Ok, I was from the beginning, basically like, if a "high profile" guy wasn't interested, well, JJones made the most sense. Here's the deal... Enough "hometown" pressure to really make the case. Everyone from Brown, Shaq, Macklin, Temple Jr., Ceasar, wanted him. Says something when all the influential Brown legacies make the point. Afterall, who's going to support the program but those alumns. It really was the right time now, after Alleva was able to try his non-LA "national" choice the last time around. Second of all, why spend $2+M per, if you're not sure (1) the coach is passionate about the job, or (2) it's guaranteed to be a home run--especially when you have the "track record" of an "outsider" these past 4 years (who btw, endorsed Jones--like it or not Trent knows basketball, and if he's saying only Jones can be that guy, it says something). Details will be forthcoming, but with JJ making $400K per, you could double his salary and have him still make less than Trent... and leave room to get some very well paid assistants. In any case, I look for JJ to make about what Trent made with some serious incentives built in. Third, above all else, this program needs excitement. Yes, Jones isn't a "sexy" hire, but is he excited about LSU basketball? Yes, resoundingly, yes. Will he recruit a staff that's excited about LSU basketball? Likely. Will he portray that excitement to recruits? Yes. In the end, as much as I hate to admit it, LSU is a basketball program that needs recruiters, in the midst of pigskin country, more than it needs coaches. Brown showed that and now hopefully Jones will too. Here's the blueprint. Jones hits the recruiting trail (claims to already have started). He locks up Coleman and Hammink. His first test is recruiting 3-4 players (in addition to Morgan), and of course retaining his current team. He's got to convince Stringer and O'Bryant that he's the man for the job. I'll be curious about first what does Coleman do, what does Hammink do (Hammink by the way is being recruited hard by others right now). Then, I'll wait to see whether Jones the "recruiter" steps up. He knows LA and TX recruiting grounds, and well, that's probably all you need to be successful at LSU. Does Jones sign another JUCO, maybe a big, or does he convince a kid to leave UNT to go to LSU (what would happen if Tony Mitchell transferred?). Then, it's building his staff. I knew when Randy Livingston started making noise early last week, that one spot was likely going to be Randy. A N.O. legend, who frankly has been wanting to come back for some time. The guy's an assistant that I've been wanting for a while. What LA kid wouldn't want to be recruited by a home town kid who's played on multiple NBA and NBDL teams, and coached in the NBDL? Another kid that is rumored for a spot is Quannas White, who would have joined Trent's staff. I like both of those kids--good players, with good pedigree, who bring some young, local energy to the staff. But, all guards, and that's where Brent Scott comes in. Now reports are that Brent might stay, and frankly, he'd be the big man coach on the team. He had a good rep for recruiting/developing bigs, and does him staying help keep JOB at LSU? I think a staff of Jones, Livingston, White and Scott would be formidable and well, young. What Jones may need is a season Xs and Os guy on his team. Do they need a guy who can really break down the other team? Is that guy Livingston? Or, in Jones' more up tempo style, will it matter as much? There are certainly reasons to be optimistic. Not just because of what Jones is, but what he could potentially build, as a team. The next few weeks will be exciting folks, recruiting is name of the game--players and coaches. Strap on and let's see where the Jones express takes us. GEAUX TIGERS!!!!
I think it's good that we've got an LSU guy for the job. Why not give this a try? But, then again, I'm a football person, and while I'd like LSU basketball to be successful, I'm fine as long as football is. In a nutshell, that's probably an attitude that keeps a lot of basketball coaches from being terribly excited about us Tigers.
I'd love to see the PMAC packed again, and a buzz about LSU basketball. Even though we went to the final four a few years back, I really haven't seen much excitement about LSU basketball since Shaq, Chris, and Stanley played.
like the hire in the aspect of the guy wants to be here. has played and coached here and knows how good the program can be. plays a fun to watch offense and hopefully will bring new energy. says he is recruiting hard already and lets hope his first call was to RG in hopes to flip him. Gotta get the top state kids. then needs to bring in coleman plus a couple others. First call for 2013 should be to bridgewater, him and Miles need to work this kid. Could be a robert royal type only way way better on the court. while not a sexy hire, i think it is the right hire. only time will tell and a strong quick finish to this class would do wonders.
