Angry, unintelligible? Hmm.
You willfully ignore the fact that I was pointing out issues Mr. Snarkley had failed to address in his paean to Saul. He led with injuries, has mentioned injuries in every story written this year, and has quoted Saul extensively about the impact of injuries. Like Saul and folks like you, Arkley's favorite conjunction is "But..."
So, I figured we could agree that the injuries bugaboo had been appropriately litigated. Except. Had Saul over the past five years developed a bench that was ever deeper than 7-8 players, perhaps we'd have logged a few more wins. So there's that. And heck, if his teams could shoot 60% from the stripe, we'd have had a couple more this year alone.
As to him "inheriting" a troubled locker room, I say B.S. He was the coach. He needed to take charge of those guys or invite them to focus on other opportunities. He didn't. Did his willingness to ignore that crap help boost his record in Year One? God, no. That team was absolutely unwatchable. All it did was drive off his most talented recruit.
I find it laughable that you criticize my "speculation" that ticket revenues would decline next year, yet in the same breath claim Saul would have won 20 games in two additional seasons had he not lost players due to injury. As to the former, I suggest you call some folks down at the Ohio Bobcat Club and ask how many complaints they've received from season ticket holders this year. It was a bloodbath. In my case, I went from Bobcat Black seats in Saul Year One to Gold seats in years three and four to GA this year. That ain't demographics, pal; it was a 30-plus year season ticket holder voting with his wallet. And I wasn't alone.
As to the Jaaron Simmons saga, ask around and you'll find that JS had his coach on a retractable leash. Were you not watching when he singlehandedly blew games at Kent and in the MAC Tourney by hoisting ridiculous shots (or no shot at all) at critical moments? Did you notice how Jordan Dartis essentially disappeared in his sophomore season? Reason? Jaaron froze him out of the offense.
Simmons told folks he didn't think he was getting the instruction he needed to reach the next level. Ironically, when Jaaron got to Ann Arbor, John Beilein discovered that there had been no coaching whatsoever over the previous two seasons, and sat him down.
I'm done arguing with you. Yes, I am employed. Gainfully. Retiring at the end of the year. I suggest you head back to your newsroom and remind Herb Tarlek and Les Nessman that turkeys can't fly. Except, in your world, the turkey who made $2.5 mil in Athens over the past five years.
Last Edited: 3/24/2019 9:32:38 AM by SBH