Cluess Top Target

[rutgersguy1]

Has Cluess been hired, or is just another panic attack thread fueled by media speculation?

No just speculation still but one connected SJU poster also chimed in agreeing that there's a good chance of it happening.

I'm kinda of surprised by the utter disgust of the hire. I'm surprised there's that much disgust considering the pretty strong record. I can understand having doubts or not liking the hire but it's like the guy is lower than dirt. With the record he has coming up the ranks, it surprises me. Brian Kelly in football came up the same way. I'm not saying he's going to be anything close to that in performance but why does such a strong record get ridiculed. Regardless of lack of defense, recruiting methods, the record is the record and that's really the ultimate arbiter. Can it carry over with another step up? We don't know but the vehemence that it won't seem strong to me.

 

[Greene Rice FIG]

Great. A 57 year old coach who spent 15 years coaching high school and then college juggernauts Suffolk CC and CW Post before hitting the big time by stockpiling a MAAC program with transfers. This will really excite the donors.

He is 57? Oh no

 

[gordel1]

Meltdown in 3, 2, 1....if this comes into fruition.

 

[RUJMM78]

So we know we won't play D and if he can recruit at a major level is a big question. So what exactly are the pros?

Get him cheaper than Hurley and for less years.

 

[ruman]

He is 57? Oh no

Ageist.

 

[jerzeyguy]

Get ready for Rec league ball. Iona doesn't even tryna to defend. We must be counting on Cluess recruiting elite talent - that can simply out score our Big 10 opponents

 

[Manhattan]

Can't see Cluess recruiting at this level. unlike Hurley, never beat out big-name schools for recruits.

I would hope we take a run at the Ky assistamt

 

[bowlgoal]

I don't know about the defense but the guy has figured out how to win. How do you recruit well at Iona? He's respected in the tri state area as a good coach. So much better than Hurley. I think you guys are overreacting.

Would i prefer Bryce Drew or Lonegan? Probably but if they don't have an interest, I would want a guy who is excited about the job and this is a nice step up for Tim. He scores a ton of points and won 20 plus games over the last 6 seasons with a high of 26. He also went to the NCAA tourney 3 times. He's not a bad choice.

 

[Mr Magoo]

Sounds like the plan might be to get another stop-gap coach for three years until we can get our act together and then maybe go for a real coach when the B1G money comes in and plans are underway to upgrade facilties. Probably what they had in mind with Jordan if he wasn't such a failure. Oh well, I was really hoping we were trying to get past this point.

I'm still trusting in Hobbs that this isn't happening.

 

[MADHAT1]

No just speculation still but one connected SJU poster also chimed in agreeing that there's a good chance of it happening.

I'm kinda of surprised by the utter disgust of the hire. I'm surprised there's that much disgust considering the pretty strong record. I can understand having doubts or not liking the hire but it's like the guy is lower than dirt. With the record he has coming up the ranks, it surprises me. Brian Kelly in football came up the same way. I'm not saying he's going to be anything close to that in performance but why does such a strong record get ridiculed. Regardless of lack of defense, recruiting methods, the record is the record and that's really the ultimate arbiter. Can it carry over with another step up? We don't know but the vehemence that it won't seem strong to me.

I was skeptical because of his age, but seeing he only has been a College HC for only 10 years and has a record like he does, I'll not complain if he gets the job.
Seems like he got his first HC job at 38 for a HS program and did great there for 14 years.
It could have been he stayed there because he was comfortable and only after he was there for a long time did he decide to move up.
That would cause the age factor I was first worried about.

Seeing Cluess success in HS , I feel it would be like hiring St Pat's old HC working out of Florida now, only with College HCing experience and knowledge of the JUCO scene.
He might not be a beautiful hire to some, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and Hobbs might see something beautiful in his coaching.

 

[shields]

The fact of the matter is we have not won since Young and all of us have doubt in whoever is the coach.

 

[MCKnight2004]

Does Hobbs Get a discount for shopping at Iona yet again?

 

[rutgersguy1]

I was skeptical because of his age, but seeing he only has been a College HC for only 10 years and has a record like he does, I'll not complain if he gets the job.
Seems like he got his first HC job at 38 for a HS program and did great there for 14 years.
It could have been he stayed there because he was comfortable and only after he was there for a long time did he decide to move up.
That would cause the age factor I was first worried about.

Seeing Cluess success in HS , I feel it would be like hiring St Pat's old HC working out of Florida now, only with College HCing experience and knowledge of the JUCO scene.
He might not be a beautiful hire to some, but beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and Hobbs might see something beautiful in his coaching.

Age doesn't bother me. If you can still coach and still have the passion I'm fine with it. Larranaga was over 60 going to Miami and he's done a solid job there. Howland was a popular name here a little while ago and he's 58. If you still have the desire and it's not just going through the motions, then I'm fine with it.

 

[ruman]

Sounds like the plan might be to get another stop-gap coach for three years until we can get our act together and then maybe go for a real coach when the B1G money comes in and plans are underway to upgrade facilties. Probably what they had in mind with Jordan if he wasn't such a failure. Oh well, I was really hoping we were trying to get past this point.

I'm still trusting in Hobbs that this isn't happening.

Great plan.

You don't pay somebody 8 million bucks as a stop gap.. They guy has won and knows New York. Ok by me.

 

[SkilletHead2]

The guy has won, a lot, everywhere he has been. NCAAs three of the last five years, NIT the other two.

 

[ruman]

Can't see Cluess recruiting at this level. unlike Hurley, never beat out big-name schools for recruits.

I would hope we take a run at the Ky assistamt

AJ English doesn't count

 

[essexknight]

A pick from the Kevin Willard mold. Interesting.

Except Willard is like 20 years younger. Does Cluess have the energy to turn this program around?

Also, I'm worried about his defense in the B1G.

 

[RUtrumpet92]

The guy has won, a lot, everywhere he has been. NCAAs three of the last five years, NIT the other two.

It's almost comical to see the hand wringing and "woe is me!" about him being a candidate with that track record, when so many were drooling for Hurley and his zero (0) NCAA appearances. I would rather have a HC that's had success than a first time head coach who might have a reputation as a strong recruiter (*cough* *cough* *fred hill* *cough*).

 

[Mr Magoo]

Great plan.

You don't pay somebody 8 million bucks as a stop gap.. They guy has won and knows New York. Ok by me.

Who says we're paying 8 million for Cluess??
We'd have to be morons.

 

[anon_ivydyf0amkzay]

This thread indicates to me that the meltdown over a cluess hire would be epic...

 

[Underdogs88]

People watch Iona play one game or more likely part of one game against a #4 seed and see that they lost and say he would be the worst pick for a head coach ever! Nevermind his amazing record (won 20 or more games every year at Iona) and all of his NCAA appearances (3 out of the past 5 years!). Imagine if someone only watched the Rutgers Wisconsin game last year. Those people would have thought Jordan was the best coach ever! Cluess has legit credentials. If he is our next head coach we will be in good hands.

 

[RUMED]

His winning pct at Iona is just slightly better than that of Jim Valvano when he coached Iona from 1975 - 1980. Would be nice to see Cluess do as well at Rutgers as Valvano subsequently did at NC State......

 

[MADHAT1]

This thread indicates to me that the meltdown over a cluess hire would be epic...

I expect some kind of meltdown no matter who is hired.
If Coach K left Duke for RU you can bet some would be ranting and raving that he lost his passion for the game and that why he came here to die [jumpingsmile]

 

[Underdogs88]

I expect some kind of meltdown no matter who is hired.
If Coach K left Duke for RU you can bet some would be ranting and raving that he lost his passion for the game and that why he came here to die [jumpingsmile]

Very true. Some people on this board will never be happy.

 

[Raritan83]

10 of 13 players on Iona's roster are either transfers from other colleges or had to prep. Only 3 players directly from high school. That is absurd.

 

[Raritan83]

Get him cheaper than Hurley and for less years.

Nope. Zags article says he is looking for same as Hurley. 6 years at about 1.5 million.

 

[soundcrib]

What's his recruiting plan?

 

[Crimedog2]

People here are ridiculous. This is a solid hire, considering the options out there . It's not sexy , but solid . Guy can coach .

 

[Caliknight]

He is older and relies and cast offs and academic question marks who couldn't cut it at higher level schools. Oh and people hated EJ's lack of defense? Just wait.

That's because his offense was as bad as the d.

 

[MADHAT1]

10 of 13 players on Iona's roster are either transfers from other colleges or had to prep. Only 3 players directly from high school. That is absurd.

Small colleges must get them when and where they can.
Most HS players don't envision themselves going to a program like Iona.
What Cluess does with the kids he gets is the main point and if he can make RU look like it's finally on the right track, Cluess might prove to be a pretty good recruiter or the one that seals the deal.

I'm going to try to look at every rumored hire in a positive light, the amount of sure hires is growing by the minute and pretty soon every Coach from the HS ranks to Europe will be touted as RUs next HC .
I'd go crazy picking apart their resume and some think I'm a bit touched in the head already, without even trying to do that :D

 

[ColonelRutgers]

Rather Pikiell, Masiello, Boyle, or Dooley....Cluess doesn't play any defense and doesn't recruit, mostly transfers

Hell, if those are the choices, then bring on Cluees.

 

[doubleflyer]

Cluess is a horrible hire for Rutgers. He succeeded in the MAAC because he took a bunch of talented cast offs who were more talented than other MAAC players (not saying much). He is not going to get rejects who are better than legitimate Big 10 players. Good luck if he is your coach.

 

[DHajekRC84]

If true can I get the $ back I just donated? Minor league thinking and action by RU (again) IF true. Please be another BS story.

Stop with the streetball crap ! We need a TEAM to compete in the B1G.

 

[LotusAggressor]

His teams have averaged 80 points per game for the last 4 years in a row? They may not play any defense, but it doesn't look like anyone exactly stops them, either. The question is whether or not he can get the talent here to make it work.

 

[doubleflyer]

No just speculation still but one connected SJU poster also chimed in agreeing that there's a good chance of it happening.

I'm kinda of surprised by the utter disgust of the hire. I'm surprised there's that much disgust considering the pretty strong record. I can understand having doubts or not liking the hire but it's like the guy is lower than dirt. With the record he has coming up the ranks, it surprises me. Brian Kelly in football came up the same way. I'm not saying he's going to be anything close to that in performance but why does such a strong record get ridiculed. Regardless of lack of defense, recruiting methods, the record is the record and that's really the ultimate arbiter. Can it carry over with another step up? We don't know but the vehemence that it won't seem strong to me.

You have to look at the record in the context of the conference and how it was achieved. Cluess has been known to cut corners since coaching high school. That works in the MAAC but not in the Big 10. Another train wreck in the making.

 

[Crimedog2]

If true can I get the $ back I just donated? Minor league thinking and action by RU (again) IF true. Please be another BS story.

Stop with the streetball crap ! We need a TEAM to compete in the B1G.

No we don't 'need' a team to compete in the BIG. We 'want' a team that can compete in this league . Clues is a solid coach . Don't listen to the people on this board , many are good people but don't know crap about college sports . That's why I don't come here often anymore . Some clowns on this board didn't want us to hire cal, Huggins or mccaffery years ago . Even a mod here wanted to stick with FHJ and didn't want to give mccaffery a look . Trust me, I remember this because I posted the night of Siena's win over Ohio state in the tourney for BM to call Fran and a mod here said FHJ was a better coach . No joke .
Point is this board has some good people and good mods , but many don't know much about winning . Cluess is competent enough to get this thing tuned around . Trust me .

 

[doubleflyer]

No we don't 'need' a team to compete in the BIG. We 'want' a team that can compete in this league . Clues is a solid coach . Don't listen to the people on this board , many are good people but don't know crap about college sports . That's why I don't come here often anymore . Some clowns on this board didn't want us to hire cal, Huggins or mccaffery years ago . Even a mod here wanted to stick with FHJ and didn't want to give mccaffery a look . Trust me, I remember this because I posted the night of Siena's win over Ohio state in the tourney for BM to call Fran and a mod here said FHJ was a better coach . No joke .
Point is this board has some good people and good mods , but many don't know much about winning . Cluess is competent enough to get this thing tuned around . Trust me .

You know nothing about college basketball. Anyone with a clue on local hoops knows Cluess reputation to bend the rules. They also regularly discuss how Iona is a halfway house and he is winning on talent alone. Getting rejects to out talent the MAAC works but it will not succeed at Rutgers.

 

[rutgersguy1]

You have to look at the record in the context of the conference and how it was achieved. Cluess has been known to cut corners since coaching high school. That works in the MAAC but not in the Big 10. Another train wreck in the making.

I can't speak to the cutting corners as I'm not tied into the basketball scene. But in my mind I just take it the same way I see Bill Snyder at KSU in football. He's doing what he has to with jucos and such to get talent to not the most desirable of locations in KSU. There's more than one way to skin a cat and depending on your particular situation you have to be creative. As long as it's within the rules is that really an issue? People hire high school coaches to get recruits is that any better. Do other MAAC schools take in transfers and jucos too? He has an inordinate amount of transfers/jucos on the team now but has that always been the case. Is that adaptable if he takes a step up where he can possibly get his hands on higher quality players?

 

[Mr Magoo]

Didn't their center Jordan Washington transfer into Iona after shoplifting charges?

 

[rutgersguy1]

Didn't their center Jordan Washington transfer into Iona after shoplifting charges?

I don't know much about their recruiting and if any shady characters are being recruited but I'd like to think this is something Hobbs is going to be going over if he's seriously being considered.