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Topic: RE: Jim Christian

Topic: RE: Jim Christian

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OUVan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:34:05 AM

Mark Lembright '85 wrote:

Heck yes!! He knew how to get the team to win when it really mattered, and that's not easy to do.

I think it's a moot point; I think Groce will do well at Illinois, then Ohio State when he succeeds Matta.

Just wondering, but why does everybody think Groce would go to Ohio State? Other than Thad Matta he has no ties to the job or the state and it's not like Ohio State over the last 40 years has been a much better job than Illinois.

Mike Coleman
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:35:22 AM

Pataskala wrote:

What he did in the MAC was 8 years ago

2008 was eight years ago?

Mike Coleman
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:36:38 AM

OUVan wrote:

Other than Thad Matta he has no ties to the job or the state

Four years at Ohio don't count as ties to the state?

Piney
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:37:15 AM

Wow... just wow... I wake up this morning and finally going through twitter to catch up and then just read these 8 pages of this thread.

At first... total shock... where the heck did this come from???

But the idea has grown on me. He is a quality coach, I would call him better at this moment than Boals and Ford. But the ceiling does have me worried.

Him leaving TCU? Really that doesn't bother me. TCU is a football school that could care less for basketball. I can totally see him not having full support (ie the athletic department rather spend their money on football than basketball and he knew he didn't have what he needed to win) then throw in moving to the Big XII??? Maybe he knew the extra money from the conference move WAS NOT going to the basketball program. So like others have said, Ohio is probably a better job to have success as a basketball coach.

Those that wanted a 'Frank Solich' type hire, got one. He had a taste of a better program and wanted to come back to his roots. With him leaving TCU a big program won't hire him away for a bit.

Now, it is just sad he coached in the MAC for 6 years and I don't recall his style... seems like guard oriented and tough defense... but I can't picture it yet.

BUT, with all that said... the one thing that shocks me the most is the money... 600k??? WTF???

Will players leave? Yeah... I can see it. I just hope not alot of them do. Really right now it is all talk until the players actually meet their new coach. Losing recruits? Doesn't bother me much because it gives the new coach some freedom to maybe get better players that would fit his system better?

"If someone told me 20 years ago in my James Hall Dorm room that I would be the commencement speaker I would have told them to get out of here and make sure you put that towell back under the door"

- Matt Lauer '97 Commencement Speech

OUVan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:42:51 AM

Mike Coleman wrote:

OUVan wrote:

Other than Thad Matta he has no ties to the job or the state

Four years at Ohio don't count as ties to the state?

Not really. I meant that he wasn't born here and he didn't go to school in the state. Working four years in Athens, Ohio doesn't make Columbus your dream job any more than Illinois. It's not like he grew up in Lima dreaming about getting the Buckeye job. I just don't see him jumping from Illinois to Ohio State when the time comes.

OUVan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:47:49 AM

http://www.hornedfrogsports.com/archive.asp?id=759

Interesting article on the TCU boards. Sounds like even they think he was in a no-win situation.

"The basic guts of it all is this. Coach Christian wanted a commitment both contractually to him and financially to the program that TCU administration and donors were not willing to give it. Knowing he was walking to his death in the Big XII, Coach Christian took a job at a school that just finished in the Sweet 16 and has a lot of talent returning. In addition, he is back in the conference he flourished in during his time at Kent State, and for it he will receive the same paycheck but get a contract extension. For Christian, it is a sideways move that provides security for him and his family plus the most recent coach ended up in greener pastures at Illinois."

Mark Lembright '85
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:49:13 AM

I was just poking the bear a little bit but I could definitely see Groce at OSU. In addition to coaching at Ohio for 4 years he was an assistant at OSU and lived in the Columbus area too, not to mention the years he lived in Ohio while an assistant coach at Xavier. So he's lived in Ohio for a good number of years. I think OSU would pay more than Illinois when it comes to salaries for the coach and his assistants (but maybe I'm wrong). But enough about Groce, who cares?

Still no official word out of Athens yet on Christian.

Last Edited: 4/2/2012 10:50:32 AM by Mark Lembright '85

Pataskala
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:50:00 AM

Mike Coleman wrote:

Pataskala wrote:

What he did in the MAC was 8 years ago

2008 was eight years ago?

It doesn't change the fact that his recruiting hasn't been remarkable since he left Kent.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 10:55:41 AM

I don't know what to say, but we are owed a full explanation as to the process and thoroughness of this hire. I think Jim Christian is a good hire and I suppose it's probably a safe hire, but if he was hired without the "national search" we were promised, or if some highly qualified assistants who were interested and would have liked a chance to impress and possibly VISIT ATHENS after the final four never even got a chance... then I have a real problem with this, and for the first time, I would really have to question Schaus' abilities or wonder if he's just been lucky in the past. I just don't know what to make of this.

bornacatfan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:03:35 AM

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.

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

Bashan Bobcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:05:40 AM

Disappointed in the hire. Is there more bad news to follow besides this hire?

Ozcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:09:21 AM

71 BOBCAT wrote:

This guy wants to leave a school that will be in the Big 12, i.e. BCS conference school for a Mid Major? Better recruits available in a BCS school than his former MWC.

How awesome are Oregon State, Washington State, Texas Tech, Iowa, Nebraska, Clemson, Rutgers, South Carolina, DePaul, Oregon, USC, and Penn State doing with those awesome recruits they get because they're in BCS conferences?

71 BOBCAT wrote:

$600K really! This guy didn't win a NCAA Tournamnet Game. We are now past having consistant 20 win seasons. We are expecting Sweet 16 appearances and 25 game winning seasons and many RPI 50 schools on our schedule.

When did we become Gonzaga or Butler? Yes, this year was a blast, but seriously man, to say we now EXPECT Sweet 16 appearances is beyond ridiculous. Who were we going to hire that had won NCAA Tournament games?

71 BOBCAT wrote:

$600K really? Do we really think this guy will make these expectations a reality?

Where in his past does it suggest that he CANNOT?

Personally, I think JC will be amazed by his ability to attract kids to Ohio in comparison to his days at Kent. As long as he gets away from relying on JUCOs as heavily as he did at Kent, I think we'll be more than happy with JC.

Chuck_IV
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Location: Connecticut
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:17:27 AM

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. .

Umm, no, Some of us vote with our wallet through donations. I suspect if he wants to continue to see the donations and support from people, he will have to explain why he made this choice.

Class of 88

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:17:51 AM

BobcatBeReal wrote:

That is not DJ over estimating his value, that is the NBA scouting reports on him. READ THE REPORTS. This is not me saying he is a second round pick, IT IS THE NBA EXPERTS. Look at the draft. It is very weak for point guards this year. Understand the business.

ESPN has Cooper in their player database but not in their top 100. This certainly doesn't bode very well for his draft potential, considering there are 60 picks.

Deciduous Forest Cat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:18:19 AM

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. .

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.

OUVan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:21:31 AM

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.

Mountain State Cat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:22:04 AM

I'll let you judge if it's Christian or not, but Adam Flango, with the Athens News, according to his Twitter bio posted this in the last half hour.

Next Ohio University head coach (pending confirmation) Jim Christian, on the floor at the Convo http://pic.twitter.com/joDmGmRm

Followed by....

"Just talked to @20Ricj who said players know who the next head coach is, we'll find out at a press conference tomorrow"

This all, according to Flango.

B-B-B Back, Back, Back in the building

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:27:43 AM

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.

CATman
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:29:08 AM

Mike Coleman wrote:

For the board, if Groce goes to Illinois and gets canned down the line, would you take him back?

I see where you're going with this but Christian didn't get fired. Not sure why everyone seems to be giving off that vibe? Just a general observation Mike and not one directed specifically at you. A few other posters have alluded he was "let go", etc.

I'm not ecstatic but do think people are skewing a little too far left of center in the evaluation of this hire.

TCU was absolutely run in to the ground by the previous coach. Their 3 years prior to Christian arriving were:

2005: 6-25 (2-14) MWC

2006: 13-17 (4-12) MWC

2007: 14-16 (6-10) MWC

So he inherited a senior class that went (33-58) overall (.363) and (12-36) in conference (.250). People act like he walked in to a ready made situation and didn't cut it.

As I mentioned last night, his 3rd season was derailed when he dismissed 3 of his top players for disciplinary reasons. They started (9-4) and finished (2-18) (after Christian booted those troublemakers from the roster).

I point that out because it just shouldn't be ignored. In year 3 he had them on their way to what looked to be an above .500 season and likely postseason bid (NIT, CBI, etc.), something that certainly is NOT the norm around TCU. I give him credit for dismissing rule breakers, even though it was obviously going to have rather catastrophic consequences for that 2011 team. There are a lot of coaches who would have not done the same, feeling some outside pressure to win.

I'm not here championing him as the savior but people need to gather some facts before making definitive posts. It's a solid hire, one that has a high probability of success. The amount of success can certainly be argued (i.e. what people now consider "success") but I find it hard to believe he's not going to win with Ohio. So if you want to call it a "safe" hire that is certainly justified but lets dial back the "he got let go" posts….or things of a similar nature.

Just my two cents...

Last Edited: 4/2/2012 11:37:07 AM by CATman

My high school basketball coach had an old saying.....There are two things that don't last: Dogs that chase cars and teams that don't make free-throws.

Bobcat Love's Sense of Shame
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:31:17 AM

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. .

Jim Schaus' job was to find the person he felt was best suited to be the next head basketball coach of Ohio University. By every account I've seen, Christian was clearly his top choice and he went out and made that happen. Ask the posters on the Illinois board how they felt about a prolonged search process during which multiple people were interviewed and considered. Schaus went out and got his guy in a timely manner. This is the guy he wanted and this is the guy he wanted. Just because you wanted him to talk to some other people doesn't mean he's not doing his job.

Drewbenz24
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:32:17 AM

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.

Last Edited: 4/2/2012 11:32:49 AM by Drewbenz24

bigtillyoopsupsideurhead
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:34:17 AM

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

OUVan
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:35:00 AM

Deciduous Forest Cat wrote:

I'm certain he will explain it but you are wasting your breath if you are expecting anything groundbreaking from his explanation. I'll write it for you now. "Jim Christian is an excellent coach with a proven track record of winning. He has the highest career winning percentage in the MAC. Jim is an excellent recruiter and an excellent teacher of the game. We have the utmost confidence that Jim will be highly successful for many years at Ohio University."

It's not the exciting hire that many of us were hoping for but it just might be the best. I'm going to wait an see how it plays out before I stomp around holding my breath in protestation.

Ted Thompson
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:35:42 AM

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. .

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.

Follow Ohio Football recruiting on the BobcatAttack.com football recruiting database.

Mike Coleman
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RE: Jim Christian

Posted: 4/2/2012 11:37:57 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.

We should wait til all the facts are out regarding compensation. It could be incentive-rich. Or maybe not. We just don't know yet.

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