Scarlet Faithful on the coaching search
- Thread starter dpwhite
- Start date
I’ve heard an exploratory call was placed to former UConn coach, Kevin Ollie. Prob a long shot, but I like the attempt if true.
Great article by Aaron!
Of the two experienced coaches Aaron identified with a huge Pike relationship Anthony Latina, and Dave Leitao, at first glance, I like Latina. Mostly due to Latina’s successful HC record and experience (GM role per the article), his ability to recruit (although I would like more info on this) and to develop players.
I would love to see a more detailed breakdown of Latina’s coaching accomplishments, strengths and weaknesses.
Who said Brett was a lock and why is he a lock? Be specific.
Who? Board insiders?
Why? I have no idea.
https://rutgers.forums.rivals.com/t...ke-lead-georgia-tech-job.259747/#post-6254084
I get it that Brett can be considered a home run hire.
But a lock is very different, and to say it’s a lock, the source would have to:
1) know exactly what Pike is seeking in this Assistant
2) know exactly what Brett is thinking about this position within his career growth
3) know the current options that both Steve and Brett have. For example, Pike could be interviewing who he thinks are 3 or 4 HR hires. But he can only hire one.
No one on this website knows that. No one.
The issue is some people here go off half cocked with this is a lock or that is a no brainer, WHEN THEY HAVE NO IDEA. It’s a major downside to social media in general.
It's obvious this coach would be "offensive coordinator", so they better have a fresh, fast approach to a balanced offense the way todays game is going. My money is on Brett.
The top priorities on selecting a new assistant coach should be teaching front court players offensive/defensive positioning and assisting in improvement of half court offensive passing and player movement to create open shots.Talent is very important but so is teaching fundamentals.
Why is there a constant criticism for a poster that has some insider information and misrepresentation of what is said? Trying to get more info? Are you friends and just busting balls? Need attention or jealous? You don't need to take everything as gospel and most don't. Sometimes it's best to stfu.
might not be his dream job
He might feel a #1 assistant position is what he wants if he leaves Princeton
and with Knight still at RU staying where he's at seems like a better road to career advancement.
I understand he has turned down other programs, though I don't know which ones or level of competition
If you removed being a RU alumni and former BB manager, Brett Macconnell would not land anywhere on the search radar for this position.
The same fans who were 1000% wrong asking for Macconnell last time when we hired TJ Thompson, are likely to take off the local angle and treat this as a larger picture type of hire..
I am fairly certain that Dave Letaio is more likely to be a hire made, 10 times out of 10 over Macconnell. Letaio is a much better recruiting contact and much more experienced. In any case, I don't think there will a shortage of candidates, so RU should in theory, come out ahead in all aspects over the next 2 to 3 years with this move.
The same fans who were 1000% wrong asking for Macconnell last time when we hired TJ Thompson, are likely to take off the local angle and treat this as a larger picture type of hire..
I am fairly certain that Dave Letaio is more likely to be a hire made, 10 times out of 10 over Macconnell. Letaio is a much better recruiting contact and much more experienced. In any case, I don't think there will a shortage of candidates, so RU should in theory, come out ahead in all aspects over the next 2 to 3 years with this move.
I have no problem if Pike wanted to go to Leitao for whatever reason, and MacConnell does get more attention because of his ties to the school, but he is one the most highly regarded up and coming guys in college basketball and has had Princeton’s offense humming. If there is any surprise, it would be that he is interested in taking an assistant’s role when he seems will positioned for an HC job. Leitao is a very experienced guy, but he was fired from DePaul for finishing last in conference 5 years in a row, and hasn’t recruited at a high level in over a decade.
Odd discussion. The only reason Dave or Ollie would be involved is because of the UConn connection. Brett is a tremendous recruiter and knows Rutgers inside and out and I would bet that no Ivy assistant in history was offered 2 head coaching gigs.
Macconnell should have taken whatever HC jobs were available to him, there's no reason to stay as an assistant if you're truly offered a HC job. If the job is a no win situation, decline the interview for it.
The former SHU and Maryland assistant took a massive paycut to take the NJIT job, because he wanted to be a HC and the job was in his immediate area that he's familiar with. He's in his late 30s and was an assistant at SHU for more than a few years. Being an assistant at a Power 5/6 program ultimately carries more weight than being an assistant at a lower level program. Sometimes you have to take a lateral move to advance.
In terms of Leitao, I am not advocating for anyone candidate, but if this was any other Power 5 assistant job, the interest and names are certainly going to be bigger names with more experience than not. We went younger and there are younger candidates with strong resumes beyond the names being mentioned so far.
I get your point, and I don’t think Ollie ends up here, but his resume is better than Brett’s. Former NBA and top college player, won a title as a HC at UConn, and has been working with elite talent as part of Overtime. He obviously had issues with the NCAA but NIL now makes that stuff moot. Ollie just left Overtime so he’s looking to get back in, although he interviewed for the Pistons job this week so again I doubt he ends up with us.
