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Ohio Basketball Topic
Topic: Is Russ Eisenstein leaving?
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lovebobcat
3/23/2016 9:55 PM
On the very last segment of the postgame radio show tonight, Russ made several references that made it sound like he might not be back after this school year. And in a postgame tweet, he said, "Who knows where my career will but I'm going to work my tail off to get there!"

If Russ gets a bigger-paying job somewhere, certainly I will applaud the move and wish him well. He would deserve the "big time" based on his fine work. But if he doesn't return, I certainly hope that wouldn't be because of a lack of appreciation from the university.

I, for one, love everything about Russ and Rob's broadcasts, and I think Russ is a tremendous ambassador for OU and a darn good announcer. We have been very, very lucky to have him in Athens.

I tweeted at him but will also post this here: Russ, we appreciate you ... and selfishly hope we hear you calling Bobcat games forever!
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Alan Swank
3/23/2016 10:04 PM
To keep someone of Russ' quality you have to pay. Are we willing to pay? Sure hope so.
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LuckySparrow
3/23/2016 10:13 PM
I echo everything in the OP. And Alan's post.

I will root for Russ no matter where he goes. He has been TREMENDOUS and BIGTIME as the voice of the Bobcats for my whole entire career as a Bobcat fan.

He definitely has a great spot in Bobcat/Athens lore, no matter what. It'll only grow if he sticks around. Hope he sticks around for years to come.

Bang! Oh baby what a bigtime play-by-play friend!
Last Edited: 3/23/2016 10:13:46 PM by LuckySparrow
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OU_Country
3/23/2016 10:18 PM
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who heard that with a "what the?" type of thought. I think he rightfully seems to aspire for a larger stage, and I think has the skills to do it. Hopefully if he does leave, it will be for that larger stage. He's been great while he's been here, and I would love to see him stay for years to come.
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ts1227
3/23/2016 10:22 PM
I had the same general reaction when I saw the tweet. As others have mentioned, it's somewhat amazing that we've been able to retain him as long as we have. Is he at the end of a contract (or is he year-to-year)?

To follow along with others, selfishly I'd love for him to stay in Athens forever, but he has more than earned whatever promotion he gets, whatever year it ends up happening.
Last Edited: 3/23/2016 10:22:34 PM by ts1227
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OU_Country
3/23/2016 10:30 PM
The contract is something I was wondering about as well. I don't really know what the norms are in that line of work. Anyone?
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GroverBall
3/23/2016 10:35 PM
pretty sure he works for IMG and not the university but I don't know how his contacts are arranged. Would love to have him back.

On another Russ note, did you hear him emphasize (for BAers?) that the attendance was approx 3700 and "that is a very, very, very legitimate number."
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RSBobcat
3/23/2016 10:50 PM
GroverBall wrote:expand_more
pretty sure he works for IMG and not the university but I don't know how his contacts are arranged. Would love to have him back.

On another Russ note, did you hear him emphasize (for BAers?) that the attendance was approx 3700 and "that is a very, very, very legitimate number."
We have been very lucky to have Russ this long - hope it lasts longer. I made a point of saying as much when I saw him out on the town after the Semi game in Cleveland. Not far off on the attendance from my take - maybe a few less.
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Danny's Knee
3/23/2016 10:51 PM
BANG !! .. oh BABY what a BIG TIME broadcaster !!

RUSS does a fantastic job !! .. I enjoy listen to games on the radio as much as i do seeing them on TV ..

Russ will eventually do bigger things, he's definitely that good enough ..

I was hoping to keep him until bob uecker retired and he became the voice of the milwaukee brewers ..

I hope he sticks around ..

BANG !! .. BOOK IT !! .. Oh BABY what a BIG TIME play !! .. paint this one green and white !!
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perimeterpost
3/23/2016 11:39 PM
how long has Russ been here 8, 9 years, something like that? That's a long time, I would hate to see him go as an avid listener but wish him nothing but the best and fully support his decision to try a new challenge. Like Jackie Mason told Steve Martin in The Jerk- "Don't be a schmuck, see the world, me you've seen already.".

I've always wondered about how there has been zero chatter regarding Russ and the ESPN broadcast deal. Wouldn't he be the obvious choice for on-air talent and why has neither he nor anyone at OU mentioned it?
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Andrew Ruck
3/24/2016 12:05 AM
I thought a few years ago I saw his salary somewhere (as a matter of public record and not anything shady) and it was very very underwhelming. I can't remember the details though.

He is extremely passionate about what he does, he deserves to move up the ladder. If it's a pro job or high major job, great. I'd hate to see him make a lateral move due to money/appreciation.

BANG! Oh baby what a big time rumor!
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bornacatfan
3/24/2016 12:07 AM
warren was here 2007-8 and then Russ came. He has been stellar. Probably missed a few really good openings over the years but he has amped up OUr fan experience and given us a lot of really good segments and provided good insight. I was happy to hear him interject into Saul's "built on the backs of" moment for Treg and go back to Tilly and Mike Allen and give homage... that is when you know you have a guy with repartee that plays into the program history. He brings a good knowledge of the MAC and imparts a lot of history. CHeers Russ. We love you....I think even those guys who were detractors early have figured out that the alternative is just not as good
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GraffZ06
3/24/2016 12:36 AM
Russ was hired in 2008. Hope he sticks around, but understand if he doesn't and wish him well regardless.

He's another in a list of great "Voice of the Bobcats". I was curious so I looked up what years we've had our basketball announcers:

Dick Schorr: 1979-1998 (football from 1967)
Derek Scott: 1998-2007
Warren Swain: 2007-2008
Russ Eisenstein: 2008-present
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Monroe Slavin
3/24/2016 3:11 AM
We are very lucky to have (have had ?) TVOTB.

His talent is much huger than Athens.

Always remembered and beloved.
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A-townBound
3/24/2016 8:32 AM
perimeterpost wrote:expand_more
I've always wondered about how there has been zero chatter regarding Russ and the ESPN broadcast deal. Wouldn't he be the obvious choice for on-air talent and why has neither he nor anyone at OU mentioned it?
Who knows, but I think this might be a big part of the questions regarding what happens next.
Last Edited: 3/24/2016 10:35:36 AM by A-townBound
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Brian Smith (No, not that one)
3/24/2016 9:05 AM
Warren is sitting by his telephone as we speak, ready for the call.

"Hello, this is Waldo Swenson," he'll say when he gets that call.
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OU_Country
3/24/2016 9:10 AM
A-townBound wrote:expand_more
I've always wondered about how there has been zero chatter regarding Russ and the ESPN broadcast deal. Wouldn't he be the obvious choice for on-air talent and why has neither he nor anyone at OU mentioned it?
Who knows, but I think this might be a big part of the questions regarding to what happens next.

I hadn't considered this, but that's a great point. I guess time will tell.
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Alan Swank
3/24/2016 10:41 AM
Last Edited: 3/25/2016 10:28:52 AM by Alan Swank
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MariettaCatFanatic
3/24/2016 11:04 AM
Russ certainly has big goals and I know there is a deep desire to reach a higher rung on the ladder. As much as I love Russ and all he has done at Ohio University, I certainly wouldn't begrudge anyone for wanting to further their career and move on to something bigger and better. I'll follow Russ and his voice wherever he goes, whether it's next season or further down the road.
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shabamon
3/24/2016 11:16 AM
Is director of basketball operations a full-time job? That salary is hot garbage.
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GoCats105
3/24/2016 12:14 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Is director of basketball operations a full-time job? That salary is hot garbage.
Yeah it's full time, but you gotta start somewhere. Unless you're the DBO at some school like Duke, Kansas, etc you're not going to get that great of a salary. But think about all of the other perks: free stays in hotels, meals, gear, and you get to watch a TON of basketball. I'd take in a heartbeat.

Depending on what school you're working for, it could turn into a babysitting job though.

Grad assistants barely make anything either.

The one I see on that list is the Director of Ticket Ops making under $30K. With all the crap they put up with, that's pretty horrible.
Last Edited: 3/24/2016 12:16:51 PM by GoCats105
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BillyTheCat
3/24/2016 5:03 PM
shabamon wrote:expand_more
Is director of basketball operations a full-time job? That salary is hot garbage.

It's a full time job, with much better pay now than when this list was created.

On the football side there are DFO's approaching 300k
Last Edited: 3/24/2016 5:04:56 PM by BillyTheCat
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DelBobcat
3/24/2016 5:03 PM
GoCats105 wrote:expand_more
Is director of basketball operations a full-time job? That salary is hot garbage.
Yeah it's full time, but you gotta start somewhere. Unless you're the DBO at some school like Duke, Kansas, etc you're not going to get that great of a salary. But think about all of the other perks: free stays in hotels, meals, gear, and you get to watch a TON of basketball. I'd take in a heartbeat.

Depending on what school you're working for, it could turn into a babysitting job though.

Grad assistants barely make anything either.

The one I see on that list is the Director of Ticket Ops making under $30K. With all the crap they put up with, that's pretty horrible.
Yea but Admin Assistants are making $35k. It would seem that "Director of Basketball Ops" is more important and therefore deserves more money. Though to be honest I'm not fully aware of what the job entails.
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shabamon
3/24/2016 5:43 PM
It entails every logistical detail in making a team operate outside of coaching, recruiting, and film study. Point person for travel, meal, and lodging arrangements, family tickets, team itineraries. Heck, I used to see Chip Cunningham accompanying athletes in Chubb Hall to make sure their finances and transcripts were in order.
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Gallia Cat
3/24/2016 5:57 PM
While I know this information is public information I find it in VERY poor taste to post it! It's one thing when you post the salaries of high profile head coaches but your posting the salaries of support staff. Again I understand they are state employees but I think it's a little over the top. Why don't you share your salary
Last Edited: 3/25/2016 1:03:49 PM by Gallia Cat
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