Who’ Available- Who do we want (To replace DC)?

[theblueram]

This has probably already been mentioned, but if Cox gets fired eventually, then I think you have to start looking at Thorr as being part of the problem for hiring the wrong person. But, Thorr did hire Hurley, so I guess Thorr gets a mulligan.

Hiring Cox was not only completely defensible, it was probably the right move. The wrong move is keeping him after this year when we know who he is at this point. You can't give a first time coach who has shown no growth a big leash, you have to be ready to cut bait on that hire when it goes south, like it has here

My thoughts also I was for the hire at first I felt the continuity was important but now I feel he is not good for the job so the sooner he goes the better it will be

I agree. It is what it is.

[ElmCityRhody]

ECR smokeout

This has probably already been mentioned, but if Cox gets fired eventually, then I think you have to start looking at Thorr as being part of the problem for hiring the wrong person. But, Thorr did hire Hurley, so I guess Thorr gets a mulligan.

Hiring Cox was not only completely defensible, it was probably the right move. The wrong move is keeping him after this year when we know who he is at this point. You can't give a first time coach who has shown no growth a big leash, you have to be ready to cut bait on that hire when it goes south, like it has here

CUT BAIT

Lol

Yeah he easily made the most sense.

He understood the culture. Was going to maintain the recruiting class.

You just hope that when he is fired the next coach doesn't have a bare cupboard day one.

[Blue Man]

This has probably already been mentioned, but if Cox gets fired eventually, then I think you have to start looking at Thorr as being part of the problem for hiring the wrong person. But, Thorr did hire Hurley, so I guess Thorr gets a mulligan.

Absolutely not.

Thorr has nailed every initial hire he’s made in football and basketball. It’s the unexpected exit and subsequent hirings that are tougher to gauge.

He moved on from women’s coaches who didn’t work. Then found Reiss. Same with football. He nailed Rizzi and lost him to the NFL. Took Trainer who was the OC under Rizzi. Gave him 4 years and found Fleming.

It’s clear to say that Cox was the “right” decision at the time based on our situation. Most of us were all for it. Hindsight is 20:20.

Thorr will continue to make the right decisions as he always has, it’s just a matter of if he’s given the proper resources to do them on his timetable.

If he doesn’t fire Cox this year it will be because he’s working to identify the next guy who is the right fit. Firing Cox without a plan is potentially worse than giving him one more season.

[reef]

Yeah I have no problem with Thorr B , I think he will get the next hire right in men’s hoops and will give Cox a short leash

[daytonflyerfan]

Thorr was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

This happens all the time though in this situation, this was not an unusual situation. This was the classic conundrum: hire an in-house staff member to try to keep the incoming recruits and maintain the existing momentum vs. hiring an outsider, having to maybe do a full reset, and maybe sacrificing the short-term recruiting boost and short-term momentum in exchange for potential longer-term success.

So far, Cox has not worked out, and that is on Thorr, he hired him, he has to take the blame. But, like I said, he nailed it with the Hurley hire, so he gets a mulligan if Cox is fired. And I also thought Cox was the right choice at the time.

If they have to fire Cox, and then the replacement does not work out, then Thorr has to go. He only gets 1 mulligan.

[daytonflyerfan]

Honestly this is what I expected from Cox. He was going to take the Hurley D and improve on the offensive side. What we have gotten is a confusingly poor offense (at least Hurley ran some sets) and worse D. NOW, I do not know how much of the failure on offense is personnel related.

I agree, I also thought that that was what was going to happen. Instead what happened was what you posted.

[eli#10]

WOW!!! What did you have for dinner DFF?

[daytonflyerfan]

WOW!!! What did you have for dinner DFF?

???

You guys think it's ok to give Thorr a lifetime contract based on the Hurley hire? Give me a break. Everyone in the organization has to be accountable. Period, end of story. If Thorr screws up the next hire if Cox gets fired, then Thorr absolutely has to go.

[ace]

But other than wishful thinking, how do you even have expectations for a coach who’s never done it at this level before? You hope for certain things, but why expect them?

[ace]

WOW!!! What did you have for dinner DFF?

???

You guys think it's ok to give Thorr a lifetime contract based on the Hurley hire? Give me a break. Everyone in the organization has to be accountable. Period, end of story. If Thorr screws up the next hire if Cox gets fired, then Thorr absolutely has to go.

Settle down, my goodness.

Hypothetical failures and a lifetime contract literally no one brought up, acting like men’s basketball is the only sport in existence (yes, I know it’s the money maker, obviously).

[daytonflyerfan]

But other than wishful thinking, how do you even have expectations for a coach who’s never done it at this level before? You hope for certain things, but why expect them?

Because it has happened at other schools several times:

Dayton, Archie Miller, zero head coaching experience when he took over at UD

Xavier: Gillen, Miller, and Mack

Gonzaga: Mark Few

VCU: Capel, Grant, and Smart

Eric Musselman at Nevada

Butler: Matta, Lickliter, Stevens, and Jordan

Nate Oates at Buffalo

All the good first time head coaches at Murray State and Belmont

[daytonflyerfan]

Settle down, my goodness.

Hypothetical failures and a lifetime contract literally no one brought up, acting like men’s basketball is the only sport in existence (yes, I know it’s the money maker, obviously).

Posters on this board seem pretty sensitive to any criticism of Thorr. Thorr absolutely has a hand in this if Cox does not work out. Denying that is totally unreasonable.

[rambone 78]

I think a big reason Thorr hired Cox was that Dan highly recommended him. Myself I agreed he was a good choice at the time, although I wasn't overly enthusiastic about it. I too thought under Cox we would still be good defensively and better offensively. More balanced.

Dan made more good choices than bad while he was here, but this one hasn't worked out.

It happens. Call it bad luck or what, doesn't matter now.

The comment about Thorr taking some time to replace Cox makes some sense. I don't think there are a lot of good choices out there right now.

But he can't wait too long.

[ace]

But other than wishful thinking, how do you even have expectations for a coach who’s never done it at this level before? You hope for certain things, but why expect them?

Because it has happened at other schools several times:

Dayton, Archie Miller, zero head coaching experience when he took over at UD

Xavier: Gillen, Miller, and Mack

Gonzaga: Mark Few

VCU: Capel, Grant, and Smart

Eric Musselman at Nevada

Butler: Matta, Lickliter, Stevens, and Jordan

Nate Oates at Buffalo

All the good first time head coaches at Murray State and Belmont

I’m aware of the concept of assistants moving up a chair. My question is why the expectation was, specifically, that the defense would stay good and that the offense would improve.


ETA: yeah, blame Dan... that’s it! I’m just trying to waste time on-line until this magical vaccine portal link drops from my job, and this is all quite something. Some of you are not going to make it through the off-season.

[daytonflyerfan]

I think a big reason Thorr hired Cox was that Dan highly recommended him. Myself I agreed he was a good choice at the time, although I wasn't overly enthusiastic about it. I too thought under Cox we would still be good defensively and better offensively. More balanced.

Dan made more good choices than bad while he was here, but this one hasn't worked out.

It happens. Call it bad luck or what, doesn't matter now.

The comment about Thorr taking some time to replace Cox makes some sense. I don't think there are a lot of good choices out there right now.

But he can't wait too long.

Totally agree...Hurley recommended Cox...hiring Cox was a reasonable decision, still though, that does not absolve Thorr of all responsibility if this does not work out...he relied on Hurley's recommendation, but it might have been bad advice from Hurley, shit happens, that's life.

Getting these hires right is very hard, if it was easy, everybody would be like Xavier, VCU, and Gonzaga.

[daytonflyerfan]

I’m aware of the concept of assistants moving up a chair. My question is why the expectation was, specifically, that the defense would stay good and that the offense would improve.

Fair enough, I am not familiar enough with Cox to answer that. IMO, Hurley's offense had some holes, I think it was reasonable to expect some of those holes to get fixed by Cox while maintaining the existing defensive excellence that Hurley created.

[rambone 78]

You would have thought that DC would have learned how to coach tough defense since he was Dan's assistant for a few years.

Defense is a learned skill. Takes hard work, dedication, good fundamentals, discipline, etc.

Cox also has said that he wanted to play a little more up tempo with more movement in the half court offense.

So far, none of this is evident 3 years in.....especially defense which is getting worse, not better.

[reef]

I mean I guess it’s possible Thorr gives Cox another yeah he does poorly and gets his pink slip then Thorr makes another hire misses and guy gets fired in 4 years at that point Thorr been here 20 years and it be time for home to go anyway

[ace]

You would have thought that DC would have learned how to coach tough defense since he was Dan's assistant for a few years.

Defense is a learned skill. Takes hard work, dedication, good fundamentals, discipline, etc.

Cox also has said that he wanted to play a little more up tempo with more movement in the half court offense.

So far, none of this is evident 3 years in.....especially defense which is getting worse, not better.

Coaches have all kinds of ideas of what they want to do until reality hits, and a lot of fans have no idea what they’re even watching on offense... a narrative emerges and that’s what they go with. It’s like when the Providence fans blame “the flex” whenever they struggle to score.

[rambone 78]

I agree Ace but...the individual and team fundamentals are horrid with no improvement or even regression over 3 seasons.

That's indicative of bad coaching in anyone's book.

[Joe95]

Next coach should be coach Mosley from Netflix documentary “Last Chance U” guy is Hurley 2.0 to the max.

https://www.salon.com/2021/03/13/last-c ... y-netflix/

[Joe95]

Dude is a super motivator

[ramster]

A few here liked this guy 3 years ago..........

[rambone 78]

A big time program?

Leaves us out lol.

[Smokinjimit2]

It’s too bad Bunky retired. He was due to write his
URI is lucky to have a basketball program and we all have a nerve to want the program to be good article.

We are also lucky to have coach... any coach

[Rhodymob05]

Slick Rick has now coached 5 different teams to an NCAA tournament. Would have loved to have been the 5th.

[ramster]

Slick Rick has now coached 5 different teams to an NCAA tournament. Would have loved to have been the 5th.

or maybe the 6th

[RF1]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

[reef]

Will Wade Sean Miller the list goes on and on Pitino not any worse than those guys

[PeterRamTime]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

A man can't redeem himself?

[Jersey77]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

A man can't redeem himself?

Yes, but he coached at PC so that's one strike against him plus the escort sex scandal and the massive bribery probe.
There was a systemic problem of NCAA violations within their program.
Only team in modern NCAA basketball history to have their championship vacated.
I think there was good reason for URI to have stayed away from him.

It isn't worth it for URI to ever get involved with him, he would be turning 70 along with his clean and spotless reputation.

[RF1]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

A man can't redeem himself?

Pitino already got opportunities to redeem himself and showed that he couldn't do so. The 2003 restaurant table encounter with a staff member's wife was followed by supplying recruits with hookers from 2010-14 which in turn a few years later in 2017 was followed by cash bribes. How many chances should he be given? Some people may be able to redeem themself, the ample evidence however shows that Rick Pitino is not one of them.

[URI_05]

Archie Miller. Sign me up.

[Running Ram]

I love all the drama about Slick.

So if URI hired Slick and we got a couple of A10 titles and a few NCAA births, RF1 and a few others would be watching championship curling on espn 17 instead? right.

[Rhody15]

I love all the drama about Slick.

So if URI hired Slick and we got a couple of A10 titles and a few NCAA births, RF1 and a few others would be watching championship curling on espn 17 instead? right.

Lol exactly.

Trying to act holier than thou and take the high ground acting like if we hired him and were great, they'd turn the other way. Please.

People would be coming out of the woodwork to watch and cheer for Rhody if we had Pitino and were contenders.

[Running Ram]

^ yup everyone here knows I liked the hiring of Coach Cox, but I also said we should have kicked the tires on Slick. People were concerned we would have lost the core of our players, slick could coach squirrels and badgers to an NCAA mbb tourney birth.

[reef]

^ yup everyone here knows I liked the hiring of Coach Cox, but I also said we should have kicked the tires on Slick. People were concerned we would have lost the core of our players, slick could coach squirrels and badgers to an NCAA mbb tourney birth.

100 % agree on this

[RhowdyRam02]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

Mine wouldn't be over forever but it would be over as long as Pitino was here and maybe as long as the AD and the President were as well. We've shown we can be successful without stooping to the likes of Pitino

[RhowdyRam02]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

A man can't redeem himself?

He hasn't admitted wrongdoing or apologized and has been dirty at every stop since his first position as an assistant at Hawaii. So no, I wouldn't think Pitino could redeem himself seeing as he's taken no actions to do just that

[Rhody15]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

Mine wouldn't be over forever but it would be over as long as Pitino was here and maybe as long as the AD and the President were as well. We've shown we can be successful without stooping to the likes of Pitino

I absolutely love these outlandish takes.

If Pitino had us in the NCAAs, Sweet 16, I guarantee that you’d be watching, as well as every single other person on this board.

Stop with the “I’m above and better than watching my school/favorite team because our coach had some past transgressions.”

Gimme a break.

[RhowdyRam02]

I love all the drama about Slick.

So if URI hired Slick and we got a couple of A10 titles and a few NCAA births, RF1 and a few others would be watching championship curling on espn 17 instead? right.

Some people actually love the University and not just the basketball team. Those people would be out on Pitino. We can without scumbags like him, we have before

[RhowdyRam02]

If Rick Pitino is ever hired to be head coach for URI, my following the program is over forever. Any school that would stoop so low would show it has ZERO integrity and would not merit any support.

Mine wouldn't be over forever but it would be over as long as Pitino was here and maybe as long as the AD and the President were as well. We've shown we can be successful without stooping to the likes of Pitino

I absolutely love these outlandish takes.

If Pitino had us in the NCAAs, Sweet 16, I guarantee that you’d be watching, as well as every single other person on this board.

Stop with the “I’m above and better than watching my school/favorite team because our coach had some past transgressions.”

Gimme a break.

It's not outlandish. I love the University, not just the basketball team. He'd make the basketball program better until we got hit with the sanctions to pay for making a deal with the devil, but he'd drag the University into the sewer from day 1

[Rhody15]

Mine wouldn't be over forever but it would be over as long as Pitino was here and maybe as long as the AD and the President were as well. We've shown we can be successful without stooping to the likes of Pitino

I absolutely love these outlandish takes.

If Pitino had us in the NCAAs, Sweet 16, I guarantee that you’d be watching, as well as every single other person on this board.

Stop with the “I’m above and better than watching my school/favorite team because our coach had some past transgressions.”

Gimme a break.

It's not outlandish. I love the University, not just the basketball team. He'd make the basketball program better until we got hit with the sanctions to pay for making a deal with the devil, but he'd drag the University into the sewer from day 1

Yea Iona sure looks like they are doomed forever.

Sweet 16 - 6 Seed Rhode Island vs. 2 Seed Duke.

You’re not watching.

Lol got it.

[PeterRamTime]

I absolutely love these outlandish takes.

If Pitino had us in the NCAAs, Sweet 16, I guarantee that you’d be watching, as well as every single other person on this board.

Stop with the “I’m above and better than watching my school/favorite team because our coach had some past transgressions.”

Gimme a break.

It's not outlandish. I love the University, not just the basketball team. He'd make the basketball program better until we got hit with the sanctions to pay for making a deal with the devil, but he'd drag the University into the sewer from day 1

Yea Iona sure looks like they are doomed forever.

Sweet 16 - 6 Seed Rhode Island vs. 2 Seed Duke.

You’re not watching.

Lol got it.

I'd be watching!

[rambone 78]

Yeah I didn't want him either, but if you told me we would reach a Final Four with him, I'd take it.

[RhodyFanNotAlum]

Yeah I didn't want him either, but if you told me we would reach a Final Four with him, I'd take it.

Hell if you told me we'd reach a First Four play-in game with him, I'd take it.

[theblueram]

Yeah I didn't want him either, but if you told me we would reach a Final Four with him, I'd take it.

Hell if you told me we'd reach a First Four play-in game with him, I'd take it.

At this point I'd take an NIT invite

[RF1]

I love all the drama about Slick.

So if URI hired Slick and we got a couple of A10 titles and a few NCAA births, RF1 and a few others would be watching championship curling on espn 17 instead? right.

You may choose to swim in the sewer but I most definitely will not. URI hoops would be dead to me if it ever hired Pitino. Thankfully that will never happen as it is just a foolish fantasy of a few people that have no real say in the matter.

[theblueram]

I love all the drama about Slick.

So if URI hired Slick and we got a couple of A10 titles and a few NCAA births, RF1 and a few others would be watching championship curling on espn 17 instead? right.

You may choose to swim in the sewer but I most definitely will not. URI hoops would be dead to me if it ever hired Pitino. Thankfully that will never happen as it is just a foolish fantasy of a few people that have no real say in the matter.

Sean Miller might become available. People have said Preston Murphy might work. How about Harrick who we hired with a stain? Josh Pastner got another job. Stains? I don't think URI needs to be high and mighty on ethics. Especially in this state. Hire a coach who can win. End of story.

[rambone 78]

I think we came closer to hiring Pitino than many realize.

Rumor was, it got to Dooley who shot it down.