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Coug95man2

Coug95man2

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Ben Johnson. Portland Pilots assistant coach now. Was assistant to both Bennetts and Bone. Loved Pullman. Would bring Bennett ball back to the Palouse. Knows how to find hidden gems. He recruited Klay...

I think Derrick is onto something.

https://portlandpilots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=858
 
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I have never seen a bad word said about Ben Johnson. Agree on the hard pass though. I think system is an important piece of the equation but it goes deeper than just throwing a system at our problems.
 
Coug95man2 said:
Ben Johnson. Portland Pilots coach now. Was assistant to both Bennetts and Bone. Loved Pullman. Would bring Bennett ball back to the Palouse. Knows how to find hidden gems. He recruited Klay...

I think Derrick is onto something.

https://portlandpilots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=858
Click to expand...

Well I like it. We should have hired him instead of Bone in the first place. We should have hired him instead of Kent. Not saying we can't do better, but we could do worse.
 
I dont think we can make a splash hire. Johnson wasnt just a good recruiter he was very good developing bigs. We could do worse
 
Coug95man2 said:
Ben Johnson. Portland Pilots coach now. Was assistant to both Bennetts and Bone. Loved Pullman. Would bring Bennett ball back to the Palouse. Knows how to find hidden gems. He recruited Klay...

I think Derrick is onto something.

https://portlandpilots.com/coaches.aspx?rc=858
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He atleast needs to be called. Pick his brain about what worked during that time. If you are impressed with him during the conversation dig a bit deeper. He is my #2 at this point. No risk, no reward. Russell Turner is my #1.
 
WACougFan said:
He atleast needs to be called. Pick his brain about what worked during that time. If you are impressed with him during the conversation dig a bit deeper. He is my #2 at this point. No risk, no reward. Russell Turner is my #1.
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I agree. Here's another thought for Chun. Get Low, Cowgill, Kyle, Taylor, and especially Klay and Baynes on the phone. Ask their opinion. Not just about Ben but overall. What is it gonna take guys, to get WSU back to where you took us? Hell, might even russle up a donation or two along the way.
 
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SaveFerris said:
I have never seen a bad word said about Ben Johnson. Agree on the hard pass though. I think system is an important piece of the equation but it goes deeper than just throwing a system at our problems.
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Why then? What is wrong with Ben Johnson? Just not "flashy" enough?
 
etowncoug said:
Hard pass.
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You and Ferris are fairly normal people here so I'm asking specifically from your guys perspective... why? Is his record at Portland not good enough? Is it his current scheme and concern about how it will go over in Pullman? Is it not "splashy" enough? A guy that brought in the likes of Baynes and Thompson but your concerned about how he'd recruit now?

Not picking on you or Ferris AT ALL. Just furthering the conversation. Interested in your points.
 
Coug95man2 said:
You and Ferris are fairly normal people here so I'm asking specifically from your guys perspective... why? Is his record at Portland not good enough? Is it his current scheme and concern about how it will go over in Pullman? Is it not "splashy" enough? A guy that brought in the likes of Baynes and Thompson but your concerned about how he'd recruit now?

Not picking on you or Ferris AT ALL. Just furthering the conversation. Interested in your points.
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Don't forget Motum. Or Abercrombie - although he left, he was a good ballplayer.
 
Ben Johnson might have been the right guy to replace Tony Bennett. He could take a lot of credit for the success of the program. Ten years later, he has done nothing to show we made a mistake by passing on him. His recruiting fell off after the Bennett's left. Motum was the end of the Australia to Pullman pipeline. He wasn't able to up his value by landing a job with another top tier coach. Quite frankly, his career path shows it's more likely he's selling real estate in two years rather than being the head coach at a P6 program. I'd put Haskins or Seltzer much higher on the list than Johnson.
 
One of my former players lit Ben up for 31 this year.

Maybe he can bring Ben can bring him with - he's immediately eligible for transfer. He's better than any PG on the roster right now.
 
Loyal Coug said:
Don't forget Motum. Or Abercrombie - although he left, he was a good ballplayer.
Click to expand...

I'd prefer it if we didn't have to go back nearly a decade to find accomplishments to make the case for Johnson. Ernie Kent had a much more recent track record of success when we hired him than Johnson has.
 
etowncoug said:
Ben Johnson might have been the right guy to replace Tony Bennett. He could take a lot of credit for the success of the program. Ten years later, he has done nothing to show we made a mistake by passing on him. His recruiting fell off after the Bennett's left. Motum was the end of the Australia to Pullman pipeline. He wasn't able to up his value by landing a job with another top tier coach. Quite frankly, his career path shows it's more likely he's selling real estate in two years rather than being the head coach at a P6 program. I'd put Haskins or Seltzer much higher on the list than Johnson.
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Fair enough. So basically, it's because he's still an assistant and remaining stale... would that be your assessment in a capsule?
 
etowncoug said:
Ben Johnson might have been the right guy to replace Tony Bennett. He could take a lot of credit for the success of the program. Ten years later, he has done nothing to show we made a mistake by passing on him. His recruiting fell off after the Bennett's left. Motum was the end of the Australia to Pullman pipeline. He wasn't able to up his value by landing a job with another top tier coach. Quite frankly, his career path shows it's more likely he's selling real estate in two years rather than being the head coach at a P6 program. I'd put Haskins or Seltzer much higher on the list than Johnson.
Click to expand...

Ben left to go to Australia with his wife because she's from there. Ben is only at Portland because Terry Porter is there. Porter played for Dick at Stevenson. Ben has never struck me as a guy that wants to be a head coach or is even wants to coach at the highest level. He played with Tony and for Dick at Green Bay, worked with Heidemann there, went to Australia for a few years. Came back and coached at Wazzu, then went Australia again and now is back coaching with Porter. All his jobs have either been with Bennett or a somebody with a relationship with him.

Haskins, Johnson, and Seltzer should all not be on the list. Seltzer was a complete disaster at Samford. Had something like 14 players leave the program in his 2 years there. No thanks to that. Hiring Haskins hoping we'd get a pipeline from Seattle is fools gold. Basketball recruiting should be like WSU football with regards to Washington. Selective. You get the players that you can and that fit your program.

Former players want Ben because they know him just like a lot of WSU players during the Price and Doba years wanted Akey to be our head coach.
 
Rich Lewis said:
I don't think Ben has ever been a head coach. Always an assistant.
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Brent H. said:
Ben left to go to Australia with his wife because she's from there. Ben is only at Portland because Terry Porter is there. Porter played for Dick at Stevenson. Ben has never struck me as a guy that wants to be a head coach or is even wants to coach at the highest level. He played with Tony and for Dick at Green Bay, worked with Heidemann there, went to Australia for a few years. Came back and coached at Wazzu, then went Australia again and now is back coaching with Porter. All his jobs have either been with Bennett or a somebody with a relationship with him.

Haskins, Johnson, and Seltzer should all not be on the list. Seltzer was a complete disaster at Samford. Had something like 14 players leave the program in his 2 years there. No thanks to that. Hiring Haskins hoping we'd get a pipeline from Seattle is fools gold. Basketball recruiting should be like WSU football with regards to Washington. Selective. You get the players that you can and that fit your program.

Former players want Ben because they know him just like a lot of WSU players during the Price and Doba years wanted Akey to be our head coach.
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Nothing against him but Johnson never struck me as a head coach at the Pac 10/12 level. The fact that he's never become a head coach (at least at the college level) says something as well.

I remember when Tony was here Ron Sanchez was identified as someone to keep an eye on in the future. He took the Charlotte job and had a tough first year. Sanchez probably just needs more time. I really enjoyed the way we played when Dick and Tony were here and the results were great but I'm not convinced that style would necessarily work again unless one of them was the head coach.
 
etowncoug said:
Ben Johnson might have been the right guy to replace Tony Bennett. He could take a lot of credit for the success of the program. Ten years later, he has done nothing to show we made a mistake by passing on him. His recruiting fell off after the Bennett's left. Motum was the end of the Australia to Pullman pipeline. He wasn't able to up his value by landing a job with another top tier coach. Quite frankly, his career path shows it's more likely he's selling real estate in two years rather than being the head coach at a P6 program. I'd put Haskins or Seltzer much higher on the list than Johnson.
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I think Ben was responsible for getting Dexter Kernich-Drew to WSU while he was an assistant for Bone. DKD wasn't at the level of a Motum or Baynes, but he was better than most of the recruits under the EK regime.

Glad Cougar
 
Brand X has brought up an interesting name: Brad Soderberg, Tony Bennett's top assistant at VA. Soderberg took over for Dick Bennett at Wisconsin when Dick retired four games into the season. He got Wisconsin into the NCAA tournament but was replaced the next year by Bo Ryan. Soderberg also had a winning program at St. Louis but after two years, the Billikens had a chance to hire Rick Majerus and let Soderberg go. Prior to Wisconsin, Soderberg was head coach at South Dakota State. He's won every place he's been and truly coaches Bennett Ball, if WSU desires to get back to that style of play. I think he'd be a better choice as head coach for that style than Ben Johnson, but maybe Ben would come back to Pullman as an assistant under Soderberg.

Glad Cougar
 
Glad Cougar said:
Brand X has brought up an interesting name: Brad Soderberg, Tony Bennett's top assistant at VA. Soderberg took over for Dick Bennett at Wisconsin when Dick retired four games into the season. He got Wisconsin into the NCAA tournament but was replaced the next year by Bo Ryan. Soderberg also had a winning program at St. Louis but after two years, the Billikens had a chance to hire Rick Majerus and let Soderberg go. Prior to Wisconsin, Soderberg was head coach at South Dakota State. He's won every place he's been and truly coaches Bennett Ball, if WSU desires to get back to that style of play. I think he'd be a better choice as head coach for that style than Ben Johnson, but maybe Ben would come back to Pullman as an assistant under Soderberg.

Glad Cougar
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The head coaching experience alone would make him a much better candidate. A couple quick Soderberg links at UVA:



>>>and on talent/teamwork:

http://launch.newsinc.com/share.htm...011_trb.dailypress_sports_sf&videoId=29838134
 
Glad Cougar said:
Brand X has brought up an interesting name: Brad Soderberg, Tony Bennett's top assistant at VA. Soderberg took over for Dick Bennett at Wisconsin when Dick retired four games into the season. He got Wisconsin into the NCAA tournament but was replaced the next year by Bo Ryan. Soderberg also had a winning program at St. Louis but after two years, the Billikens had a chance to hire Rick Majerus and let Soderberg go. Prior to Wisconsin, Soderberg was head coach at South Dakota State. He's won every place he's been and truly coaches Bennett Ball, if WSU desires to get back to that style of play. I think he'd be a better choice as head coach for that style than Ben Johnson, but maybe Ben would come back to Pullman as an assistant under Soderberg.

Glad Cougar
Click to expand...

Definitely intriguing. With Johnson on board could at least be a succession plan if Soderberg left after success.

Kind of surprised someone hasn't hired him yet. My inner Debbie Downer tells me he might want to wait for other opportunities.
 
Hmm one wonders what Bennett would tell Soderberg about Pullman ? After all we know that the Bennetts loved Pullman.
 
Here is what Tony should tell Soderberg if he asks. Its not an easy job, and the ceiling isnt high, but you can be moderately successful. When I left the fan expectations were unreasonable based on our 2 26 win seasons. The next coach will be inheriting a situation more like my dad did where 6 or 7 conference wins the first couple of years with sound fundamental play will be accepted. They will give you 5 years unless the wheels totally come off. The job can really wear you down with the travel, but if you can get charters it will help
 
avabob1 said:
Here is what Tony should tell Soderberg if he asks. Its not an easy job, and the ceiling isnt high, but you can be moderately successful. When I left the fan expectations were unreasonable based on our 2 26 win seasons. The next coach will be inheriting a situation more like my dad did where 6 or 7 conference wins the first couple of years with sound fundamental play will be accepted. They will give you 5 years unless the wheels totally come off. The job can really wear you down with the travel, but if you can get charters it will help
Click to expand...

Ava- did El hack your account?
 
That is what people hope that Bennnett would tell Soderberg. Unfortunately observer i lack the technical expertise to even try to hack any accounts. I have zero reasons to even try to hack any account of any posters here.:) Hell you are more paranoid than people currently in the news. You are also a funny weird old man. I actually respect ava 's comments as i see him as a true basketball fan unlike others who have their own agenda.Hell if Bennett did tell Soderberg that he would probably be turned off by those comments.It sure does not fit with Chun s descriptions of the program
 
avabob1 said:
Here is what Tony should tell Soderberg if he asks. Its not an easy job, and the ceiling isnt high, but you can be moderately successful. When I left the fan expectations were unreasonable based on our 2 26 win seasons. The next coach will be inheriting a situation more like my dad did where 6 or 7 conference wins the first couple of years with sound fundamental play will be accepted. They will give you 5 years unless the wheels totally come off. The job can really wear you down with the travel, but if you can get charters it will help
Click to expand...

I dunno. Seems like the Sweet 16 is a higher ceiling than a 1st round loss to the #16 seed. Just sayin'......:rolleyes:
 
ElComanche said:
That is what people hope that Bennnett would tell Soderberg. Unfortunately observer i lack the technical expertise to even try to hack any accounts. I have zero reasons to even try to hack any account of any posters here.:) Hell you are more paranoid than people currently in the news. You are also a funny weird old man. I actually respect ava 's comments as i see him as a true basketball fan unlike others who have their own agenda.Hell if Bennett did tell Soderberg that he would probably be turned off by those comments.It sure does not fit with Chun s descriptions of the program
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ava is way older than me. (sorry ava, truth)

You really need to get a new crystal ball/telepathy machine. This long winter must have shorted things out.

I have a hot young trophy wife - so maybe that's what's throwing you off.
 
ElComanche said:
Hmm one wonders what Bennett would tell Soderberg about Pullman ? After all we know that the Bennetts loved Pullman.
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Probably that it is a great place if you can put a winning product on the floor. They will love you and you can stay and be worshipped or move on to a place that best suits you and your family.
 
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No. Since I supported Bone Im pretty sure he wouldn't endorse my opinion. Tony had a small John Wooden impact on our fan base. Certainly not his fault . Best 2 seasons in WSU history followed by an NIT. Bone wore down, and got fired 2 years after an NIT final 4, and a CBI runner up despite losing his 2 best scorers.

Based on my opinion of what Tony should tell Soderberg he should take a serious look at this job q
 
avabob1 said:
Here is what Tony should tell Soderberg if he asks. Its not an easy job, and the ceiling isnt high, but you can be moderately successful. When I left the fan expectations were unreasonable based on our 2 26 win seasons. The next coach will be inheriting a situation more like my dad did where 6 or 7 conference wins the first couple of years with sound fundamental play will be accepted. They will give you 5 years unless the wheels totally come off. The job can really wear you down with the travel, but if you can get charters it will help
Click to expand...

Are you quoting Bennett or yourself when you say the fan expectations were too high? What does that mean?
 
avabob1 said:
Here is what Tony should tell Soderberg if he asks. Its not an easy job, and the ceiling isnt high, but you can be moderately successful. When I left the fan expectations were unreasonable based on our 2 26 win seasons. The next coach will be inheriting a situation more like my dad did where 6 or 7 conference wins the first couple of years with sound fundamental play will be accepted. They will give you 5 years unless the wheels totally come off. The job can really wear you down with the travel, but if you can get charters it will help
Click to expand...
Given the present depleted hoops situation and the complete lack of success of the subsequent coaching staffs, I would call 2 NCAA trips and a NIT a bit more then "moderate" success at WSU. Remarkable what a person will stoop to in order to prove their personal prejudices and agendas.
 
I call that great success. My point is that such level of success is probably not achievable in the current environment. The next coach in Pullman is inheriting what Dick inherited, not what Tony inherited.

I am the one saying fan expectations were way too high when Bone came in. Not so much now. Most Coug fans who knew anything about hoops were happy with what Dick did in 3 years despite never reaching 500. Dick probably inherited as much or more talent than will the next coach depending on attrition.
 
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