Topic: Coach Info.

[Olen]

Here is what I was told tonight, by a person whom has a vote:

Donnie Jones has the job....unless he turns it down.
Salary of 310K plus incentives (best he could remember)
Total package worth 405-425K
Donnie will seek improvements to Cam, and input on marketing the team
Possible deal with Florida visiting the Cam as early as next year in the works with Florida AD. Billy Donnivan supporting.

There you go. I trust that this is the truth, or at least what this gentleman expects to happen. I think that DJ is our best option, and will bring fans and winning back to the CAM.

I mean no offense by the following, but I do not believe one iota of what is stated.

In my opinion, either (a) you are being fed misinformation to keep the real candidates in secret, or (b) the information you are receiving is from only one "block" on the committee.  In the case of (b), that "block" has already been overruled on the issue of Jirsa, and it is a poorly kept secret that Pres. Kopp and the "block" do not see eye to eye on a lot.  If Pres. Kopp had enough stones to overrule the desires of the "block" concerning Jirsa, I have little doubt that he will see passed this pathetic effort to poison the process and force feed a candidate onto the fans without honoring the process.

[HerdZone]

.You also could have mentioned that college dropout, Bill Gates (whatever happened to that guy?

He stole a program from Steve Jobb........I could do that........If someone had 1 that was worth anything around me

[_sturt_]

then let someone else hire him. We need someone that will promote Herd basketball. Someone that is flamboyant and can and has won at the D1 level. We need Pete Gillen.

There's a case to be made for Donnie getting some more experience before coming here--reminds me that Bob Pruett often told the story that he applied for the MU job earlier in his career, was rejected, got feedback that the school would take his candidacy more seriously with a little more seasoning in a bigger environment, applied again after that happened, and voila, there's arguably never been a better marriage in MU sports history.

But hey... Marshall football was a program with success and momentum and a future in front of it when Bob Pruett put on the green blazer.

I want you to look at this program, in the condition its in, and tell me that you'd have the gaul to say that Marshall is too good for Donnie Jones.... ??? Nahbabynah... Donnie Jones may well be too good for Marshall as it stands right now.

And while I've been, like you, a very intrigued by Gillen, and I've even called him the "safest" choice, he's also subject to what I'm calling a Rollie Massimino effect--ie, bringing a name and some legitimacy to a program, but not the energy and drive and motivation that someone who has yet to prove himself would bring.

I'd like Gillen, all the same. But I'm more than happy to see us land Jones, if that's how it's going to be, and to jump on his bandwagon as solidly as I have at any other point in my lifetime of supporting my university.

[_sturt_]

Here is what I was told tonight, by a person whom has a vote:

Donnie Jones has the job....unless he turns it down.
Salary of 310K plus incentives (best he could remember)
Total package worth 405-425K
Donnie will seek improvements to Cam, and input on marketing the team
Possible deal with Florida visiting the Cam as early as next year in the works with Florida AD. Billy Donnivan supporting.

There you go. I trust that this is the truth, or at least what this gentleman expects to happen. I think that DJ is our best option, and will bring fans and winning back to the CAM.

I mean no offense by the following, but I do not believe one iota of what is stated.

In my opinion, either (a) you are being fed misinformation to keep the real candidates in secret, or (b) the information you are receiving is from only one "block" on the committee.  In the case of (b), that "block" has already been overruled on the issue of Jirsa, and it is a poorly kept secret that Pres. Kopp and the "block" do not see eye to eye on a lot.  If Pres. Kopp had enough stones to overrule the desires of the "block" concerning Jirsa, I have little doubt that he will see passed this pathetic effort to poison the process and force feed a candidate onto the fans without honoring the process.

Amen to all of that... honor the process... I'm going to bed.

[Flat Tire]

I hate to be negative about a follow poster, but cheezdog30 appears to be another sock puppet for Kayo or Greg White's supporters.
If his post is true, there will be four center court seats available at the Cam next year. I will take my money and buy extra seatbacks at the football stadium. Heck, I couldn't even give away the basketball tickets this year.

[bighat]

I have heard indirectly that one major contributor wants Donnie Jones but the others on the committee want Pete Gillen or Larry Hunter or a coach with more experience.  Donnie Jones is not a shoo-in at this moment.
That is from my second cousin's sisters daughter.

[N2 Herd]

As of yet...no official announcement has been made.  No matter who is the final choice we have to remember that he will be wearing Green and White and give him the courtisy of our support.  If Greg Marshall ends up being the guy then great....on the ohter hand if Jones ends up being the guy then great.  Granted Jones has not HC experience, but how do we know that he wont do a good jog.  We dont know that he will either...we just have to give him the chance if he is hire.  Like was said before...none of us have the kind of money to be able to be part of the search committee...We are all quick to jump at the thought of a evil plot on the part of our AD and say no real search was done..., but we do not know that.  A lot goes on behind closed doors and in private conversations that the general public is not privy to.  So, I have said all that to say this....don't get your panties in a wad just yet!

[Chevy1]

Is this the same source that reported Jirsa was staying?

[Dreamherd]

Jones could do exactly what Jamie Dickson has done at Pitt.?  If he does turn out to be the coach and a good one, Marshall will really benefit from a well written contract.  Who will design the contract?  No Hunter or Gillian.

[herdinphilly]

 We were just as well off with Jirsa.

Dude, you are way out of touch with reality!

[HerdZone]

 We were just as well off with Jirsa.

Dude, you are way out of touch with reality!

At least Jirsa had called a time out. Jones until this year was "The Last Man On Donovans Totem Pole", there has to be a reason for that. He never moved up when Donovan had to hire and fire other asst., Im afraid Donovan is pulling a Tubby on us.

[marcus_789]

A month ago DJ was a godsend compared to Jirsa.  He was in the top 3 of coaches that everybody wanted to see here.  So in the last month he has been tore down to a coach that some people want to "lose every game while he is here."  He may not be the big name coach that everything thinks we should get.  The search committee may have used KOs phone book that only has 2 numbers in it.  I just don't see the point in tearing DJ down before he has even been officially offered the job.  Yes...he has no head coaching experience.  Yes, we are taking a huge gamble.  Everybody just needs to calm down and give the guy a chance.  If the guy has no support from the fans then he has no chance to winning while he is here.  At least most people gave Jirsa a year or 2 before they shredded him.  

Hopefully we have already hit bottom and if DJ is indeed hired he can start bringing us out of the hole we have dug.  We may not make the post season right away...but with a new coach comes hope.  Something we haven't had for a couple years.

[Buffalo Bop]

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Check out this photo of DJ in the middle between Donovan and VCU's Grant who was with the team during last nights Butler game.

[ShawHerd]

http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage

Check out this photo of DJ in the middle between Donovan and VCU's Grant who was with the team during last nights Butler game.

That's not Anthony Grant, it's Lewis Preston. You are correct that Grant visited them during their meal and attended the game.

[chromer]

I for one would rather have the other teams coach be the one calling time outs. Just WIN!

[jstherd]

What a crock...what a travesty....what a sham. No need for me to write anything. just look at what Herdmeister and DA had to say and you'll copy me.

[BIG HERDFAN]

I really don't get how there are people out in the community and on here that believe Donnie Jones is our answer? I really don't!!! The guy at best should be our last resort to hire after exhausting all of our other avenues. Everyone is so caught up in the fact that he's at Florida working under Billy Donovan and really wants the MU job so that makes him a great hire! That's the only basis that you're bringing up as to why we should hire him!? Some say what a great recruiter he is...just look at the type of players Florida has. Do you really think we'll get the same kind of recruits that Florida is getting? To this I respond...try recruiting a player to Florida and then try recruiting that same one to Marshall...if you were say...a Patrick Patterson which would you go to...I think we all know the answer to that! Suddenly, for me, the "great recruiter" issue goes by the wayside. And let's see...he has been with Billy Donovan all these years and at Florida winning the National Championship so he must be good right!? Well, I personally won't hold my breath on him being a "Billy Donovan" clone! John Pelfrey and Anthony Grant have done well as Head Coaches...both Billy Donovan assistants! John Pelpfrey had his ups and downs at USA and is now somewhat coming into his own(by the way I'd rather see him here than Donnie Jones...at least he has had Head Coach experience!). Anthony Grant is still unproven to me...yes, he did really well his first year, but he also did it with Jeff Capel's recruits! I will hold the "Excellant Head Coach" title on him until I see his next couple of years! Finally, the fact he really wants this job...well, I really would like the CEO job where I work but...I'm not qualified for it at all! But wait...if Donnie Jones gets the Marshall job then maybe I have an example to use to get that CEO job! Donnie Jones has had no "Head Coach" experience and is probably the least qualified for the Marshall Head Coachig job and they're giving him the job...so I should be able to get that CEO position even though I'm not really qualified and I've had no experience at being a CEO! Hooray...hope at last!!!(I love sarcasm!!!)
If we do in fact get Donnie Jones(and personally, this won't excite me in the least or make me want to run out and get season basketball tickets) and it's done in the way people are saying...without exhausting all other avenues...then that just proves to me that Marshall wants to take the cheap way out, doesn't care about the basketball program and has no desire to be one of the "Big Boys" in college athletics!!! SAD!!!
Maybe WVU is right...we are the "Blundering" Herd!?

[GreenSteve]

Here is what I was told tonight, by a person whom has a vote:

Donnie Jones has the job....unless he turns it down.
Salary of 310K plus incentives (best he could remember)
Total package worth 405-425K
Donnie will seek improvements to Cam, and input on marketing the team
Possible deal with Florida visiting the Cam as early as next year in the works with Florida AD. Billy Donnivan supporting.

There you go. I trust that this is the truth, or at least what this gentleman expects to happen. I think that DJ is our best option, and will bring fans and winning back to the CAM.

I mean no offense by the following, but I do not believe one iota of what is stated.

In my opinion, either (a) you are being fed misinformation to keep the real candidates in secret, or (b) the information you are receiving is from only one "block" on the committee.  In the case of (b), that "block" has already been overruled on the issue of Jirsa, and it is a poorly kept secret that Pres. Kopp and the "block" do not see eye to eye on a lot.  If Pres. Kopp had enough stones to overrule the desires of the "block" concerning Jirsa, I have little doubt that he will see passed this pathetic effort to poison the process and force feed a candidate onto the fans without honoring the process.

Sounds like that is the case. I agree Olen.

My opinion,

GreenSteve.

[ridenherd]

Here is what I was told tonight, by a person whom has a vote:

Donnie Jones has the job....unless he turns it down.
Salary of 310K plus incentives (best he could remember)
Total package worth 405-425K
Donnie will seek improvements to Cam, and input on marketing the team
Possible deal with Florida visiting the Cam as early as next year in the works with Florida AD. Billy Donnivan supporting.

There you go. I trust that this is the truth, or at least what this gentleman expects to happen. I think that DJ is our best option, and will bring fans and winning back to the CAM.

I mean no offense by the following, but I do not believe one iota of what is stated.

In my opinion, either (a) you are being fed misinformation to keep the real candidates in secret, or (b) the information you are receiving is from only one "block" on the committee.  In the case of (b), that "block" has already been overruled on the issue of Jirsa, and it is a poorly kept secret that Pres. Kopp and the "block" do not see eye to eye on a lot.  If Pres. Kopp had enough stones to overrule the desires of the "block" concerning Jirsa, I have little doubt that he will see passed this pathetic effort to poison the process and force feed a candidate onto the fans without honoring the process.

Sounds like that is the case. I agree Olen.

My opinion,

GreenSteve.

Is there any way to get rid of that one block?  IMO, that block is and has been killing MU hoops for years.

[Dreamherd]

No Larry Hunter or Pete Gillian.  

1. Marshall
2. S.Illinois coach
3. Butler coach
4. VCU coach
5. Wright State/ODU/Neveda coaches
6. Jones / top a. coach from Georgetown

[DAHERDGUY]

We should have stayed in the SC. We would be in 1AA playoffs every year and have a shot at the post season. Our athletic dept had a champaigne appetite and a beer budget. We have now moved up twice in conference and can't get coaches too compare with our rivals. SAD it is!!!! Face it, we are just what WV fans say we are. Just a little stepchild with no vision!!!!

[HerdZone]

4. VCU coach

Grant has proved nothing either. He took over a good VCU team. He didn't have to do much this year.

[ridenherd]

We should have stayed in the SC. We would be in 1AA playoffs every year and have a shot at the post season. Our athletic dept had a champaigne appetite and a beer budget. We have now moved up twice in conference and can't het coaches too compare with our rivals. SAD it is!!!! Face it, we are just what WV fans say we are. Just a little stepchild with know vision!!!!

or "no vision" either

[herdcase]

Calling timeouts is overrated. Give me a coach who is a great recruiter with tireless energy!!! Quoting BEAR BRYANT "you can't win the Ky Derby riding a "please be respectful"".   :-D

[Dreamherd]

He brought his team back twice from double digit deficits twice against Duke.  He's a good head coach.  Believe that.  The most important thing is that he is a good coach that could leave if he wins, but his contract could be written to produce a pitfall of money to Marshall if he leaves.  Jones could produce the same result, as well as the rest of the coaches.  Pete Gillian and Larry Hunter would not produce the potential money gain.  Greg Marshall will cost close to a million.  Winthrop is going to get paid big money if he leaves.  I believe a winner is a winner no matter the situation they are in.  Butch Davis couldn't win in Cleveland, but neither can R. Cremmel.  Maybe it's the front office and not the coach.  A positive spirit and greater refreshment will be at Marshall when new leadership takes over in the AD office.  There are great, good, average, and poor AD's at all levels.  We have a poor one.  A good or great one would bring the Herd a winning department.  Hopefully, a legitimate search is being done.