Johnny was on this morning and was as entertaining as always. One thing he said that made me think was that the basketball program would not have had the turmoil of the past several years had they promoted Jim Hallihan to head coach when Johnny retired.
Here are my thoughts on the issue:
PRO:
1.) Hallihan is a class act and would not have subjected the program to any of the major offenses Orr's successors did. (Flirting with the NBA, losing players for bad grades, drunk in public, poor player retention, lack of discipline, scheduling controversy, et cetera.)
2.) As far as coaching abilities, Hallihan managed X's and O's for Johnny and the other assistants did most of the heavy lifting in recruiting and player development. Promoting Jim would have made a very easy transition without a rebuilding process. Won/loss records should have stayed consistent instead of great years mixed with terribly embarrasing years.
CON:
1.) Won/loss records should have stayed consistent instead of great years mixed with terribly embarrasing years. Hallihan would not likely have led us to the depths of the league, but could he have gotten us to the heights of being within spitting distance of the final four? Back to back league championships? Several wins in Allen Fieldhouse?
2.) Would ISU have as much national recognition as we now do? Winning in the good years, sending a coach to the NBA, firing coaches in controversy, hiring a young stud coach with unlimited potential, have all contributed to our arrival on the national scene. Even the bad publicity was still publicity.
3.) Would there be the level of excitement right now regarding the program and its new coaches and players if we had maintained instead of riding a rollercoaster for so many years? Would we have a chance to hire Coach McDermott and his staff? Would the Craig Brackens' of the world be signing with ISU?
What are your thoughts on this issue?
Here are my thoughts on the issue:
PRO:
1.) Hallihan is a class act and would not have subjected the program to any of the major offenses Orr's successors did. (Flirting with the NBA, losing players for bad grades, drunk in public, poor player retention, lack of discipline, scheduling controversy, et cetera.)
2.) As far as coaching abilities, Hallihan managed X's and O's for Johnny and the other assistants did most of the heavy lifting in recruiting and player development. Promoting Jim would have made a very easy transition without a rebuilding process. Won/loss records should have stayed consistent instead of great years mixed with terribly embarrasing years.
CON:
1.) Won/loss records should have stayed consistent instead of great years mixed with terribly embarrasing years. Hallihan would not likely have led us to the depths of the league, but could he have gotten us to the heights of being within spitting distance of the final four? Back to back league championships? Several wins in Allen Fieldhouse?
2.) Would ISU have as much national recognition as we now do? Winning in the good years, sending a coach to the NBA, firing coaches in controversy, hiring a young stud coach with unlimited potential, have all contributed to our arrival on the national scene. Even the bad publicity was still publicity.
3.) Would there be the level of excitement right now regarding the program and its new coaches and players if we had maintained instead of riding a rollercoaster for so many years? Would we have a chance to hire Coach McDermott and his staff? Would the Craig Brackens' of the world be signing with ISU?
What are your thoughts on this issue?
