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Figured we could all use some good news…
State currently ranked 11th nationally in the Director’s Cup & 2nd in the ACC.
Siddle hire now official
Exactly, Roo. That is the only logical and sensible conclusion at this point.
Archie was NEVER coming here. That was further cemented once the Indiana job became open. It is time for some of those that wish to perpetually blame Debbie Yow or others for not reeling in Archie or other big dogs to let it go. It sucks, but we are who they say we are at this point. Oh, and I am a fan, but NC State has not received a penny from me since 2012.
I will readily admit that I am cautiously optimistic about Pack football and men’s basketball moving forward. I am also at peace because I have finally accepted the fact that we will probably never reach elite status unless we are very fortunate and/or lucky with an up-and-comer, which is the way it works at most every other school. The past few coaching searches, as woefully unsuccessful as they were, at least offered hope and intrigue at the thought of a big name coaching coming to Raleigh. For a number of reasons, State is simply never going to attract and/or pay such established talent at this point.
Pitino gave us some wise advice when discussing the Keatts hire: Go for continuity. If State is ever again going to be a much-desired job, we will need Keatts to do very well here, re-establish the program, and stick around 10-15 years. At this point, State has to completely brand itself anew – a total makeover. I am optimistic and hopeful Keatts can do that.
Thanks for posting that, Packfanistan. BJD and others can be upset at State’s past failures and our complete lack of competence from the end of Valvano through the Lee Fowler reign of terror, but Yow is not to blame for this mess. The Miller’s CLEARLY have a negative opinion of NC State and have no desire whatsoever to coach here. We could have offered Archie $5 million per season and I am not sure he would have accepted. He, his brother, and his father and their close coaching friends – namely John Calipari – think our job and school are dung. Get over it…hope we begin to take strides with DD and KK…and change the general perception and put this school in a better national position to attract better candidates in the future.
Wow, MBS. Thanks for posting that link.
I have read a few stories the past 24 hours regarding Wade, most of which I initially chalked up to sour grapes or conjecture by those who did not know much. But the story you posted and another I read this morning from a Clemson site have me even more convinced that we hired the right guy. Wade is too young, thinks very highly of himself, and obviously has a lot to learn as a head coach. It was wise for him to jump at the first big payday he was offered. Supposedly, he wanted $2.8 million/season from State and there was no way we were going to pay him that.
Yow and Keatts looking better by the day.
Couldn’t agree more, Ryebread. I have been yearning for that style as well.
Hell, we haven’t any sort of identifiable style the past 11 years. I believe every elite program has a style of play that players and fans understand and identify with that program/coach. Lowe nor Gottfried had one. I was no Sendek fan, but at least he had a system once Larry Hunter arrived and recruited players to fit that system. Recently it seems our recruiting strategy is just throwing darts at the board and hoping it all comes together.
Can’t wait for pressure defense, forcing turnovers, and fast-paced offense. Finally.
Frank Martin is very impressive. That guy won’t be in SC much longer.
ACC with one team in the Sweet 16. What was that Gott was crying about, the unbelievably difficult, veteran ACC? Thank goodness we pulled the plug on MG.
‘Roo,
Always appreciate your insight and posts. Thanks for taking the time.
We’ve been burned so often and have become so jaded, cynical, and pessimistic, that I think it on occasion clouds our opinions. It became popular over time to criticize Yow for everything without knowing a lot of the information. State isn’t what it once was, so whatever we may think of the school or the revenue coaching positions, the fact is these will need to be built from the ground-up. The foundation has long since been destroyed. Having accomplished, well-paid P5 coaches salivating at the prospect of being our coach is pure fantasy. Dave Doeren was the right hire, and I believe Kevin Keatts is the right hire. I also believe Shaka would have been the right hire if he hadn’t reversed his decision.
I have complained for years about the Pack and the boneheaded decisions. But some good things are happening here. For the first time since the 1980s, I can see the potential for Top 25 football and men’s basketball programs in the near future. Yow deserves some credit for this, along with the vast improvements in other non-revenue sports and the Reynolds renovations (despite the costs, this is a celebration of NC State athletics and its history and further embraces a winning culture). Baby steps these may all seem, but I am as reasonably positive today about State athletics as I have been since the V/Sheridan days. Call me delusional 🙂
It is imperative, I suppose, that we also recognize and appreciate Chancellor Randy Woodson since he made the wise decision to hire Yow on his own. That has been criticized on this site as well, but the man seems to value athletic performance and understands the value it brings to the university as a whole, something completely foreign to the few chancellors before him..
I agree, Troll.
I also know that winning a press conference is much easier to running a program and winning games, but I am pretty excited about Keatts’ prospects here. I think this guy could be the real deal, and I am looking forward to having a coach at State that actually has an identified style of play…one that should be very fun to watch.
I know the beauty of the forums is for fans to share their current thoughts and the emotional roller coasters that inevitably ensue. I enjoy the banter, complaining, desperation, excitement…all of it. But I seriously think some need to just take a breath and relax a bit before jumping the gun on this search or any candidate. Yes, we have the many scars from coaching searches past, and I am as pissed as anyone about the current state of our basketball program. My adult life has consisted of watching Sendek, Lowe and Gottfried on the sidelines. I was in high school when Les was coaching, and remember those years all too well, also.
I am skeptical…even cynical, probably. Hell, State can screw up a cup of coffee. But I honestly think that every candidate being mentioned could have success at State. Do I know this for sure? Of course, not. Could any of them flame out badly? Hell yes. Archie has been the number one choice all along. Hopefully Wichita State will win tonight and we will have that answer ASAP (assuming it already is not a firm “no” – I do not buy the Giglio story fully).
But I do believe that Keatts could do well at State. He gets maximum effort from his guys and has many current and past players in the NBA and has the endorsement of those who know him well. Some have called Keatts a slightly better version of Gottfried. Would that really be all that bad? That would probably mean us knocking on the door of the Top 25 and making tournaments most years, with some potentially very strong teams.
I also think Wade, although facing a significant learning curve, could also be a strong hire. I probably favor Keatts over Wade at this time, but my judgement would hinge a lot on the knowledge of those around the game. This is information we do not have…at least most of us do not. I worked in the athletic department during Lowe’s tenure…knew all of the players and coaches, but have no sources at all now that are contact.
I usually hate pie-in-the-sky optimism. Go ahead and rant away. I am going to let this play out without jumping off of a cliff and certainly going to give the new guy a chance to lose 🙂
Gents I hate to break the bad news to you but Archie isn’t leaving Dayton for NC State. The expectations are too ridiculous when a coach like Gottfried does a good job given your program standing (in your own state and national perception) yet gets fired mid season.
I hope you guys come out with a good coach but reality is that you will likely have to look a little ways down your wish list just like you had to the last time around.
Wow. Thank you so very much for your vast knowledge, expertise, and insight.
Not much Pack stuff in the Lutz interview, but what interested me was his recollection of a conversation he had with Sean Miller some years ago regarding the “difficulty” and challenges of coaching in Raleigh, and he believes the perception is real. The false narrative that has circulated since Sendek’s time…that has been fostered and nurtured by our general ineptness and hiring of substandard coaches, is probably still out there to some extent. It will take a solid hire to once-and-for-all put an end to that BS, a hire that is made more challenging by our past incompetence.
The general rule of thumb for predicting State decisions, is to ask yourself, “What would a proactive, highly successful organization do?” Then simply expect the opposite. This highly scientific method has proven remarkably accurate going on 27 years now.
The general rule of thumb for predicting State decisions, is to ask yourself, “What would a proactive, highly successful organization do?” Then simply expect the opposite. This highly scientific method has proven remarkably accurate going on 27 years now.
I learned quite a number of years ago that damn near anything, especially anything that falls into the categories that defy intelligence and any awareness of effective leadership & decision-making, is possible at NC State. And that is not hyperbolic language I use.
Good summary and explanation, VaWolf. My biggest concern, although perhaps that is not the correct term, is that the RPI continues to be used instead of a better tool. Just looking at the RPI rankings that you provide, I have serious doubts about a number of those. I believe too much weight is given to perceived strength of schedule (again, based on RPI based ratings, which may be flawed to begin with), and no weight given to margin of victory and defeat. The RPI, at least in my opinion, is a very flawed rankings tool. That being stated, there is NO DOUBT of its current and past use by the committee.
Re: Gott – he must go immediately. I stated as such earlier. No need for him to be around the program any longer when we can have an interim complete the season and work to keep the players we have in the fold while getting a head start on the coaching search.
Secondly, Rick and BJD, maybe we can round up one more for some dubs? I used to be 4.0 but haven’t played much the past couple of years, so I am probably an average-ish 3.5 currently.
Thanks again for the terrific work, VaWolf.
Are we completely sure the RPI is used by the committee as the important tool that it once was? And if so, why? It is quite apparent to most that the RPI has quite a few inherent problems and at the very least should be modified to gain a more complete understanding of an actual power ranking. And this is not directed at you, VaWolf, as you have adequately stated your standards for these entries. My beef is mostly with the use of RPI by the selection committee as opposed to an improved tool.
Count me squarely in the “make-the-move-before-the-next-game” camp. Get a head start on the next search, even if it has to be done above DY. In fact, it SHOULD be done above DY.
That was the most lopsided 24-point game I have probably ever witnessed. Felt like 40 and seemed like an exhibition or glorified practice. This game was never close and was a blowout before the anthem was finished.
I try to resist hyperbolic language, and I unfortunately remember the Les, Sendek, and Lowe years very well (I actually worked in the athletic department during the Lowe years). I can honestly state that I think things are worse now than at any time since Les Robinson was our coach, talent aside. Our program is a complete shambles.
VaWolf82,
I have not replied to a post or joined the conversation on SFN for several years, but I still come here at least once daily to follow the active threads and read the posts from you and others. Just wanted to tell you that I thoroughly enjoy your ACC BB Updates and never miss the chance to read them. I am sure there are quite a few others of us out there…even if we do not join the debates or take the time to respond or acknowledge your work. Thanks for taking the time to write and compile the data for these very informative updates.
