Ok Patrick, time to do the right thing and put Donigan out of his misery. We need a splash hire to build mens soccer.
Hobbs is on the Clock
- Thread starter bigmatt718
- Start date
The decision to keep or fire the current staff willl tell The Rutgers community a lot about the administrations commitment to athletic excellence and the role that Rutgers Soccer will have in that commitment. I doubt that Rutgers Soccer is all that important to the athletic department. As an outsider, it looks to me that all your administration cares about is football and basketball. It would seem to me that the program is no more then an after thought. I remain sceptical that they will take enough time to properly scrutinize the actual direction and foundation of the current program.
Hobbs is currently fundraising for a new soccer and lax facility which will also benefit football via having those sports move out of the Hale Center. If he keeps a floundering coach like Donigan, to me that contradicts the goals Hobbs is setting with fund raising.
Don't they still have a conference tournament game to play yet? I all the teams play in the tournament and I would not expect anything before RU is eliminated from that.
They played Michigan in the 8-9 game and lost 2-1. Season ended yesterday. Hobbs is probably in Minny for the women's soccer B1G Championship game so Donigan might not get the axe until tomorrow morning.
I have posted previously about this with women's lacrosse as while we know he has had his plate full with football and basketball if he was really serious about the other sports the women's lacrosse coach should have been let go after last years dismal performance and her overall recourd here at Rutgers which is nothing but poor yet somehow she has stayed on(she was also in the last year of a contract which to me would have been the perfect time to let her go)
I'm just wondering where mens soccer falls on the food chain as far as Olympic sports are concerned. I think the priority Olympic sports need to be wrestling, m/w soccer, m/w lax, baseball and softball.
I'd like a head coach with a resume of success. Those guys and their teams are still playing. Look for a replacement after the season is over.
He was quoted just this week on if you support football, support soccer and lax so they can move out of the Hale Center. Again, Hobbs has to pull the trigger or he is contradicting himself.
You'd be very wrong. Hobbs cares deeply about all sports. Especially lax and soccer.
I definitely think Hobbs will pull the trigger sometime this week, I am just wondering if his potential candidates to replace Donigan are and hopefully should be in the NCAA tourney this week. Also Cali, regarding MamaRU...he is not a fan of RU athletics if you read into his wording of his posts.
In terms of the Olympic sports pecking order, I agree that wrestling and the soccer programs should be at the top, but think perhaps that track and field might come next. I don't know anything about the relative cost of these sports but track and field is a high profile sport that seems to have by far the greater potential for attracting attention to a successful program. I was in the West Indies this summer during the Olympic games and was, as always, astonished at how many of the track and field athletes from all around the world were competing at U.S. universities + the West Indian announcers kept mentioning NCAA championships as though all of their viewers would know what those are.
Time to move on. As for the hypothetical how do we or should we prioritize sports after FB & M & W basketball, I'll take a stab:
1. wrestling
2. M & W soccer & M & W LAX
3. everything else
1. wrestling
2. M & W soccer & M & W LAX
3. everything else
I have my ideas on the reasons for our struggles but will offer them at another time. There is no doubt in my mind that this program should be a top 20 if not top 10 program annually. The soccer community will come out in force if we get back to Reasso levels. RU lead the nation for a time in attendance during that era. We had over 6000 people for an NCAA game in 1994 and I believe with the proper marketing we can be averaging over 3000 on Friday nights with a top program.
What have you seen, as an outsider, that indicated to you basketball was a priority at Rutgers? Lol.
Seriously though, your comments are unwelcome, at least as far as I am concerned. As an admitted non-fan, outsider who doesn't really follow the program or any other sports at Rutgers, you are in no position to assess what is and is not important to the current administration. The fact that a major component of the new facilities phase is a new state of the art home for soccer and lacrosse is direct evidence to the contrary of what you are saying.
100% WRONG as usual. You really shouldn't talk about things you have no clue about.
Ole Cabbagehead, you need to follow the board a little closer. I have probably been to more Rutgers Soccer games in the last 8 years then anyone else on this board.
I have coached some of the players on your current roster and coached against many more in Development Academy games. I am more a fan of NJ Soccer as a whole and as a fan I would enjoy watching quality soccer at Rutgers. I am not a Rutgers Football or Basketball fan though but I do follow them a little as my wife is an RU grad and fan. All I am saying is that Rutgers Soccer should be a priority and that a quality program would do wonders for the NJ soccer community.
I have coached some of the players on your current roster and coached against many more in Development Academy games. I am more a fan of NJ Soccer as a whole and as a fan I would enjoy watching quality soccer at Rutgers. I am not a Rutgers Football or Basketball fan though but I do follow them a little as my wife is an RU grad and fan. All I am saying is that Rutgers Soccer should be a priority and that a quality program would do wonders for the NJ soccer community.
All I can add is that I was really hoping DD could get us to prominence when he came over from St. Louis. He seemed to have the background on paper. It has not worked and it is time to move on. I've liked MamaRU's input. He's just giving his take on it so no need to pile on. I do know Hobbs cares, but folks on this board should know in general money is still an issue for the department. Until dollars start coming in decisions like this are not as cut and dry.
Incidentally, feels like the MSoccer program is like what MLax under Stags before being replaced by Brecht. In that case a huge improvement by moving on.
Incidentally, feels like the MSoccer program is like what MLax under Stags before being replaced by Brecht. In that case a huge improvement by moving on.
I'd say:
1) Lax, Wrestling, Soccer
2) Baseball, softball, track and field, field hockey
3) Everything else
re: MamaRU
- he/she has hated DD from the 1st day he/she has posted here (rightfully so or not). FACT.
- he/she COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED when the team made a run last year into the B1G semis, into the NCAA 2nd round, and when DD got his B1G COTY award. FACT.
- he/she has repeatedly lied about kids becoming ineligible and/or leaving the team then, when it hasn't happened, was nowhere to be found. FACT.
- not sure if he/she has ever coached any of our kids, HOWEVER, this is something knew that he/she has been brining up. We never heard this before. All we heard was "I know the academy community very well." Maybe, fine, but this "I have coached some of your players and many more" stuff is brand new the past few weeks.
...based on those 3 I don't believe a single word that comes out of his/her mouth other than his/her pure opinion on Danny (which he/she has EVERY right to form...).
- he/she has hated DD from the 1st day he/she has posted here (rightfully so or not). FACT.
- he/she COMPLETELY DISAPPEARED when the team made a run last year into the B1G semis, into the NCAA 2nd round, and when DD got his B1G COTY award. FACT.
- he/she has repeatedly lied about kids becoming ineligible and/or leaving the team then, when it hasn't happened, was nowhere to be found. FACT.
- not sure if he/she has ever coached any of our kids, HOWEVER, this is something knew that he/she has been brining up. We never heard this before. All we heard was "I know the academy community very well." Maybe, fine, but this "I have coached some of your players and many more" stuff is brand new the past few weeks.
...based on those 3 I don't believe a single word that comes out of his/her mouth other than his/her pure opinion on Danny (which he/she has EVERY right to form...).
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BTW - I have no idea what's going to happen here, to be honest, but if DD is fired I completely understand why. That being said, honestly, I DON'T believe he gets canned. I think last season gets him a "you've got 1 year to turn this around" type of situation for 2017.
If Hobbs doesn't make a move by Friday, I'm expecting Donigan to get to coach in 2017. That said his seat would be thermonuclear and anything short of an NCAA berth should result in his termination.
Tough to argue with that. I'm trying to recall but next year COULD be the final season on his current contract. IIRC he got a 5-year extension/deal at some point but it had to have been 4-5 years ago now.
If you're talking to me I never said there isn't cause for him to be let go at this point, also, I clearly stated that I would understand any such move. But on the heels of a very good 2017, with all the injuries to key players and whatnot this year, you MIGHT have to give the guy a shot to turn it around next year and if he doesn't that would be all.
I'm beginning to think Donigan will be back next year especially if it is a contract year in 2017 as AYN believes it is. And after thinking it over, it might be in our benefit if that is the case. Here is why: Hobbs is closing in on securing funding for the Soccer/Lax/Tennis facilities and I believe he will have funds to start planning for it, with a ground breaking in Spring 2017. Now if Donigan stays, as I mentioned earlier, his seat would be atomic and would be history with anything less than an NCAA appearance. With a ground breaking hopefully for Spring 2017 on facilities, Hobbs would be able to attract a much higher profile men's soccer HC and assistants.
The key for Donigan is recruiting, any talk about next year must include the fact that all of his impact players will graduate next year.
Sa, Decker, Wright,Guzmon,Hambleton, and Perez all graduate next year. I am not aware of any big time commits at this time. Rutgers soccer does not have a facility problem at the current time. The locker rooms, practice facility, and stadium are all top flight as they exist now. For Donigan to be successful beyond next year he needs to bring in a massive influx of high level commits either this or next year. That may be difficult with the current state of the program. DD is a great guy so I can only hope that his recruiting picks up in a hurry.
Sa, Decker, Wright,Guzmon,Hambleton, and Perez all graduate next year. I am not aware of any big time commits at this time. Rutgers soccer does not have a facility problem at the current time. The locker rooms, practice facility, and stadium are all top flight as they exist now. For Donigan to be successful beyond next year he needs to bring in a massive influx of high level commits either this or next year. That may be difficult with the current state of the program. DD is a great guy so I can only hope that his recruiting picks up in a hurry.
Knowing NJ soccer like you do, who do you think should be top RU candidates if Donigan is let go, although that is seeming less likely by the day.
Before he was hired at Rutgers, did Donigan fit your credential "a resume of success"?
Donigan will be back next year it appears. In all fairness to him, the number of injuries this year was absurd. Believe it or not, next years team should be very strong if everyone comes back. It will be difficult to recruit after this year but DD deserves the opportunity to play this out with a healthy squad next year. Add Decker, Sa, Hawkins, Hackett and Hambleton to the lineup next year and see if DD can put it all together.
Yes, but not a guarantee of success. Maybe an assistant at a program whose season is over would be better? Part of my point is that DD may be replaced later when a more qualified coach may be available.
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Update (FWIW, not going to argue these points, just what I was told today):
- staff is all over the nation recruiting right now; DD somewhere in Texas today (can't give everything away, sorry...). They've been out there since the day the season ended.
- expect to have ALL kids missing from this past year's roster back (not sure if he said 9 guys who, for one reason or another, didn't play?) AND those who weren't healthy to be 100%
- this year, as many of us know, was a "steamroller' effect, with everything that could possibly go wrong going wrong, BUT DD and staff know they've got to get the job done ASAP and turn this back around. Bottom line.
- staff is all over the nation recruiting right now; DD somewhere in Texas today (can't give everything away, sorry...). They've been out there since the day the season ended.
- expect to have ALL kids missing from this past year's roster back (not sure if he said 9 guys who, for one reason or another, didn't play?) AND those who weren't healthy to be 100%
- this year, as many of us know, was a "steamroller' effect, with everything that could possibly go wrong going wrong, BUT DD and staff know they've got to get the job done ASAP and turn this back around. Bottom line.
Who does DD have in this recruiting class that justifies keeping him? Does he really have little connection with the top NJ clubs like Red Bulls? Giving him 1 more year to succeed with seniors or experienced players seems pointless if he isn't & hasn't been recruiting well because we'll just go right back to losing seasons or mediocrity for the following 2-3 years. Is he getting donors to donate for the new facility?
As far as I can see, Donigan is getting 4 starters back that missed significant time.
Sa and Hawkins who missed the entire season and Goodwin and Hacket who missed much of it.
Why is Donigan in Texas looking at JUCOs in his 7th year? Shouldn't he have a relationship with PDA and NY Redulls by now?
(By the way, TSF is not a US Dev Academy and Matchfit no longer is)
Considering his success with JUCOs, it looks like desperation to me.
I have no idea why Nuts wants to challenge my position, I have nothing against your coach.
I have just come to inform. I posted that their might be transfers a few years ago and your best player at the time did transfer (Corboz)
There were others that were considering at the time and that is a fact. Donigan had two players academically ineligible last year which I also foretold.
This year he had a JUCO in school that never became eligible.
I ask again, would a basketball or football coach in his 7th year with a similar record survive?
Sa and Hawkins who missed the entire season and Goodwin and Hacket who missed much of it.
Why is Donigan in Texas looking at JUCOs in his 7th year? Shouldn't he have a relationship with PDA and NY Redulls by now?
(By the way, TSF is not a US Dev Academy and Matchfit no longer is)
Considering his success with JUCOs, it looks like desperation to me.
I have no idea why Nuts wants to challenge my position, I have nothing against your coach.
I have just come to inform. I posted that their might be transfers a few years ago and your best player at the time did transfer (Corboz)
There were others that were considering at the time and that is a fact. Donigan had two players academically ineligible last year which I also foretold.
This year he had a JUCO in school that never became eligible.
I ask again, would a basketball or football coach in his 7th year with a similar record survive?
What does it matter WHERE he is looking at recruits for a day or two? I stopped reading there.
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