Feels that way, but be honest, didn't you feel good about Archie, Crean and Sampson too? I sure did, although it took me til the Cody/Yogi/Hulls/Wat/VO team to totally buy-in on Crean. I like the moves and staff, and the Matta thing is interesting, but I could also see it blow up and honestly don't expect the Matta position to last more than a year or 2, just long enough to get Woody oriented, and that alone would be great. Results will dictate though.
It feels different to me because this time there is a vision. With the other hires, it seemed to be let's just get the opposite of what we had. This time there is an affirmative vision of let's link to the past and bring the family together, but also accept that times have changed, the game has changed, and let's be ahead of the curve.
I liked Sampson, because I just couldn't believe we'd not do our due diligence and hire someone that compromised. I loved how his teams played: toughness. Something we've lacked since.I didn't like the Crean hire and stated as much but was told that he could do great things here.
HATED the Sampson hire. Couldn't believe they hired him. As it turns out, he was the best one out of the last three.
ALL IN for the Archie hire. And I was still for him for 3 years. Damn I was wrong about that!
Your last line says it all, results will dictate!
Not originally with Crean. He was a surprise to me but I was willing to give him a shot (not that I had a choice). I thought Sampson was a good coach, but questioned his morals. I did think Archie would be good, so I’d say I was more excited about him. But I think CMW and Dolson have taken a much bigger step and it’s not just the HC. We have a LOT more talent around the program than any of those other mentioned hires.
SixthFlagComing, September 28, 2018:
The hype machine has taken the place of what used to be considered a knowledgable fan base. Mediocrity does that.
MAtta is gonna parlay this into an AD job, somewhere big. Unless it doesnt work, but it better ****ing work.
I would agree, but my guess is that you've probably got two pretty big egos so I would guess at some point it will not work. Which is fine, as long as it brings value and gets CMW through the learning curve of being a big program college Coach.
It’s hype because none of those things have produced results. I would imagine many of the veterans here said the same things in the wake of the Sampson, Crean and Miller hires, too. I still remember the “We’re Back!” mania that followed the UK game after Watford hot the game winner. It was hype, just like this is. Love Woody, but actions (results) are all that really matter.
that is most certainly FIfe's master plan based on that podcast he did with DD 10 days ago. But....let's see a couple seasons of success with the new staff before we start picking successors to the throne.
It‘s not incorrect to hold off on the starry eyed proclamations until some actual results have occurred. And, yes, much of the off season is hype, as your posts make clear. As for your last sentence, I think you’d be well served to consult a dictionary.
I’m quickly dropping the cautiously part from optimistic. Woodson has managed to grab two very talented guards (Johnson / Bates) in the past couple weeks and that’s huge, based on the biggest Achilles heel this team had last year was the ineffective guard play. Not to mention, retaining TJD, who is likely the B1G preseason POY. This team definitely has the makings of not only an ncaa tourney team, but perhaps even a top 5 finish in the B1G.
