I don't hate Brady. But eleven years is enough. Too many crappy years mixed with a few moments of "goodness". I say, as long as we're confident we can hire a REALLY good up-n-coming coach, let's move on. Just a gut feeling. I'm too ignorant of college bball to offer up names. Wait - this thread is about Thornton. Man, if he only had a couple of big fellas clearing out the middle for him...
I've posted my thoughts on other threads, so this will be a little bit of a retread, but here's my current feelings. First, I'm a die hard Basketball fan, grew up with Dale Brown and the glory days of the 80's... LSU was and can be a basketball school and I long for those days again. Brady was a guy that came into this situation in some pretty low days, got the school back on the right track, instilled a lot more discipline (people often don't mention the fact that his basketball players aren't getting kicked off the team for crimes, no RP stories, no NCAA investigations), and honestly, I never thought Brady did so badly with the hand he was dealt. Remember, although he may not be perceived as a perennial coach challenging for the final four, he did inherit a probation that had effects for 4-5 years, and at the same time, he did win a few SEC championships, went to a sweet 16 and final four, and honestly, even in his "down years" at least challenged for the SEC West. Fast forward to today, and I have not been happy with the last couple of years. Call it "struggling with success" or just plain bad luck/chemistry, but Brady underachieved last year and this year, he's had bad luck. That amounts, however, to two bad years in a row, and as a huge basketball fan, that hurts today. All that said, there's part of me that says, canning Brady right now doesn't sit well considering that he's two years removed from the FF. Gumbo asked a legit question which was how long has anyone gotten after going there... Mike Davis, got 4 yrs (at Indiana a basketball school, no less). Brady also has a nice class coming in next year, and his first really impact PG coming in in '09. He had injuries this year that hurt. And, let's just remember what expectations were... this was supposed to be a rebuilding year anyway for the Tigers, where the Tigers were picked by most media to be like 5th in the SEC West. So, it's not like he is completely missing expectations. You look at the season, and what if they had won the Villanova game, won an extra game in Maui--what if they had Tas'? Skip has been known to be loyal to his coaches, and I think there's something to be said for that. What would I do? I let the season play out and l look for the positives. Are the kids hustling? Can Brady show some perseverance and get some wins where he might not be expected to? Can he do something in the SEC tourney? I let him play out the year and if I see marked improvements, I give him the benefit of the doubt for another year with "depth". If the team just isn't responding to their coach and are not rallying around him? Then, I would love to see a change.... This is what I posted on the "Who replaces Brady thread..." ************* Ok, if Skip is out there reading these (and I'm sure he's not), here goes. Agree with Anthony Grant, definitely.:hihi: Is LSU ready for its first ever black head coach?:shock: Hopefully. Scott Drew at Baylor interesting... he already knows how to recruit LA. Likewise, if we're talking about stealing coaches, Andy Kennedy from Ole Miss for the same reasons--guard oriented coach that already recruits LA. Probably not going to happen for either of them--got good things going. Bennett... like the call, but hard to see him moving to the SEC and can he recruit the South? Not known for his recruiting. The more obvious and non-obvious mid-majors: Chris Lowrey of Southern Illinois. Probably wouldn't leave but another great young black head coach. Defensive philosophy and I can hear the "brady ball" references already. Brad Stevens, Butler. Butler is one of those underrated programs that just always good and finds good coaches. Butler was in the top 25 for christsakes! Dana Altman, Creighton. Another "more established" mid-major coach who spurned Arkansas. Perhaps Tiger town is more to his liking? Lon Kruger. Would be a more established play. Already mentioned-- good solid coach, but how would he play in Tiger town in terms of accessibility? Gregg Marshall, Wichita State. Another mid-major school that knows how to pick 'em. Killed us this this year and beat us last year. 'Nuff said. But, can you say "Brady ball" (i.e., nother slow down, defensive minded coach... uh, seeing a recurring theme?). Sean Miller, Xavier. Great hoops program that just serves as the breeding ground for coaches. I'm sort of sensing a midwest theme here though, and I really want that great South recruiter. If you want to stay in the south, look at Bob Marlin, Sam Houston State--good respected coach and not a household name. I don't think that one good year at Tulane puts Dickerson in LSU land. Come on', get to to the Big Dance first! You know at the end of the day, if I was Skip and I could make the basketball gods speak, I'd say, sign up Anthony Grant, keep Chad Dollar on the staff, and bring in Randy Livingston as an Assistant Coach. Then find one more seasoned Xs and Os guy for reinforcements. Is that a reshuffle for you? :wink::hihi: Here's the themes, energetic, young coaching staff with great recruiters vs. more conservative, "smart basketball" coaches that just win. :geaux:
Why should he get any credit when he doesn't take responsibility for anything? I will claim ignorance here this and last year because I haven't kept up with LSU basketball like years past other than the box score. One thing I do know, I kept up with Brady and LSU basketball over the years and their is a track record of excuses and directing the blame in other directions. I think part of Brady's problem is that he runs his mouth too much and says things he shouldn't say therefore sticking his foot in his mouth or making an arse out of himself. In defense of Brady sometimes phrases get twisted around or people don't understand what he is saying but he should choose his words and phrases wisely knowing that sometimes this can happen. What he said about the football team for instance, perfect example! I don't mind coaches getting credit for the good but they should also get the blame when things turn bad, they should also show some class and be careful of what you say and do because that can turn people against you just as quick as a win- loss record.
