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Post by sader1970 on Dec 2, 2021 8:18:39 GMT -5
Can we all, excepting one individual, agree that Nelson gets the rest of this season to turn this team into one that at least reaches PL mediocrity. That's an extremely low standard, I know, but it'd be an improvement over the last 1.5 seasons of his reign.
Carmody has been accused of leading a "dumpster fire" and being essentially AWOL (all agree his last season there was a very legitimate personal reason) but as bad as Carmody was, in his last season his record was 16-17 (.485) overall and 6-12 (.333) in conference and that was without any D-3 gimme games to win.
Now the likelihood that Nelson's going to win 16 games right now looks like slim and none. By conference schedule time, if he's going to get the kinks out of this team, it should be by then. Let's see if he can win at least 6 PL games to at least match the Carmody dumpster fire. As someone posted previously, the OOC schedule is "exhibition season."
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Dec 2, 2021 12:13:05 GMT -5
In that "dumpster fire" the last season under Bill Carmody, HC was 7-3 against teams ranked #250 or lower, with none of them ranked in the 300's. We have lost this year by 8 points to #269, 17 points (not a typo) to #277, and 6 points to #346
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Post by princetoncrusader on Dec 2, 2021 12:21:18 GMT -5
Wins against the MAAC champion, the NEC champion and an Atlantic 10 team as I recall in Carmody's last season.
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Post by Non Alum Dave on Dec 2, 2021 12:28:07 GMT -5
And a comfortable win over a very good Stony Brook team......the slide happened in PL play, and any human would have cut him slack for that.
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Post by longsuffering on Dec 2, 2021 12:35:17 GMT -5
And a comfortable win over a very good Stony Brook team......the slide happened in PL play, and any human would have cut him slack for that. Is FHCBC "tanned, rested and ready?"
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Dec 11, 2021 16:03:03 GMT -5
Being out of position on defense and getting beat on back doors game after game has nothing to do with talent or experience and everything to do with terrible coaching.
Hope Kit was taking notes today.
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Post by timholycross on Dec 11, 2021 17:00:51 GMT -5
Did Kenney play any more after getting beat baseline in the first half? Don't remember seeing him no mo'
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Jan 5, 2022 11:51:15 GMT -5
Much like FHCSK, there are a lot of good guys and coaches out there who just aren't capable of running their own program. I have no doubt the Kearney was a great "yes man" and assistant coach under Mike Brey, but he obviously didn't have the tools to lead a program of his own.
After 60 games watching Nelson, it's clear he's meant to be sitting in the second or third chair of an AAC / C-USA type school.
I still don't know what Blossom saw in Nelson and his past stops that would lead him to believe he'd be successful at a school like Holy Cross. Mystifying.
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Post by sader1970 on Jan 5, 2022 12:01:50 GMT -5
Here's my theory of Blossom's strategy on hiring Nelson. In simplest terms, he was the opposite of Carmody. Carmody wasn't successful, so you get the guy who's the opposite. While Carmody played basketball, it was at a lower level. Nelson was a Power 5 star. Carmody was old (relatively speaking) and Nelson was young. Carmody was nearing the end of his career when he was hired by Pine, Nelson was just starting out (over-the-hill vs. neophyte). Carmody played the Princeton Offense supposedly noted for its slow pace. Nelson philosophy was speed (plus "attack & serve," whatever that is). Carmody was a Jersey/Chicago guy - generally urban, Nelson was a West Virginia/Florida/Marquette guy - hinterlands. So, it didn't work out? Bet Blossom knew he wasn't going to stick around to see any failure. And, besides, Sean Kearney probably wasn't available.
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Post by hc17 on Jan 5, 2022 12:32:35 GMT -5
Here's my theory of Blossom's strategy on hiring Nelson. In simplest terms, he was the opposite of Carmody. Carmody wasn't successful, so you get the guy who's the opposite. While Carmody played basketball, it was at a lower level. Nelson was a Power 5 star. Carmody was old (relatively speaking) and Nelson was young. Carmody was nearing the end of his career when he was hired by Pine, Nelson was just starting out (over-the-hill vs. neophyte). Carmody played the Princeton Offense supposedly noted for its slow pace. Nelson philosophy was speed (plus "attack & serve," whatever that is). Carmody was a Jersey/Chicago guy - generally urban, Nelson was a West Virginia/Florida/Marquette guy - hinterlands. So, it didn't work out? Bet Blossom knew he wasn't going to stick around to see any failure. And, besides, Sean Kearney probably wasn't available. It seems that is how the pendulum has swung over the 4 last hires or so.....Experience to Youth to Experience to Youth. Given that Nelson is a dead man walking barring a miracle, I've already set my eyes on who is next. As I mentioned in another post, Kit has Parker on Speed Dial at this stage....History tells us someone with experience may arrive next. While I hope Nelson turns it around....I'd be lying if I hadn't begun looking at potential fits for the role if it were to open in the next 2-3 months. Whether it's the D3 route (Kosmalski, Bettencourt), the D2 route (Faucher), or an established D1 coach (Toole, Herenda, Gallo), I have think we can expedite our improvement with a coaching change at this stage. If you're looking for a bigger fish and an existing coach is let go at an A10 program, I wouldn't mind taking a deeper look at a guy like Mooney (a reach I know) or even Baker Dunleavy out of the MAAC.
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Post by timholycross on Jan 5, 2022 12:41:32 GMT -5
Who is Parker?
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Jan 5, 2022 12:44:37 GMT -5
Here's my theory of Blossom's strategy on hiring Nelson. In simplest terms, he was the opposite of Carmody. Carmody wasn't successful, so you get the guy who's the opposite. Something else to consider is that Blossom and Nelson are peers in the college basketball community. Blossom graduated from Northeastern in 2001, Nelson from Florida in 2003. People like hiring people in which they are comfortable. Maybe Blossom liked the stories of playing for Billy Donovan, in the Final Four, etc., and was overwhelmed of hearing of Nelson's experiences coaching under Wojo. While I don't think they ever played against one another, I'm sure there were many conversations about playing against common opponents / players. What I would be curious to learn is who in Blossom's circle most strongly recommended Nelson as the guy. I still think it's bizarre that a guy with Nelson's coaching background / stops would even make it into the candidate pool at HC. Marshall Arkansas Drake Ball State Marquette Holy Cross Which one doesn't belong? Everything ranging from geography to academics to size of school doesn't make Nelson a good fit on paper.
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Post by lou on Jan 5, 2022 12:46:23 GMT -5
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Post by bfoley82 on Jan 5, 2022 12:47:32 GMT -5
Here's my theory of Blossom's strategy on hiring Nelson. In simplest terms, he was the opposite of Carmody. Carmody wasn't successful, so you get the guy who's the opposite. While Carmody played basketball, it was at a lower level. Nelson was a Power 5 star. Carmody was old (relatively speaking) and Nelson was young. Carmody was nearing the end of his career when he was hired by Pine, Nelson was just starting out (over-the-hill vs. neophyte). Carmody played the Princeton Offense supposedly noted for its slow pace. Nelson philosophy was speed (plus "attack & serve," whatever that is). Carmody was a Jersey/Chicago guy - generally urban, Nelson was a West Virginia/Florida/Marquette guy - hinterlands. So, it didn't work out? Bet Blossom knew he wasn't going to stick around to see any failure. And, besides, Sean Kearney probably wasn't available. It seems that is how the pendulum has swung over the 4 last hires or so.....Experience to Youth to Experience to Youth. Given that Nelson is a dead man walking barring a miracle, I've already set my eyes on who is next. As I mentioned in another post, Kit has Parker on Speed Dial at this stage....History tells us someone with experience may arrive next. While I hope Nelson turns it around....I'd be lying if I hadn't begun looking at potential fits for the role if it were to open in the next 2-3 months. Whether it's the D3 route (Kosmalski, Bettencourt), the D2 route (Faucher), or an established D1 coach (Toole, Herenda, Gallo), I have think we can expedite our improvement with a coaching change at this stage. If you're looking for a bigger fish and an existing coach is let go at an A10 program, I wouldn't mind taking a deeper look at a guy like Mooney (a reach I know) or even Baker Dunleavy out of the MAAC. You lose me when you include Faucher in here. He might have grown up around a college bench but has been a college head coach for a grand total of four years.
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Post by hc17 on Jan 5, 2022 13:05:41 GMT -5
It seems that is how the pendulum has swung over the 4 last hires or so.....Experience to Youth to Experience to Youth. Given that Nelson is a dead man walking barring a miracle, I've already set my eyes on who is next. As I mentioned in another post, Kit has Parker on Speed Dial at this stage....History tells us someone with experience may arrive next. While I hope Nelson turns it around....I'd be lying if I hadn't begun looking at potential fits for the role if it were to open in the next 2-3 months. Whether it's the D3 route (Kosmalski, Bettencourt), the D2 route (Faucher), or an established D1 coach (Toole, Herenda, Gallo), I have think we can expedite our improvement with a coaching change at this stage. If you're looking for a bigger fish and an existing coach is let go at an A10 program, I wouldn't mind taking a deeper look at a guy like Mooney (a reach I know) or even Baker Dunleavy out of the MAAC. You lose me when you include Faucher in here. He might have grown up around a college bench but has been a college head coach for a grand total of four years. By no means do I think Faucher should be the 'target', but the kid is in your backyard and went 28-3 at Nichols & won 14 games in his first year at Assumption when the team he inherited won 8 the season before.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 5, 2022 13:07:03 GMT -5
Here's my theory of Blossom's strategy on hiring Nelson. In simplest terms, he was the opposite of Carmody. Carmody wasn't successful, so you get the guy who's the opposite. While Carmody played basketball, it was at a lower level. Nelson was a Power 5 star. Carmody was old (relatively speaking) and Nelson was young. Carmody was nearing the end of his career when he was hired by Pine, Nelson was just starting out (over-the-hill vs. neophyte). Carmody played the Princeton Offense supposedly noted for its slow pace. Nelson philosophy was speed (plus "attack & serve," whatever that is). Carmody was a Jersey/Chicago guy - generally urban, Nelson was a West Virginia/Florida/Marquette guy - hinterlands. So, it didn't work out? Bet Blossom knew he wasn't going to stick around to see any failure. And, besides, Sean Kearney probably wasn't available. It seems that is how the pendulum has swung over the 4 last hires or so.....Experience to Youth to Experience to Youth. Given that Nelson is a dead man walking barring a miracle, I've already set my eyes on who is next. As I mentioned in another post, Kit has Parker on Speed Dial at this stage....History tells us someone with experience may arrive next. While I hope Nelson turns it around....I'd be lying if I hadn't begun looking at potential fits for the role if it were to open in the next 2-3 months. Whether it's the D3 route ( Kosmalski, Bettencourt), the D2 route (Faucher), or an established D1 coach (Toole, Herenda, Gallo), I have think we can expedite our improvement with a coaching change at this stage. If you're looking for a bigger fish and an existing coach is let go at an A10 program, I wouldn't mind taking a deeper look at a guy like Mooney (a reach I know) or even Baker Dunleavy out of the MAAC. I'd give Kosmalski the job without bothering to interview any other candidates. Here is the record at Swarthmore 07-08= 6-19 08-09= 3-21 09-10= 7-18 10-11= 6-19 11-12= 3-22 Last 5 seasons= 25-99 12-13= 7-18 Kosmalski's first season as HC 13-14= 8-17 14-15= 11-14 15-16=22-8 16-17= 23-6 17-18= 25-6 18-19= 29-4 19-20= 28-1 20-21=no season 21-22= 9-1 Someone suggested that he is destined to become head coach at his alma mater, Davidson. Maybe we could entice him to Holy Cross with a $600,000 salary and big performance bonuses.
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Post by hc17 on Jan 5, 2022 13:12:05 GMT -5
It seems that is how the pendulum has swung over the 4 last hires or so.....Experience to Youth to Experience to Youth. Given that Nelson is a dead man walking barring a miracle, I've already set my eyes on who is next. As I mentioned in another post, Kit has Parker on Speed Dial at this stage....History tells us someone with experience may arrive next. While I hope Nelson turns it around....I'd be lying if I hadn't begun looking at potential fits for the role if it were to open in the next 2-3 months. Whether it's the D3 route ( Kosmalski, Bettencourt), the D2 route (Faucher), or an established D1 coach (Toole, Herenda, Gallo), I have think we can expedite our improvement with a coaching change at this stage. If you're looking for a bigger fish and an existing coach is let go at an A10 program, I wouldn't mind taking a deeper look at a guy like Mooney (a reach I know) or even Baker Dunleavy out of the MAAC. I'd give Kosmalski the job without bothering to interview any other candidates. Here is the record at Swarthmore 07-08= 6-19 08-09= 3-21 09-10= 7-18 10-11= 6-19 11-12= 3-22 Last 5 seasons= 25-99 12-13= 7-18 Kosmalski's first season as HC 13-14= 8-17 14-15= 11-14 15-16=22-8 16-17= 23-6 17-18= 25-6 18-19= 29-4 19-20= 28-1 20-21=no season 21-22= 9-1 Someone suggested that he is destined to become head coach at his alma mater, Davidson. Maybe we could entice him to Holy Cross with a $600,000 salary and big performance bonuses. If we're going the D2/D3 route, you're not going to find a better candidate on paper in my opinion. He runs McKillop's offense at Swarthmore, which is a joy to watch. I'm sure there would be questions over recruiting, but that will be the case on everyone that isn't a D1 coach.
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Post by bfoley82 on Jan 5, 2022 13:17:59 GMT -5
You lose me when you include Faucher in here. He might have grown up around a college bench but has been a college head coach for a grand total of four years. By no means do I think Faucher should be the 'target', but the kid is in your backyard and went 28-3 at Nichols & won 14 games in his first year at Assumption when the team he inherited won 8 the season before. Then you didn't watch his Nichols team and recognize he had two conference player of the year candidates in the backcourt which he inherited. Anyone could have won with Echevaria hitting threes from 30 feet out. That program is now on their fourth head coach in about six years and have not dropped off.
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 5, 2022 13:18:05 GMT -5
Clearly Kosmalski must be a great recruiter to get these results at Swarthmore. Recruiting is selling--an opinion I have expressed many times on this site--and if he can recruit the best D-3 players to Swarthmore he could recruit good D-1 players to Holy Cross. Maybe he's the basketball equivalent of Bob Chesney....
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Post by rgs318 on Jan 5, 2022 13:49:41 GMT -5
Well, that is quite a chip to be able to play..."basketball equivalent to Chesney." However, Holy Cross still has a full staff of coaches. Let's take one session at a time.
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Post by hc17 on Jan 5, 2022 14:04:19 GMT -5
By no means do I think Faucher should be the 'target', but the kid is in your backyard and went 28-3 at Nichols & won 14 games in his first year at Assumption when the team he inherited won 8 the season before. Then you didn't watch his Nichols team and recognize he had two conference player of the year candidates in the backcourt which he inherited. Anyone could have won with Echevaria hitting threes from 30 feet out. That program is now on their fourth head coach in about six years and have not dropped off. You're right, I don't spend all too much time concerned with Nichols basketball and it's history of success. What do I know? There's a young basketball coach that improved the two the teams he inherited in Holy Cross' backyard. Do that make him a viable option for the HC gig? I think he's on the list.
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Post by hc17 on Jan 5, 2022 14:06:27 GMT -5
Clearly Kosmalski must be a great recruiter to get these results at Swarthmore. Recruiting is selling--an opinion I have expressed many times on this site--and if he can recruit the best D-3 players to Swarthmore he could recruit good D-1 players to Holy Cross. Maybe he's the basketball equivalent of Bob Chesney.... I'm not even disagreeing with you here....I think Kosmalski is right up there with the best we could do. I'm all for someone with a proven track record of success that also happens to be McKillop disciple.
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 5, 2022 16:56:28 GMT -5
Here's my theory of Blossom's strategy on hiring Nelson. In simplest terms, he was the opposite of Carmody. Carmody wasn't successful, so you get the guy who's the opposite. Something else to consider is that Blossom and Nelson are peers in the college basketball community. Blossom graduated from Northeastern in 2001, Nelson from Florida in 2003. People like hiring people in which they are comfortable. Maybe Blossom liked the stories of playing for Billy Donovan, in the Final Four, etc., and was overwhelmed of hearing of Nelson's experiences coaching under Wojo. While I don't think they ever played against one another, I'm sure there were many conversations about playing against common opponents / players. What I would be curious to learn is who in Blossom's circle most strongly recommended Nelson as the guy. I still think it's bizarre that a guy with Nelson's coaching background / stops would even make it into the candidate pool at HC. Marshall Arkansas Drake Ball State Marquette Holy Cross Which one doesn't belong? Everything ranging from geography to academics to size of school doesn't make Nelson a good fit on paper. I felt the same way. Blossom had three head coach openings for revenue sports (MBB, WBB, MHockey) during his brief tenure and he hired no one with a winning record as a head coach. Magarity and Riga may well work out. To MB's credit all three appear to be fine individuals. Nelson had the least in common with HC, but if he could build a PL champion he would be revered like Coach Chesney is. I think the particular strategy of rushing the transition from Carmody recruits to Nelson recruits in violation of the Holy Cross tradition of true student athletes with nation leading graduation rates had to be jointly approved by both MB and BN, as there wasn't a hint of concern voiced by the AD during the mass exodus as I recall. I hope Kit at least tries to uphold traditional HC values and support student athletes who start at and graduate from Holy Cross. And I think Parker Search has done quite enough already. Coach selection should be an in-house skill at HC. If you want something done right, do it yourself.
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Post by efg72 on Jan 5, 2022 17:07:53 GMT -5
It seems that is how the pendulum has swung over the 4 last hires or so.....Experience to Youth to Experience to Youth. Given that Nelson is a dead man walking barring a miracle, I've already set my eyes on who is next. As I mentioned in another post, Kit has Parker on Speed Dial at this stage....History tells us someone with experience may arrive next. While I hope Nelson turns it around....I'd be lying if I hadn't begun looking at potential fits for the role if it were to open in the next 2-3 months. Whether it's the D3 route ( Kosmalski, Bettencourt), the D2 route (Faucher), or an established D1 coach (Toole, Herenda, Gallo), I have think we can expedite our improvement with a coaching change at this stage. If you're looking for a bigger fish and an existing coach is let go at an A10 program, I wouldn't mind taking a deeper look at a guy like Mooney (a reach I know) or even Baker Dunleavy out of the MAAC. I'd give Kosmalski the job without bothering to interview any other candidates. Here is the record at Swarthmore 07-08= 6-19 08-09= 3-21 09-10= 7-18 10-11= 6-19 11-12= 3-22 Last 5 seasons= 25-99 12-13= 7-18 Kosmalski's first season as HC 13-14= 8-17 14-15= 11-14 15-16=22-8 16-17= 23-6 17-18= 25-6 18-19= 29-4 19-20= 28-1 20-21=no season 21-22= 9-1 Someone suggested that he is destined to become head coach at his alma mater, Davidson. Maybe we could entice him to Holy Cross with a $600,000 salary and big performance bonuses. He might be a candidate at Davidson, but so is Matt McKillop Kosmalski is a terrific coach and a really good guy - the others would be interesting options
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Post by longsuffering on Jan 5, 2022 17:26:11 GMT -5
When I read Kosmalski 's name I always think of Assumption great John Grochowalkski. The story is that Groch narrowed his college choices down to Assumption, BC and St. Joes of Philadelphia. When Assumption coach Joe O'Brien came to his house, John's mother fell in love with him and told John if he didn't go to Assumption she would kill him. So Grochowalski went to Assumption. Now that's selling, as KY '75 would say.😊
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