Kent Haslam yesterday

[BWahlberg]

Btw, we have have no idea who'd be the best AD. They would all have to be it for awhile for us to know and that's not going to happen. Most people are assuming the best is this guy because he's been with UM. FYI that doesn't make him better.

Wow...

NO ONE is assuming he's the best b/c he's with the UM - have you not paid one ounce of attention to the news on this hiring process? There were over 80 applicants who were screened by a large panel which narrowed it down to a much lower number and then interviewed. These candidates were graded out by the whole group and that is where this top 4 has come from. These top 4 have been heavily vetted and a diverse group of people with differing backgrounds/ties to the UM have made this choice so far.

No, no one knows exactly how they will do, but yes they have some inclination - that's why you handle this hire with so much process and research.

And if you think he's "tops" because he works with the UM then why didn't Jean Gee also make the cut? Oh yeah... because the current source of employ doesn't matter - it's the overall qualifications, background, and experience.

 

[Growler1]

Btw, we have have no idea who'd be the best AD. They would all have to be it for awhile for us to know and that's not going to happen. Most people are assuming the best is this guy because he's been with UM. FYI that doesn't make him better.

Wow...

NO ONE is assuming he's the best b/c he's with the UM - have you not paid one ounce of attention to the news on this hiring process? There were over 80 applicants who were screened by a large panel which narrowed it down to a much lower number and then interviewed. These candidates were graded out by the whole group and that is where this top 4 has come from. These top 4 have been heavily vetted and a diverse group of people with differing backgrounds/ties to the UM have made this choice so far.

No, no one knows exactly how they will do, but yes they have some inclination - that's why you handle this hire with so much process and research.

And if you think he's "tops" because he works with the UM then why didn't Jean Gee also make the cut? Oh yeah... because the current source of employ doesn't matter - it's the overall qualifications, background, and experience.

B.S. He was more impressive in his interview because he knew the program inside-out, which the others did not! Same with Bobby Hauck and O'Day. The people making the decision are obviously overly-impressed by this HUGE advantage, instead of looking more deeply into the candidate and choosing the best one. Isn't it ironic that, out of 80 applicants, the ones who are already here always seem to give the best interview??? :roll: Gee, we must be the best program in the world in hiring people!

 

[Growler1]

Like it or not, Haslam is an important individual in the department that is tainted by past decisions. The NCAA might be more impressed if UM hires an AD that has no association with the problems of the past.

BINGO!

 

[Umista]

Some posters sound like they are playing bongo drums. Get on board with what is going on or get out of the way! Many of you are making un-founded claims that are way way out of line.

Now for my un-educated assessment of the AD selection.

I had posted previously that I favored Clapp then King and then Haslam final choice dead last was Johnson. I gave my reasons. After hearing from all four first hand I now stand corrected.

#1 choice is Chris King from Texas. He has been around, gave the best talk on what he would do and not do. I like him for his experience and no BS approach. This would be my choice hands down!

#2 choice is Kent Haslam. I know and like him. As I previously mentioned I doubt that Engstrom goes with Kent. If we get him we also get a good honest man. Clean hard worker etc. I tend to think the selection committee favors him. Interesting choice needs to be made by Royce.

#3 is Mr Clapp. After I listened to him I took him as soft and not quite what I thought he would be. I was surprised to say the least. A nice guy but I don't think he is my guy.

#4 Johnson is so far back in my rating and for many reasons. He his over the top full of crap. I am told Royce favors him for God only knows why. We had some dealings with him when Hogan was our AD. If this guy becomes our AD we will have another BS person full of himself and could not give one damn about his staff OR the U of M. Bad, I mean dog bad!

The above are my own individual opinions. Yes I know Jim O'Day and liked him. I believe my top two choices will be much better than Jim was. I am very interested in this selection as I feel it will let us in on what Royce Engstrom is thinking in terms of leading UofM into the future. It will further weaken or strengthen our athletic dept. and might give all of us a heads up on his leadership qualifications and style.

See you at the Dakota game !

 

[Growler1]

It would great for you if he got it..... would save lots of suck-up time.

Your infatuation with me continues.

Cat fans have Griz Envy, you've obviously got BWahlberg Envy or something... it's creepy.

Look on the bright side BW.............if you ever need somebody to scratch your ass G1 wont be far "behind"

I couldn't get to it......his head is always in the way.

 

[Growler1]

It would great for you if he got it..... would save lots of suck-up time.

Your infatuation with me continues.

Cat fans have Griz Envy, you've obviously got BWahlberg Envy or something... it's creepy.

Right, I lie awake at night yearning to be a realtor, and to spend 16 hours a day chasing jock-straps around.

 

[Griz1]

I think before any one gets very excited about the candidates and their accomplishments try to separate the facts from the reporting.

In the Missoulian article on Chris King it states that UTPA increased their attendance in men's basketball by 155%. Wow!!! This last season they averaged 654.5 people in attendance for their home games. Where is all the transparency in that report?

What happens is what happens. Whoever we get we get. We have little or no input in the decision. We had no input on the terminations and still don't know what happened. Our only input will be the support we give to the new AD. Contrary to the position that some others have taken I hope its Haslam.

The insider/outsider argument is bogus as evidenced by the coaches that we have on our staff. Larry K was great!!!! Tinkle is great!!! Selvig is great!!! How did Hogan and Kennedy work out? There have been good inside hires and their have been some not so great. The same is true of every school and business. We just have to trust the people making the decision.

 

[Growler1]

I think before any one gets very excited about the candidates and their accomplishments try to separate the facts from the reporting.

In the Missoulian article on Chris King it states that UTPA increased their attendance in men's basketball by 155%. Wow!!! This last season they averaged 654.5 people in attendance for their home games. Where is all the transparency in that report?

What happens is what happens. Whoever we get we get. We have little or no input in the decision. We had no input on the terminations and still don't know what happened. Our only input will be the support we give to the new AD. Contrary to the position that some others have taken I hope its Haslam.

The insider/outsider argument is bogus as evidenced by the coaches that we have on our staff. Larry K was great!!!! Tinkle is great!!! Selvig is great!!! How did Hogan and Kennedy work out? There have been good inside hires and their have been some not so great. The same is true of every school and business. We just have to trust the people making the decision.

Yeah, just like we trust our politicians, right?

 

[moose/squirrel]

Thanks PR. I suppose that is all you could really expect a candidate to say given the current situation. An unfortunate product of the current situation. I suppose if UM were hiring an AD after a retirement the candidates could offer more information about their vision for the department, instead of how they will respond to crisis (and "winning the right way" doesn't count as a vision - what else are they going to say, were going to have has many criminals here as possible as long as we win, or we don't care about winning :lol: ).

On the other hand I suppose it doesn't matter what they say us (or at least people like me) since we have no say on the subject. In the long run the hire will be more a reflection of President Engstrom's true vision of the athletic department.

For the record, JCU I know Haslam in passing (my kids went to school with some of his kids), and from what I know of him he is a good guy, down to earth, personable and a good father - not the kind of guy you would ever characterize as a crook. Not that it makes him the best candidate, but I do feel confidant he would never do anything to embarrass the University with his decisions or actions.

For the record if I was interviewing for the AD position, here is what my platform would be - UM belongs in a conference with Tier I research universities that are either the Land Grant or Flagship Schools for their respective state, regardless of the football classification, and would work my hardest to assure UM is not in a conference with former community colleges.

You mean like Boise State? :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[flowtowngriz]

In my opinion the new AD needs to put his attention to basketball not football as far getting national exposure. The griz are what they are as in football. A good FCS team ( division 2 to the rest of the country outside the FCS). You can't get more national attention without ESPN or national carriers which they really only cover the big boys. There is a few games that they show but they are far and few between.
So I think we need to get out basketball team the same attention our football team gets if not more. They can be the next Gonzaga or any small college basketball team that is great in basketball.

 

[flowtowngriz]

In my opinion the new AD needs to put his attention to basketball not football as far getting national exposure. The griz are what they are as in football. A good FCS team ( division 2 to the rest of the country outside the FCS). You can't get more national attention without ESPN or national carriers which they really only cover the big boys. There is a few games that they show but they are far and few between.
So I think we need to get out basketball team the same attention our football team gets if not more. They can be the next Gonzaga or any small college basketball team that is great in basketball.

 

[Growler1]

In my opinion the new AD needs to put his attention to basketball not football as far getting national exposure. The griz are what they are as in football. A good FCS team ( division 2 to the rest of the country outside the FCS). You can't get more national attention without ESPN or national carriers which they really only cover the big boys. There is a few games that they show but they are far and few between.
So I think we need to get out basketball team the same attention our football team gets if not more. They can be the next Gonzaga or any small college basketball team that is great in basketball.

Good point. If UM put as much money behind the BB program, we WOULD be Gonzaga! Gonzaga has no football program, so 100% of their focus is on BB, and look what the results are.

 

[BWahlberg]

In my opinion the new AD needs to put his attention to basketball not football as far getting national exposure. The griz are what they are as in football. A good FCS team ( division 2 to the rest of the country outside the FCS). You can't get more national attention without ESPN or national carriers which they really only cover the big boys. There is a few games that they show but they are far and few between.
So I think we need to get out basketball team the same attention our football team gets if not more. They can be the next Gonzaga or any small college basketball team that is great in basketball.

I think that's one of the reason's why Wayne Tinkle was/is one of the hiring committee members, it gives a very strong voice to basketball progression as well (I also think one of the women's assistants was on the committee as well).

 

[tnt]

We can't be Gonzaga, never will be Gonzaga. We will always be a state college with no particular academic draw. Almost without exception every athlete at Gonzaga is at 100% scholarship+ There are more scholarships available than just athletic you know.

That's not to say we can't do a lot to help the program. I'm interested how we can recover a program operated by a regime that thought so much of basketball they eliminated seating, student seating and replaced with schmooze space for Boosters.

 

[Growler1]

We can't be Gonzaga, never will be Gonzaga. We will always be a state college with no particular academic draw. Almost without exception every athlete at Gonzaga is at 100% scholarship+ There are more scholarships available than just athletic you know.

That's not to say we can't do a lot to help the program. I'm interested how we can recover a program operated by a regime that thought so much of basketball they eliminated seating, student seating and replaced with schmooze space for Boosters.

you telling me all of those brothers playing BB for Gonzaga are on academic scholarships? Uh, all of our BB players are on 100% full rides too.

 

[Umista]

Tinkle is a in house guy! A in house hire. A damn good BB coach that will soon be moving on to much higher ground. We all would like to see better and more productive basketball but it will not occur during my lifetime. Naw, we are in the low rungs the Big Sky basketball conf. Low Low Low.

We are small and will stay small even as we end up near the top three of our crapy conf.

Hell, I'd much rather put money in the women's softball team.