I get what you mean abut Hurley. It could be him, but he is at least emblematic of the profile you're looking for. I agree on that.
I've always thought that in of itself, facilities are far too often used as a crutch or an excuse about why teams cannot compete. I still do, in a way, but my thinking has changed to reflect current realities. I still think a dynamic, energetic coach with credibility can build a program up around outdated or unappealing facilities. A guy can come to Rutgers right now and do that. I believe it. But where I've changed is that I am increasingly doubtful that a school in that position can lure that kind of coach. Not that it can't be done, but it's certainly harder than it used to be, and it's not just a matter of salary anymore. So, to that end, I see why updated basketball facilities are of the essence, especially if you are recruiting against other Big Ten schools with palaces (I know not all are, but many are).
It might also be that the right coach could stir the movement to get those improvements done, applying his dynamism to administrators and legislators as he would high school players. On the football side, I thought Schiano's strength was in directing exactly what needed to be done for Rutgers football to be competitive, and then having Mulcahy go out and do it. My impression was that Mulcahy came to Rutgers to play out the string and collect another state pension, hiring the Gary Darnells of the world, but that he actually got caught up in the dynamism of Greg Schiano and kind of "caught the bug" to really, actually build a winning program there. Such is the effect of a strong, dynamic coach. And I think it applies just as well to basketball.
The way I see it, as it pertains to Rutgers, it's been forever already, and that seven (or maybe less) years will actually slide by rather qucikly, one way or another, so if you're on the right road, they can be seven productive years. It sounds like a long time, but just seven years ago, Villanova made the Final Four. That doesn't seem like that long ago, does it? I think a commitment to productive patience will actually foster patient understanding. But it starts with the idea of accepting that and doing it right, not looking for quick fixes. They don't work, and aren't sustainable.
For the record, and with all due to respect to what Eddie Jordan means to you guys as a Rutgers basketball player, his hire was the first time I ever breathed a sigh of relief when you hired a coach. Bannon, Waters, Hill (!) and Rice all had me worried, but I couldn't imagine bringing in someone with less juice for a pretty big rebuilding job. I can't imagine anyone would've felt he was an appropriate fit for that job if he hadn't played there. And that just wasn't a good enough reason. Above, 1984 mentioned that it's hard to fully analyze where the program is this year because of all the bad injuries this year, and that rings true, but the trend was not good even before that, I don't think.
