Whats the case for Dennis Gates?

[MuggsyB]

Might just be a little soon for Gates but taking the risk on him early could have some great returns.  I myself keep waffling between Moser and Shaka. 

There really isn%u2019t a comparison of Shaka to Wojo.  I get the no tourney wins stat but Shaka, from what I%u2019ve been reading on scoop and other places, has had way more success as a HC.  I also like his ability to recruit and the likelihood of our core remaining here (Lewis, Garcia, Carton). Starting to think he won%u2019t be let go by Texas anyway.  Anyone have more on this?

Moser is sort of the hot commodity and I like him a lot and I don%u2019t mind the slow defensive style.  Very successful the last few years but with ups and downs (some major downs) over his career.  My hope is he can do better and be more consistent at a P6.  So I think he%u2019s my #1 but I tend to change daily.  In the end I%u2019ll give anyone a chance and glad we made the move to oust Wojo.

Moser hasn't really had quick and athletic teams at Loyols.   It's likely he would change tempo with different personnel.  What his successful teams have done is play excellent defense, launch quality shots, and take care of the ball.  There is very little if any hero ball in his offense.   

If you look at this team and his F4 team Krutwig is clearly a great college player, but after thar he has basically had solid guys and established their roles.  Custer and Ingram wound up being high quality guards but were not BEast caliber as Freshmen. 

Not only has Moser done an excellent job defensively and controlling tempo, but the key is the kids on his teams understand their roles and develop during their 4 yrs.  Off the top of my head I cannot think of a single thing we have done under Wojo from a pure coaching standpoint that has been anywhere near what PM has done at Loyola-Chi.  That program was in hell for an extended period of time.

[JakeBarnes]

Moser hasn't really had quick and athletic teams at Loyols.   It's likely he would change tempo with different personnel.  What his successful teams have done is play excellent defense, launch quality shots, and take care of the ball.  There is very little if any hero ball in his offense.   

If you look at this team and his F4 team Krutwig is clearly a great college player, but after thar he has basically had solid guys and established their roles.  Custer and Ingram wound up being high quality guards but were not BEast caliber as Freshmen. 

Not only has Moser done an excellent job defensively and controlling tempo, but the key is the kids on his teams understand there roles and develop during their 4 yrs.  Off the top of my head I cannot think of a single thing we have done under Wojo from a pure coaching standpoint that has been anywhere near what PM has done at Loyola-Chi.  That program was in hell for an extended period of time.

I think the Cracked Sidewalks article's point is that outside of two years, Moser hasn't had a calling card of defense (outside of top 100 5/7 years). Consistency is definitely one of my biggest concerns with Moser. Maybe a bigger university fixes that--but it's definitely an unknown along with the talent level he can recruit at this level with the current offensive system (deep shot clock and ball movement).

Any of the coaches we've been connected to will be a step up from Wojo (thank goodness). I agree with you that getting out of basketball hell is likely with any of these candidates.

[Not A Serious Person]

You just convinced me of Gates over Moser. I'd love to have the qualities in Gates you mentioned — sounds like he fits the MU bball style perfectly.

So it's back to the well for another unproven coach that we hope can figures it out as us fans burn more years waiting and hoping.

Why is everyone so determined to have six guys transfer and finish behind Depaul the next two years?  This is what you get with this hire. 

Then you hope he can do something we knew Wojo could do ... consistently bring in top 100 guys and the occasional McD AA.

[MuggsyB]

I think the Cracked Sidewalks article's point is that outside of two years, Moser hasn't had a calling card of defense (outside of top 100 5/7 years). Consistency is definitely one of my biggest concerns with Moser. Maybe a bigger university fixes that--but it's definitely an unknown along with the talent level he can recruit at this level with the current offensive system (deep shot clock and ball movement).

Any of the coaches we've been connected to will be a step up from Wojo (thank goodness). I agree with you that getting out of basketball hell is likely with any of these candidates.

I agree with you and Cracked Sidewalks.  I guess the point I'm trying to make (somewhat inarticulately) is that Moser generally hadn't gotten great offenaive players to Loyola-Chi.   It's somewhat forced him to play this particular style but it does not mean he's not adaptable.

[JakeBarnes]

I agree with you and Cracked Sidewalks.  I guess the point I'm trying to make (somewhat inarticulately) is that Moser generally hadn't gotten great offenaive players to Loyola-Chi.   It's somewhat forced him to play this particular style but it does not mean he's not adaptable.

Got it! Not trying to be disagreeable, but that's definitely where I am worried about Moser. I hope you are right on adaptability.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Brew brought it up and said the players would not connect as well to a white coach? Why is that? I'm not allowed to ask the question? Our current players by all accounts connected to Wojo? I just don't understand why skin color should be a point of discussion when it comes to selecting our new Coach. Just hire the best qualified candidate. Gates would make fine coach.

Add this to your reading list. It will help explain why Black players may connect easier with a Black coach. It doesn't mean that its only the factor considered and it doesn't mean that a White coach couldn't be successful, its just one area where a Black coach may have an advantage.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Kids-Sitting-Together-Cafeteria/dp/0465060684

[JakeBarnes]

Add this to your reading list. It will help explain why Black players may connect easier with a Black coach. It doesn't mean that its only the factor considered and it doesn't mean that a White coach couldn't be successful, its just one area where a Black coach may have an advantage.

https://www.amazon.com/Black-Kids-Sitting-Together-Cafeteria/dp/0465060684

Would recommend this book.

[muwarrior69]

Every time the fact that Dennis Gates is Black gets mentioned, you immediately follow up with your, "just hire the best candidate" line. Funny how you never bring that up when Moser, Smith, or any other white coach's name comes up in the discussion.

Dennis Gates was a two-time All-Academic in the Pac-10 when he played at Cal. He's more than qualified.

First off I never said Gates was not qualified, but to your point. I never saw any references that Wojo as a great recruiter and as a Polish-American would have an instant connection to the current players if he was hired as our new coach. Was Patino celebrated as the first Italian American hired at Kentucky or Coach K celebrated as the first Polish American at Duke. No, its just not brought up.  As you say Dennis Gates was a two-time All-Academic in the Pac-10 when he played at Cal. He's more than qualified. So why should being an African American matter.

[Hards Alumni]

First off I never said Gates was not qualified, but to your point. I never saw any references that Wojo as a great recruiter and as a Polish-American would have an instant connection to the current players if he was hired as our new coach. Was Patino celebrated as the first Italian American hired at Kentucky or Coach K celebrated as the first Polish American at Duke. No, its just not brought up.  As you say Dennis Gates was a two-time All-Academic in the Pac-10 when he played at Cal. He's more than qualified. So why should being an African American matter.

Christ.