Bill Fennelly

I seem to remember a story from not too long ago where there was some kind of lawsuit against Bill/the WBB Staff? I think that one was seen as more on the player though, right? I can't recall the story, specifically.
There have been a few. One girl was going to sue him due to discrimination or something.

My point, if he has the balls to do it in front of the fans, whats he doing behind closed doors. His assistants are puppies if you watch them. When he ripped into JS, was the day I decided my daughter would never play for Bill if she ever decided to play WBB in college.
 
There have been a few. One girl was going to sue him due to discrimination or something.

My point, if he has the balls to do it in front of the fans, whats he doing behind closed doors. His assistants are puppies if you watch them. When he ripped into JS, was the day I decided my daughter would never play for Bill if she ever decided to play WBB in college.
I don't like his sideline demeanor, at all. It's one thing to rip into your players, I can understand some level of tough coaching. But that seems like it's all he does. He stands there fuming until he yanks somebody from the game or blows up. It doesn't feel like he's "coaching" at all. TJ is a fiery guy and gets very animated, but you never get the feeling he's angry AT his players. He's upset at not meeting the standard and getting fired up to show he cares. Bill just seems like he's pissed because they're not doing what he expects, even though he's not helping them.
 
There have been a few. One girl was going to sue him due to discrimination or something.

My point, if he has the balls to do it in front of the fans, whats he doing behind closed doors. His assistants are puppies if you watch them. When he ripped into JS, was the day I decided my daughter would never play for Bill if she ever decided to play WBB in college.
I mentioned this in a gameday thread a couple of weeks ago, but during one of the timeouts the AD started running a Green Hills Retirement section where retirees ask the players questions, that they then answer. This particular one was “Do your best impression of CBF”. Easily half the reactions from the girls involved throwing pens, clipboards or yelling at them. If I had a daughter that was remotely good at Basketball, it pains me to say that I would hesitate as well to let her play for CBF. He just doesn’t seem like a good person to play for, and his demeanor in game is horrible.
 
Sports is a business. Pollard is an accountant.

Season ticket sales dropping combined with declining performance of the FB team is what cost Rhoads his job. Sales were on the decline, Rhoads got to a point where fan interest was getting worse.

WBB is a cost to the AD. It costs more than it brings in. We're lucky we have the fan support we do to offset those costs. If attendance dropped a lot, I'm sure Bill's seat would heat up substantially in this environment because it puts even more pressure on an already strapped budget.

However, we're only able to spend so much on WBB, period. We're not going to spend more on a coach than we are now. Unless he could find a low-cost up and comer in the sport, it's just easier for Pollard to stay the course.

I don't expect any change until Bill decides he's ready to be done OR fan support tanks.
That all sounds good. But Fennelly isn't going to be coaching long enough for attendance to tank. He's going to retire after this or next season (He'll be 70 in May 2027).
 
I mentioned this in a gameday thread a couple of weeks ago, but during one of the timeouts the AD started running a Green Hills Retirement section where retirees ask the players questions, that they then answer. This particular one was “Do your best impression of CBF”. Easily half the reactions from the girls involved throwing pens, clipboards or yelling at them. If I had a daughter that was remotely good at Basketball, it pains me to say that I would hesitate as well to let her play for CBF. He just doesn’t seem like a good person to play for, and his demeanor in game is horrible.
I wonder how this plays with the current generation as well. I know it doesn't in the work place. Athletes want to be pushed, for sure, and I'm sure they can tolerate some level of that. Kids in this age/generation really seem to prefer connection vs command styles of leadership.
 
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I wonder how this plays with the current generation as well. I know it doesn't in the work place. Athletes want to be pushed, for sure, and I'm sure they can tolerate some level of that. Kids in this age/generation really seem to prefer connection vs command styles of leadership.
In the portal era, where you can transfer without penalty, I’m guessing it doesn’t play well at all. I get pushing players, but some of CBF’s reactions on the sidelines are just bad looks. Even without the portal, kids shouldn’t be treated that way in front of 10K people.
 
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I wonder how this plays with the current generation as well. I know it doesn't in the work place. Athletes want to be pushed, for sure, and I'm sure they can tolerate some level of that. Kids in this age/generation really seem to prefer connection vs command styles of leadership.
It’s also the type of coaching that becomes really tough to deal with when things aren’t working. I don’t have a lot of hope they can get things back together.
 
It’s also the type of coaching that becomes really tough to deal with when things aren’t working. I don’t have a lot of hope they can get things back together.
Say what you will about the Wicked Witch of the South Kim Mulkey, but I do get the impression her players believe she has their back. She's a giant a-hole on the sidelines and I'm not saying I want that, but she seems to create an "us vs them" mentality with her kids.
 
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I remember that as well. To call it Ancient history is BS. EDIT: And far from the only time, sick or not.
A more recent example: near the end of the Iowa game this year, so close to the end that the outcome was no longer in doubt, he blew up on the S&C coach and one of the student managers. Don't know what they could possibly have done to warrant that.
 
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I don't like his sideline demeanor, at all. It's one thing to rip into your players, I can understand some level of tough coaching. But that seems like it's all he does. He stands there fuming until he yanks somebody from the game or blows up. It doesn't feel like he's "coaching" at all. TJ is a fiery guy and gets very animated, but you never get the feeling he's angry AT his players. He's upset at not meeting the standard and getting fired up to show he cares. Bill just seems like he's pissed because they're not doing what he expects, even though he's not helping them.
Problem is he’s selective. He’s not going to rip Audi who doesn’t show much interest in doing anything other than scoring. But he’ll lay into Addy who does nothing but work her ass off every minute she’s on the floor.
 
Problem is he’s selective. He’s not going to rip Audi who doesn’t show much interest in doing anything other than scoring. But he’ll lay into Addy who does nothing but work her ass off every minute she’s on the floor.
And the stars can make really dumb mistakes, but as soon as a Hare or AJ or others make a simple mistake, they get yanked with fury.
 
Bill's schtick is old and non genuine. If you ever hear him speak away from the basketball court he appears humble and folksy...but in games when there is adversity he panics and yells with no actual plan on improvement.

He is not a good coach and desires fan accolades that his coaching hasn't earned.
 
Problem is he’s selective. He’s not going to rip Audi who doesn’t show much interest in doing anything other than scoring. But he’ll lay into Addy who does nothing but work her ass off every minute she’s on the floor.
Yeah I don't understand that. Her effort on defense warrants multiple ass chewings a game. She's just going through the motions. Not sure why she's smiling down 20. Will there be a mass exodus after the season?
 
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I don't like his sideline demeanor, at all. It's one thing to rip into your players, I can understand some level of tough coaching. But that seems like it's all he does. He stands there fuming until he yanks somebody from the game or blows up. It doesn't feel like he's "coaching" at all. TJ is a fiery guy and gets very animated, but you never get the feeling he's angry AT his players. He's upset at not meeting the standard and getting fired up to show he cares. Bill just seems like he's pissed because they're not doing what he expects, even though he's not helping them.

This can be a thing at all levels and both men and women/boys/girls but not only does the constant yelling lose its meaning, but can wear down on an entire team.
 
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I wonder how this plays with the current generation as well. I know it doesn't in the work place. Athletes want to be pushed, for sure, and I'm sure they can tolerate some level of that. Kids in this age/generation really seem to prefer connection vs command styles of leadership.
I have never cared for CBF’s demeanor towards his players. I love Iowa State, but I would never allow my daughter to play for him. If you are the star, you get a pass. Everyone else is treated as less.
 
Bill's schtick is old and non genuine. If you ever hear him speak away from the basketball court he appears humble and folksy...but in games when there is adversity he panics and yells with no actual plan on improvement.

He is not a good coach and desires fan accolades that his coaching hasn't earned.
How many coaches have 800 wins? Maybe the game has passed him by but he sure deserves some coaching accolades over his career.
 
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How many coaches have 800 wins? Maybe the game has passed him by but he sure deserves some coaching accolades over his career.

I guess it’s possible for two things to be true:

1. Bill has had a great career and did a great job building this program and fan support from nothing. He’s made life easier for the coach that will follow him.

2. Every coach has an expiration date. Even the legends. We’ve seen this countless times across multiple sports. Even someone like Geno will reach a point where he needs to hang it up.