A lot is going to depend on the next week. To be convinced there's genuine reason for optimism regarding the trajectory of the program, we'd have to win at least three games this week, in my opinion.

If we bow out against NIU, regardless of how we play, that's not good enough. If we beat NIU, and get beat by Toledo, I don't think that's good enough, either. If we beat both, that gives is a very real shot at a MAC championship game appearance, and makes Saul's case stronger. But I'm still just not quite sure it's enough.

Ultimately, if we prove we can play at the same level as the top teams in the conference when it matters most, that's a big step in the right direction. But if we don't make real noise in this tournament, I don't see how anybody can justify Saul's staying.

For me, he either needs to win the tournament or go down swinging in a competitive have against Buffalo in the championship game. Anything less just doesn't feel like enough progress to build on.

If you have ever been in a role where you make hires and fires, I cannot imagine the justification to extend Saul. He has not won anything at OU (translation: a MAC Championship), has contributed significantly to the degrading atmosphere of the Convo, and cannot recruit to keep up with the rest of the conference. Listen to some of those post game conferences where they end abruptly. The mood and tone tells the whole story.

I don't understand the references to "not feeling sorry for Saul." My support of Saul, and those of other supporters, has nothing to do with pity. It has to do with projecting what we think the future would hold under Saul versus some no-name replacement. I, like, Jeff have weighed the options, and feel that watching this team progress through the season with so many underclassmen and with missing Dartis and Gollon (except for his cameo return), and looking at what appears to be improved recruiting, warrants an extension. Now, if JS has That Matta waiting in the wings as our next coach, sure fire Saul and get on with it. But, unless he's got a trick up his sleeve of this magnitude, the chances of finding a better coach than Saul, I feel, is no better than a 50-50 proposition. The landscape of college basketball throughout the years is littered with coaches fired who should have been retained, and coaches who were not spectacular during their early years but grew into the job. Another poster mentioned Jim Snyder, and that might be one example, but there are literally hundreds of others. A bad hire in the replacement of Saul and we could be headed for the basketball equivalent of the Cleve-PapaL Era in football. As I mentioned in another thread, I'd fire JS before I'd fire SP.

I can see the press release now. JS saying how the cost of inflation in Athens County this past year is up 1.0 percent and he's got kids to feed.

As others have mentions and some are putting all of their Saul eggs in this basket... March Matters.

It sure does, but so does setting yourself up for success in March.

Saul's recipe for success in March is to finish last in the division, earn a 10-seed and head out for a first round road game against a team he's already 0-2 against ... #7 NIU, a team that DID beat Buffalo.

How'd Saul do it... he battled the best in the MAC (the top 6 seeds) to a dominating 1-8 record. Thank's BG for the win. John Groce celebrated the Convo's 50th by leading his Zips to their only road win of the season.

The Best Programs in the MAC follow this recipe and it's not a new one.
20+ wins a year (hopefully with some decent non-conference games/wins)
10+ MAC wins
Host or Bye in the MAC Tournament

I thought this was our recipe at one point.

I don't think Saul is capable of that level of success in the MAC, 5-years is enough data. It's a level of success he was paid to deliver. He was also handed a program better in reality and reputation at the time he was hired than the one he's built over the last five years.

Beating Miami is always great, but it's March and neither team is very good. Poor shooting, more turnovers than assists, sloppy play... but at least both teams shot free throws well. The two interior players for Miami were a joke. One was stuck to the floor, I attribute that to gravity, and the other had the balance of a one-legged stool.

I don't accept almost beating Buffalo at the Convo as the new standard of excellence. Just like in 86, we were better than Ohio State in the NIT, except for that damn 7-footer Brad Sellers!

All the wish casting for what could have been for Saul is great. What if his limited success was just as much due to "good" luck and fortune. This can go both ways.

Good news! The next coach can be a nice person, as well, and hopefully a better MAC-level coach and recruiter.

Toledo lost the MAC POY in the tournament last year and still managed to make it to the championship game, adapted their game and had a chance against Buffalo.

I watched UNF dismiss its best player two weeks ago. It was a failed weed test, he's not an ax murderer. He probably would have been in the top 3 for ASUN POY and then they go on a winning streak where multiple freshman and fist-year players came in, filled the void, and helped to team improve from the 6 seed to the 3 seed and earn a first round home game.

I think competent coaching allows stuff like this to happen all over college basketball every year as the reality of the season unfolds in the form of injuries, recruiting mistakes, pleasant surprises, discipline issues and all the other stuff.

Even if Saul wins the tournament, he's not coming back. A three-year extension, to make sense for us, would need a minimal buyout starting with year one. He's not going to take that deal, nor should he, but he hasn't earned a better one and certainly doesn't deserve a raise, even if the consumer price index in Athens is up.

Not so fast, my friend.

Got bounced in American East quarters tonight. 18 losses last year, bounced in first round of conference this year.....NEXT....not ready.

++++1

In fact, I’ll argue that it’s great that Boals’ team lost early in the conference tournament. It would have no impact at all on his ability to recruit Ohio WAY better than Phillips has. It likely will make him less marketable for other jobs, making it easier for OHIO to approach him.

The Bobcats should make a serious run at getting Boals.

+ 1 Agree. BG is paying 700K for their WBBC . Akron is paying John Groce 600K + next year. We need to "up our game" if we want to keep Bolden. $$$v+ extension . SO what do we do with the MBBC?? Offer the current coach a bit less with performance guaranties ??? Or on the other hand go coach hunting ?? If we go hunting I look for 750K + to be in play . I REALLY don't think the athletic department can afford it
My idea. Bob Bolden get a healthy raise and 5 year extension. Saul on the other hand. 2 -3 extension, 400K base pay. Bonuses get him to 600K IF we get to the 2nd round of the NCAA or semi-final of the NIT.

As everyone that thinks Saul should leave have there pitchforks out. Flame on with your posts .

Jeff Boals has eight combined years of experience as an assistant at MAC schools including with us, Marshall, and Akron.

I can't help but suspect that you want to retain Saul simply because he's been nice to you and fire Jim Schaus because he hasn't.

From my perspective, there's only one reason to consider dismissing the AD, and that has been his willingness to let the program wither in the hands of Saul Phillips.

How is athletic department revenue tracking?

Recruiting has NOT been improving. Our last 2 recruiting classes have been Saul’s worst. We were the 11 seed last year and are the 10 seed this year. Plus, you have no idea how bad we will miss Doug next year. It couldn’t get any worse with a new coach. #FireSaul