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Topic: RE: Jim Christian

Topic: RE: Jim Christian

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DublinCat
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Post Count: 236

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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:40:23 AM

4 MAC East Division Titles = 4 More than ANY Ohio Coach

2 Overall MAC Titles = More than our last FOUR coaches - Hahn, Hunter, O’Shea and Groce - COMBINED

2 Conference Tournament Championship = only Groce/Nee

We have no modern six year span that would come close to his RPI average in the MAC

Why would anyone take an unproven assistant when the above is available?

On paper this is a HUGE get for Ohio! First time we have hired a proven winner as HC since Hunter DIII and Got Frank!

OU87

Casper71
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Member Since: 12/1/2006
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:42:23 AM

Many of these posts are funny. Look, Schaus has had a few names in his pocket for a JG replacement since day one. ALL ADs have those lists. I wan't that excited either but when you get right down to it, this guy is a proven HEAD coach at this level. Boals and Ford are not. i hope he keeps Ford and I hope Ford wants to stay. I wasn't "in love" with this hire but it is growing on me. Just unexpected. As for the players, whatever happens, happens. But, give me another break though... DJ to the NBA is ridiculous. Do you realize he just isn't a good enough shooter. Probably most everyone in the NBA shoots better than 26% from three.

OUVan
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Location: Bethesda, MD
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:44:00 AM

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead wrote:

TCU just had their best season since 2005. I highly doubt Jim Christian was close to getting fired there.

He wasn't getting an extention either. This is a very smart move from Jim Christian's perspective. He is going from the worst job in the Big 12 to the best job in the MAC. From reading various things it sounds like their basketball facilities are horrible. The AD that hired him is gone so he didn't even have his boss in his corner. I haven't done the research yet to see how his recruiting went at TCU so I don't know what he had coming back and/or coming in but he had his best season the first year he had all his own players.

Mark Lembright '85
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Member Since: 8/22/2010
Location: Highland Heights, OH
Post Count: 2,447

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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:47:00 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

bornacatfan wrote:

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

I don't know what to say, but we are owed a full explanation as to the process and thoroughness of this hire. .

Please.

We are not OWED anything.

YOu vote with your support. SImple. Straightforward.

Been through the coaching change once and you are not given anything, you sign with a university to play ball, you roll withthe change.

YOu support your University. If you don't like the prez, the BOT or the coach that is hired you vote with your support.

And I say Bulls***. If Jim Schaus didn't do his job in making this hire, then he absolutely owes everyone an explanation. (Job meaning conducting a thorough search (meaning talking to more than one candidate) for the right candidate, and inviting finalists TO CAMPUS for a final round of interviews). I'll continue to support OHIO athletics because I'm a Bobcat. I'm a lifer. And believe me, I've been a big fan of Schaus, but his role is to be a proper steward of our money and our tradition and our athletics. And if he talked to only one candidate and made this call, then he is NOT doing his job.

His job is to hire a winning basketball coach. I don't think it matters whether he talks to 1 or 100. When he hired Groce, I'm not sure he talked to many candidates given the short turnaround between TOS leaving and Groce's announcement. In fact, I'm encouraged that he has moved this quickly. This means he has been doing Due Diligence all season in the eventuality of Groce leaving. Meanwhile, Miami is still looking for a coach after 5 weeks. I would say that the Miami AD is not doing his job.

Well said! And good point about the Miami of Ohio job. Yikes!

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:50:04 AM

OUVan wrote:

http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index.php?showtopic=153070&st=0

Here is some more insight into the TCU job. Take a look at what their own fans think of the TCU basketball job and you'll figure out why Jim Christian is leaving.

Some realistic names in that thread.....Phil Jackson.....Shaka Smart......yeah right.

I'm surprised so many want Bruce Pearl.....maybe we should have gone after Bruce....he always wanted D.J......just kidding of course.

Ozcat
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Member Since: 1/4/2005
Location: Gahanna, OH
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:50:05 AM

If this was a 6 year period at Ohio, how would you feel?

NIT, NIT, NCAA, miss, NCAA, CIT

Last Edited: 4/2/2012 11:52:10 AM by Ozcat

PalmerFest
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:50:43 AM

Drewbenz24 wrote:

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

Some of the best news to me is that Ohio is going to pay its next coach in the range of $600,000. I'm excited that the university is putting that kind of money into the program.

I agree, but where are we getting this money? Just a week ago we were trying to raise money to keep Groce and now suddenly we are able to pay a coach $600,000.

I'm not sure that it will be 600K. My guess is that it will be around 400K. The article said the money was "comparable". Cost of living is pretty high in DallasFW.

TheBikeman
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Member Since: 11/27/2010
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:50:45 AM

Christian is a proven winner, he will stay a long time. His wife is an alum from what I read. It will be interesting to see how he recruits, I expect all the players will be all in. Boals might have been good but he has no track record as a head coach.. I also like the fact that they won't promote from within, usually the kiss of death. The players love it and that's the problem. 600 grand is the going rate these days if a team wants to be a big player as a mid major.

Anyone know what they pay at Xavier and Dayton?

71 BOBCAT
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:51:13 AM

CATman
You mention that the coach suspended his 3 best players and that is the reason why their performance was so bad. WELL...Weren't these his recruits...WHAT does this tell you about his recruiting strength... he loves JUCO's and bad habits are hard to break.
$600K really?

GO BOBCATS

OUVan
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Location: Bethesda, MD
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:51:19 AM

Ted Thompson wrote:

Meanwhile, Miami is still looking for a coach after 5 weeks. I would say that the Miami AD is not doing his job.

A lot could factor into that delay however. With Ohio State still left in the tourney they may not have been able to move on Dickerson or Boals. Plus both may have been holding out hope of landing the Ohio job. Sometimes you just have to see how he dominos fall.

Ohio Pilot
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:51:55 AM

Post Season 5 out of 6 years? I say not bad and OHIO is a lot easier to recruit at then Kent. That place sucks

The Situation
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Location: Columbus, OH
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:53:18 AM

After having more than 12 hours to let it soak in, I'm really excited about this hire. The data suggests the man knows how to coach.

Christians MAC efficiency is staggering. He has proven success in the MAC taking over someone else's team and building his own.

People forget how difficult it is to turn around a program. I wonder how well Groce would have faired at Northern Illinois had he been there the past few years? Could he have even convinced Cooper to commit? A players perception of the program isn't entirely burdened on the head coach.

And where would we be now without Cooper, Basset, and Offut. Coach Groce isnt the X and Os guy some of you think he is. Don't forget this team couldn't even inbound properly before 2012, including the 2011 pt. duex Marshall game (we lost multiple games because of it). And I don't have enough fingers to count the number of times we've ended a half, or a game, with 30 seconds left and had DJ shuffle left to right at 3/4 half court only to shoot and miss a deep NBA 3 as time expires!

And to play Devil's Advocate for those tourney wins, Groce had the fortune of having access to a winning a losing gameplan to Georgetown and Michigan's head coach. Even if Matta didnt hand over the data for the Michigan game, Groce spent countless hours analyzing JT III's teams in 06 and 07? under the supervision of Matta at OSU. He already had the other coaches weaknesses on file. Take that as you will. In my book the only NCAA tournament team Groce has disected on his own was 12 seed USF. A bogus flagarant foul on Walt Offut led to a five point swing that changed the face of that game.

Jim Christian may very well be the most qualified candidate in the country willing to take the job. There's a lot to be excited about! I can't wait to see what a coach with his track record can do with this much talent, which he hasnt had a privilege of coaching before.

I just hope he can win over Coopers mom. The rest of the team, at least from their tweets, appear grounded. As of now Cooper appears to be the only loose cannon. I hope he can also reassure commit Caris Levert that the future is very bright at OHIO.

Last Edited: 4/2/2012 12:21:18 PM by The Situation

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:54:14 AM

I like what I see in terms of Christian's non conference schedules while he was at KSU. It looks like it was a good mix of solid mid-majors (Detroit, Illinois State, St. Louis, George Mason, Cleveland State, Southern Illinois, Creighton) and major conference teams. Kent State played Boston College, Rutgers, Temple, Butler, and Xavier at home while Christian was there, and went on the road to play BC, Florida State, Syracuse, Ohio State, Duke, Marquette and UNC.

The guy won games at Kent State and seems to know how to put together a tough schedule that wont hurt his RPI, too.

I really like this hire the more I look into it.

bornacatfan
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Member Since: 8/3/2006
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:55:25 AM

Casper71 wrote:

Look, Schaus has had a few names in his pocket for a JG replacement since day one. ALL GOOD ADs have those lists. .

Fixed that and I totally agree. JS is shrewd and smart and knows basketball. He has had a short list inhis pocket for a couple of years I suspect.

As for the assertion "when have we become Butler" , I am sure you, like I had previously stated, were hoping we had not lost our collective heads and maintained realistic expectations without becoming boorish and overreaching as a fanbase. .....on the other hand, IMHO, we have just sealed the deal in not becoming the next Butler with regard to coaching successions....TIme will tell.

I have long maintained we should be the Gem of the MAC. Best facilities, best fanbase, no reason to ever lose a recruit. I am not really impressed with MAC records. I want to be playing the best ball in March. To be nationally relevant that is how it works. Just what I kinda thought we were building here. Hope he can win both the regualr season and win and advance in the tourney....we are past thinking 20 win seasons are the standard.

never argue with idiots, they bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.

Winter comes and asks how you spent your summer.....

The game loves and rewards those who love and reward the game

Ozcat
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Location: Gahanna, OH
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:55:45 AM

JSF, the one question I'd like to hear an answer to is this:

JC (please call him by just his initials), in the past you've been high on JUCOs. Recently at Ohio though, we've had success by recruiting high school players who have come from championship calibur programs. Which philosophy do you see yourself more likely to utilize here at Ohio?

ts1227
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Location: Tallmadge, OH
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:55:53 AM

DublinCat wrote:

4 MAC East Division Titles = 4 More than ANY Ohio Coach

2 Overall MAC Titles = More than our last FOUR coaches - Hahn, Hunter, O’Shea and Groce - COMBINED

2 Conference Tournament Championship = only Groce/Nee

We have no modern six year span that would come close to his RPI average in the MAC

Why would anyone take an unproven assistant when the above is available?

On paper this is a HUGE get for Ohio! First time we have hired a proven winner as HC since Hunter DIII and Got Frank!

And then the calendar flips to March.

If he fixes that issue, it will work well.

BobcatSports
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:57:03 AM

We're "OWED" an explanation my _ss. OHIO employs Schaus to do the hiring, if they didn't feel he was competent I'm sure he would be replaced. What did you expect the guy to do, take an online poll at BobcatAttack to gauge support for this hire? For all the EXPERTS on this board, I don't think one had mentioned Christian as a candidate. Maybe Schaus was more than a step ahead of the process and didn't take the time to "compare" his notes with the resident experts on this board.

Didn't the players all have their "jocks" in a knot with the Groce hiring? Wasn't there disappoinment that Big John didn't get the job when TOS hit the "Rhode" Island? People normally don't like change, but change it's going to be like it or not. Schaus seems to have a pretty good track record when it comes to finding the right coaching fit, I seriously doubt he went about this with the mindset of I'm going totally off the wall and screw this whole thing up.

Also beware the prodigal son former player - now assistant - you just know will be an outstanding Head Coach. Re: Matt Dougherty - UNC. Yea, that UNC. It doesn't always work out no matter how good the intentions were.

Mike Coleman
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:57:42 AM

Here's confirmation of Christian's wife being an alum.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/03/12/3804573/tcu-coach...

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:00:05 PM

Let me be clear that I'm not saying I think Jim Christian is a bad hire - far from it. As I said, at worst, he's a safe hire. OHIO will win a lot of games under this guy. I'm just saying I would be very disappointed if any stone went unturned in this search. How could Jim Christian have been "the guy"? Do he and Schaus have a history? Are they old friends? How long have they been talking? Were any other coaches who expressed interest in the job simply turned away?

Let me also note that I'm "all in". I'm not on here to rail against our new coach, even if I had thought it was a terrible selection (and again, I don't). I'm behind the coach and the team and I look forward to many great moments next season.

PalmerFest
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:01:16 PM

Mike Coleman wrote:

Here's confirmation of Christian's wife being an alum.

http://www.star-telegram.com/2012/03/12/3804573/tcu-coach...

I really like that she is an alum. Little extra motivation for coach. Don't want to disappoint the wife.

OUVan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:06:13 PM

Was just reading on the TCU board that when he took over they had only four returning players on the roster and one of those was out of the country and they weren't sure if he was returning. Talk about having to scramble.

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:08:52 PM

BobcatSports wrote:

We're "OWED" an explanation my _ss. OHIO employs Schaus to do the hiring, if they didn't feel he was competent I'm sure he would be replaced. What did you expect the guy to do, take an online poll at BobcatAttack to gauge support for this hire? For all the EXPERTS on this board, I don't think one had mentioned Christian as a candidate. Maybe Schaus was more than a step ahead of the process and didn't take the time to "compare" his notes with the resident experts on this board.

Didn't the players all have their "jocks" in a knot with the Groce hiring? Wasn't there disappoinment that Big John didn't get the job when TOS hit the "Rhode" Island? People normally don't like change, but change it's going to be like it or not. Schaus seems to have a pretty good track record when it comes to finding the right coaching fit, I seriously doubt he went about this with the mindset of I'm going totally off the wall and screw this whole thing up.

Also beware the prodigal son former player - now assistant - you just know will be an outstanding Head Coach. Re: Matt Dougherty - UNC. Yea, that UNC. It doesn't always work out no matter how good the intentions were.

I don't think we are owed an explanation.....things will come out anyway.

I'm no an EXPERT but he wasn't on my list because he already had a job......I didn't know his wife was an Ohio alum.....and jumps from the Big 12 (I know not until next year) to the MAC don't happen everyday.

OU_Country
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Location: On the road between Athens and Madison County
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:08:56 PM

Jerry86 wrote:

Chuck_IV wrote:

I just don't understand why our AD even went after this guy, when you have the likes of Jeff Boals and Dustin Ford right under your nose. Also, why did the AD even talk tot he players and ask them what they wanted, then, from the looks of it, go completely against what they wanted?

This guy has a terrible record at TCU and showed no recruiting ability. Why, if we want to take this program up a notch, do we think he can do any better here?

This just doesn't sit well with me at ALL. It seems our program went from euphoric highs last week, to depressing lows this week.

And exactly how many games have Boals or Dustin won as a Head Coach? Recall the days or Dale Bandy or Billy Hahn, assistant coaches here elevated to Head Coach and things not working out?

Say what you want but Christian's numbers blow away any coach we've had. 73% MAC wins. Groce had 53%.

Rather than giving Christian a chance many of you have already written him off. Classy!

He was hired for a reason. He was offered $600K (if that's what it is) for a reason as well. I seriously doubt any of the negative posters had any insight into the hiring process. Rather than attack the guy I'll wait for the presser and then wait and see how he actually does next year. And if a player of two wants to leave that's their preogative. Everyone can be replaced.

Unless you are in a position of power with Ohio athletics your choices are simple: Support the AD and the new coach and give them a fair shot to prove themselves, or get off the bandwagon. Complaining about the coaching hire isn't going to get anyone anywhere. I have my reservations about Jim Christian, but I can't argue with his MAC results and winning percentage. I will never complain about OUr school's coach if we're consistently in the top 3 teams in our conference and threatening to go to NCAA/NIT games. I would certainly like to hope that the senior/junior class jumps on board with him and says "let's be even better next year".

Doc Bobcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:09:50 PM

OUVan wrote:

Yeah the dude was in Columbia....talkin about leavin the cupboard bare.

Voice of Reason
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 12:16:34 PM

Can we all take a deep breath! Here are some things I am sure of:

1. Jim Schaus did not throw a dart to pick this coach. I am certain it was a thorough and deliberate process. While Groce did not officially leave until Thursday, Schaus new what was coming from Sunday and probably was prepped and ready to roll as soon as it was official. Schaus hasn't just made good coaching hires at Ohio he has made great administrative hires! That department has improved significantly in his time and we all have recognized it. I have a great deal of trust in him.

2. I am POSITIVE that despite the reported offer to Groce, that they would have offered him as much as they were possibly able to. Not to mention, Schaus said in the press conference that he didn't think money was a factor and Groce said in his press conference that the Big Ten was a dream of his. Whether we offered him $500 or $600k would not have made a difference. Illinois didn't even give him anywhere near what people thought and he took it. He wanted Big Ten not just the money!

3. Anytime you go outside a program and bring someone in that players are unfamiliar with, they are going to have reservations and their loyalty will have them upset. Having a coach come in that has been a head coach before and made a transition like this before will put him in a better situation to know how to come in and win the team right away. I like that knowledge coming in with the team we have returning. If you think he isn't going to make sure he establishes trust with DJ right away, you are crazy.

4. DJ has good people in his corner. There are emotions anytime there is change. Your initial reaction and emotion is always stronger than once you have had time to think and reflect. That is what I think we have from the players now, but once they get past that everything will be fine. If you think John Groce is not talking to DJ and encouraging him to stay at Ohio, you are crazy. Dj loves him and he loves DJ. He will make sure DJ makes the right move and encourage him to stay at OHIO.

5. This is a statement by our University, President and Athletic Director in our commitment to Athletics. It speaks volumes for the progress we have made and the desire we have to continue to move forward. Great things are ahead for OHIO Athletics! I am incredibly excited.

6. While BobcatBlitz will claim he is a genius for calling DJ's departure if it happens, we all know he has nothing substantive to back up his argument. He just likes to ruffle people's feathers on this board and exaggerate things. If DJ tweeted "i'm bout to bounce" in reference to going out on the town, Blitz would start a thread that DJ is officially transferring, going to the NBA or Europe.

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