a wealth of recruiting experience, tremendous recruiting contacts at all levels, and a lot more coaching experience. 

 

I'm not talking about you, but there are many Husker fans out there who, if they had control over hires, would put together a football staff comprised entirely of former Husker greats. We're the most incestuous program in America.

[Concrete]

I think Barnes is a more valuable asset to the program right where he is for the time being.  Seems like he's catching some traction in Houston and getting some big names into his camp.  I'm sure he has solid connections now, but he could have amazing connections in 5-10 years if he keeps doing what he's doing.

[NUdiehard]

Maybe we should of hied Adam Barnes in place of Ben Johnson. We would have Akoy and would not have invested time in an assistand for 1 year.  Just a thought...

 

nothing against Adam because he does fine work in Houston but if he wanted to be a coach in college, why isnt he trying to get in the door anywhere?  Hes got a good gig in Houston and can be a good funnel for talent to Nebraska but if he was a B1G worthy assistant he would have plenty of suitors already beating down his door and would be coaching.

If Barnes could have helped us land Akoy, I wouldn't care if he spent the last 10 years working at McDonalds.  Miles hired Johnson instead and what did that get us?  Hiring assistant coaches is a bit of a dicey business.  It isn't all about "grinding your way to the top" and "earning your stripes" like it used to be.  Its all about who you know and who you can help us get.  It may not seem right and it may not be "fair", but it is what it is. 

 

I personally think losing Akoy was a big blow to the rate at which Miles can build this program.  It is why we are now still trying to figure out how to fill the gap in the paint.  We may be trying to fill that for years to come.  One guy cannot change a program, but one guy can sure help a lot.  And then if you add in a guy like Webster or maybe another diamond in the rough (Fuller?) and you are off and running. 

 

If I knew Barnes could come in now and help us land a guy of Akoy's status (or better?) for next year or even 2014, I would hire him in a heartbeat.  That would still be better than what some assistants will do in 5 years at a program. 

[uneblinstu]

I don't understand why we should "calm down with the vitriol" about Strickland. I understand you have a different perspective, but I fail to see why my perspective is in need of "calming down." I thought I made some valid points.

 

What Nebraska desperately needs right now is a big-time recruiter. Harriman is a fine recruiter, especially at the international level, but I'm not sure there's an ace recruiter on this staff, and we desperately need one in my opinion. Strickland may have the potential to be a great recruiter, but he's proved nothing and has very little coaching experience. In other words, he's not a guy who would even be given a sniff if he didn't play ball in Lincoln.

 

In general, I'm tired of nepotism hires (on the football side) at Nebraska, in which a guy's birth state or playing for Nebraska seemingly means more than real qualifications and an ability to bring excellence to the position.

 

I happen to believe that Strickland stacks up extremely poorly against a lot of potential candidates out there who have a wealth of recruiting experience, tremendous recruiting contacts at all levels, and a lot more coaching experience. 

 

I'm not talking about you, but there are many Husker fans out there who, if they had control over hires, would put together a football staff comprised entirely of former Husker greats. We're the most incestuous program in America.

Your points are fine, but they read a bit like there's not reason anyone should entertain considering Stick might even be worth considering.  And it wasn't just meant to be at you, there are several of similar sentimental posts.  At least that's how they read to me.  I'm just saying there are reasons beyond just his Husker ties to consider him.  I don't have a problem with "nepotism" hires if they can actually coach.  I don't know if Strick can do that or not, but I know when I hear him talk that he has a very deep understanding of the game.  If I have the choice between two coaches that are similar in ability, I'm going to take the guy that is from here and is passionate about this place.

 

I don't think by any stretch that NU is unique in wanting their own to be a part of the program.  That's a common desire amongst fanbases.  It's also why they don't make hiring decisions.  I don't know what other guys Miles has in mind, they may very wel be more qualified than Strick, and I'm more than ok with that, but there is reason to believe that he would be a valuable asset to the program.  There's a reason why his seat were right next to Tai's when he was in town.  The guy can sell Nebraska, I have little doubt of that.

[cozrulz]

Need to get someone that is in on some big time recruits...if at all possible.

[Swan88]

Need to get someone that is in on some big time recruits...if at all possible.

This.

[TheKamdyMan]

 

Maybe we should of hied Adam Barnes in place of Ben Johnson. We would have Akoy and would not have invested time in an assistand for 1 year.  Just a thought...

 

nothing against Adam because he does fine work in Houston but if he wanted to be a coach in college, why isnt he trying to get in the door anywhere?  Hes got a good gig in Houston and can be a good funnel for talent to Nebraska but if he was a B1G worthy assistant he would have plenty of suitors already beating down his door and would be coaching.

If Barnes could have helped us land Akoy, I wouldn't care if he spent the last 10 years working at McDonalds.  Miles hired Johnson instead and what did that get us?  Hiring assistant coaches is a bit of a dicey business.  It isn't all about "grinding your way to the top" and "earning your stripes" like it used to be.  Its all about who you know and who you can help us get.  It may not seem right and it may not be "fair", but it is what it is. 

 

I personally think losing Akoy was a big blow to the rate at which Miles can build this program.  It is why we are now still trying to figure out how to fill the gap in the paint.  We may be trying to fill that for years to come.  One guy cannot change a program, but one guy can sure help a lot.  And then if you add in a guy like Webster or maybe another diamond in the rough (Fuller?) and you are off and running. 

 

If I knew Barnes could come in now and help us land a guy of Akoy's status (or better?) for next year or even 2014, I would hire him in a heartbeat.  That would still be better than what some assistants will do in 5 years at a program. 

 

Barnes would not have swayed Agau.  Too many people are over-valuing his pull.  He is NOT at the levels of being an AAU connection that people here are wanting to hire, much like the type of player youre saying you want.  Nebraska will get a top 100 player and it will not require having a guy that runs camps in Houston to get him.  Barnes again is starting to really do well in Houston but lets not act like he is the savior.  If he was that good he would have people knocking down his door left and right.  

[Norm Peterson]

 

Maybe we should of hied Adam Barnes in place of Ben Johnson. We would have Akoy and would not have invested time in an assistand for 1 year.  Just a thought...

 

nothing against Adam because he does fine work in Houston but if he wanted to be a coach in college, why isnt he trying to get in the door anywhere?  Hes got a good gig in Houston and can be a good funnel for talent to Nebraska but if he was a B1G worthy assistant he would have plenty of suitors already beating down his door and would be coaching.

If Barnes could have helped us land Akoy, I wouldn't care if he spent the last 10 years working at McDonalds.  Miles hired Johnson instead and what did that get us?  Hiring assistant coaches is a bit of a dicey business.  It isn't all about "grinding your way to the top" and "earning your stripes" like it used to be.  Its all about who you know and who you can help us get.  It may not seem right and it may not be "fair", but it is what it is. 

 

I personally think losing Akoy was a big blow to the rate at which Miles can build this program.  It is why we are now still trying to figure out how to fill the gap in the paint.  We may be trying to fill that for years to come.  One guy cannot change a program, but one guy can sure help a lot.  And then if you add in a guy like Webster or maybe another diamond in the rough (Fuller?) and you are off and running. 

 

If I knew Barnes could come in now and help us land a guy of Akoy's status (or better?) for next year or even 2014, I would hire him in a heartbeat.  That would still be better than what some assistants will do in 5 years at a program. 

I don't get this infatuation with Barnes that some seem to have.  He's been involved with a number of players that Nebraska has tried to get.  Including Akoy Agau.  Name one that we actually landed.  Mens or womens.

 

If he has the kind of influence some seem to believe, why isn't Akoy Agau a Husker?  What about the Kastanek sisters?  We didn't land either one of them.  We tried to get Quincy Acy who went to Baylor instead.

 

Name one player he's delivered.  And if he can't do it when he's right there working with those kids daily and possessed of as much influence as he'll ever have, why would anyone think he'd be able to deliver recruits he's no longer involved with?

 

And then what's he going to do on game days?

 

P.S.  By the way, NUdiehard, those are two big "ifs."

[hhcmatt]

I don't get this infatuation with Barnes that some seem to have.  He's been involved with a number of players that Nebraska has tried to get.  Including Akoy Agau.  Name one that we actually landed.  Mens or womens.

 

If he has the kind of influence some seem to believe, why isn't Akoy Agau a Husker?  What about the Kastanek sisters?  We didn't land either one of them.  We tried to get Quincy Acy who went to Baylor instead.

 

Name one player he's delivered.  And if he can't do it when he's right there working with those kids daily and possessed of as much influence as he'll ever have, why would anyone think he'd be able to deliver recruits he's no longer involved with?

Does he have some involvement with the Huskers?

Why would he be obligated to steer people to Nebraska? Because he is from there?

[hhcmatt]

Need to get someone that is in on some big time recruits...if at all possible.

This.

It would also help if we had someone who could scout/develop big men.

[Silverbacked1]

Didn't we have this same discussion about this time last year?

 

I think that somebody came on here and called this guy about equal to Satan.

[Red Rum]

Didn't we have this same discussion about this time last year?

 

I think that somebody came on here and called this guy about equal to Satan.

 

I'm pretty sure we did. It went something like:

 

"He's great! He'll get all these kids to come to Nebraska!"

 

"No he's Satan. Didn't you see that Bible show on History? He looks just like the Satan character on that show!"

 

"He's just what we need"

 

"You're a moron"

 

"No you're a moron"

 

"I know you are but what am I?"

 

"I'm rubber, you're glue etc"

 

Then I stopped reading that thread.

[Norm Peterson]

Dimes, if you go back and look at the old board, there was discussion initiated by a certain poster to the effect that Barnes was building a facility in Omaha that would be called the Omaha Health and Wellness Academy, which would host clinics and perhaps an AAU tourney for teams from around the nation.  And one of the notions about this, advanced by Barnes himself, was that having him build this and bring kids to Nebraska from throughout the nation would help Husker basketball recruiting.  That outcome -- which never came to fruition, by the way -- did not depend on Barnes becoming an assistant.   It's because Barnes would serve as one of those "recruiting contacts" that we're hoping our next assistant has.

 

Now, think about that for a moment.  There's coach and there's contact.  Right now he's contact and, as contact, hasn't managed to steer anyone our way.  Why would we expect that making him a coach would change any of that?  If Agau had signed a Husker LOI, then I might think he'd be useful as a recruiting assistant.  But in the one area where he actually has a sort of qualification, his results for the Husker hoops programs has been a big fat goose egg.

 

Deliver us a recruit or two and then we'll talk.

[Norm Peterson]

Didn't we have this same discussion about this time last year?

 

I think that somebody came on here and called this guy about equal to Satan.

 

I'm pretty sure we did. It went something like:

 

"He's great! He'll get all these kids to come to Nebraska!"

 

"No he's Satan. Didn't you see that Bible show on History? He looks just like the Satan character on that show!"

 

"He's just what we need"

 

"You're a moron"

 

"No you're a moron"

 

"I know you are but what am I?"

 

"I'm rubber, you're glue etc"

 

Then I stopped reading that thread.

The way I remember it, someone made the mistake of calling Barnes "Coach," which prompted Dean Smith to come on and disabuse us all of the notion that Barnes should claim that title.

 

(I promised myself I wouldn't get involved in another discussion about this guy.  I also resolved to lose 20 pounds and start exercising more.  Oh well, maybe next New Years.)

[Silverbacked1]

Didn't we have this same discussion about this time last year?

 

I think that somebody came on here and called this guy about equal to Satan.

 

I'm pretty sure we did. It went something like:

 

"He's great! He'll get all these kids to come to Nebraska!"

 

"No he's Satan. Didn't you see that Bible show on History? He looks just like the Satan character on that show!"

 

"He's just what we need"

 

"You're a moron"

 

"No you're a moron"

 

"I know you are but what am I?"

 

"I'm rubber, you're glue etc"

 

Then I stopped reading that thread.

Yeah I do remember that but you know what it still goes on like that today.

[Norm Peterson]

By the way, let me just say I absolutely HATE these discussions about Adam Barnes (yet find myself unable to avoid participating.) 

 

He's a lightning rod topic, to be sure.

 

There are members of this board for whom I have great respect who think very highly of Adam.  And there are others whom I also greatly respect who don't think very highly of Adam at all.  Each has his or her reasons.  I have my feelings on the guy and I have my very good reasons for those opinions, and I don't choose to elaborate on the experiences that have formed my opinions.

 

I just wish we could leave it alone as a topic on this board because we aren't going to agree and many folks feel very strongly.  And when the announcement came out that Ben Johnson would be leaving, I just rolled my eyes and shuddered because I just knew someone would bring up that name again.

 

Well, last I hope to say on the  subject:  If Tim Miles hires him, I'll trust that Tim Miles knows what he's doing.  And if Tim Miles doesn't hire him, I'll trust it's because Tim Miles knows what he's doing.

[Daledangdarn]

By the way, let me just say I absolutely HATE these discussions about Adam Barnes (yet find myself unable to avoid participating.) 

 

He's a lightning rod topic, to be sure.

 

There are members of this board for whom I have great respect who think very highly of Adam.  And there are others whom I also greatly respect who don't think very highly of Adam at all.  Each has his or her reasons.  I have my feelings on the guy and I have my very good reasons for those opinions, and I don't choose to elaborate on the experiences that have formed my opinions.

 

I just wish we could leave it alone as a topic on this board because we aren't going to agree and many folks feel very strongly.  And when the announcement came out that Ben Johnson would be leaving, I just rolled my eyes and shuddered because I just knew someone would bring up that name again.

 

Well, last I hope to say on the  subject:  If Tim Miles hires him, I'll trust that Tim Miles knows what he's doing.  And if Tim Miles doesn't hire him, I'll trust it's because Tim Miles knows what he's doing.

 

 

Well said, that discussion has been beat to death on huskerboard.

[NUdiehard]

For the record, I am not advocating hiring Barnes or anyone else.  I don't know much about him honestly.  My point was that, at this point, I don't really care what a guy's "credentials" are, or who else is trying to hire him, if I know he can bring in big time recruits.  I don't know if Barnes can or can't do it.  I am just using someone like him as an example. 

 

Norm, as for you point that he hasn't "delivered" anybody yet, I guess I don't really get that.  He isn't employed by NU.  He isn't under any obligation to deliver anybody here.  In fact, let's say Barnes did have enough influence to direct Akoy to a school (and yes, I realize this is a complete hypothetical).  Do you really think he would direct Akoy to Miles after he tried to get an interview for the NU assistant position and was given the cold shoulder?  Really?  If anything, it probably would have just made him upset and turned him against NU.  Are you saying he must deliver multiple big time recruits before he can even be considered for the job?  Seriously? There are AAU or H.S. "coaches" who are hired all the time simply for the "prospect" of bringing one recruit with them.  If Barnes was willing to direct players to NU without having to be put on staff, then Miles obviously would have no need to put him on staff.  That is the whole point!

 

And again, my point is NOT to debate whether Barnes should or should not be hired.  I am simply using him as a hypothetical example.

[Norm Peterson]

NUdiehard, how do you know Barnes tried to get an interview with Miles and was given the cold shoulder? 

 

Did he try getting an interview with Connie Yori?  Did she give him the cold shoulder as well?

 

Barnes was on the various message boards long before we hired Tim Miles, boasting about his ability to deliver recruits to Nebraska and the recruiting advantages we'd see from his various projects, like the Omaha Health and Wellness Academy that was never built.

 

Those things appear to have been nothing more than talk.  Self-promotion.

 

Let me turn the question around, NUdiehard, and ask you this:  Since you seem to believe we need to hire an assistant who can recruit, what have you seen out of Adam Barnes that would lead you to believe that he has any ability to do that? 

 

There are a lot of "ifs" in what you have to say about Adam Barnes.  And I don't think "If Barnes could have helped us land Akoy" and "If I knew Barnes could come in now and help us land a guy of Akoy's status (or better?) for next year or even 2014" is an adequate basis to hire someone to be an assistant coach.

[Norm Peterson]

By the way, he apparently made the same promises to Creighton fans that he did to Nebraska fans as far as his Health and Wellness Academy bringing in players.  And it never happened.

[Norm Peterson]

If people don't remember what I'm talking about re: the Omaha Health and Wellness Academy, here's a link to an article by Steve Pivovar of the OWH from 2009:

 

http://www.omaha.com/article/20090724/SPORTS/707249830/0/NEWS02

 

Money quote:  "They plan to build a 300,000-square foot facility that will feature 10 basketball courts, indoor soccer and football fields, baseball and golf tunnels, a weight room and classrooms. The facility, at a yet to be determined site, is scheduled to be operational by 2011, Barnes said." 

 

OK, so where is the thing?  Address?  It should be about 2 years old by now.

 

And then there's this:  "Barnes co-founded a similar business venture in Houston, where he came into contact with a number of professional athletes."

 

Yeah, similar venture in Houston.  That one was called the Houston Sports Center.  And it's located where now?

 

Similar article by Brian Rosenthal of the LJS:

 

http://journalstar.com/sports/academy-in-omaha-launching-combine/article_d66018e3-6b28-5f0f-b948-066dea500b83.html

 

I'd love to take a tour of the place.  Whom do I contact to set up the tour?  Anyone?  Buehler?

[Hooper]

If people don't remember what I'm talking about re: the Omaha Health and Wellness Academy, here's a link to an article by Steve Pivovar of the OWH from 2009:

 

http://www.omaha.com/article/20090724/SPORTS/707249830/0/NEWS02

 

Money quote:  "They plan to build a 300,000-square foot facility that will feature 10 basketball courts, indoor soccer and football fields, baseball and golf tunnels, a weight room and classrooms. The facility, at a yet to be determined site, is scheduled to be operational by 2011, Barnes said." 

 

OK, so where is the thing?  Address?  It should be about 2 years old by now.

 

And then there's this:  "Barnes co-founded a similar business venture in Houston, where he came into contact with a number of professional athletes."

 

Yeah, similar venture in Houston.  That one was called the Houston Sports Center.  And it's located where now?

 

Similar article by Brian Rosenthal of the LJS:

 

http://journalstar.com/sports/academy-in-omaha-launching-combine/article_d66018e3-6b28-5f0f-b948-066dea500b83.html

 

I'd love to take a tour of the place.  Whom do I contact to set up the tour?  Anyone?  Buehler?

 

I could simulate it with software, much like the Cactus League Tournament I put on. 

[Hooper]

Never mind -- I found it! No need to simulate. You're such a cynic, Norm!

 

[Norm Peterson]

Never mind -- I found it! No need to simulate. You're such a cynic, Norm!

 

I need the old rolling on the floor laughing smiley. 

 

(Somehow the big grin just doesn't capture the sentiment.)