An honest question - informal poll

[Knight Time Fan]

As I read posts strongly wanting a change in head coach, the question that comes to mind is - what is it that folks really want. I would really like to hear which of the following captures folks sentiments:

- You want RU to pay the going rate (about what CVS gets) to get an experienced coach that has a higher than average chance of returning RU to the top 25.

- You want RU to pay a decent salary - less than CVS - to an up and comer in the hope that they will be able to lead RU back into the top 25

- You want RU to save the money (using the money saved for programs like MBB and Football), but do want RU to try and hire someone who might be able to make the program relevant again.

- You really don't care who RU hires as long as more money goes to other sports; the success of WBB is not an important factor.

We are not talking time-frame here - just end-goal. Whether it is now or in 2 more seasons.

 

[MADHAT1]

As I read posts strongly wanting a change in head coach, the question that comes to mind is - what is it that folks really want. I would really like to hear which of the following captures folks sentiments:

- You want RU to pay the going rate (about what CVS gets) to get an experienced coach that has a higher than average chance of returning RU to the top 25.

- You want RU to pay a decent salary - less than CVS - to an up and comer in the hope that they will be able to lead RU back into the top 25

- You want RU to save the money (using the money saved for programs like MBB and Football), but do want RU to try and hire someone who might be able to make the program relevant again.

- You really don't care who RU hires as long as more money goes to other sports; the success of WBB is not an important factor.

We are not talking time-frame here - just end-goal. Whether it is now or in 2 more seasons.

1) I think RU needs to pay the going rate or a bit higher if it expects to hire a HC capable of returning the WBB program to prominence . The RU WBB program needs to be treated like the MBB (just recently started to do after years of running it on the cheap) and FB programs are being treated now: do the best you can to make the program successful and that includes financing it properly.
Without the financial backing so a good HC and quality staff can be hired, forget about the RU WBB program improving enough to be a top program again.

Pay the HC the going rate for a quality coach but buy staff on the cheap, don't expect a top program and don't blame the HC because she/he isn't delivering one.
Minimum investments sometimes result in less than minimum results because even paying the going rate for the best HC and staff doesn't mean you'll succeed, just makes it a little easier to do it because you went after full quality , not partial.

 

[RizwranII]

1) I think RU needs to pay the going rate or a bit higher if it expects to hire a HC capable of returning the WBB program to prominence . The RU WBB program needs to be treated like the MBB (just recently started to do after years of running it on the cheap) and FB programs are being treated now: do the best you can to make the program successful and that includes financing it properly.
Without the financial backing so a good HC and quality staff can be hired, forget about the RU WBB program improving enough to be a top program again.

Pay the HC the going rate for a quality coach but buy staff on the cheap, don't expect a top program and don't blame the HC because she/he isn't delivering one.
Minimum investments sometimes result in less than minimum results because even paying the going rate for the best HC and staff doesn't mean you'll succeed, just makes it a little easier to do it because you went after full quality , not partial.

I really don't think RU can hire a HC at top dollar, then dictate that the HC can only pick staff on the cheap.

In way of answering the thread question. I think it depends on what is available. I would prefer putting the money in a proven nationally recognized HC that the best recruits would want to play for. But if the right one is not available then I would take a shot at someone like the HC of Michigan (Can't remember her name-Amico Barnes?) who seems talented, but wouldn't demand the ultra top dollar. I don't know where she grew up or played, but she just seems like an East coaster that now has Midwest connections.

 

[Knight Time Fan]

But if the right one is not available then I would take a shot at someone like the HC of Michigan (Can't remember her name-Amico Barnes?) who seems talented, but wouldn't demand the ultra top dollar. I don't know where she grew up or played, but she just seems like an East coaster that now has Midwest connections.

Her base as of last season was $360K. That's without the "extras". Signed through the 2020-2021 season, FWIW, and I'm pretty sure Viv will retire before then. Might not command ultra top dollar, but wouldn't be cheap, and you are correct, she is from NY and played mostly at Montclair State.

Although I (personally) have some doubts about her, I would consider her a very good hire - somewhere between my 1st and 2nd level of hire choices on the "poll".

 

[JQRU91]

Once the B1G money comes in, the goal for women's basketball should be the same as for men's and for football. Get the best coach you can reasonably get. Stringer and Grentz have shown that Rutgers is plenty capable of having a big time program on the banks. Invest what you need to make it happen.

 

[dmd78]

I think that we'll have to offer very competitive pay and go after either an experienced head coach or a top assistant from a successful program. Until our facility upgrades are completed, Vivian will be the main draw for players outside NJ. (I love Rutgers, and it offers wonderful opportunities for student-athletes, but the best athletes won't sign if they aren't impressed by the weight room and locker room.) Even then, the RAC will still be very dated compared to what other programs offer. I think that it will take a long time for a no-name head coach to get recruiting on track.

 

[APKnight]

Door number 1.

 

[BeKnighted]

Going rate, whenever CVS leaves.

 

[bac2therac]

1 or 2 but go after 1 first. We do not know what Hobbs is thinking in terms of womens hoops. His two big hires were both sort of under the radar type guys that no RU fan would have come up with those names one month before they were hired or accepted them. Hobbs sold the fans on both of them. He may think that going with a younger up and comer is the better choice and that RU can save a bit of money. For me I would being putting feelers out to any big name that does not have a job..ie Gail G and then keep a list of current coaches who are elsewhere and having success...Banghart, Barnes Arrico, Dailey even as a longshot,..these are not big names per se in the 1 million stratsophere but we could get them at reasonable prices. I do not think we can pry away a Dawn Staley although she would be an awesome fit here wouldnt she. I just do not think Hobbs is going to shell out the bucks for that but it would be slamdunk

 

[BoroKnight]

How about we let Mr. Hobbs take a look at potential candidates and decide on a salary AFTER he decides who is the best fit? Pikiell wasn't exactly top of the line in terms of salary, but we sure seem happy with him, right?

If there is an established coach willing to come here, and Hobbs likes him/her, then by all means pay up. We deserve the best in EVERYTHING. But, if he's very impressed with somebody's assistant, then there is no need to pay top dollar. He/she will get it in due time with success.

If there's one thing I've learned through all of these coaching searches -- and there's not one thing, there are lots -- it's that you hire a person, not a salary. But you aim high, and if that person is interested, the salary follows.

 

[MADHAT1]

From the B1G Mich St's Suzy Merchant (47) might be a name to consider.
Bringing in another HC from Iowa might be something to think about.
Lisa Bluder has had fairly good success there but being 55 might be a drawback
Both make less than Vivian is making now ( according to a 2015 salary scale I found)
http://www.btpowerhouse.com/2015/10...-who-are-the-best-paid-coaches-in-the-big-ten
But that's base salary and I'm not sure if extras thrown in make it larger after everything is accounted for.
The one thing RU shouldn't do is buy on the cheap Hobbs needs to pay the salary a quality coach deserves , give that coach the funds to bring in a good staff and put in the extras that increase the salary if certain standards are met that year.
He seems to have spent the money for a good HC and staff that with the MBB program
needed to bring in a quality coach and staff and I see no reason to think he won't do the same for the WBB program.

 

[Pritz99]

WBB is not in need of the rebuild that MBB and FB are. We've had 2 HOF coaches running a VERY successful program for what, 30-40 years? Sent an awful lot of players to the WNBA. Even now, the program is not in shambles. Incoming transfers and injuries have left the team with how many -- 7/8 dressed players? After losing 5 seniors.

And being B1G, this is an extremely desirable job. The only thing we've lacked over the years is attendance. We should be able to have the pick of the litter. My personal choice would be to open up the bank and go for Geno.

 

[retired711]

My guess (and I have no inside information) is that Hobbs and Barchi are going to like the idea of going for a really good coach even if it takes money. We have a winning tradition in WBB, and putting money into WBB would not be controversial (women's sports do not arouse the ire among the public that other college sports can, and would probably yield excellent results.

 

[MikeR0102]

From an outside perspective, CVS best teams were when she had very strong assistants. The team that got to the national championship game, had Marianne Stanley as an assistant.

 

[Pritz99]

Assistants are a major asset to any successful program. Why do you think Geno pays Dailey so much? But the HC is the driving force. CVS has had many assistants over the years and has managed numerous wins -- while not playing a cupcake schedule so many coaches do.