GrandGreen

Forrest is apparently a great recruiter, that does not make him a good head coach. I have nothing against interviewing him or evaluating him for the job. I may have missed something but I don't see were he has any head coach experience. The role of ace recruiter is obviously for someone who can establish a good relationships with players and sell. I have no idea how much Forrest has to do with the actual coaching of the team, but I thought he was third in line behind both Leonard and Foy in the coaches' pecking order. Those advocating Forrest may know more about his coaching abilities, but on the surface I think he would be a bad choice. Head coaches don't need to be players' friend. Maybe hc Forrest would be entirely different than what the players expect based on their previous relationship with an assistant coach who is paid at least initially to have players like him. I admit my first reaction was why not, keep the players happy and promote Forrest. On second thought, however, I think NT should get someone with hc experience that is likely to be able to keep the players intact and more importantly grow the program. I think the risk is greater to put an unknown in the hc seat than to not be able to placate the players. Again this is all perspective from afar, I don't know Shawn's role in actual coaching at NT and his potential for the job. He may be running the practices, but on the surface he looks like too much a risk. I think NT with Jones' big help has developed the hc position in to one that will be attractive to a lot of good coaches. Just look at how many good coaches there are currently in the Belt and with the possible exception of WKU, I got to think that NT is the best job in the lot. Great recruiting area, good facilities and good compensation at least by Belt standards.

I didn't think Jones would get the job, so I am two for two wrong; thought the same thing about Aston. I also don't think losing Jones or Aston is the end of world or definitely not something to applaud. Jones turned this program around from the depths of bad, he has also been the only coach that has had success with multiple teams at NT in forty plus years. Blakeley had a very good team but with primarily players he did not recruit and once they left could not recover. Way back, Spika who I think was the best coach NT has had in my times, only real success was when Joe Hamilton and Crest Whitaker were on the team. Gales only won in a couple of consecutive years. The negative on Jones is that he did not ever take that one step up that would put NT in the upper echelon of non power conference teams. The reason I was surprised that Jones was in such demand, is in my view his last two year were not all that good. Two years ago he had assembled a team that should have killed the Belt, didn't happen. Injuries were critical but JJ did for whatever reason go into the season two players short and overall failed to recruit the help that particular team needed. Last year many think he did very well, not me: a team with Mitchell should have been better than 9-7 in the Belt. I don't want to get in another debate over it, but I was not happy at all with the way he handled the J. Williams and C. Jones situation. The great positives of Jones in my view was that he was always a great representative of the school and his teams in general did not have the issues of many other teams. Most coaches in the Belt recruit numbers of players every year, lose or run off a bunch of them and then start again next year. Jones provided relatively great stability with his team, I think he really cared about the players. Another given with Johnny, is that the team was always going to peak in time for the Belt tournament. Jones also obviously has an eye for talent, frankly before Forrest he didn't get the headliners but he got kids that could play. My point with this rambling is that those that think that JJ can be easily replaced are obviously wrong. However, there are people out there to be hired that are better coaches than Jones, it is going to be far from easy but we have to hope RV finds one that can build on what Jones has accomplished.

Boy, that is some swift investigative reporting. They have probably less of an idea of what Mitchell will do than the average poster on this board.

I hope we get some one in here that can satisfy the players and coach. I don't see any reason NT can not do that. If nothing else, JJ has made this a much more attractive job. As far as anyone assuming NT can get the perfect coach in these circumstances, with NT's hiring record in all major sports it would seem highly improbable. As far as pulling in egual talent, I am not sure Jones could do that if he had stayed, particularly with all the credit that Forrest has been given for the recruiting.

Could not be worst timing for NT, but in my view; JJ deserves his dream job. I wish him well and hope NT quickly find a capable replacement.

So NT should offer JJ who is barely over .500 in the Belt, for the third year in a row; another contract. Among the issues, NT current ticket revenue doesn't even cover the coaching staff's current salaries. Also the obvious, NT cannot even if they wanted to, outbid SMU or LSU. LSU is supposedly JJ's dream job, he is not going to stop pursuing that for even a big increase by NT standards. Now bring out the big boos, is Jones even worth the kind of money some of you are throwing around? He has put NT basketball back on course and deserved our support, but there are limits. Here is the situation as I see it. Jones is not a sure thing at either LSU or SMU. Both seem to be busy searching around. Jones has a potentially great team coming back at NT. This team could turn to dust if JJ leaves, but at the same time: Jones could be leaving a team that could make him much more salable as a head coach. Problem is that his dream job is now open, he may never have this chance again. NT on the other hand has just about made JJ bullet proof with a seven year contract with six years remaining. RV or NT has no leverage in this deal. I think NT is at Jones' mercy. He can chase the big deal and if he gets what he wants; he is gone and NT could easily lose their best chance to be a big factor in college basketball. If he doesn't get the offer he wants, JJ has lost nothing. I think NT would be foolish to enhance his contract even if they could; I don't think its buys anything. If Jones goes, then good luck to him and I thank him for what he has done at NT. Hopefully, RV and NT are preparing for that possible outcome and can bring in someone who can minimize the damage and keep the team in tact. Prepare for the worse, but don't panic; it is a time to wait.

Why in the world if JJ is in that much demand, would he renegotiate a contract? The only way that happens is if JJ knows he going to stay at NT, and in that case why would NT up the ante? I think LSU's interest has heightened SMU's because now it looks like they are going after a hot coach. Every hour this is drawn out it is hurting NT. Problem is that NT has no leverage at all in this process, so we have to wait to see how it plays out.

It is actually the model for most programs, the lower you are on the athletic food chain the more likely you are going to lose successful coaches. There are very few programs that can keep someone from hiring their coaches. Obviously the more money invested in your program, the least likely you are to have someone come in with a bigger offer. Tulsa was just good at it for a long period, as is Boise in football, but it is basically what every AD tries.

Yes, many may be embarrassed every time ULM beats NT; which has been far too often given their resources.

Lets see we have lost a big time transfer because JJ is being considered for other jobs. Maybe not having a ship available has something to do with it or just maybe A&M in the SEC has more appeal than NT. If Forest is the one responsible for getting all this talent to NT, try to keep him. However, I doubt NT is going to outbid a Big 12 perennial basketball power. The JJ situation I doubt has anything to do with it.

He has already opened up his pockets, how does anyone think that NT could or even should match a 1 to 2m salary? Second, anyone who thinks SMU can't buy any coach from NT is going to be wrong almost every time. Some of you seem to have lost touch with reality.

Vito is using the word star very loosely, however he does look like he could be a good pick up. If he is anything like his cousins, watch out. Everyone knows about Booger, but Erric Pegram was also one of the best running backs ever at NT. Not great stats because he played on awful teams, but he was the real deal. In fact, I would rate him as good as Dunbar and Cobbs.

Nothing wrong with flying them on a private jet. I just wonder were it lands.

What I would like to know from one of the very enthusiastic La Tech fans is what has La Tech got to offer? If all NT and others have on La Tech is student body and budget, what does La Tech have on anybody? In comparison to NT, my only guess would be a slightly better football program. Other than that maybe central geography to CUSA. They tout their academic prowess but don't have the metrics to back it up as if that makes any difference anyway. La Tech has always done a lot with a little and I certainly can appreciate that. But foolish statements like the one in the thread starter, are why most are turned off by the school. Other than budget and size, NT has great advantages in facilities, a better overall athletic program, a market that is vastly bigger even if La Tech includes all of Northern La. and most of all a hell of a lot more potential.

Indiana was not a guaranteed game, hence the game in Denton last year. Iowa is paying the big dollars for a home game, had you rather play Alabama, LSU or Florida? What pull do you expect NT to have, a Belt team playing in a 30,000 seat stadium? It is all about the money.

Iowa is just what many wanted, a guarantee game that is not a sure beat down. Now we complain. There is one guaranteed game a year thus far scheduled, that is about as good as it gets for a lower tier program. I think the team benefits from one game a year like this, not to mention there is no way to replace the money made. Tulsa, SMU, and Indiana are all good scheduling. I really don't understand the mind set that playing FCS teams helps your program. The only reason to ever schedule in my opinion is to balance out the schedule to offset the one away guaranteed game. I will be there to see Texas Southern but a 70 to 0 win over a team like that really does little for a FB program. NT is in effect doing the same as a UT or Georgia by buying what should be an easy game. The difference is that they can make a ton of money doing it. And don't give me the Boise example of winning over poor teams and building a program. Boise is about the only game in town, a far way from playing in the Metromess

Great tournament for the Green, end up in second by 1 stroke to #10 Arkansas. Beat Arkansas in second and third round, but could not quite makeup first round lead. Beat #14 A&M, 44 SMU, 27 Baylor and 19 Clemson.

LSU is home to Johnny, I doubt there are any better jobs to him.

I don't think Jones get an offer, but if he does its goodby Denton.

If JJ is not gone this year, that means that LSU chose to fill their open HC position with someone else. It would take a great program to lure him away if that is the case, as he has turned down SEC jobs in the past

Ga State might have committed now to avoid a big pay out but I doubt it played big in Benson/Belt decision. Benson likes big markets and he landed one, I would guess he also went after UTSA but they aren't committing until hopes of the Alliance are gone. The decision also hints that he expects to lose multiple teams.

This could be an incredible team if everyone shows up. I still maintain Mitchell is a 4 not a 3, the best rebounder in the conference does not need to be playing outside. His NBA money is going to be generated by his rebounding not his outside moves. He needs to work on an inside game. He can always flow outside like this year. As far as a starting lineup other than Mitchell I think anything could happen. Jones was the best point in the Belt last year and should regain that position. Alzee Williams is the best defender on the team and showed he has an offensive game to go with it, got to put him at the 2. Oduh is the center, he apparently is a very good rebounder, offense doesn't matter much; so if he can play defense he should be a starter. That leaves Patton, Holmen, J. Williams and Franklin fighting it out for the 3. I think Patton may be the best all around player of the bunch. My projected starters: Center Oduh 6'10 Junior - Raw but may be the missing piece to this team Forward Mitchell 6'8 Soph. - Should become the greatest player ever at NT Wing Patton 6'7 Senior - Believe he may be the best all around big other than Mitchell, but will have to show it early to play Wing A. Williams 6'4 Junior - Most consistent player on team last year Point Jones 6'2 Soph. - Led Belt in scoring and assists before he became disqualified That lineup is potentially great but even better is the depth off the bench. I think any of these guys could start for most NT teams and in fact all 4 started for NT last year. Wing Walton 6'2 Senior - Became much better as year progressed, good shooter, tough player Forward Franklin 6'5 Senior - A tweener who was at times, one of NT best last year, see him losing time to Patton Wing Holmen 6'8 Senior - Great offensive tournament, always been up and down Wing J. Williams 6'6 Soph.- Crazy athletic, if he gets his shoot down could easily be one of the best in the Belt Deep Bench I don't see a lot of playing time for this group because of the depth of this team, but anyone of them could develop Forward Niko S. 6'9 Senior - Surprised he didn't get more minutes last year, inconsistent but not afraid to take it to the basket Center Robinson 6'10 Soph - Maybe because of injury but didn't show much last year, good outside shoot but too timid around the basket Wing Outlander 6'4 Freshman - Mystery played out of position in high school, can he be that zone buster from the outside Point Norris 6' Soph. - Showed some quickness and has potential but didn't show a lot after Jones left the team

You want to give JJ a third contract in three years? He has signed for six more years remaining on a seven year contract with a beginning base of 450K. Frankly as in the case of Aston, contracts only tie up one party and NT frankly doesn't have enough money to thwart Jones from leaving if he gets a offer from one of the bigs particularly LSU. Jones is not underpaid for a top level Belt coach particularly one who was 9-7 in conference last year. I am excited to see what JJ can do with a full year of Mitchell and hopefully his cohorts back on the team, but lets not break the bank before he actually does something to merit another increase.

Lots of smoke, not sure yet about any fire. They could do a lot worse than Jones, but his record the last two years is not going to impress many outsiders. Maybe his victory against LSU in Baton Rouge will serve him well, Karen Aston apparently lit up UT's radar with her team's play in Austin.

I don't think altruism is a part of realignment. They may indeed pick La Tech and UTSA over NT, but if they do it's not because they have any sympathy for the WAC teams and don't want to disrupt the Belt. There is a danger in what you are proposing, adding La Tech and particularily UTSA is not going to neccessarily make CUSA stronger. Although I think the Belt hurt themselves short term by adding Ga St, the difference in the two leagues could actually narrow and NT, MTSU, WKU etc. may not be as easy to pick up.