Official Utah basketball coach candidates thread.

[Blueintheface]

It's refreshing to know that every Ute-themed thread in CUF becomes overrun by Cougs telling utah fans:

1) Sure you might be fine now, but your football program is going to suck soon.

2) Your basketball program sucks and it will never be any better.

3) Going to the PAC12 is going to kill Utah athletics.

4) That PAC12 isn't all that great, independence powered by the WCC is better.

Sports is the one forum here that is as Cougarboard as Cougarboard.

Signed,

SALUF

Don't worry, your teams will improve. No need to project.

[Surfah]

Well, I was going to guess what you think but didn't want to assume anything. I'll try now:

1) We should be quite worried about our football team, which is "not fine now."

2) Basketball will not be good for "awhile," so we should brace for that.

3) Gymnastics and skiing are the only programs that should "still do well."

I'm guessing you think we should feel pretty depressed?

That was just silly smack. Relax.

But if you want my honest answers:

1) I don't think your football team is fine. I was bullish on the Utes going into the Pac 10 at the start of the season. I thought you had a ton of pieces in place to make a big splash right off the bat. However, as the season progressed it was revealed that there are some big holes on your team, especially at QB. Also, I am less than impressed with the KW's offensive staff. I think you're going to struggle having to face better competition week after week. And not being settled at QB and potentially braking in a new one could be disastrous. Especially with Schroderick and BJ bringing him along.

2) Your basketball team is a mess. It's been set back by two really poor coaching hires. You have a team with no identity, with lots of JUCO players and less than impressive underclassmen who will not be able to help the transition to a new coach. You need a coach who understands the west and how to recruit the Pac 10 footprint. Basically I think he's going to have to come in and clean house. So you're going to need some patience and allow him to get the players he needs. I don't think the Utes will be down forever but I think it could be a 4-5 year process before they're competitive at all. Maybe longer depending on the coaching hire. IMO, this will be the most important coaching hire ever in Hill's career.

3) Smack. I don't follow any of the Olympic sports at Utah. I have no clue how your other sports will do. However I know that Stanford pretty much dominates every Olympic sport. I don't see Utah ever being competitive in baseball or softball in the Pac 10. Track and Field too.

I don't think that the Pac 10 will kill Ute athletics by any means. You'll see more money and have more exposure than ever before. That can only be a good thing. I do think that the Utes will have to temper expectations though. I think you're going to have to be happy with 8-9 win seasons as the 10 win football seasons I think will be few and far between. I do think you'll see better recruits but these will be in the form of additional 3 star type kids, not your 4-5 star kids. This won't improve your talent, but will certainly improve your depth.

4) I don't know of a single CUFer who would take indy and the WCC over the Pac 10. Hell, I don't know a single BYU fan that isn't trolling who would take this. And if any BYU fan says otherwise then they are an idiot and don't know shit. I'd give my right nut for BYU to be going to the Pac 10 with Utah instead of Colorado.

I have long maintained this position BTW. Given the choice of Pac 10 and Big 12 I'd take the Pac 10. I love the Pac 10. It's the conference I grew up in. Everyone I went to HS with was either a USC or UCLA fan. I never understood why Utes would get their panties in a twist when BYU fans would troll them about how they received their invite. Who the hell cares? If you were Larry Scott's 19th choice so what? You got a golden ticket. Take it. I wouldn't care how such an invite ever gets into BYU's hands. I just hope it does.

I really do think the Pac 10 will elevate all of Utah's athletics simply because they now have a higher ceiling, better access, more money, and more exposure. But I think that the fan base is going to have to adjust expectations or you're going to be disappointed often. In the MWC Utah can be expected to compete for a conference title most years in most sports. That will not be the case in the Pac 10. I wonder how long the Utes will stay on that bandwagon or if they'll disappear like they have in the Huntsman Center.

[MartyFunkhouser]

4) Now that's just absurd. Has any CUFer said that?

Sports here is not the same as Cougarboard. Not even close.

Yes, cougjunkie has said as much several times. When it comes to the Utes threads there really isn't that much difference.

[MartyFunkhouser]

That was just silly smack. Relax.

But if you want my honest answers:

1) I don't think your football team is fine. I was bullish on the Utes going into the Pac 10 at the start of the season. I thought you had a ton of pieces in place to make a big splash right off the bat. However, as the season progressed it was revealed that there are some big holes on your team, especially at QB. Also, I am less than impressed with the KW's offensive staff. I think you're going to struggle having to face better competition week after week. And not being settled at QB and potentially braking in a new one could be disastrous. Especially with Schroderick and BJ bringing him along.

2) Your basketball team is a mess. It's been set back by two really poor coaching hires. You have a team with no identity, with lots of JUCO players and less than impressive underclassmen who will not be able to help the transition to a new coach. You need a coach who understands the west and how to recruit the Pac 10 footprint. Basically I think he's going to have to come in and clean house. So you're going to need some patience and allow him to get the players he needs. I don't think the Utes will be down forever but I think it could be a 4-5 year process before they're competitive at all. Maybe longer depending on the coaching hire. IMO, this will be the most important coaching hire ever in Hill's career.

3) Smack. I don't follow any of the Olympic sports at Utah. I have no clue how your other sports will do. However I know that Stanford pretty much dominates every Olympic sport. I don't see Utah ever being competitive in baseball or softball in the Pac 10. Track and Field too.

I don't think that the Pac 10 will kill Ute athletics by any means. You'll see more money and have more exposure than ever before. That can only be a good thing. I do think that the Utes will have to temper expectations though. I think you're going to have to be happy with 8-9 win seasons as the 10 win football seasons I think will be few and far between. I do think you'll see better recruits but these will be in the form of additional 3 star type kids, not your 4-5 star kids. This won't improve your talent, but will certainly improve your depth.

4) I don't know of a single CUFer who would take indy and the WCC over the Pac 10. Hell, I don't know a single BYU fan that isn't trolling who would take this. And if any BYU fan says otherwise then they are an idiot and don't know shit. I'd give my right nut for BYU to be going to the Pac 10 with Utah instead of Colorado.

I have long maintained this position BTW. Given the choice of Pac 10 and Big 12 I'd take the Pac 10. I love the Pac 10. It's the conference I grew up in. Everyone I went to HS with was either a USC or UCLA fan. I never understood why Utes would get their panties in a twist when BYU fans would troll them about how they received their invite. Who the hell cares? If you were Larry Scott's 19th choice so what? You got a golden ticket. Take it. I wouldn't care how such an invite ever gets into BYU's hands. I just hope it does.

I really do think the Pac 10 will elevate all of Utah's athletics simply because they now have a higher ceiling, better access, more money, and more exposure. But I think that the fan base is going to have to adjust expectations or you're going to be disappointed often. In the MWC Utah can be expected to compete for a conference title most years in most sports. That will not be the case in the Pac 10. I wonder how long the Utes will stay on that bandwagon or if they'll disappear like they have in the Huntsman Center.

1) It was always going to be a 2-3 year, at least, transition to the Pac-12. We don't have the depth of a Pac-12 team. You are right about the offensive coaching staff. One of 2 things is going to happen, either Whittingham's hand will be forced and he will finally cut loose his buddies or Whittingham will go down with them. I'm hoping that we will have a new OC next year, I think it is a possibility that we make a move.

2) No basketball team is 4-5 years away from being competitive. 1 impact recruit and a couple of solid role players is all it really takes to get a team back to being competitive. Hell, with the right coach and 1-2 reliable shooters the Utes could be a tournament team with Clyburn next year. It took BYU only 2 full seasons to recover from a 1-25 season (9-21, 12-16, 23-9). Utah is not in as bad of shape as BYU after firing Reid and a 4-5 time frame is ridiculously long in hoops.

3) We have similar cares about the non-Olympic sports. Gymnastics could go away for all I care.

4) cougjunkie certainly believes that BYU independent is better than Utah in the Pac-12 and certainly wouldn't trade our positions.

[LA Ute]

That was just silly smack. Relax.

I know, I was just smacking back a little. No worries.

But if you want my honest answers:

1) I don't think your football team is fine. I was bullish on the Utes going into the Pac 10 at the start of the season. I thought you had a ton of pieces in place to make a big splash right off the bat. However, as the season progressed it was revealed that there are some big holes on your team, especially at QB. Also, I am less than impressed with the KW's offensive staff. I think you're going to struggle having to face better competition week after week. And not being settled at QB and potentially brEaking in a new one could be disastrous. Especially with Schroderick and BJ bringing him along.

I am worried about all that. It isn't going to be a bed of roses. At QB, I am hoping the uninjured Wynn will be more like the one who seemed to have so much potential at the end of the 2009 season. As for the offense, Kyle has said he's re-evaluating everything, so I'll wait to see what he comes up with. Historically he hasn't been a guy who insists on sticking with schemes that aren't working. All in all, if Utah wins 8 games in 2011 I'll be thrilled.

2) Your basketball team is a mess. It's been set back by two really poor coaching hires. You have a team with no identity, with lots of JUCO players and less than impressive underclassmen who will not be able to help the transition to a new coach. You need a coach who understands the west and how to recruit the Pac 10 footprint. Basically I think he's going to have to come in and clean house. So you're going to need some patience and allow him to get the players he needs. I don't think the Utes will be down forever but I think it could be a 4-5 year process before they're competitive at all. Maybe longer depending on the coaching hire. IMO, this will be the most important coaching hire ever in Hill's career.

You have nailed the problems. I think we'll be back sooner than 4-5 years, though.

I don't think that the Pac 10 will kill Ute athletics by any means. You'll see more money and have more exposure than ever before. That can only be a good thing. I do think that the Utes will have to temper expectations though. I think you're going to have to be happy with 8-9 win seasons as the 10 win football seasons I think will be few and far between. I do think you'll see better recruits but these will be in the form of additional 3 star type kids, not your 4-5 star kids. This won't improve your talent, but will certainly improve your depth.

4) I don't know of a single CUFer who would take indy and the WCC over the Pac 10. Hell, I don't know a single BYU fan that isn't trolling who would take this. And if any BYU fan says otherwise then they are an idiot and don't know shit. I'd give my right nut for BYU to be going to the Pac 10 with Utah instead of Colorado.

I have a long history of saying that I wish that had happened. (Not the nut thing, the pairing of the long-time, natural rivals. It would have been awesome.)

I really do think the Pac 10 will elevate all of Utah's athletics simply because they now have a higher ceiling, better access, more money, and more exposure. But I think that the fan base is going to have to adjust expectations or you're going to be disappointed often. In the MWC Utah can be expected to compete for a conference title most years in most sports. That will not be the case in the Pac 10. I wonder how long the Utes will stay on that bandwagon or if they'll disappear like they have in the Huntsman Center.

We'll see. BTW, I don't blame the fans for not showing up at Utah BB games. Utah basketball has been very hard to watch for the last few years.

[LA Ute]

Since I am sitting around waiting for some printing to be done, I did a little research on Randy Bennett. His on-line bio makes him seem almost perfect for the Utah job. He may even be a little too perfect, because he seems ripe for the plucking as a younger, up-and-coming coach. I am a little surprised he hasn't been grabbed yet by a bigger program than Utah.

I'd be very surprised if Bennett is not on Chris Hill's short list. After what has happened Dr. Hill would have to do something to convince him that Utah is not a coaching graveyard, because Bennett is at a point in his career when he can't afford to make a mistake taking a job. More prestigious programs may be after him, and he might be waiting for an offer from one of them.

Anyway, I'd be over the moon if Utah got Randy Bennett. A guy can dream, can't he?

[scottie]

I bet Hill wishes he had done more to get Stew to be Majerus' replacement than he did.

[MartyFunkhouser]

I be Hill wishes he had done more to get Stew to be Majerus' replacement than he did.

I'm glad that he didn't get Morrill to replace Majerus. If he did we would be looking for a new coach this offseason anyway because no way Morrill would coach in the Pac-12. He already fled from the WAC because it was too hard to the Big Sky. I'm still surprised that he didn't leave Utah St when they got into the WAC.

[Surfah]

2) No basketball team is 4-5 years away from being competitive. 1 impact recruit and a couple of solid role players is all it really takes to get a team back to being competitive. Hell, with the right coach and 1-2 reliable shooters the Utes could be a tournament team with Clyburn next year. It took BYU only 2 full seasons to recover from a 1-25 season (9-21, 12-16, 23-9). Utah is not in as bad of shape as BYU after firing Reid and a 4-5 time frame is ridiculously long in hoops.

We'll see. The huge difference between BYU and Utah is that BYU has a built in recruiting pool with the LDS kids. The Utes aren't so fortunate. That is why BYU basketball was able to turn it around so quickly. It's also why they'll likely never be an elite program. Compounding the Utah's woes is that they aren't even really competing for the best talent in-state anymore. Clyburn is a nice player, but he's not special enough that you throw one or two shooters around him and you're a tournament team.

Utah may be a tournament team 2-3 years. Definitely possible if you mine another diamond from the outback. But I'd still lay my money on 4-5.

[Surfah]

4) cougjunkie certainly believes that BYU independent is better than Utah in the Pac-12 and certainly wouldn't trade our positions.

You make it too easy for CJ to troll.

[scottie]

I'm glad that he didn't get Morrill to replace Majerus. If he did we would be looking for a new coach this offseason anyway because no way Morrill would coach in the Pac-12. He already fled from the WAC because it was too hard to the Big Sky. I'm still surprised that he didn't leave Utah St when they got into the WAC.

You'd take seven years of Giac/Boylen over seven years of Stew Morrill because at the end of those seven years Morrill would leave anyway (and Giac/Boylen both fired); strange.

[Top Ute]

You'd take seven years of Giac/Boylen over seven years of Stew Morrill because at the end of those seven years Morrill would leave anyway (and Giac/Boylen both fired); strange.

Damn straight we would, and so would any self-respecting Utah fan. USU hasn't won a game in the Dance in those seven years; Utah has won 2, produced a national POY, No. 1 NBA draft pick, and won a MWC title and earned a 5 seed in another year.

This has not been a good era for Utah hoops, but our highs still are leaps and bounds ahead of what USU has done in the same timeframe.

[SeattleUte]

Damn straight we would, and so would any self-respecting Utah fan. USU hasn't won a game in the Dance in those seven years; Utah has won 2, produced a national POY, No. 1 NBA draft pick, and won a MWC title and earned a 5 seed in another year.

This has not been a good era for Utah hoops, but our highs still are leaps and bounds ahead of what USU has done in the same timeframe.

The same is true re Utah vs. BYU. Good post.

[scottie]

Damn straight we would, and so would any self-respecting Utah fan. USU hasn't won a game in the Dance in those seven years; Utah has won 2, produced a national POY, No. 1 NBA draft pick, and won a MWC title and earned a 5 seed in another year.

This has not been a good era for Utah hoops, but our highs still are leaps and bounds ahead of what USU has done in the same timeframe.

You seem to think Giac and Boylen are better coaches than Morrill.

[Jacob]

Damn straight we would, and so would any self-respecting Utah fan. USU hasn't won a game in the Dance in those seven years; Utah has won 2, produced a national POY, No. 1 NBA draft pick, and won a MWC title and earned a 5 seed in another year.

This has not been a good era for Utah hoops, but our highs still are leaps and bounds ahead of what USU has done in the same timeframe.

Now that just sounds stupid. Utah fans should pray they get a coach as good as Morrill