Wasnt expecting a splash hire. Not even sure such a hire would have been the right recipe in Pullman. Smith looks pretty solid. Prefer a west coast guy, and like the foreign connections. How about this. Should he take a hard look at Ben Johnson as an asst. He looks like a guy who might be more comfortable as a career asst, he did a good job in Pullman, and his foreign recruiting would seem to be compatibke with Smith.
Here is a thought
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I think that's a great idea. Ben just isn't cut out to be a head coach yet his international connections fit right in with Smith. A look at USF's staff indicates Smith has brought guys with him from Columbia days, so he might be bringing them to Pullman too. Smith's top assistant at USF is Derrick Phelps, former North Carolina point guard from the Dean Smith days of the early 90s. He's the lead international recruiter at USF right now. But if there's a opening, Ben should be considered, if he's interested. It would be nice to have someone on staff who is very familiar with WSU and Pullman, too. For the direction the program may be going now with Smith, Ben Johnson seems to be a better fit than retaining Bennie or Ed Haskins.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
Smith will probably bring guys who are familiar with his system that he runs. Johnson could be one of those guys, but they have never worked together. I think you'll see a few guys come from San Francisco with him. Derrick Phelps being one of them most likely. Depends on who stays at USF if they promote within. Maybe they have one hold over on our current staff, but I don't see it.
Most of his current staff came with Smith from Columbia. One is being talked about as his replacement. He is all about analytics and probley will bring all or most of his current staff along. Strong Seattle recruiting, strone European as well as Australian.
I would guess that one assistant stays at WSU.
I would guess that one assistant stays at WSU.
Either Bennie OR Haskins, one of those 2 NEEDS to be RETAINED, or WSU will LOSE 7 to 9 players, that WOULD TRANSFER, which would be a DISASTER for WSU, IF that happened.
And while a couple few some players leaving, ok, because Smith could get his own players, having 6 to 10 players leave would be a disaster, because Smith would probably not be able to recruit enough semi solid replacement players.
If enough players leave, it would be 4 to 7 years before WSU wins.
If enough players stay, it would take 1,2,3 years to win with Smith, instead of 5,6,7,8 years.
So its critical, that players stay. And Smith will probably not convince players to stay without either Bennie or Haskins.
So without either Bennie or Haskins, at least 1 of them to help Smith convince players to stay, that would be setting up Smith to FAIL.
So 1 of either Bennie or Haskins MUST be retained for AT LEAST 1 YEAR, after that Smith can replace Bennie, or Haskins, with a guy Smith wants.
And Chun should explain this to Smith if he hasnt already, and demand this as a condition of employment, if he hasnt already.
The other assistant positions can be filled with Smith's guys, and if he wants, it would be good to get Ben Johnson to fill one of the other positions, while retaining either 1 of either Bennie, or Haskins for at least 1 year, to get players to stay, then can replace either Bennie, or Haskins after 1,2 years.
And while a couple few some players leaving, ok, because Smith could get his own players, having 6 to 10 players leave would be a disaster, because Smith would probably not be able to recruit enough semi solid replacement players.
If enough players leave, it would be 4 to 7 years before WSU wins.
If enough players stay, it would take 1,2,3 years to win with Smith, instead of 5,6,7,8 years.
So its critical, that players stay. And Smith will probably not convince players to stay without either Bennie or Haskins.
So without either Bennie or Haskins, at least 1 of them to help Smith convince players to stay, that would be setting up Smith to FAIL.
So 1 of either Bennie or Haskins MUST be retained for AT LEAST 1 YEAR, after that Smith can replace Bennie, or Haskins, with a guy Smith wants.
And Chun should explain this to Smith if he hasnt already, and demand this as a condition of employment, if he hasnt already.
The other assistant positions can be filled with Smith's guys, and if he wants, it would be good to get Ben Johnson to fill one of the other positions, while retaining either 1 of either Bennie, or Haskins for at least 1 year, to get players to stay, then can replace either Bennie, or Haskins after 1,2 years.
We do’t know this. And we also don’t know if Bennie or Haskins would be an asset to Coach Smith’s system. What if the players don’t much care about Ernie’s assistants as much as they care about having a good HC?
And what if our current roster doesn’t match Smith’s system?
I am not going to fret if players leave or if they stay. Our new coach knows what he is doing.
I don’t think Ernie did.
And what if our current roster doesn’t match Smith’s system?
I am not going to fret if players leave or if they stay. Our new coach knows what he is doing.
I don’t think Ernie did.
If keeping Bennie or Haskins is the only thing keeping us from losing the majority of the team I would be shocked. It looked to me like Kent lost this team anyway. I wouldn't be surprised Pollard would reconsider transferring with this hire. Kunc looks like a kid who could really thrive under Smith. Wade could really step up defensively and on the boards. I would love to keep Elleby, but his game didnt develop a bit under the current staff. Hopefully he understands that his game could improve with Smith.
There has to be fit and cohesiveness on the coaching staff. Forcing a square peg assistant coach in a round hole isn't going to help the players any. Either players will want to play the style Smith brings to Pullman and play for him, or they don't. Placating any of them by forcing the HC to hire from the old staff sets a bad tone and precedent, IMO. Now if Smith wants to keep Haskins and/or Seltzer, that's fine. But requiring that he do so in order to keep players the previous regime recruited is ill-advised. I would think Smith would not want to work under those conditions.
Other reports indicate most of the current roster intends to stay at WSU. I guess we'll see what happens, but I have no problem with Smith gaining more scholarships as early as possible in order to recruit the guys that fit his system.
Glad Cougar
Other reports indicate most of the current roster intends to stay at WSU. I guess we'll see what happens, but I have no problem with Smith gaining more scholarships as early as possible in order to recruit the guys that fit his system.
Glad Cougar
I think Carter Skaggs needs to give this guy a look. He is the son of a Coach and should value good tutelage. Doubtful he could do better in a transfer situation.
I highly doubt that Chun put stipulations on this offer. He's in no position to do that. Our team is a disaster. He will let Smith make the best decision for the program. It's a rebuild, similar to what the Bennetts inherited. I'm not expecting much from Smith the first few years because the program is a wreck. You'll have turnover, like every coaching change, but it's not like this program hasn't experienced it.
I'm totally fine with ripping it down to the studs and rebuilding it. Let him get his players and run his system.
I'm totally fine with ripping it down to the studs and rebuilding it. Let him get his players and run his system.
Ben Johnson would be appreciably better than either of the two current assistants mentioned.
Roots in the Seattle hoop scene is fools gold. Haskins is a wonderful guy. Ben Johnson will pull more out of Sydney, Perth and Melbourne than Haskins ever will out of Seattle.
Roots in the Seattle hoop scene is fools gold. Haskins is a wonderful guy. Ben Johnson will pull more out of Sydney, Perth and Melbourne than Haskins ever will out of Seattle.
Like I said a COUPLE, FEW players leaving would be OK, because new coach can get his guys.
But if WSU loses 7 to 10 players, Smith WILL FAIL.
Maybe your right that maybe Bennie, or Haskins might not help players be retained(Doubt it, because if Bennie, Haskins not help players be retained, then why players mentioning transfering? One would think they would want to stay IF Bennie, Haskins not help players stay), might not fit new coach's system, that is why you FIND out if either Bennie, Haskins, would help players stay, FIND OUT if either Bennie, Haskins might fit with new coach.
IF IF IF Bennie or Haskins WOULD help players stay, and IF one of them would fit with new coach then 1 of them SHOULD, MUST BE RETAINED.
And even if one of them is not a good fit for new coach, IT IS ONLY RETAINING ONE OF THEM FOR ONLY 1, ONE SMALL YEAR, IN ORDER TO TRY AND RETAIN PLAYERS.
After 1 year, the coach can replace the 1, holdover Bennie OR Haskins assistant.
Keeping Bennie or Haskins for 1 more year WOULD PROBABLY NOT HURT the B Ball program.
But not retaining 1 of either Bennie or Haskins for 1 year WOULD PROBABLY HURT B BALL program.
Also Smith PROBABLY wont refuse to be new Head Coach if required to keep 1 of either Bennie or Haskins for ONLY 1 year to retain players.
And if he did refuse over that, then he would be being stupid, and would not be a fit here.
Also as far as whether players fit new coach's system, they can taught his system.
If 11 players leave, the new coach would NOT be able to replace them ALL with semi solid replacement. New coach would have to replace some players with Div 2, whitworth type players. Sure new coach would be able to recruit a couple, few, some, 2,3,4,5,6 quality replacements, but there would be 2,3,4,5 bad replacements.
That would be a DISASTER if that happened, and if that happened, new coach would either FAIL, get fired, or take 8 years to win.
That is why IF, assuming that Either Bennie, or Haskins can help a couple, few, some players stay, that is why 1 of either Bennie or Haskins MUST be retained for AT LEAST, ONLY 1 year.
I've never understood why it's any big deal to get Seattle players. I don't care where the players come from as long as they can play. The only coach who ever got anything out of Seattle (area) was Kelvin. Other than that it's like you say "fools gold."
Sounds an they would promote Todd Golden to head coach. What’s great is Smith has recruited all over the place and isn’t necessarily overly reliant on one area.
Arguably - and look to the north - Spokane guys would have been better gets the last 20 years than Seattle fools gold. Morrison, Mallon, Watson...Casto turned out fine other than off the court issues (which were already pretty well known coming in). Brett Bailey ended up at USD and would have been a fine Coug. Could probably think of some more if I really put my mind to it.
I dont think I would make such a categorical statement about the current roster. We won't keep everyone but there are 7 kids I hope we keep. One being Pollard, who wouldnt surprise me if he reconsiders his transfer. Elleby didnt develop at all this year but has too much talent to give up on if he will stay. Kunc looks like the perfect fit for Smiths system. Cannon could turn in to a lock down defender.
From listening to the Kyle Smith interview I think there are some fits on the roster. I heard Princeton offense and thought slow pace but while I haven't checked it USF's pace can't be that slow.
A lot of what Smith said in the interview seemed spot on for what Chun stated he was looking for in the next hire. I really liked hearing Smith's attention to the details because I think that's as important as some of the other things we throw around.
Smith should resonate with both Alums and students. Probably will lose multiple players mostly for the wrong reasons. If they want to play professionally staying would make them better players. However, if they aren't going to embrace things or Smith doesn't want them we are better they leave sooner than later.
A lot of what Smith said in the interview seemed spot on for what Chun stated he was looking for in the next hire. I really liked hearing Smith's attention to the details because I think that's as important as some of the other things we throw around.
Smith should resonate with both Alums and students. Probably will lose multiple players mostly for the wrong reasons. If they want to play professionally staying would make them better players. However, if they aren't going to embrace things or Smith doesn't want them we are better they leave sooner than later.
I think you meant to say this: "The current WSU roster is filled with fellow Coug student-athletes who are doing their best. Hope most of them decide to stay and finish their careers and graduate as Cougs"
Frankie Ferrari yes and they also have freshman Trevanat Anderson out of Rainier Beach. My thoughts on the Princeton offense was ignorance on my part.
The timing for the hire is about as good as you can get. Before the Final 4 would have been good but Chun was able to get this done before the Sweet 16. Should give Smith time to see who fits from the current roster and recruit for the late period. Would be great if they can find the PG(s) we have needed for ages although maybe Robinson and/or Ali for next year ends up better than making a reach.
The timing for the hire is about as good as you can get. Before the Final 4 would have been good but Chun was able to get this done before the Sweet 16. Should give Smith time to see who fits from the current roster and recruit for the late period. Would be great if they can find the PG(s) we have needed for ages although maybe Robinson and/or Ali for next year ends up better than making a reach.
Chun ran up the white flag of surrender.Now lets see how it all plays out. More later as things develop. It s hard to stay away as things keep getting crazier.
No, stay. Explain to us why hiring a coach that ranked 140 spots higher than us in KenPom is a bad hire?
My first car out of college was a Fiero - So I got stuck between Ferraro and Ferrari....
Not so fast.
Contract hasn't been signed and Jim Walden hasn't indicated his approval yet.
Morrison would have been awesome at WSU. He was born 10 years to late. Watson will be interesting to watch in college. He seemed bored in the GSL but I’ve heard he holds his own and then some against top competition on the AAU circuit.
Look, I'm not even the largest Chun supporter (and less so Schulz) but I will give credit where it's due, I think this is a solid hire. I feel better about this hire over Ernesto and Bone.
No, running up a white flag would be if he had hired the coach at City College of San Francisco, which you obviously thought last night when you mockingly posted all those wins against junior colleges in California. Good for you for realizing your mistake and taking down the post within minutes. However, some of us saw it before it was deleted and it only shows once again that you don't know what you are talking about and that you continue to be needlessly bitter about Kent being fired. You couldn't even wait to verify where Smith coached before criticizing the hire.
Glad Cougar
Actually Rice and Decuire turned down the gig. I guess third choice is better than fourth but perhaps someone else turned down sgt shultz and the AD?
Lucky for us. I didn't want Rice or DeCuire. Rice had already turned us down before Kent. DeCuire has never had to build a program like Smith did at Columbia and at St. Mary's as part of Randy Bennett's staff.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
It would have surprised me if we offered either.
He chimed in. This is officially an outstanding hire.
With regards to the original post, I still like the Ben Johnson as assistant coach idea. But Grippi dropped a hint that a former St. Mary's assistant coach, Marty Clarke, might be someone to consider for the staff. He's former director of the Australian Instituted for Sport and brought in several excellent Aussies (Patty Mills among them) over the years.
Glad Cougar
Glad Cougar
Kyle Smith himself was the original Aussie connection for recruiting at St Mary's. He brought in Patty Mills, Dellavedova, and others . I believe Randy Bennett hired Clarke to replace the connections he lost after Smith left St Mary's.
If he brings Derrick Phelps along from USF as an assistant, he also has extensive overseas connections. Phelps played point guard for the North Carolina team that beat the Fab Five team in the national championship game. He played ten years internationally
If he brings Derrick Phelps along from USF as an assistant, he also has extensive overseas connections. Phelps played point guard for the North Carolina team that beat the Fab Five team in the national championship game. He played ten years internationally
One reporter has access to the AD, the other has been black balled for their incessant campaign to destroy WSU athletics.
