Larry Krystkowiak

[Griz2k]

Hey everyone, I'm a Ute fan and it looks like Larry Krystkowiak is a candidate for now vacant coaching position down here in Salt Lake City. Since he coached up at Montana, I thought I would come over and ask your opinion of him.

Our last coach, Ray Giacoletti, didn't work out too well and I'm kinda nervous about Utah picking another Big Sky coach. I know Krystkowiak left to go coach for the Bucks, but do you think he was a solid coach? Defensive minded? I saw his team upset Nevada in 2006 and was very impressed. Comparing him to Giacoletti, would you say he's a far better coach, about the same, or worse?

I'm not sure if there is any ill will toward him since he left, but I'd really like some honest answers.

Thanks!

Being Nervous at UTAH about picking up another Big Sky coach.
You might want to check with UCLA, Gonzaga, Stanford, and Michigan State in that order. Ray Giacoletti knew how to coach when he got to Utah.

I do not expect you will be having the above problem. There is a new tradition to start rumors at salary time to increase coaches salaries. If you are looking for a great coach and would treat him right Brad Huse would be the young man I would want in my program. I would expect that he is not availiable but I would ask.

What is with everyone's love affair with Brad Huse?

Because he was the best coach on the Griz staff last year :thumb:

Go ahead and send you hate mail, just trying to get you all riled!!

No hate mail here because I know you're not serious. I'm just tired of hearing about how wonderful Brad Huse is. Give it a rest already.

 

[jgilder68]

Well he isn't this year. Tinkle vs. Huse 2 - 0. That being said, I think coach Huse is doing a great job and wish him the best of luck.

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Tinkle does have probably the most talented team in the Big Sky, and Huse is working with probably one of the bottom 2. Losing Criswell and Matthews is bad for leadership and they were good guards, but trading those two guys for Chase, Rundles, Graves and Vanderjagt isn't such a bad deal. That's part of the reason that expectations remained high into this season was because even though the leadership took a hit by losing LK and those two, the overall talent level of the team increased. :twocents:

 

[Grizbacker1]

Tinkle does have probably the most talented team in the Big Sky, and Huse is working with probably one of the bottom 2. Losing Criswell and Matthews is bad for leadership and they were good guards, but trading those two guys for Chase, Rundles, Graves and Vanderjagt isn't such a bad deal. That's part of the reason that expectations remained high into this season was because even though the leadership took a hit by losing LK and those two, the overall talent level of the team increased. :twocents:

How is it the Griz have more talent than the defending champ NAU who returned everyone? :werd:

 

[Mslacat]

Well he isn't this year. Tinkle vs. Huse 2 - 0. That being said, I think coach Huse is doing a great job and wish him the best of luck.

Let's see, Tinkle returns Strait (the #1 or 2 Big man in the conference) Huse inherits Ted Morris a good banger great guy but most likely ranked no better than 7 or 8th Big guy in the conference. Tinkle brings back Hasquet the third best big man in the conference, Huse starts 6-5 Carson Durr, who has never averaged more than 2 points a game at the small forward spot at MSU. At the small forward it is Douhly vrs Dissly are you going to give me Dissly? Off guard you had your choice of Martin (former starter) or Ellis also a former star. Point Guard Casey Durham (Huse's only Point guard) . Then you get to look at the shooting guard and and bench. Tinkle has a dearth of experienced players to shuffle together at that spot. Huse has to go primarily with a hodge podge of freshman and JC recruits that played elsewhere last year, and had only one offer for D-1 last spring - Montana State. Montana ,recruits a JC all American in Chase, has another player in Chavez who could have started for most Big Sky teams, then you get to add the freshman player of the year on the Griz squad.

Now yes, you finished the season in a better position, for sure than the Cats......... but not by much! Most outlets had you picked to finish 1 or 2 (a few 3rd). Huse on the other hand picked 7 or 8th. Huse and Tinkle are both great coaches both were in contention for the #2 spot up in til the very last week end. One coach did with some of the best talent in the Big Sky, the other did it with some of the least talent!

 

[WILD_CAT]

Well he isn't this year. Tinkle vs. Huse 2 - 0. That being said, I think coach Huse is doing a great job and wish him the best of luck.

Let's see, Tinkle returns Strait (the #1 or 2 Big man in the conference) Huse inherits Ted Morris a good banger great guy but most likely ranked no better than 7 or 8th Big guy in the conference. Tinkle brings back Hasquet the third best big man in the conference, Huse starts 6-5 Carson Durr, who has never averaged more than 2 points a game at the small forward spot at MSU. At the small forward it is Douhly vrs Dissly are you going to give me Dissly? Off guard you had your choice of Martin (former starter) or Ellis also a former star. Point Guard Casey Durham (Huse's only Point guard) . Then you get to look at the shooting guard and and bench. Tinkle has a dearth of experienced players to shuffle together at that spot. Huse has to go primarily with a hodge podge of freshman and JC recruits that played elsewhere last year, and had only one offer for D-1 last spring - Montana State. Montana ,recruits a JC all American in Chase, has another player in Chavez who could have started for most Big Sky teams, then you get to add the freshman player of the year on the Griz squad.

Now yes, you finished the season in a better position, for sure than the Cats......... but not by much! Most outlets had you picked to finish 1 or 2 (a few 3rd). Huse on the other hand picked 7 or 8th. Huse and Tinkle are both great coaches both were in contention for the #2 spot up in til the very last week end. One coach did with some of the best talent in the Big Sky, the other did it with some of the least talent!

Good post Mslacat. It was a great year for HUSE in his first year. The Cats weren't picked to go to the tourney and they made it. We definately need to shore up some holes by next year, but by year 3 I see HUSE and the Cats being a favorite every year in the Big Sky from there on out. The Griz struggled a little bit with their chemistry early but are slowly getting it back. What is weird is I think the Griz really have to get fired up to play their best ball as they have too many lapses during the year. They have some good physical guys that don't bring that every game but when they do they can beat anyone. That is where I think they lost a little from last year as Krysko could really instill the FEAR OF GOD in them from the opening tip I love his intensity and HUSE has that as well.

 

[grizpack]

Brad should win Coach of the Year, hands down.

 

[Grizbacker1]

Brad should win Coach of the Year, hands down.

I disagree, the Weber Coach took a team from worst to first. If that isn't better than what Huse did, then I think it is simply based on bias, not objectivity. :twocents:

 

[Griz2k]

Brad should win Coach of the Year, hands down.

For what? Having a sub-500 year? They had a better winning percentage last year if I remember correctly.
I like how this thread has morphed into a Brad Huse lovefest. Maybe there should be an entirely new Griz Board Forum entitled "Why I Love Brad Huse". We could post pictures and shrines and print up "We Love Brad" shirts and bumperstickers.

 

[Griz2k]

Brad should win Coach of the Year, hands down.

I disagree, the Weber Coach took a team from worst to first. If that isn't better than what Huse did, then I think it is simply based on bias, not objectivity. :twocents:

Finally a voice of reason. :clap:

 

[Mslacat]

I have no problem With Randy Rea getting coach of the year, Brad was second. Rea had more talent to work with, but it is just the way it goes, the winner generally gets the award. Brad did though a remarkable job that would have got him the award most years.

 

[grizpack]

There is the difference. Look at what Brad had to work with. Nada.

I think the Weber guy did a very good job too. But he did it with a few decent players.

And yes, I am probably biased. But I still think Brad did more with less. And that is good coaching.

 

[Griz2k]

There is the difference. Look at what Brad had to work with. Nada.

I think the Weber guy did a very good job too. But he did it with a few decent players.

And yes, I am probably biased. But I still think Brad did more with less. And that is good coaching.

So you're saying that since Huse and the Cats had a worse record than last year, he should be coach of the year? Maybe it's just me, but I thought improving a team deserves the accolades. Randy Rea took his team from the cellar to the top. This year's COY was not even a contest. I don't care what he had to work with.

 

[grizpack]

Look into the house cleaning he did when he got there, what he was left with, and what he was able to get. And then yes.

The good news for us is that he won't be there very long.

 

[Griz2k]

Look into the house cleaning he did when he got there, what he was left with, and what he was able to get. And then yes.

The good news for us is that he won't be there very long.

If he really is that good of a coach that he moves on to a bigger program quickly and the Bobcats are left in ruin then I'm on board! Go Brad!

 

[Turd Ferguson]

Tinkle does have probably the most talented team in the Big Sky, and Huse is working with probably one of the bottom 2. Losing Criswell and Matthews is bad for leadership and they were good guards, but trading those two guys for Chase, Rundles, Graves and Vanderjagt isn't such a bad deal. That's part of the reason that expectations remained high into this season was because even though the leadership took a hit by losing LK and those two, the overall talent level of the team increased. :twocents:

How is it the Griz have more talent than the defending champ NAU who returned everyone? :werd:

First, talent is different than productivity. Second, NAU might have been the regular season champ last year but I don't think there are many that would say they were better than UM. Third, I did say "PROBABLY" the most talented team in the BS. I didn't say absolutely the most talented. :werd:

 

[WILD_CAT]

Tinkle does have probably the most talented team in the Big Sky, and Huse is working with probably one of the bottom 2. Losing Criswell and Matthews is bad for leadership and they were good guards, but trading those two guys for Chase, Rundles, Graves and Vanderjagt isn't such a bad deal. That's part of the reason that expectations remained high into this season was because even though the leadership took a hit by losing LK and those two, the overall talent level of the team increased. :twocents:

How is it the Griz have more talent than the defending champ NAU who returned everyone? :werd:

First, talent is different than productivity. Second, NAU might have been the regular season champ last year but I don't think there are many that would say they were better than UM. Third, I did say "PROBABLY" the most talented team in the BS. I didn't say absolutely the most talented. :werd:

Yep talent doesn't guarantee you a win at all. The Griz may have talent on O but their D was lapsed on a lot of occasions. That is one thing that is great about hoops. A team that can play together and with chemistry can beat the BIG BOYS if they don't play with the same fire and intensity.

 

[JazzyUte]

I thought I'd update you all, this was from today's Salt Lake Tribune:

One source close to the Utes coaching search said Krystkowiak is believed to have been contacted by Hill in his hunt to replace Ray Giacoletti and that the assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks indicated he was interested in the job.

http://blogs.sltrib.com/utehoops/

 

[Grizbacker1]

I thought I'd update you all, this was from today's Salt Lake Tribune:

One source close to the Utes coaching search said Krystkowiak is believed to have been contacted by Hill in his hunt to replace Ray Giacoletti and that the assistant for the Milwaukee Bucks indicated he was interested in the job.

http://blogs.sltrib.com/utehoops/

Monty not interested, Morrill not interested, I guess they want a Griz pretty bad. LK would be a great choice, but I just don't see it, unless there is something brewing within the Bucks org.

 

[JazzyUte]

Well to be fair, Stew Morrill was never offered the job, or even had discussion with Hill about it.

Those rumors only circulate because of USU's closeness to Salt Lake. In reality, it wouldn't happen. Hill wants a young, energetic head coach, that's not Disco Stew.