Will this be the new ADs first mistake?

[bbneutralfan]

He just gets here and has the knowledge of how bad the basketball program is, has no previous ties to Marshall, yet grants DD one more year to turn the program around. Does Mr Spears know something the rest of us don’t considering he was only here for the last two weeks of the season? When basketball tickets go in the tank than he only needs to look in the mirror. However I guess miracles do happen. Good luck Herd basketball.

 

[19MU88]

Time to get on Brad and his boy Spears if you don't like it.

 

[herdfan06]

When basketball tickets go in the tank than he only needs to look in the mirror.

HerdFever, is that you?

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

I’d say this was a collaborative effort between Spears, Brad Smith, O’Malley and DD

 

[The Real SamC]

This is a man who is doing as he is told. Men’s basketball does not matter. He was told to retain DD as the front man for this token effort and that is what he did. If he has any feelings on the matter otherwise, then that is the price he paid to get a I-A AD job. We all make compromises in our lives, and this may be his. Principle is a nice thing, if you already have every thing you want.

The only thing for the common fans to do is to don’t fall for the act, and certainly not the hype. This crew is not trying. If that bothers you, walk away.

 

[19MU88]

This is a man who is doing as he is told. Men’s basketball does not matter. He was told to retain DD as the front man for this token effort and that is what he did. If he has any feelings on the matter otherwise, then that is the price he paid to get a I-A AD job. We all make compromises in our lives, and this may be his. Principle is a nice thing, if you already have every thing you want.

The only thing for the common fans to do is to don’t fall for the act, and certainly not the hype. This crew is not trying. If that bothers you, walk away.

Clearly, Marshall sports are not for you Sam.

 

[RhinoD]

I can see why this decision was made... Even if I don't agree with it.

Spears has been on the job for a week. He doesn't want to make any snap decisions, especially in regards to a prominent alum who is now a head coach. The easy route was to give him a "prove it" year while putting together a contingency plan should next season look like this past season.

For DD's sake, I hope he figures it out, we find a couple of kids in the portal who can SHOOT 3s and maybe a freshman or two that can contribute.

Realistically, I hope Spears spends the next couple months working on planning for the much more likely scenario and has a blueprint in place for making the next hire after the final horn of 2023.

 

[The Real Mongo Slade]

The decision to retain DD is certainly not the transformational leadership that was promised nor that I expected.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

Agreed. (With Rhino D, not Mongo!) He has bigger fish to fry, including but not limited to changing conferences (major) and getting dirt moving on the baseball stadium (at either site!). Lunker? Exponentially increasing the amount of money available to the AD.

 

[Tonycried2]

I can see why this decision was made... Even if I don't agree with it.

Spears has been on the job for a week. He doesn't want to make any snap decisions, especially in regards to a prominent alum who is now a head coach. The easy route was to give him a "prove it" year while putting together a contingency plan should next season look like this past season.

For DD's sake, I hope he figures it out, we find a couple of kids in the portal who can SHOOT 3s and maybe a freshman or two that can contribute.

Realistically, I hope Spears spends the next couple months working on planning for the much more likely scenario and has a blueprint in place for making the next hire after the final horn of 2023.

I think this hits the nail on the head. It would have been tough for Spears to fire Dan at this given moment, I was hoping Dan would just retire and let Spears off the hook but he didn't. Who knows what was said behind closed doors, it's possible that Spears told Dan I'll give you next year but we need "significant improvement" (a wonderfully nebulous term) if you expect to coach into your 80's. I really think 2023 will be Dan's swan song and he should leave with no hard feelings. I do hope we can be much better on the court next year but I don't expect that to happen.

 

[exHerdSID]

I'll give Spears a pass on this one, not a thumbs up or down. On the list of his high priority items, I would suspect he has been charged with #1 getting the finances in high gear, which ties directly to facilities, including the baseball stadium. I'd give him at least a couple of months to evaluate staff.
I am also sure he will be charged with making sure that Danny shows how he plans to run the program for the next year, making whatever changes are needed. I am sure that no one is more disappointed in the past year than Danny. He has been around basketball and Marshall to know that the current state of the program is unacceptable. I look to the portal for some action.

 

[ekal]

Lots of quality coaches have been let go lately. Doubt if MU would have been criticized if it let Dan's contract expire and not be renewed. But we now know that Dan has another year to right the ship. He will have to reshape the roster with transfers and high school talent. I predict Kinsey will not be back. Hope Killen stays along with the good freshmen he brought in last year, plus Taylor. Biggest need is a leader at point guard who can penetrate and dish off.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

This move puts Marshall in a good light for the long term. They give Dan another year, appeasing his fans and donors who like him. But also giving Spears a year to get acclimated and have a plan in place for his replacement after the 22-23 season.

This keeps the donors happy but knowing next season will likely be his last. Unless a miracle happens.

We’ll likey suffer for next season but with this decision we have protected donor base from bolting. Jmho. May not agree with it but it was the better move for the school.

 

[MarshallManiac]

I'm ok with giving Dan another year. The problem is, Elmore, Peneva and Burks are all out of eligibility and I don't have a lot of confidence in him finding enough talent to duplicate that team. My hope is that they had a discussion that included how they would go separate ways if next season doesn't show a drastic improvement. Dan is a Marshall guy...I don't want to see him get the Mark Snyder treatment. If he can't turn it around, I hope he will agree to retire.

 

[19MU88]

The decision to retain DD is certainly not the transformational leadership that was promised nor that I expected.

catching on quickly Sam.

 

[caliherd]

This move puts Marshall in a good light for the long term. They give Dan another year, appeasing his fans and donors who like him. But also giving Spears a year to get acclimated and have a plan in place for his replacement after the 22-23 season.

This keeps the donors happy but knowing next season will likely be his last. Unless a miracle happens.

We’ll likey suffer for next season but with this decision we have protected donor base from bolting. Jmho. May not agree with it but it was the better move for the school.

The big thing that worries me with this move is there are some great coaches out there this year who need a school to give them a redemption stop to get back To a big time program. Someone will take a chance on them and they probably won’t be available next year. IE Marshall, Brannon etc.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

The big thing that worries me with this move is there are some great coaches out there this year who need a school to give them a redemption stop to get back To a big time program. Someone will take a chance on them and they probably won’t be available next year. IE Marshall, Brannon etc.

cali - If history holds true, there will be quality coaches available in that category every year….

 

[Marshall2004]

The most positive spin I can put on it is this. The program is cratered post-Dan whether it is this year or next year. Perhaps Spears does not think we are well positioned financially to go after a new coach right now. There is kind of a lot going on.

That's the best I've got.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

The big thing that worries me with this move is there are some great coaches out there this year who need a school to give them a redemption stop to get back To a big time program. Someone will take a chance on them and they probably won’t be available next year. IE Marshall, Brannon etc.

Very true. I would take Greg Marshall in a heartbeat

 

[The Real SamC]

This move puts Marshall in a good light for the long term. They give Dan another year, appeasing his fans and donors who like him. But also giving Spears a year to get acclimated and have a plan in place for his replacement after the 22-23 season.

This keeps the donors happy but knowing next season will likely be his last. Unless a miracle happens.

We’ll likey suffer for next season but with this decision we have protected donor base from bolting. Jmho. May not agree with it but it was the better move for the school.

This is not pro baseball. Trading away all the players to get draft picks and build for five years from now.

This not “better for the school”. Better for the school is hiring a qualified coach, running off this crew of untalented players, and making an effort at this sport.

And I would like to meet these “donors” who predicate their giving on DD. I don’t know who they are.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

This is not pro baseball. Trading away all the players to get draft picks and build for five years from now.

This not “better for the school”. Better for the school is hiring a qualified coach, running off this crew of untalented players, and making an effort at this sport.

And I would like to meet these “donors” who predicate their giving on DD. I don’t know who they are.

just look around the lower bowl. Have you been to a game in the HC lately?

 

[The Real SamC]

just look around the lower bowl. Have you been to a game in the HC lately?

Plenty of good seats seem to be available.

But the people in the lower bowl have been there for decades. They sat through coach after coach. They will be there until they die off. They are not going to walk away because yet another coach leaves.

But, these are not stupid people. They have seen a lot of basketball. And, some of them have, and more will, figure out that we just are not trying anymore.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Plenty of good seats seem to be available.

But the people in the lower bowl have been there for decades. They sat through coach after coach. They will be there until they die off. They are not going to walk away because yet another coach leaves.

But, these are not stupid people. They have seen a lot of basketball. And, some of them have, and more will, figure out that we just are not trying anymore.

I sit in 102. The people in front of me think Dan is the second coming. Any comments I made about the poor coaching or play was met with dirty looks or some comment. It's crazy. LOL!

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

I'll give Spears a pass on this one, not a thumbs up or down. On the list of his high priority items, I would suspect he has been charged with #1 getting the finances in high gear, which ties directly to facilities, including the baseball stadium. I'd give him at least a couple of months to evaluate staff.
I am also sure he will be charged with making sure that Danny shows how he plans to run the program for the next year, making whatever changes are needed. I am sure that no one is more disappointed in the past year than Danny. He has been around basketball and Marshall to know that the current state of the program is unacceptable. I look to the portal for some action.

I'm trying to put my thoughts about this in proper form so bear with me folks if this seems a little all over the place.
I haven't even begun drinking yet.

Anyways...

Just reading Spears' resume from herdzone, a glaring theme emerges, its fundraising and donor base increases over anything else, and that's fine with a place like Pitt, who has plenty of wealthy alumni in a major city.

It really doesn't mention his involvement with the "sports" part, minus the bit about his time at NIU and their BCS Bowl, that's really it and that was a while ago.
It doesn't say he ever was a part of a hire of a HC or was the reason for a sports program at Pitt, to be successful.
To me, thats sort of a red flag.

Maybe it's the structure of Pitt's AD where that was all he needed to do, but will that work here?
Hamrick had a history of actually hiring people at various programs...hits and misses there, but also was part of the other areas of an AD...including fundraising and building facilities.

Spears seems to be just one part of a greater whole, which he has had tremendous success in.

What I'm saying is, is Spears someone that can fire someone and hire someone in the realm that benefits MU?
Considering how fickle the fanbase is, 1 loss in football and the Joan loses half the crowd to complete BS excuses.

Huntington isn't Pittsburgh. Money is there however, for MU's standards, but its not as easily flowing nor as abundant with economy/alumni.
MU fans see the collegiate athletics world much differently than the rest of the civilized world.

How is Spears going to be able to make a polarizing decision like keeping DD, and then go out and get alumni to increase donations, which is what he's known to do so well based on his resume.
I'm not sure if it's because our fans are in such a deprived state that they actually pay attention to their sports, or if their jobs are blue collar allowing them to take a moment to watch a game or get updates, etc., compared to Pittsburgh who has 10000x more to do and athletics are supported by money over results (common for mid pack P5's). In either case, it sounds like a tough sell and actual wins on the field count more for MU fans than some fancy new building.

At least that's my observation.

Also, I never really paid attention but Spears is listed as the former COO for Pitt Athletics.
Smith is the former CEO of Intuit.

I notice a pattern emerging...will it work here?

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

I sit in 102. The people in front of me think Dan is the second coming. Any comments I made about the poor coaching or play was met with dirty looks or some comment. It's crazy. LOL!

"You should see Dan walk on water...that gosh darn son of a biscuit is amazing."

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

Plenty of good seats seem to be available.

But the people in the lower bowl have been there for decades. They sat through coach after coach. They will be there until they die off. They are not going to walk away because yet another coach leaves.

But, these are not stupid people. They have seen a lot of basketball. And, some of them have, and more will, figure out that we just are not trying anymore.

To them I feel it's more of a status thing..."look at me, I made it. I got floor seats!" Even if it is at a Marshall game.

 

[19MU88]

To them I feel it's more of a status thing..."look at me, I made it. I got floor seats!" Even if it is at a Marshall game.

or they just prefer the view or they contributed to the school and accepted the benefits of good seats that came with the donations.

your take on that?? well, it says alot about you.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

I'm trying to put my thoughts about this in proper form so bear with me folks if this seems a little all over the place.
I haven't even begun drinking yet.

Anyways...

Just reading Spears' resume from herdzone, a glaring theme emerges, its fundraising and donor base increases over anything else, and that's fine with a place like Pitt, who has plenty of wealthy alumni in a major city.

It really doesn't mention his involvement with the "sports" part, minus the bit about his time at NIU and their BCS Bowl, that's really it and that was a while ago.
It doesn't say he ever was a part of a hire of a HC or was the reason for a sports program at Pitt, to be successful.
To me, thats sort of a red flag.

Maybe it's the structure of Pitt's AD where that was all he needed to do, but will that work here?
Hamrick had a history of actually hiring people at various programs...hits and misses there, but also was part of the other areas of an AD...including fundraising and building facilities.

Spears seems to be just one part of a greater whole, which he has had tremendous success in.

What I'm saying is, is Spears someone that can fire someone and hire someone in the realm that benefits MU?
Considering how fickle the fanbase is, 1 loss in football and the Joan loses half the crowd to complete BS excuses.

Huntington isn't Pittsburgh. Money is there however, for MU's standards, but its not as easily flowing nor as abundant with economy/alumni.
MU fans see the collegiate athletics world much differently than the rest of the civilized world.

How is Spears going to be able to make a polarizing decision like keeping DD, and then go out and get alumni to increase donations, which is what he's known to do so well based on his resume.
I'm not sure if it's because our fans are in such a deprived state that they actually pay attention to their sports, or if their jobs are blue collar allowing them to take a moment to watch a game or get updates, etc., compared to Pittsburgh who has 10000x more to do and athletics are supported by money over results (common for mid pack P5's). In either case, it sounds like a tough sell and actual wins on the field count more for MU fans than some fancy new building.

At least that's my observation.

Also, I never really paid attention but Spears is listed as the former COO for Pitt Athletics.
Smith is the former CEO of Intuit.

I notice a pattern emerging...will it work here?

You may be on to something. This may be why we kept O’Malley and want him to stay. Spears focuses on fanbase and financials while Jeff focuses on day to day issues.
You can bet no hiring or firing will be done until Smith is heavily involved. And I don’t mind that one bit.

 

[GoHerdMarshallYes]

or they just prefer the view or they contributed to the school and accepted the benefits of good seats that came with the donations.

your take on that?? well, it says alot about you.

So you're asking for my take on something and before I answer already making a presumption?

I feel plenty do it for such things as many are younger. Sure, some older folks have been there forever and continue attending, but the trend for all collegiate sports has become about status. How fancy your facilities are, how cool your uniforms look, how much of a "show" you can make your field or arena become during a sporting event. Same for fans, who largely support said sports, they want to be able to say how close to the game they got more than the game itself.

 

[bbneutralfan]

Very true. I would take Greg Marshall in a heartbeat

Fired at Wichita State under cloud of allegations of player abuse both verbal and physical plus he would be yet another retread here since he was once an assistant. I believe both Smith and Spears will not want his baggage. JMO

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

Fired at Wichita State under cloud of allegations of player abuse both verbal and physical plus he would be yet another retread here since he was once an assistant. I believe both Smith and Spears will not want his baggage. JMO

He does have some baggage but his record as a coach is excellent. Plus, as I have said before, we've given chances to football players arrested/dismissed from other schools for robbery, drugs, and DUI - why not give him a chance. Auburn gave Bruce Pearl a chance and it's worked out well for them.

 

[W-S HerdFan]

On the fan base/attendance issue: As has been stated ad nauseum (sp), Huntington is lacking in terms of competing athletic choices. MU, for better or worse, is in the cat birds seat. And it seems to me like the basketball attendance seems to outperform the football attendance % wise as the season progresses. There were like 5000 at the last home game. MU fans are loathe to completely walk away from the bball program. jmo

 

[19MU88]

No ....I already saw your take on folks with good seats. "Look at me" remember?

 

[HerdFB1]

My guess is that the AD will take his 1st year to evaluate DD as the coach after this year.

 

[THUNDERGround]

Okay, I get the, "At least I gave him a chance." out. But what is miraculously going to happen in the next 8 months that is going to enable Marshall basketball to pull a complete 180? I wonder how much of this was inner politics?


Rumor has it that a BOG member stated that DD was going to go another year or two...and that was two years ago. I'm sorry, but I just don't see how we improve that much and how DD can save any face at all. If next season gets to January and we are about the same as this year, the Cam will be giant mausoleum. They will be giving away a mens ticket with the purchase of a volleyball ticket.

 

[Herdmaster]

People need to take their emotions and start thinking logical. Spears make the correct move by only signing DD for a 1-year contract.

DD has really less than a year to get this ship sailing on the correct course or he is history. If by January thing are not sailing correctly, then he can terminate the contract and let the assist coach complete the season.

In the meantime, Spears has time to comb the nation and find a coach that will bring the HERD's legacy back to the top where it belongs.

 

[Rock98Dog]

People need to take their emotions and start thinking logical. Spears make the correct move by only signing DD for a 1-year contract.

DD has really less than a year to get this ship sailing on the correct course or he is history. If by January thing are not sailing correctly, then he can terminate the contract and let the assist coach complete the season.

In the meantime, Spears has time to comb the nation and find a coach that will bring the HERD's legacy back to the top where it belongs.

Any aspiring AD should have a list of coaches for every sport in his desk drawer for the day he finally gets his job. They should know the type of person they want, the style they want and the price range and have it sorted.

 

[RhinoD]

On the fan base/attendance issue: As has been stated ad nauseum (sp), Huntington is lacking in terms of competing athletic choices. MU, for better or worse, is in the cat birds seat. And it seems to me like the basketball attendance seems to outperform the football attendance % wise as the season progresses. There were like 5000 at the last home game. MU fans are loathe to completely walk away from the bball program. jmo

Marshall basketball has a lot of potential on the fan engagement front... There isn't shit to do in the winter in Huntington after football ends. Basketball is indoors (not weather dependent), takes about 2 hours (don't have to dedicate a whole day to it), and it appeals to kids (thousands of kids play youth/middle school/high school basketball within an hour of MU).

Spears is a smart guy, he will figure it out... Even if most of us do feel like he punted on the DD decision.

 

[The Real SamC]

People need to take their emotions and start thinking logical. Spears make the correct move by only signing DD for a 1-year contract.

DD has really less than a year to get this ship sailing on the correct course or he is history. If by January thing are not sailing correctly, then he can terminate the contract and let the assist coach complete the season.

You need to read the PR more closely.

Spears: “Coach Danny and I have a contract…that allows us to extend it for a year and then he and i are going to work on a series of contracts.”

DD was not renewed for a year. His current contract was renewed for a year on the same terms, in order to give him and the AD time to work on a series of contacts.

DD will be here for as long as he wishes, or his health stays good. That simple. A series of contracts. As long as he wants. He is more powerful, via his relationship with the governor and via his relatives in high places, than the AD. That simple.

The school, and the AD, has made the decision that a token effort is all that is required in MBB, and the above comments about the 4 to 5K of the local elderly that show up for the games no matter what and have bought into this cornpone act about false nostalgia for a time that never was and getting all crazy about one lucky week are a big part of that.

Further when DD goes, and that will be his (or God’s) decision as to when, he will be replaced by someone from his staff, or some random retread. Not anybody on the short list of any program trying to win. Because we are not trying to win. This is a token effort, and when does football start?

 

[19MU88]

Whatever Sam......another season like this past year and I guaranty he will be gone.

check back with me at the end of next season.