Monasch holds summit for opin's on hiring coach (w AAU coaches) [NY Daily News]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/college/2010/03/21/2010-03-21_donovan_fits_bill.html

"It may not be every one of us, but it will be a good variety and it's a good plan," one AAU coach said. "This is important because the guy who he picks is going to be coming to us to recruit players. He ought to hear what's important to us."

The Daily News spoke with several coaches in the high school and AAU ranks in the city Saturday about what St. John's must do in replacing Norm Roberts, who was fired late Thursday night after six seasons. Monasch said Friday the school is prepared to spend what it takes to bring in a top-flight coach. "If this is done right and they pick the right guy, things could turn around pretty quickly," said Gary Charles, the influential director of the Long Island Panthers. "Most of us in the grass-roots organizations are tired of St. John's being down. The right guy could have us behind him."

"A lot of (AAU) coaches might have had problems going through the recruiting process with Norm because he followed the rules so closely," one AAU coach said. "I'm not saying the rules had to be broken, but they could have been stretched a little."

"This city is a real puzzle and it takes just the right touch. But if you find (that) it could really give back to you," said Maurice Hicks, coach at city powerhouse Rice High. "But whoever they get, he needs to have a good staff and he needs to make a splash quick. Kids in New York will want to get on board if something special is developing."

So after the school kisses the collective's ring, and can't afford Billy Donovan... who would be next?  The "connected" Pecora?

I don't love the sound of this. Yes the school has to know what these guys think of potential hires, but coaching is not just recruiting.  Can't just hand the job to some schmoe they like; they're not paying the bills.

And this is weird stuff to make public, in my opinion. 

I hope the AAU guys indicate an assistant or two the next coach should have in the fold.

I like the fact that they are thinking "outside the box" a bit during the process.

"This is important because the guy who he picks is going to be coming to us to recruit players. He ought to hear what's important to us."

Kind of weird...the ego on these guys is amazing.  That's why we need a big name.   I know some of you don't like him but Hewitt would be a guy that could overcome these AAU coaches IMO.

Pecora might be next. Is he what the SJU faithful deserve?

I am fine with this.  I like thinking outside the box, and I'm sure it's a two way street.  I seriously doubt Monasch will be like oh ok tom Pecora, sure guys, done deal.  No, Pecora will explain to them what HE needs in a coach too, and the AAU guys will be happy Monasch did it.  The GESTURE by Monasch goes a long way I'm sure, just as much as the picking of the coach.  I don't even necessarily think Monasch will ask for names, it might be qualities or thinks the new coach should do, which Monasch passes along during the hiring process to find out if the new coach will do.

amazing the power these aau guys have. now STJ maybe interested in bending rules? what rules? great idea to get them involved but why 2 sets of rules?

So after the school kisses the collective's ring, and can't afford Billy Donovan... who would be next?  The "connected" Pecora?

I don't love the sound of this. Yes the school has to know what these guys think of potential hires, but coaching is not just recruiting.  Can't just hand the job to some schmoe they like; they're not paying the bills.

And this is weird stuff to make public, in my opinion. 

Unlikely that Monasch would have come out and said what he said about a BCS coach etc if Pecora was even in the running, because promising already disgruntled fans Donovan and then delivering Pecora is X times worse than simply delivering Pecora. Nor would he need to have a summit with Tiny Morton in order to hire Pecora. There are 120 BCS schools, meaning that there are at least 119 candidates between Donovan and the mediocrities like Pecora.

Unlikely that Monasch would have come out and said what he said about a BCS coach etc if Pecora was even in the running, because promising already disgruntled fans Donovan and then delivering Pecora is X times worse than simply delivering Pecora. Nor would he need to have a summit with Tiny Morton in order to hire Pecora. There are 120 BCS schools, meaning that there are at least 119 candidates between Donovan and the mediocrities like Pecora.

I see what you're saying, but I don't know that if you are considering NY-area connections and head-coaching experience that there are 119 (or so) candidates to consider. Moreover, I don't know that Monasch's crystal ball is so clear to know that he can lure a guy from another BCS school - I see a couple of rejections and then on to backup candidates....

Quote from: Foad on March 21, 2010, 09:08:42 AM

Unlikely that Monasch would have come out and said what he said about a BCS coach etc if Pecora was even in the running, because promising already disgruntled fans Donovan and then delivering Pecora is X times worse than simply delivering Pecora. Nor would he need to have a summit with Tiny Morton in order to hire Pecora. There are 120 BCS schools, meaning that there are at least 119 candidates between Donovan and the mediocrities like Pecora.

I see what you're saying, but I don't know that if you are considering NY-area connections and head-coaching experience that there are 119 (or so) candidates to consider. Moreover, I don't know that Monasch's crystal ball is so clear to know that he can lure a guy from another BCS school - I see a couple of rejections and then on to backup candidates....

It seems to me that if SJ is enough of a destination to believe that Donovan is going to consider a pay cut to come here, then there's got to be a fall back position between a two time NC winner and a midpack CAA coach, especially if they're offering a million or more. I hope so anyway. Pecora would be a disaster.

Quote from: peter on March 21, 2010, 09:49:19 AM

Quote from: Foad on March 21, 2010, 09:08:42 AM

Unlikely that Monasch would have come out and said what he said about a BCS coach etc if Pecora was even in the running, because promising already disgruntled fans Donovan and then delivering Pecora is X times worse than simply delivering Pecora. Nor would he need to have a summit with Tiny Morton in order to hire Pecora. There are 120 BCS schools, meaning that there are at least 119 candidates between Donovan and the mediocrities like Pecora.

I see what you're saying, but I don't know that if you are considering NY-area connections and head-coaching experience that there are 119 (or so) candidates to consider. Moreover, I don't know that Monasch's crystal ball is so clear to know that he can lure a guy from another BCS school - I see a couple of rejections and then on to backup candidates....

It seems to me that if SJ is enough of a destination to believe that Donovan is going to consider a pay cut to come here, then there's got to be a fall back position between a two time NC winner and a midpack CAA coach, especially if they're offering a million or more. I hope so anyway. Pecora would be a disaster.

For once I agree with Foad.  I think Pecora is an extreme backup here. f they are contacting Donovan, they prob have a whole list of guys before Pecora.

I think this is a VERY smart move by Monasch.  I trust that he will take what the AAU coaches with a grain of salt, because he should.  But reaching out to them here is a good move, even just in terms of a gesture.  At the minimum, I think it sends a good message to them that St. John's really WANTS to be successful again.

I am thoroughly impressed with Monasch's first steps.
This might not yield much, but it's the kind of effort that
we didn't see 6 years ago.

Frankly, I think it will help them get a better idea of to what degree these AAU guys are involved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/sports/ncaabasketball/20storm.html?src=me&ref=sports

The NY Times also ran with a story of the AAU hustlers saying that St. John's needs to start bending rules again. Granted the world didn't lose any neurosurgeons or investment bankers by these guys choosing to hang around teenage boys, but one would think they would be smart enough to not go on the record about rule "bending."

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/sports/ncaabasketball/20storm.html?src=me&ref=sports

The NY Times also ran with a story of the AAU hustlers saying that St. John's needs to start bending rules again. Granted the world didn't lose any neurosurgeons or investment bankers by these guys choosing to hang around teenage boys, but one would think they would be smart enough to not go on the record about rule "bending."

Russell Smith's father.

Quote from: Not The Sleaveless Guy on March 21, 2010, 11:26:56 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/sports/ncaabasketball/20storm.html?src=me&ref=sports

The NY Times also ran with a story of the AAU hustlers saying that St. John's needs to start bending rules again. Granted the world didn't lose any neurosurgeons or investment bankers by these guys choosing to hang around teenage boys, but one would think they would be smart enough to not go on the record about rule "bending."

Russell Smith's father.

Yeah, I know. I'll ask him, but Kevin's follow-up question should've been:
What does that say about Louisville (Pitino, Masiello, etc.)?

Quote from: mkras99 on March 21, 2010, 11:35:18 AM

Quote from: Not The Sleaveless Guy on March 21, 2010, 11:26:56 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/20/sports/ncaabasketball/20storm.html?src=me&ref=sports

The NY Times also ran with a story of the AAU hustlers saying that St. John's needs to start bending rules again. Granted the world didn't lose any neurosurgeons or investment bankers by these guys choosing to hang around teenage boys, but one would think they would be smart enough to not go on the record about rule "bending."

Russell Smith's father.

Yeah, I know. I'll ask him, but Kevin's follow-up question should've been:
What does that say about Louisville (Pitino, Masiello, etc.)?

  I was thinking the same thing.

Great idea and move by Monasch.

Great idea and move by Monasch.

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
-Louis Brandeis

I think it's a good idea for him to see what type of people are involved in AAU basketball in NYC and Northern NJ.

I'm not sure that any elite or even good programs will decide to have a meeting with local AAU "coaches" when they're looking to hire their next head coach.

this should have never been in the papers. seriously

Quote from: RedDot on March 21, 2010, 01:59:23 PM

Great idea and move by Monasch.

"Sunlight is the best disinfectant."
-Louis Brandeis

I think it's a good idea for him to see what type of people are involved in AAU basketball in NYC and Northern NJ.

I'm not sure that any elite or even good programs will decide to have a meeting with local AAU "coaches" when they're looking to hire their next head coach.

Perhaps.  I see it as a chess move for our program of some sort.  Nothing major, but let the coaching community know we are listening and care what is on their mind.  Monasch seems to be on the right track so far, and im sure he is taking any input from these guys with a grain of salt.