OT: coaching legacies

[Fastchuck]

It struck me while watching Andy Reid depart that his coaching arc was similar to another coaching legend - early success followed by decline and ending with complete failure. Reid has the most victories in franchise history, but also the most defeats. The same holds true for our own legend. Both were kept on longer than they should have been. It has taken some time to see our legend for what he was and to appreciate what he accomplished. I suspect the same will be true for Big Red.

[Deleted]

yes. I see the similarities. Both have been scapegoated instead of appreciated. both left big shoes to fill, and big holes to dig out of.

[glorydays]

Mentioning our legend but not naming our legend? That legend could only be Gnocchi's favorite coach.

[lasallescreamer]

Not fair to our guy; Big Red-who I like- had many more resources to work with than my favorite coach.

[MisterD]

I swear there are people who would still want Speedy indefinitely leading us to 9 win seasons. "Coach until you don't feel like it any more, Speedy! You're the best no matter what!"

[calsufan]

Jan 5, 2013 23:07:45 GMT -5 MisterD said:

I swear there are people who would still want Speedy indefinitely leading us to 9 win seasons. "Coach until you don't feel like it any more, Speedy! You're the best no matter what!"

I was firmly NOT in that camp. I thought he should go once his recruting went south, which was soon after the '90 - '91 season. I didn't think he should have been fired right at that moment, but I was unhappy that he clearly stopped bringing in the talent. It was clear that the wins were going to drop quickly and dramatically because of the lousy recruiting and they did.

[Gnocchi]

Jan 5, 2013 20:39:52 GMT -5 Fastchuck said:

It has taken some time to see our legend for what he was and to appreciate what he accomplished.

Speaking of appreciating accomplishments, this season G ties Westhead for second-longest tenure of an Explo coach at 9 seasons.

With yet another extension or two, could G be #1?

Or will G instead follow in Westhead's footsteps and lead the Lakers to an NBA title?

[Fastchuck]

G only needs 13 more wins this season to match Westhead's win total in 9 seasons. He long ago passed the loss total. Certainly a much better time for LS BB. Westhead had Durrett, Joe Bryant, Brooks, Charlie Wise, Bobby Fields, Jim Crawford and Bill Taylor play for him. Even when they were bad, they were fun to watch.

If G gets those 13 wins he should get to the dance and still be 1 appearance short of Westhead's total. As presently constructed, I don't think anyone could win an NBA title with the Lakers.

[glorydays]

Fastchuck hands me a grenade and I pull the pin.
10-3 ain't half bad. Let's see how the conference contests play out.
If this becomes a train wreck I will wait to early March to join in the annual call for a cleansing.

While watching the internet broadcast of the game yesterday I saw Ed Rendell in the stands. He is the guy I am selling to be the next president of La Salle. David Cohen would be Chairman of the Board of Trustees. To complete the trifecta I may try to woo Bruce Pearl out of retirement.

[explorer88]

Jewish trifecta running a Catholic university? Never gonna happen GD.

[Gnocchi]

Jan 6, 2013 12:39:16 GMT -5 Fastchuck said:

If G gets those 13 wins he should get to the dance and still be 1 appearance short of Westhead's total.

Lets hope G rolls that lucky 13 and avoids extending to 9 his La Salle record of most consecutive seasons at the start of a coaching career without notching a bid to The Dance.

[glorydays]

Jan 6, 2013 15:23:06 GMT -5 explorer88 said:

Jewish trifecta running a Catholic university? Never gonna happen GD.

88, it was meant in humor but I would take that leadership team tomorrow.