Still here, reading people who are "certain" about things they don't know what they are talking about. Pretty funny. Though I do have to give the majority of the BA people props for being extremely classy compared to what I have read on the BC message board. The level of coarseness that I have read thus far is really frightening. The vast majority of BAers strike me as very fine people. I can't imagine posting over there as I would not want to be associated with them. I never felt that way here.
Everything I have written is a direct result of conversations with Jim. He and I talked generally once a week, and I visited with him several times this year. I have always this sitye told the truth. When Schaus did not go to WVU, he told me he anticipated being at OU forever. He told me he could envision a 10year contract. He also stated that even if Schaus left, he had total faith in Dr. McDavis and felt this was his last job. Hel oved the people he worked with, the fans, and his players. He had no thoughts of going elsewhere.
I think Jason Arkley's article today is a very fair, accurate portrayal of Jim. Those of you who now resent his not being on Twitter, etc., are nuts. He is a basketball coach. he is not a publicity hound. He isn't going to run up and down the sideline, or embarrass himself, his players, or his schools with histrionics. Those who call this a lack of energy or passion don't understand professionalism. Watch Fred Hoiberg. You wouldn't take his style as a coach?
Most posters were thrilled with how this season turned out. Now he underachieved. Give me a break.
He called each recruit and spoke with them and their families as he was going through the BC process. He was upfront and honest the whole way.
I want to know which of you would turn down MORE THAN TRIPLING your current salary. Which of you wants to turn down the challenge of working at the top of your profession? No disrespect to OU, but if a professor there was offered a position at Yale, would they be likely to turn it down. I understand you don't like the timing, and I feel badly if you lose recruits. What was he supposed to do, tell BC to call back at a later date?
I really enjoyed my visits there. I saw Jan's Fans and how supportive they were. I attended the Monday night broadcast from the pizza place and loved how the people support the program. I hope Wu gets the job, but whoever is your next coach, I know you will support him.. I hope you get the team you wish for and deserve. But blasting Jim Christian after he put his everything into your success for two years is ludicrous.
Best wishes, LDB, never LDE.
LDB, the frustration, if not anger, on the part of some isn't necessarily about JC leaving, but how it happened. Yes, I understand situations change, unanticipated opportunities present themselves. But please, I find it difficult to believe that JC NEVER considered the possibility that success at Ohio University might lead to better opportunities, and he'd have to at least consider them. Nonetheless, people including his boss were led to believe that JC was here for the long term. Now as shrewd as Schaus is, my guess is that while the timing may have been a surprise, the offer, coming after 49 wins in two seasons, was not. Myself? Well shame on me anyway. I should have known better. I should have known that a coach who had a taste of big time basketball in the Big 12 would never stay long in a second rate conference if another opportunity to prove himself on the big stage came along. By the way, if JC really has such great feeling for this school and his bosses, and is as concerned about improving the schedule as Arkley indicated, then he should agree to schedule a home-and-home over the next 2 years. We'll take our game in '15-'16 so passions can cool down.
All that said, I felt he did indeed give his all here. I'm thrilled that we've won 49 games over the last 2 years, and we did so without cutting corners, and with the only problem being 1 player who just didn't like JC. I never saw this team quit. I did see great chemistry. I know that doesn't happen by accident. And if JC had stayed, and his recruits came to campus as scheduled, I think next year's team had the potential to go as far or farther than any previous Bobcat squad. And from everything I've read, once JC decided he wanted out, he did his best to keep those directly affected informed.
But as you stated, his departure has caused collateral damage. A prized recruit no longer will be coming (real glad to know you feel badly about it, by the way) . Rumors abound that our leading returning scorer will transfer. Instead of moving forward, Ohio's basketball program faces real prospects of sliding back. No, JC was not supposed to tell BC to call back later. But I haven't head "I'm sorry." In fact I haven't heard anything from him at all in terms of thanks for giving me the shot that got me this million dollar job.
The sun will come up tomorrow, though, and the bars will still be serving beer. And I've learned my lesson. Despite how much our new coach professes his happiness to be a Bobcat, tells us how he wants to build a program for the long term, and confides to a friend that he really can see himself staying in Athens, there will only be one thing certain. Tomorrow, he'll be one day closer to leaving, and his departure may come sooner than any of us anticipate.
Last Edited: 4/4/2014 10:06:36 PM by brucecuth