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Let’s toss this around a bit. I’ve been around and visited with him some and also have talked to numerous people within the program over the past few years so some of this opinion based on experience.
Pro 1: His work ethic and knowledge of the game. He watches video tirelessly and relentlessly of our opponents and is very good at breaking down a game for a scouting report.
Question: Does he have that same non biased way and the ability to watch and critique video of his own team?
Con: HC Experience. This is a different animal than being an assistant where that experience only gets you so far. Show me one guy who made the transition from D-1 assistant to high major coach and I will show you ten that failed.
Pro 2: Relatability with players. Not just skin color but growing up in the South, wasn’t a four star talent in HS, and had a bumpy road to success probably makes him a mentor to a lot of these kids. There is probably a reason we spend a lot of time in the South recruiting.
Question: Can he use that relatability to get through to his players and hold them accountable for what happens on the court or is he not equipped to do that?
Con: Self promotion. IB is a likeable guy but also really has never enjoyed the limelight. To endear yourself with fans besides winning games, you have to be able to connect with them ….or just win every game, like Mark Few.
Pro 3: Learned from one of the best and still has a lifeline there. Enough said.
Question: This is probably the big one and could negate everything else out there, pro or con. Can he recruit top level players who are coachable and retain them? Can he drop down to the slimy level needed once in a while to steal a player? Can he manage a roster and mix in the right chemistry?
Con: He is following a larger than life legend in this town. Even though it drives me crazy, he will be judged not against his peers but against his mentor, who many believe should still be coaching here.
I didn’t include in game adjustments as a pro or con because we have examples of both and it is too early in his career to call it either way. In fact, his in game adjustments or lack of them have been fluctuating from great to terrible game to game.
This is just my opinion, but if you wanted a finished product to coach our great and storied program, IB isn’t it and it won’t matter what he does. To top it off, an AD that many people do not like hired him during the season. He is/was a bit of a risky hire, and like all risks, the road will be uneven to whether it pans out or not. I just hope when criticizing him, some of you take a breath and understand the answer of whether he is the right guy or not may still be in its infancy.
Pro 1: His work ethic and knowledge of the game. He watches video tirelessly and relentlessly of our opponents and is very good at breaking down a game for a scouting report.
Question: Does he have that same non biased way and the ability to watch and critique video of his own team?
Con: HC Experience. This is a different animal than being an assistant where that experience only gets you so far. Show me one guy who made the transition from D-1 assistant to high major coach and I will show you ten that failed.
Pro 2: Relatability with players. Not just skin color but growing up in the South, wasn’t a four star talent in HS, and had a bumpy road to success probably makes him a mentor to a lot of these kids. There is probably a reason we spend a lot of time in the South recruiting.
Question: Can he use that relatability to get through to his players and hold them accountable for what happens on the court or is he not equipped to do that?
Con: Self promotion. IB is a likeable guy but also really has never enjoyed the limelight. To endear yourself with fans besides winning games, you have to be able to connect with them ….or just win every game, like Mark Few.
Pro 3: Learned from one of the best and still has a lifeline there. Enough said.
Question: This is probably the big one and could negate everything else out there, pro or con. Can he recruit top level players who are coachable and retain them? Can he drop down to the slimy level needed once in a while to steal a player? Can he manage a roster and mix in the right chemistry?
Con: He is following a larger than life legend in this town. Even though it drives me crazy, he will be judged not against his peers but against his mentor, who many believe should still be coaching here.
I didn’t include in game adjustments as a pro or con because we have examples of both and it is too early in his career to call it either way. In fact, his in game adjustments or lack of them have been fluctuating from great to terrible game to game.
This is just my opinion, but if you wanted a finished product to coach our great and storied program, IB isn’t it and it won’t matter what he does. To top it off, an AD that many people do not like hired him during the season. He is/was a bit of a risky hire, and like all risks, the road will be uneven to whether it pans out or not. I just hope when criticizing him, some of you take a breath and understand the answer of whether he is the right guy or not may still be in its infancy.
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