Stop Making Excuses

[MetryCajun]

Excuses once again .. WKU always brought in tons of talent even when they were in the belt heck they made the sweet 16 while they were here

I wish I could be successful at my job once every 10 years and get away with it

But that is where you are wrong. It is not every 10 years. Not even close. You may think this year was not successful, but it was. Think about the top 20 teams in the country. How many of our guys could even get a roster spot on those teams? Gant? Maybe Bartley? Our record and our talent tell us who we are...a top 100 team who rarely gets to compete against top100 teams. I know it will come off as making excuses but a sunbelt team in a poor state with little media presence is not a recipe for success. I think Marlin is on to something right now and has us pointed in the right direction.

[Just1More]

But that is where you are wrong. It is not every 10 years. Not even close. You may think this year was not successful, but it was. Think about the top 20 teams in the country. How many of our guys could even get a roster spot on those teams? Gant? Maybe Bartley? Our record and our talent tell us who we are...a top 100 team who rarely gets to compete against top100 teams. I know it will come off as making excuses but a sunbelt team in a poor state with little media presence is not a recipe for success. I think Marlin is on to something right now and has us pointed in the right direction.

I hate to agree with you... but I think most of Marlin's strongest critics need to think long and hard about what we are up against. It isn't "making excuses". There are not a lot of coaches that are going to do a lot more than Marlin did this year with our program. I'm not saying that I like the fact that we don't compete well with the higher caliber programs like we used to. But I cannot tell from my vantage point how much that's a coaching thing... or the numerous other factors.

I also have to say that with Marlin's accomplishments this year... even given we didn't reach the pinnacle of our goals this year... are substantial enough to dismiss the discussion of a coaching change. I don't think we necessarily ought to be talking extensions and raises... but he should not be viewed as a coach on the "hot seat".

[ManAboutTown]

I hate to agree with you... but I think most of Marlin's strongest critics need to think long and hard about what we are up against. It isn't "making excuses". There are not a lot of coaches that are going to do a lot more than Marlin did this year with our program. I'm not saying that I like the fact that we don't compete well with the higher caliber programs like we used to. But I cannot tell from my vantage point how much that's a coaching thing... or the numerous other factors.

I also have to say that with Marlin's accomplishments this year... even given we didn't reach the pinnacle of our goals this year... are substantial enough to dismiss the discussion of a coaching change. I don't think we necessarily ought to be talking extensions and raises... but he should not be viewed as a coach on the "hot seat".

If we’re dismissing the fact that there are several issues holding this program down, we’re being disingenuous.

[MetryCajun]

I agree about the conference situation even though the league is not as bad as some think The league does impact our scheduling as well. I believe the AD knows this but doesnot believe realignment is imminent. I know a person who was on the committee when he was hired and that individual has ability to improve the conference situation as a major criteria. I also agree that Coach Marlin is unlikely to land another job due to age mostly. As far as him being replaced by the administration that won't be considered unless a major dropoff occurs even if the number of people here calling for it on this forum doubles

I have had the privilege of meeting some very fine parents with some crazy athletic kids. They are all looking for the best situation for their kids. The SBC is a huge albatross around our neck when trying to make inroads with top athletes. I agree the SBC is not as bad as people think, but perception is reality. From its lack of media and TV exposure to its constant shuffling of members it does not help us in any way. Baseball and softball have been able to work around it, but they have an advantage in that the northern tier of the country does not care about these sports. Getting back on topic, I am happy with the direction of the program other than scheduling. We have to play better teams.

[CajunVic]

This is what you wrote: "Mike, it just seems like EVERYBODY's not happy unless SOMEBODY is up for discussions about being fired. Just saying!!!!!"

I'm sorry if you meant something else. But if you re-read your post, I think you will find I have no issue with the English language. And what you wrote in your response to me is not what you wrote in your OP.

Sorry, but I can't help you any more than the "break down" that I have provided. Have a nice day.

[ManAboutTown]

I hate to agree with you... but I think most of Marlin's strongest critics need to think long and hard about what we are up against. It isn't "making excuses". There are not a lot of coaches that are going to do a lot more than Marlin did this year with our program. I'm not saying that I like the fact that we don't compete well with the higher caliber programs like we used to. But I cannot tell from my vantage point how much that's a coaching thing... or the numerous other factors.

I also have to say that with Marlin's accomplishments this year... even given we didn't reach the pinnacle of our goals this year... are substantial enough to dismiss the discussion of a coaching change. I don't think we necessarily ought to be talking extensions and raises... but he should not be viewed as a coach on the "hot seat".

Are you going to make the basketball game, Sir?

[RaginFan2]

Are you going to make the basketball game, Sir?

He should since he doesn't have to cross the basin to get there! Unless, of course, he has a scheduling conflict. ;-)

[ManAboutTown]

He should since he doesn't have to cross the basin to get there! Unless, of course, he has a scheduling conflict. ;-)

He is a busy guy after all...

[CajunEXPRESS]

I have no problem with his argument that there shouldn't be any discussion of firing him. The problem I do have is he talks about the last 5 seasons, completely dismissing the first three seasons. So its also fair to say that we have 1 Conference Championship, 1 NCAA Tournament Bid and 1 NIT Bid in 8 seasons. That is the entirety of his tenure.

He also points out Marlin won the first SBC Championship ever and that is true to my knowledge. Coach Evans and Coach Lee did not win any outright season championships. But if it comes down to 3 games in March, do those season championships mean as much as NCAA bids? I can tell you it didn't when Coach Evans was here, most people hated losing to Western Kentucky or Middle Tennessee, but the NCAA Tournament bids were fun.

So, while I agree with most of his comments, the improvement of the UL MBB over the last 5 years doesn't change my question, what should be fans reasonable expectation for NCAA appearances in years? Yes, we have 1 in the last 5 seasons.

The fact is under Evans we were the number one seed. The SBC just didn't have a regular season champ. Also thinking he won the tournament that season. So I'm giving credit to Evans for that regardless.

[Turbine]

Mike, it just seems like EVERYBODY's not happy unless SOMEBODY is up for discussions about being fired.

I've been to Riddletopia before (often actually) but never alone.

[Turbine]

Evans didn't have to worry about APR back then.

Robert E. Lee took the brunt of that fiasco.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Not really. Marlin has a better chance of getting hired away than he does of getting fired (neither is likely). You look elsewhere when your program is going backwards or is embroiled in scandal. Neither thing is happening right now. We all want a better men’s program, but the truth is we will never get where we want to be in this conference. All the problems brought up here are byproducts of the conference we are stuck in. Until our AD gets us out we will not see much improvement because we will never be able to attract the types of athletes we need playing in the Sunbelt. But go ahead and keep saying we need new coaches every time we lose a few games.

So we cannot advance except under ideal conditions. We are absolutely owned by GSU. They’re the only consistent opponent in the SBC, but we’re not playing them for championships very often.