Mike Gesell -- the one who got away, as viewed by a Phoenix columnist

[SUHnami]

Bus I understand the clamoring for a new coach, but as I outlined in a previous post in this thread....who are you going to get that wants to coach at NU who has little to no basketball history whatsoever!  We won't get a name coach or even a hot HC from a mid major.  It just isn't going to happen.  I agree DOC is not a great recruiter but he's excellent with X's and Os.  If he could just somehow land a 5 star player that would help get this program off the ground.

I agree....we're not going to lure a big name from an established power conference team.  Hate to say it Suh, but we probably will dip our feet in the mid-major pool again (I do really like Groce from Ohio).  If Doc's going to get this thing turned he may need to go the Delonte Hill route.  FInd a guy who is basically tied to a big time recruit and bring him on as an assistant.  If we then have one of those lightning-in-a-bottle seasons, our street cred will instantly change, and along with the new facilities, we could be propleed to the next level.

I would rather get a hot assistant from one of the power schools as opposed to a mid major HC.  Look at what the past 2 have done.   

[Daniel]

It's hard to build a winning program when the one or two Div 1 players a year in Nebraska decide to go elsewhere. We have got to keep the best in-state players if we want to build something here.  Unfortunately, in most top recruit's minds, the Husker program is not viewed that favorably right now........

Little to no basketball tradition.  What do you expect?  Not a surprise.  I agree with you we need to keep them but if a Duke or Kansas offered me, I'd be going to play there and not here.

Nothing will change with this staff, time for change is now. 2 more years of losing will do nothing to help the problem!

It would probably take the 2nd coming of Christ to change this.  It really doesn't matter IMO whether it's Doc or someone else, they are going to have a tough time winning here.  Be careful what you ask for you may get someone worse than Doc.

I will take my chances with someone else besides Doc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You won't be satisfied. Some folks never will be.  

We're not at the point where we as fans should be satisifed, Suh.  Doc has had plenty of time to cobble together a respectable program and he hasn't got it done for one reason or another.  I personally like the guy but it's time for a change.  We need someone who will bring enthusiasm to the program; the kind of enthusiasm that can convince kids that we can make some big things happen here; things that haven't happened before (such as an NCAA win; heck, most of us would take a one-and-done at this point).  

Doc's biggest mistake was not finding his "Scott Spinelli".  Doc's fine with X's and O's but he didn't have an ace recruiter on staff and it shows.  Our limited talent means we have no margin for error against the big boys, and when things go bad (i.e. injuries), they tend to snowball.  Imagine our game against the Spartans if we had a Maric manning the post.  I suspect we wouldn't have been dominated on the glass and in fact may have won the game.

Bus I understand the clamoring for a new coach, but as I outlined in a previous post in this thread....who are you going to get that wants to coach at NU who has little to no basketball history whatsoever!  We won't get a name coach or even a hot HC from a mid major.  It just isn't going to happen.  I agree DOC is not a great recruiter but he's excellent with X's and Os.  If he could just somehow land a 5 star player that would help get this program off the ground.

He's excellent with X's and O's? You got to be kidding me.  He's below average with that.  He's a good defensive coach and thats about it.  I don't buy the crap about can't get a big time coach in here.  All we have to do is pony up the money and we can get most any coach in here.  How much History did Baylor have before Drew got there? 

[Busticket]

He's excellent with X's and O's? You got to be kidding me.  He's below average with that.  He's a good defensive coach and thats about it.  I don't buy the crap about can't get a big time coach in here.  All we have to do is pony up the money and we can get most any coach in here.  How much History did Baylor have before Drew got there? 

Actually, I want to revise my statement and agree with Daniel....he's a fine X's and O's coach on defense. 

I don't think we can get a big time coach in here exactly for the reason you stated Daniel.....we need to pony up big cash to lure one in.  I can never see Osborne doing that.  Maybe I'm wrong.

Interesting you bring up Baylor.  They were a train wreck before Drew got there.  Drew was head coach at Valparaiso (a mid major) and a pretty good one, albeit with only two years under his belt.  The big difference between Drew and Doc is that Drew is an outstanding recruiter.  Granted, he's in a hotbed for talent which makes it easier, but he has been beating out teams like KU, Texas, OU and others for these kids.  Drew is a so-so game coach, but when you have some serious studs on your roster, it can hide some coaching deficiencies.

[wilber24]

It's hard to build a winning program when the one or two Div 1 players a year in Nebraska decide to go elsewhere. We have got to keep the best in-state players if we want to build something here.  Unfortunately, in most top recruit's minds, the Husker program is not viewed that favorably right now........

Okay, but to play for IOWA?  Iowa b-ball is not exactly a premium destination.

Just as exciting as playing for NU, expecially offensively!

[Waylon Van Smack]

It's hard to build a winning program when the one or two Div 1 players a year in Nebraska decide to go elsewhere. We have got to keep the best in-state players if we want to build something here.  Unfortunately, in most top recruit's minds, the Husker program is not viewed that favorably right now........

Okay, but to play for IOWA?  Iowa b-ball is not exactly a premium destination.

Just as exciting as playing for NU, expecially offensively!

  it is only one paragraph but you should really not compare the 2 as apples to apples.

Throughout history, the Hawkeyes have enjoyed the successes of eight Big Ten regular-season conference championships, the last coming in 1979.[2] More recently, Iowa has won the Big Ten tournament twice, in 2001 and 2006.[2] Iowa has also played in the Final Four on three occasions, reaching the semifinals in 1955 and 1980 and playing in the championship game against the University of San Francisco in 1956.[3]The team was widely successful in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s under head coaches Lute Olson and Tom Davis. Under Olson, the Hawkeyes won their last Big Ten regular season championship and went to their last Final Four to date.[4]

[wilber24]

Your right, Iowa, is the better program in basketball!!

[Capn Krunch]

Shoulda told Gesell that if he made all Big Ten twice we'd name the court after him if he signed with us. Didn't our DE commit score 24 against Sioux city?