Started By
Message
Dean Legge nails UGA Basketball
Posted on 1/26/17 at 8:00 pm
Posted on 1/26/17 at 8:00 pm
LINK
quote:
But more than anything, and I write this after two hour-long conversations with bright former UGA lettermen about the state of the athletic program they love, is that Georgia simply doesn’t dream big enough - and not just in basketball even though that was the bulk of our conversation of late. Baseball. Basketball. Whatever.
Being OK is OK with everyone.
One person was upset that there wasn’t more pressure on Fox to win, and that person is a major Fox supporter, and is eager to see him win at Georgia. “The problem isn’t specifically with Mark,” they said. “The problem is that no one is really pressuring him to win in a significant way.”
The other followed up by saying: “There’s no appetite to win at basketball. The board doesn’t care about it. I'm not sure what the board cares about."
This post was edited on 1/26/17 at 8:02 pm
8
Posted on 1/26/17 at 9:24 pm to tylerdurden24
Ouch
Posted on 1/26/17 at 9:30 pm to tylerdurden24
There is really a large portion of our fan base who would eagerly support a winning program but don't really have the attitude to demand one. I guess I am somewhat guilty of that too.
Football will always be king at UGA but there's no reason that we can't expect, and get, more from our basketball program.
Football will always be king at UGA but there's no reason that we can't expect, and get, more from our basketball program.
Posted on 1/26/17 at 9:34 pm to tylerdurden24
Makes sense to me. Seems obvious we are ok with being ok
Posted on 1/26/17 at 9:56 pm to tylerdurden24
The board doesn't coach the team though and thus has no impact on the program is what I heard.
Not sure why he is so against accepting the limitations on recruiting though. He makes a big deal out of saying that it is false but provides no evidence to support his position and wastes countless words telling us about his AAU team cleaning up.
Agree with the overall theme that UGA as a school/admin has to commit to make the program reach the next level.
Not sure why he is so against accepting the limitations on recruiting though. He makes a big deal out of saying that it is false but provides no evidence to support his position and wastes countless words telling us about his AAU team cleaning up.
Agree with the overall theme that UGA as a school/admin has to commit to make the program reach the next level.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 8:10 am to K9
I feel like parts of that article were talking directly to K9.
I also like how Legge pointed out the parallel between fox and richt, I started that same thread a few weeks ago. It's funny that the outspoken and vocal members of the uga sports fanbase were calling for richt to be fired around 2009 after 1 subpar season but people don't seem to GAS in the slightest that we have a much worse coach in basketball that hasn't accomplished near as much taht is somehow getting $2M a year indefinitely to not really do much.
I'm really hoping that the bama loss was the final straw and mcgarity will make a move.
quote:
They are setting the floor with the program, and pretty much saying: “Fox isn’t going under the floor of what this place has been.” I don’t disagree with that premise specifically. But that’s not the way a multimillion-dollar company should be run (and UGA and the rest of these athletic departments are companies who put a product on the playing surface). How sort-of good can we be?
quote:
thinking suggests that folks should be happy Dennis Felton isn’t still there, or that Jim Harrick, Jr. isn’t passing out any more tests. It can always get worse, they warn. Yeah, it can. But it can also get much, much better.
quote:
If cheating is so prevent, when was the last time Georgia turned a competitor in for basketball recruiting violations? If not why? If you are not going to turn folks in you are recruiting against, or you don’t have enough to actually have them get caught for something that actually matters… then why is that narrative dripping out of Athens? Georgia isn’t better than another school because it “doesn’t cheat”. It isn’t better because it isn’t better. Period. End of sentence. The Dawgs are allowed to recruit every prospect in the country. Most of them just are not interested in playing for Georgia right now
I also like how Legge pointed out the parallel between fox and richt, I started that same thread a few weeks ago. It's funny that the outspoken and vocal members of the uga sports fanbase were calling for richt to be fired around 2009 after 1 subpar season but people don't seem to GAS in the slightest that we have a much worse coach in basketball that hasn't accomplished near as much taht is somehow getting $2M a year indefinitely to not really do much.
I'm really hoping that the bama loss was the final straw and mcgarity will make a move.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 8:23 am to dhuck20
quote:
There is really a large portion of our fan base who would eagerly support a winning program but don't really have the attitude to demand one
very true.
Email mcgarity. Email morehead, email anyone you can. It may seem frivolous but they DO read them, and surely enough people voicing their displeasure would send a message.
I emailed greg last weekend and on monday morning he personally called me. They do listen.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 8:54 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
he personally called me. They do listen.
details!!
Posted on 1/27/17 at 9:05 am to DawgCountry
Well, it was a 9 minute conversation but there wasn't much substance to it. I'll be honest, I was very caught off guard so it was mostly me listening to him instead of having an active dialogue. Really wish I could have been more prepared.
Basically the email I sent to him was asking why AU can't give us a return trip since UF/LSU worked that out within a week or 2. I then went over all the failures he's made hiring coaches thus far in his tenure. His response about no AU return trip boiled down to something like "it's not that easy, there's a lot of moving parts". He then tried to defend his coaching hires, including saying that our womens volleyball team had a highly ranked recruiting class (that was my personal fave). He actually responded to my email as well, but it was right after our phone call so I didn't have any of his answers ahead of time unfortuantely. Some of the snippets from his email:
And that was it on that point. I guess I got "in the arena'd"
This was after I pointed out how abysmal most of these programs have been in his tenure. His ultimate response to MOST of the sports I mentioned were along the lines of improved recruiting or promising futures. With womens basketball I mentioned that it wasn't a requirement that we HAVE to simply hire from within. He said somethign along the lines of they felt Joni was the right fit for the job.
Oh, he also tried to call me out. I think he had a bullet point list of responses that he was reading down while on the phone. I mentioned how lousy we've been in gymnastics after being the most dominant team in america forever with suzanne, and durante doesn't seem to be doing much and regularly finishes 4th now in our own league. He said "now, you DO know we had another coach between suzanne and dana don't you?" And I said "yeah, jay clark". To which he didn't respond and just went on to his next bullet point.
Last part of his email-
Basically the email I sent to him was asking why AU can't give us a return trip since UF/LSU worked that out within a week or 2. I then went over all the failures he's made hiring coaches thus far in his tenure. His response about no AU return trip boiled down to something like "it's not that easy, there's a lot of moving parts". He then tried to defend his coaching hires, including saying that our womens volleyball team had a highly ranked recruiting class (that was my personal fave). He actually responded to my email as well, but it was right after our phone call so I didn't have any of his answers ahead of time unfortuantely. Some of the snippets from his email:
quote:
With regard to FB scheduling, the perception that AD’s have “clout” or influence is simply not true. Only those of us in the room really understand, and many factors are involved with this complex area.
And that was it on that point. I guess I got "in the arena'd"
quote:
you criticize Joni Taylor. Joni has signed four student-athletes who are all nominated for the McDonald’s All-American team, and her recruiting class is ranked in the top 10 by ESPN; Scott Stricklin’s freshman class is ranked #3 in the country
This was after I pointed out how abysmal most of these programs have been in his tenure. His ultimate response to MOST of the sports I mentioned were along the lines of improved recruiting or promising futures. With womens basketball I mentioned that it wasn't a requirement that we HAVE to simply hire from within. He said somethign along the lines of they felt Joni was the right fit for the job.
Oh, he also tried to call me out. I think he had a bullet point list of responses that he was reading down while on the phone. I mentioned how lousy we've been in gymnastics after being the most dominant team in america forever with suzanne, and durante doesn't seem to be doing much and regularly finishes 4th now in our own league. He said "now, you DO know we had another coach between suzanne and dana don't you?" And I said "yeah, jay clark". To which he didn't respond and just went on to his next bullet point.
Last part of his email-
quote:
I choose to look at things a bit differently that you since I am engrained in our program 24-7-365, and know where our strengths and weaknesses stand. I also understand people are very judgmental of people in leadership positions, and that just goes with this territory.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 9:25 am to WG_Dawg
props that he called you but damn its almost like he has talking points for all expected questions that he gets.....
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:01 am to DawgCountry
Hear, hear!!
There is no reason our Bball program is as bad as it is. None.
Get the right guy.
Maybe if will be obvious to the remainder when Auburn starts whipping our arse and making the dance and we continue to hope for a win in the NIT.
There is no reason our Bball program is as bad as it is. None.
Get the right guy.
Maybe if will be obvious to the remainder when Auburn starts whipping our arse and making the dance and we continue to hope for a win in the NIT.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:07 am to DawgCountry
Y'all, this culture has been here since my 30 plus years of being involved with the UGAAA and AD. We did well in a few sports like tennis, golf, swimming and Gymnastics and beat our football rivals just enough. Basketball is a poor people sport, so it never took much priority in the grand scheme. There is no doubt we could be a lot better at basketball. Just not with the brand we have now. It runs a lot deeper than Fox.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:11 am to Peter Buck
quote:
Just not with the brand we have now. It runs a lot deeper than Fox.
We all know that.
What truly boggles my mind is why the higher ups and the powerful people don't realize that putting a legit, high quality basketball program together will only see positive returns. Our administration seems so hellbent on hoarding cash, but seemingly don't get that a quality basketball program would provide that in spades unlike now.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:32 am to tylerdurden24
No insight here that isn't apparent to any objective Georgia alumnus/fan. The UGA administration is committed to increasing the academic standing our university as well they should be. They are not committed/have as a high priority increasing our athletic standing in all sports. And as along as the money keeps rolling in from our various athletic endeavors, they will keep spending just enough to keep our athletic programs just competitive enough and profitable. Translation: they will not spend whatever it takes to get a top basketball coach to come to Georgia and recruit our state at the same level we do in football. They our donors demand a higher level of performance in football. They also know that our donors don't demand that same level of performance in the other sports.
This post was edited on 1/27/17 at 10:34 am
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:45 am to GurleyGirl
quote:
And as along as the money keeps rolling in from our various athletic endeavors, they will keep spending just enough to keep our athletic programs just competitive enough and profitable.
That's the thing though, other than football where are we bringing in any money with athletics? Just about every single sport we offer is performing at a much lower level than it was 5 or 10 years ago. If we were still winning gymnastics titles or going to a super regional every other year I'd get that, but I mean we aren't going great in any sport right now.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:47 am to tylerdurden24
My favorite part was the fact that only two teams havent had a recruiting class in the top 25 in Mark Fox's 8 years, and one is us, and one of the biggest hot beds for high school basketball is just a little over a hour away.
I do agree that fans expectations are too low. Ive been reading this boards and others long enough, and Ive seen us go crazy over a freakin 3* recruit just because he was Mr Basketball in the state(Marcus Thornton), and the same thing happend with Turtle Jackson. Fans go ape shite because he was once committed to UCONN, even though he was a 3*.. You see it this year. "Oh we have the prep school commit. He couldnt qualify to get into college, and he isnt ranked by any major service, but a guy that I know told me that he was really good, and has vastly improved during his year in prep school."
Give me a break...
I do agree that fans expectations are too low. Ive been reading this boards and others long enough, and Ive seen us go crazy over a freakin 3* recruit just because he was Mr Basketball in the state(Marcus Thornton), and the same thing happend with Turtle Jackson. Fans go ape shite because he was once committed to UCONN, even though he was a 3*.. You see it this year. "Oh we have the prep school commit. He couldnt qualify to get into college, and he isnt ranked by any major service, but a guy that I know told me that he was really good, and has vastly improved during his year in prep school."
Give me a break...
This post was edited on 1/27/17 at 10:49 am
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:51 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
That's the thing though, other than football where are we bringing in any money with athletics? Just about every single sport we offer is performing at a much lower level than it was 5 or 10 years ago. If we were still winning gymnastics titles or going to a super regional every other year I'd get that, but I mean we aren't going great in any sport right now.
Agree and if the bottom line is hurting, then at some point McGarity will get the axe and they will hire someone who can get said programs back up where they need to be to keep us at that sweet balance of revenue less expenses. UGA is one of the most profitable universities not because our revenue is top 5 but rather because we spend less than other comparable universities.
Posted on 1/27/17 at 10:55 am to devils1854
quote:
Fans go ape shite because he was once committed to UCONN, even though he was a 3*.
I remember we were pumped to get Vincent Williams because he was kevin durant's backup at oak hill, as if that somehow made him be a good player
Posted on 1/27/17 at 11:37 am to tylerdurden24
UGA is at a point where getting serious about basketball would cost a lot of money. More than they're probably willing to stomach. UGA basketball is on the hamster wheel of futility with the current setup. To break that cycle and win at basketball, UGA needs to blow up any memory of its basketball history and create a new product from the ground up. That takes a lot more than firing a coach. Virginia basically did it about 10 years ago and look at them now.
They need to get out of Stegeman IMO. Obviously that would cost a lot, but the situation isn't going to get a ton better as long as they're trying to attract recruits and fans to a very appropriate physical representation of the current basketball program. I know they've made some half-assed upgrades, but a fat chick in makeup is still a fat chick. It simply isn't a high-level college basketball venue. Obviously that's not the only thing UGA needs to change, but a new arena sends a message to the basketball community that UGA is serious. That gives you a chance. Firing a coach doesn't do that.
You have to create a new product. The current one has a bad foundation and making temporary personnel changes isn't going to fix that without more significant investment.
They need to get out of Stegeman IMO. Obviously that would cost a lot, but the situation isn't going to get a ton better as long as they're trying to attract recruits and fans to a very appropriate physical representation of the current basketball program. I know they've made some half-assed upgrades, but a fat chick in makeup is still a fat chick. It simply isn't a high-level college basketball venue. Obviously that's not the only thing UGA needs to change, but a new arena sends a message to the basketball community that UGA is serious. That gives you a chance. Firing a coach doesn't do that.
You have to create a new product. The current one has a bad foundation and making temporary personnel changes isn't going to fix that without more significant investment.
This post was edited on 1/27/17 at 11:40 am
Posted on 1/27/17 at 11:42 am to Crowknowsbest
quote:
UGA is at a point where getting serious about basketball would cost a lot of money.
not at all, simply hiring the right coach would do wonders, and hell fox alreayd makes about $2M a year.
Blowing up stegeman, completely overhauling all facilities...that's long term master plan type stuff that you do when the time is right. But it absolutely isn't a step in this process at this juncture. Get the right coach is step one, and it wouldn't really cost much more than we're already spending.
Page 1 of 3
Latest Georgia News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News