Hate to make light of someone's job status, then again this is a message board, that's the topic most likely to be discussed this year and the season exhibition season begins in less than 24 hours.

Not sure my categories are any good (actually I know they're not), but where's the bar for 2018-19 to warrant an extension.

To me, it's at least top 4 and probably a trip to the finals. There has to be a significant change in the overall look and feel of what we've seen on the court. And probably an OOC upset or two in there.

Right now, I'd put odds at 75-80% that Saul is out. He has a long way to go in earning an extension.

Make the NCAA tournament = extend him.
Make the MAC finals but lose with a team that won 20-25+ games and finished top 3 in the MAC = give him one more year.
Make the MAC finals but lose with a team that was mediocre or bad but got "hot" at the right time = probably move on.
Anything less = he gone.


Notice the trend. March. March. March. March. It's literally all that matters. MAC finals or bust.

I didn't vote in the poll. Not to be argumentative or contentious (and I think Kirk and Carter are good proven players), but when somebody says "beast" about a college basketball, people usually think of guys like Nazreon Reid and Zion Williamson. But I understand how much quicker and easier it is to say "beast" than it is to say "good solid proven basketball player."

When it comes to Mid-major basketball, it's quite unfortunate that all that matters is March, but for many fans, I believe that you're right.

Whether or not that is what matters in the eyes of the AD and OU to extend him, I don't know. I like the guy a lot, and think that given a full healthy team that they'll be a top 3-4 team in the conference, and probably would have already been to the tournament once. That said, I'm not optimistic that he'll be here next season.

It seems to me that the fate of this year’s team and it’s coach depend on many important variables. Injuries have clearly been a problem the last 2 years. However maybe just as important is the emergence of players not currently under discussion. Both Lassiter and Gollon stepped up last season. The year before Carter pretty much came out of nowhere. At this point we have more “potential” stars than in past years. Barring injuries (that’s a biggie) we could be surprisingly good. At least we have the bodies and skills to cover the various positions. Our lack of depth underneath last year pretty much doomed us to mediocrity.

Has to win the MAC Tournament for extension. It's year number five. Hunter...O'Shea...Groce....all won MAC Tourney in first five years. JC gets an incomplete for leaving early. The administration and fanbase should expect this program to go to the Big Dance at least once every five years...at the bare minimum.

For me a respectable season (vs "successful" season) will be minimum 18 wins and final 4 MACC tourney - Based on a wide variety of factors that include Saul uncontrollables (injuries etc.), and that gets at least a 1 year extension.

With the team we have TY w/Carter back, but Dartis & Gollon health questionables, and a LOT of good prospects for the next several years - My look is that we could be GREAT Next year. So why screw that opportunity up and risk multiple defections w/coaching change end of this year (e.g. Carter, Kirk, or a very promising looking Vander Plas - Why Stay if coach is fired?) - And then we all wait several more years for someone to rebuild off of that....?

I fully agree with this sentiment. He's a great person with an exceptional family, but he has to at least be playing on Saturday in Cleveland or he's gone. He didn't get hired to go .472 in the MAC.

For a little perspective, here is John Wooden's record before going on his multi-title run beginning in 1964. I'm sure UCLA fans are happy that they didn't bounce him out after the mediocre years of 1951 through 54. It takes time to build a winning program, as well as some luck.


Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Indiana State Sycamores (Indiana Intercollegiate Conference) (1946–1948)
1946–47 Indiana State 17–8 5–2 1st NAIA invitation declined
1947–48 Indiana State 27–7 7–0 1st NAIA Runner-up
Indiana State: 44–15 (.746) 12–2 (.857)
UCLA Bruins[29] (Pacific Coast Conference) (1948–1959)
1948–49 UCLA 22–7 10–2 1st (South)
1949–50 UCLA 24–7 10–2 1st (South) NCAA Regional Fourth Place
1950–51 UCLA 19–10 9–4 T–1st (South)
1951–52 UCLA 19–12 8–4 1st (South) NCAA Regional Fourth Place
1952–53 UCLA 16–8 6–6 3rd (South)
1953–54 UCLA 18–7 7–5 2nd (South)
1954–55 UCLA 21–5 11–1 1st (South)
1955–56 UCLA 22–6 16–0 1st NCAA Regional Third Place
1956–57 UCLA 22–4 13–3 T–2nd
1957–58 UCLA 16–10 10–6 3rd
1958–59 UCLA 16–9 10–6 T–3rd
UCLA Bruins[29] (Pacific-8 Conference) (1959–1975)
1959–60 UCLA 14–12 7–5 2nd
1960–61 UCLA 18–8 7–5 2nd
1961–62 UCLA 18–11 10–2 1st NCAA University Division Fourth Place
1962–63 UCLA 20–9 8–5 T–1st NCAA University Division Regional Fourth Place

205 wins 77 losses WP 72.7%

This will be a very difficult year for Saul for the following reasons;
1) Daris probably out or at best a minor contributor
2) 2 other players were injured last year, Carter & VanderPlas
3) 2 hold overs that could be injured, Gallon & Block
4) 7 new players
The end result will make it difficult for Saul to have at least a winning season and therefor receive an extension.
Schauss also knows that with only 1 commit for next year there is probably not much risk with players leaving due to a coaching change.
We will be fortunate to be a .500 team.



GO BOBCATS

Though I don't have the record right in front of me, but from my ever fallible memory I believe that Jim Snyder's first few years weren't exactly stellar either. I think Saul has great potential and has become a better coach each year (not necessarily a better record, due to factors beyond his control). The way Saul relates to players reminds me very much of Snyder. I had a former player tell me that Saul is a "player's coach." I like that. I'd stick with him several more years, and then make an assessment. In essence, I agree with berniebobcat (aka the Wizard of San Luis Obispo) and an earlier post by bn9.

yes ... because college basketball in the 40's and 50's is comparable. Ha! What a stretch.

I think most of these points have been made ... but Saul is a lame duck.

Win ... and he leaves for a "bigger & better" job

Lose ... and he's gone.

It's a farewell tour for him. Ohio will not give a one-year extension that will keep program in limbo another year.

My guess is to keep you fingers crossed and hope for some magic this year ... a memorable run to a MAC title and the NCAAs would be a nice parting gift for Saul and the fans.

After that ... I have a feeling we're in for a bumpy ride. Don't think we'll see them shell out nearly $700k for a new coach.

Maybe Geno Ford is wiling to come back for cheap, ha!

The irony is Ohio set the standard by paying Jim Christian and Saul big bucks (for MAC standards) .... and now they're probably not willing to commit that kind of money to the position.

Very tenuous time for Ohio athletics (at least hoops/football) with Saul most likely out after 2018-19 and Frank's tenure winding down in the next few years. Might be some lean years if they're not willing to financially commit like they currently do or to keep up with the growing costs of college football/basketball.