Elite 8, after finishing regular confererence middle of the pack...yes, you are right. BUT, he never had a true center (with the exception of the late Big Steve who only played 1 year. His best bigs were 2 guys kicked off the team following exceptional freshmen years then injuries all-around. He did take a 'middle of the conference team' and make the Elite 8 run. That's what good coaches do. That's why he is a good coach. Keep running each of your coaches off, the more you guys blame the coaches the more the players stop looking at themselves and their lack of focus, hustle, preparation, etc...why not rally around the coach and program? It seemed to work at Dayton. Archie did not start off his first two years very well, but the fans stuck with him and in the end he made the program way, way better.
When Archie Miller was hired as head coach of U of Dayton, there was a lot of history there...and high expectations. Gregory was let go as head coach for a number of reasons...partly because the recruiting was drying up and the cupboard was not looking favorable for the next year or two. Contrary to what has recently been posted in this and other threads.
Archie Miller's teams struggled, at first, for much the same reason as IU's team is struggling. New system, new head coach, players recruited by previous coach with different priorities...It took a couple of years. But he then got Dayton to be effective in their conference.
I can understand why people are frustrated with the performance of the IU team. And the buck does stop at the top.
It is the head coach's responsibility to get this team to hit free throws, to win against the conference opponents, to rebound and to block out, to have a front line that is among the best in college ball, to have a smart and effective point guard with a great assist to turnover ratio, and a great defense...to be among the best in the conference year after year, and to do very well in the NCAAT.
But to expect all of that...in his second full year at the helm...with the baggage of the history of the previous head coaches and the administration botching the jobs really says something about the fans and their expectations or agendas.
I live in Dayton. I graduated from IU in 1977. I went to games in the old fieldhouse. I go to games and will be at the OSU vs IU game...with friends. I went to UD games and really like what Archie Miller did over here. Only one other Dayton coach ever had the success that Archie Miller had here...Don Donoher.
Archie's latter teams had a number of characteristics: They got better as the year progressed; they got into the NCAAT; they were at the very top of their conference or competed favorably for it's championship; they played good defense; they played as a team; they moved the ball to the open player; and they represented the school well. Archie Miller was flexible in offense and defense but stayed with his man-to-man and they did extend it out to the 3-point shooter but it took smart, experienced, talented players to do that.
