The HALLs are Headed to Cincinnati

[CajunRed]

By sham I mean it was never a true co-head coach situation. Everything that was said by all involved at the time was that this was to be completely equal in every way. Let's be honest, J.Kelley Hall was always in charge. I wouldn't have had a problem with it considering the guidelines in place about spouses not working for spouses if it wasn't for Danmuth losing stature in the situation. I asked a former player her thoughts about the Danmuth resignation. Her response was, "Do you blame him (for leaving)?" Again, both of the Hall's are good coaches and deserve a lot of credit for bringing true basketball to U.L. They did a great job, were compensated for it, and moved on to greener pastures. Good for them.

I must have missed the part about this being a "sham". That implies that the Hall's or the University somehow tried to make every one believe that they were equals when it came to decision making about the team. No one ever said that, nor tried to make anyone believe that. It would have been classly to get thru this without using words like "sham". The Hall's were a class act and I wish them well!

[Just1More]

_ OK, I know I'll get blasted, be called a tigger in disguise, etc., but how does the Halls leaving for greener and better pastures differ any what so ever from Yvette G. leaving a few years ago? I'm just wondering if the Halls would have left for LSU or some other school close by, would they be getting the same "we're gonna miss you and we thank you for WHAT YOU DID WHILE YOU WERE HERE and ultimately building a program that was in the dumps into a program that can now compete at the mid-major level." Both built the programs from scratch and brought attention to the school. Both felt it was time to move on to bigger and better things.

I'm asking a legitimate question and I'm wondering what the responses will be.



P.S. Yes I am new to the board so lay off of the "just sign up and already starting trouble" replies. _

Well, since you replied to my post with the Yvette "question"... here is how I make the distinction. Most at UL recognize that coaches may gain success here and be offered positions elsewhere, for greater salaries than we can afford. Any coach at UL that takes a position 60 miles east is going to be held in contempt by many Cajun fans. One direct component to that contempt is the fact that we reside in the same state. A state that has legislated lopsided distribution of state funds among colleges and universities. There are other issues, and it is up to each individual to decide if Yvette's decisions were dishonorable or justified. I personally could care less... we have the Lotief's and I am quite pleased.

I live in Baton Rouge and have heard the questions regarding the Cajun feelings toward Yvette. I need only remind LSU fans that Nick Saban gave them their heralded 2003 football national championship. An act culminated by and credited to the huge funds raised by LSU. Alabama makes its play for the person they believe might bring them back to the football national championship throne (by means of grotesque sums of money), and Nick becomes the scourge of the Tigers. (And Nick the Trick didn't even leave LSU directly for Bama) The same people that would have licked Nick's feet for a moment in his presence, are now Miles' fans and Nick haters. I guess they now understand and acknowledge the sentiment toward Yvette.

The Nick Saban situation with LSU is the most comparable to the Yvette situation at UL. I am not arguing the justification of either. But, I wonder if Alabama will work with the SEC to cancel their future games with LSU (you know, a cool down period) in the event LSU and Bama fans decide to yell at each other at a game. But seriously, those fans never get rowdy.

The Hall(s) have disappointed us in leaving, but most of us understand. Besides, you have to feel sorry for anyone leaving Lafayette to live in Ohio.

[Tripple Threat]

_ OK, I know I'll get blasted, be called a tigger in disguise, etc., but how does the Halls leaving for greener and better pastures differ any what so ever from Yvette G. leaving a few years ago? I'm just wondering if the Halls would have left for LSU or some other school close by, would they be getting the same "we're gonna miss you and we thank you for WHAT YOU DID WHILE YOU WERE HERE and ultimately building a program that was in the dumps into a program that can now compete at the mid-major level." Both built the programs from scratch and brought attention to the school. Both felt it was time to move on to bigger and better things.

I'm asking a legitimate question and I'm wondering what the responses will be.



P.S. Yes I am new to the board so lay off of the "just sign up and already starting trouble" replies. _

I'll give you the reply you may be looking for. That would suck way worse!

[Tripple Threat]

For those of you that didn't see the news tonight...UL matched Cinci's offer, but Cinci made a counter offer. According to David Walker, the effort was made to keep him and they thought they had accomplished that.

[RonMexico]

For those of you that didn't see the news tonight...UL matched Cinci's offer, but Cinci made a counter offer. According to David Walker, the effort was made to keep him and they thought they had accomplished that.

Its good to see that we made the effort. Should we use the matched offer to begin searching for a new coach?

Opinions, please!

L'Ronte'

[gsibille]

_ I must have missed the part about this being a "sham". That implies that the Hall's or the University somehow tried to make every one believe that they were equals when it came to decision making about the team. No one ever said that, nor tried to make anyone believe that. It would have been classly to get thru this without using words like "sham". The Hall's were a class act and I wish them well! _

Sorry, I stand by it. When the decision for the Hall's to become co-head coaches was announced, J.Kelley Hall announced EVERYTHING would be equal. It's just a fact. Like I said, what truly bothered me was that Bill Danmuth left very soon after for a lesser position at another school. That says a lot. These are not personal remarks on the Halls, just points that show that this job, like most jobs for college coaches, was nothing more than a stepping stone. I just feel badly for the players left behind. Having said this, this was a well-coached team. I'm sure they'll do fine in Cincinnati.

[rhineaux]

_ Its good to see that we made the effort. Should we use the matched offer to begin searching for a new coach?

Opinions, please!

L'Ronte' _

yes

[VObserver]

_ Its good to see that we made the effort. Should we use the matched offer to begin searching for a new coach?

Opinions, please!

L'Ronte' _

That's a no-brainer, L'Ronte. Even the guy at the public health clinic will tell you that on your next visit.

[Just1More]

_ Its good to see that we made the effort. Should we use the matched offer to begin searching for a new coach?

Opinions, please!

L'Ronte' _

Absolutely. However, were we making an offer to the Hall couple, and was Cinci doing the same? And, will we have to both acquire a head coach, and an assistant for the dollars available?

[BearcatLair.com]

For those of you that didn't see the news tonight...UL matched Cinci's offer, but Cinci made a counter offer. According to David Walker, the effort was made to keep him and they thought they had accomplished that.

I spoke to both Kelley and his wife yesterday after the news conference and I thought I would share a few things with you guys.

1) Meridith will not be coaching at Cincinnati and they are expecting their 3rd child in September. They are going to have a baby boy. She will still be active but she will not have any responsibilities as it relates to day to day stuff. She will become the mother of the team.

2) Kelley Hall told me that 6 years ago he saw Cincinnati as a goldmine and has targeted this job for a long time. He also said he is going to bring big time assistants to Cincinnati that are currently at big time programs.

3) He said his goal is to have Cincinnati at the top of the Big East in 3 years. This is a bold statement considering the fact Cincinnati has never won a conference championship in basketball and you have national powerhouses UCONN and Rutgers to compete with.

I will be posting the audio from my conversation later this evening on BearcatLair.com so you can hear more of what he told me.

To be honest I have never really even considered covering the Cincinnati womens program but after talking to the Hall's I am convinced he can take Cincinnati to the next level.