The David Cox Era

NJRhodyFan · Unread post by **NJRhodyFan** » 6 years ago

During the introduction speech, Thorr mentioned that he received calls from 25-30 coaches that were interested in the position, and said "People want this job because it is a premier job in this country". Well if that's true, then URI better move forward with the necessary enhancements to prove that we are in fact a premier program.

I have faith that Thorr and Dooley will make the right decisions to keep this program on an upward trajectory. As someone mentioned earlier, just because certain things weren't explicitly stated in Cox's contract doesn't mean they aren't happening.

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 6 years ago

To the school's credit, capital projects have been done very well over the past 18 years.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 6 years ago

RhowdyRam02 wrote:
TruePoint wrote:
RhowdyRam02 wrote:
I also pointed out that Thorr didn't commit to it two weeks ago. Y'all need to pay attention to what's going on
Obviously some if it is going to depend on donors sticking to their commitments and being as committed with Coach Cox as they were with Dan Hurley. But the desire for those things hasn't evaporated. He also explained that the process for the practice facility were already underway. It doesn't make sense to publicly commit to specific expenditures until they are able to button down the financial commitments of the people they're depending on.
There is a large difference between the desire to do it and it happening. We've desired to redo Meade, with an artist's rendering of what it would look like, since at least December of 2001. Desire means nothing, we need action, and there is no guaranteed action. That should be troubling to everyone. What are we doing with the extra revenue?

I feel like I already answered this in the post that you responded to. The desire to do something alone is not enough, but I'm not sure why you are assuming that it is just naked desire without any action plan to match based on it not being in Cox's contract. It is weird to get mad that infrastructure expenditures were not included in the coach's contract. That happened very specifically under Hurley because it was something he required to remain in the job. It isn't a standard item in a coaching contract. If they say, or if it becomes evident, that they plan to just sit on the cash that they earned from their tournament appearances, ticket revenue increases and savings from coaching salaries from Hurley to Cox, then I will be right there with you. But for right now I think you're being upset prematurely.

CTRamfan · Unread post by **CTRamfan** » 6 years ago

Great choice with David Cox. A gentleman with great upside.

Obadiah · Unread post by **Obadiah** » 6 years ago

What you saw in this press conference is the David Cox I saw at several meetings - a man knowledgeable, poised, articulate, and inspirational. I remember one fairly long meeting with Dan Hurley where he was joined by his staff and Cox dominated the meeting with his knowledge and quick grasp and handling of even the most pointed questions from boosters. He has all the ingredients to be a great head coach

NJRhodyFan · Unread post by **NJRhodyFan** » 6 years ago

TruePoint wrote:
RhowdyRam02 wrote:
TruePoint wrote:
Obviously some if it is going to depend on donors sticking to their commitments and being as committed with Coach Cox as they were with Dan Hurley. But the desire for those things hasn't evaporated. He also explained that the process for the practice facility were already underway. It doesn't make sense to publicly commit to specific expenditures until they are able to button down the financial commitments of the people they're depending on.
There is a large difference between the desire to do it and it happening. We've desired to redo Meade, with an artist's rendering of what it would look like, since at least December of 2001. Desire means nothing, we need action, and there is no guaranteed action. That should be troubling to everyone. What are we doing with the extra revenue?
I feel like I already answered this in the post that you responded to. The desire to do something alone is not enough, but I'm not sure why you are assuming that it is just naked desire without any action plan to match based on it not being in Cox's contract. It is weird to get mad that infrastructure expenditures were not included in the coach's contract. That happened very specifically under Hurley because it was something he required to remain in the job. It isn't a standard item in a coaching contract. If they say, or if it becomes evident, that they plan to just sit on the cash that they earned from their tournament appearances, ticket revenue increases and savings from coaching salaries from Hurley to Cox, then I will be right there with you. But for right now I think you're being upset prematurely.

Agreed. To assume that no additional program enhancements are on the horizon based on those enhancements not being unequivocally stated in Cox's contract just seems silly to me. The press conference just ended 15 minutes ago. Let's not jump off the bridge quite yet...geez.

PS - Aside from the revenue streams listed above, don't we also receive an additional $1.5M as part of Hurley's buyout?

Seawrightspostgame · Unread post by **Seawrightspostgame** » 6 years ago

I'm pretty excited. Welcome Coach Cox!

I wish the buyout on his contract was more.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

If UConn pays within 90 days a lump sum, $1.2M, otherwise, $300k annually for 5 years.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 6 years ago

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 6 years ago

I wonder who the other head coach was? I presume Joe Dooley and Shrewbury were the other interviewees.

SmartyBarrett · Unread post by **SmartyBarrett** » 6 years ago

Rhody74 wrote:

I wonder who the other head coach was? I presume Joe Dooley and Shrewbury were the other interviewees.

My guess, based on nothing other than his name was floating around, is Becker.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

CTRamfan · Unread post by **CTRamfan** » 6 years ago

URI will receive $1 million from UConn within 90 days of Hurley's signing [3/22] .

But, so what?............Thorr runs the program and I am 100% behind his budgeting choices. The athletic department budget covers 23 sports, I think.
Hurley, pushed and pushed for upgrades. Some ideas were great, others not so. Those were his view. Maybe Cox's needs are different.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

Let's at least let this media availability complete and allow the information to be disseminated before worrying and speculating.

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 6 years ago

My concern is not so much the capital expenditure infrastructure investment for a dedicated practice facility.. That is a very complicated project with many facets requiring millions of dollars. I can understand and live with it not being addressed as part of this hire.

My concern revolves around relatively low cost operating expense related items. Improvements like significant upgrades to staff compensation and commitment to more charters should be easy to make. The lower salary for the head coach alone covers this on its own. That is not even taking into account the fact that annual revenues for the next 5 years will minimally be about 1M more than just two seasons ago.

The staff salary piece is particularly disappointing. Per Bill Koch, Cox will only have 6.25% more to offer than Hurley did this past year. That is nothing. How am I supposed to trust there will be more when year one already looks to be set? Am I to believe that Thorr will do something when someone threatens to leave (look at how that worked with Hurley)? If Cox struggles a bit in his first year (not out of the question with a first year coach of a team that lost five seniors and will play a tough schedule), do you really think he will have leverage to get staff compensation increased in a year? The leverage is now not later. If Thorr learned anything from Dan leaving, it is better to be proactive rather than reactive. Perhaps if URI had been more proactive last year, Hurley would have had less incentive to look for another job. Think back to last year with Bill Koch's words regarding Hurley's last extension and think about how things played out:

Notably, there are no specific program enhancements contained in the new pact. An increased number of charter flights, a broader salary pool for basketball staff and renovations to basketball offices and the locker room had been staples of previous Hurley extensions, but URI appears to have reached its limit regarding its basketball budget.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

Wait for the news of program enhancements. Yikes.

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 6 years ago

Money should be flowing in now like it hasn't in 20 years.

adam914 · Unread post by **adam914** » 6 years ago

Cox talked about maybe some more pressing on defense to push the tempo because they want to play more up tempo on offense and get more possessions. I like the sound of that.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

Either way, styles offensively and defensively that would allow us to utilize our player talent and get future talent.

SnooterMagoo · Unread post by **SnooterMagoo** » 6 years ago

adam914 wrote:Cox talked about maybe some more pressing on defense to push the tempo because they want to play more up tempo on offense and get more possessions. I like the sound of that.

For a team that lacks a pure shooting threat, I love his goal of "more possessions."

Matunuck · Unread post by **Matunuck** » 6 years ago

You guys can speculate and complain all you want.

I am going to focus on the positive. It appears that we hired a great man for the job. He can recruit, knows the game, works hard, and the kids love him. Let’s celebrate the hire and worry about everything else once we have some facts. Go Rhody! Go Cox!

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 6 years ago

“Uptempo style of basketball “

All I was looking for.

Solid presser, interesting comments from Dooley re integrity.....

Go get em Coach Cox!

Rhode Island Basketball - home of the fast break!!

Back in business

giovanni · Unread post by **giovanni** » 6 years ago

Obadiah wrote:What you saw in this press conference is the David Cox I saw at several meetings - a man knowledgeable, poised, articulate, and inspirational. I remember one fairly long meeting with Dan Hurley where he was joined by his staff and Cox dominated the meeting with his knowledge and quick grasp and handling of even the most pointed questions from boosters. He has all the ingredients to be a great head coach

Exactly. My thoughts to a tee

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 6 years ago

Wish I was there today, but at least I was able to stream the presser. I'm so excited that it looks like the current roster is intact.

"This is my dream job." LOVE IT! Clearly there is no doubt that he is the right man for this job. Can't wait until the fall!

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 6 years ago

......I asked Steve McDonald if a Coach’s Show was going to be held, he had no date, but said there was a date TBD for one more in the schedule.....

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 6 years ago

section(105) wrote:......I asked Steve McDonald if a Coach’s Show was going to be held, he had no date, but said there was a date TBD for one more in the schedule.....

PERFECT!

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

Please be on a Tuesday!

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 6 years ago

Taylor Swift wrote:Wish I was there today, but at least I was able to stream the presser. I'm so excited that it looks like the current roster is intact.

"This is my dream job." LOVE IT! Clearly there is no doubt that he is the right man for this job. Can't wait until the fall!

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 6 years ago

Testing out my new signature. Haha

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 6 years ago

I love this guy!

URI'21 · Unread post by **URI'21** » 6 years ago

Didn't see it live but just finished watching a recap and WOW I am blown away. He is the best man possible for the job and will bring this program further than its ever been. THANK YOU DAVE COX. Can't wait to see what he does with our great group of players.

"THIS IS MY DREAM JOB"

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

steviep123 · Unread post by **steviep123** » 6 years ago

I wasn't able to watch it live, but did watch the recording on the Facebook link (wpri's facebook page):

I was very impressed with both Cox, as well as Thorr's comments. The fact that Cox went to Thorr saying he wanted to be a head coach some day 2 years ago, and Thorr reacting positive to it, to Cox acting as the head coach before he got the job and doing everything and more. Also impressed if he out competed some of the best basketball minds in the country.

It would be interesting to find out at some point who was interested in the job as well as who the other finalists where. But today is Coach Cox' day and just the fact that this posting got that sort of response is amazing!

RF1 · Unread post by **RF1** » 6 years ago

steviep123 wrote:
It would be interesting to find out at some point who was interested in the job as well as who the other finalists where.

Bill Koch commented on this basically stating that there will likely be no official confirmation of the candidates. Based on what Thorr said, the reported finalists of Becker, Dooley, Cox, and Shrewsberry seem to fit his group description.

giovanni · Unread post by **giovanni** » 6 years ago

While it may be interesting for the fan to hear some names of those interested, what purpose would it serve really?

Rhodymob05 · Unread post by **Rhodymob05** » 6 years ago

I have to say, a big shot out to local sports reporters for giving this program all the attention it deserves, including the coverage on Coach Cox.

Unread post by **TruePoint** » 6 years ago

Rhody74 · Unread post by **Rhody74** » 6 years ago

No turning back ...

Rhody72 · Unread post by **Rhody72** » 6 years ago

Sounds like a typical new coach presser as well as typical reactions from rabid fans. Cox is now in charge of the basketball program - his relationship with players, coaches, management etc will be different. He'll make the decision on who stays, who will play, who he will hire, who he will recruit and the outcome will be based on what people think of him. I'm not sure that he has been given the assets to assure success.

JFrech21 · Unread post by **JFrech21** » 6 years ago

Rhody72, scroll up.

Taylor Swift · Unread post by **Taylor Swift** » 6 years ago

I didn’t see anyone post this yet, here’s a nice piece by Cigar sports with Dave’s parents and wife.

reef · Unread post by **reef** » 6 years ago

I watched the presser great stuff. Welcome aboard Coach Cox

Ramulous · Unread post by **Ramulous** » 6 years ago

The assistant's pay pool including an excellent salary to Associate coach Cox and also coach Moore......we save those salaries now....I assume we bump up Ty Boswell a bit....and pay the next two coaches....we have to match a coach who is a current assistant somewhere else....and maybe a coach who left another gig but is still getting paid under his old contract.....the compensation of the coaches should be set lower for new guys than for trying to retain excellent coaches already under contract here from leaving....

...I think there will be enough money for assistants.....it will have to grow in the future if the new guys start being wooed by other schools because of their success here in the next couple of years....

RAM67 · Unread post by **RAM67** » 6 years ago

Rhody72 wrote:Sounds like a typical new coach presser as well as typical reactions from rabid fans. Cox is now in charge of the basketball program - his relationship with players, coaches, management etc will be different. He'll make the decision on who stays, who will play, who he will hire, who he will recruit and the outcome will be based on what people think of him. I'm not sure that he has been given the assets to assure success.

Some things never change.

Unread post by **ATPTourFan** » 6 years ago

For those just so nervous about Fatts' status following Cox' hire:

section(105) · Unread post by **section(105)** » 6 years ago

......that shot makes me very very happy......

Rhody83 · Unread post by **Rhody83** » 6 years ago

I was at the press conference today. I haven’t read all the post here on the press conference.
I was able to listen to the media interviews that were done after the press conference. This included Coach Cox, Thorr, Fatts, Cyril & Jeff. I will post some points that weren’t part of the formal press conference and that I haven’t seen in post above or detailed above.

Fatts is staying! He was the first player interviewed. Joe from NBC10 asked him. Fatts response can be seen on Joe’s tweet. He explained his like for Dan but said he is in for Rhody. I ran into Fatts and Ty on the concourse afterwards and talked to them fir a few minutes. He is staying.

Cox and Fatts were next to each other in an interview and Coach Cox said that they are going to run and that there is no doubt the guy right next to him (Fatts) will be the starting 1 next year.

Ty was by Fatts side during his interview and throughout the time after the official statements.

Thorr’s response to Bill Koch’s question on spending was fair. He said the commitment is there and he wants to understand Coach Cox’ priorities for the spending. Thorr said the spending wasn’t included in Dan’s contract. Somethings were put in a document afterwards but not all of them. He said it is a trust that he had with Dan and has with Dave.

Jeff and Cyril seem genuinely happy. Jeff was joking around behind the camera when the others were being interviewed.

Thorr was asked if he talked to Dan at all through the process. He did not.

All of the remaining staff was there including TJ.

All of the players from this year’s team were there except EC. Some speculated that EC might have been out of state.
The returning players all sat in the first two rows with the same URI shirts.
The 4 seniors and staff were in the row behind them.

The room was full. Great media coverage.

hrstrat57 · Unread post by **hrstrat57** » 6 years ago

Fatts key to the highway and the top 20!
So encouraging to hear that Coach Cox gets it.
My vision will be realized!! Fast break basketball!!!

Turn Fatts loose!

Let’s Go Rhody!!!!!!!

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