Ashamed said:
mtgrizrule, do you think it is more coaching or more recruiting? I understand that you need the players to perform in whatever system the coach runs. It just seems that better shot selection, ball movement, and FT's, defensive support and pickups come from coaching.
It starts with coaching. I remember all the critiques of Tinkle and his staff his 1st few years. He has improved everything he had to improve on, to become a great coach. Most those critiques were of decision making and getting more out of players. Credit to him, he listened and he learned.
I remember when he 1st was hired. He said, he needed time to get his players in system. Which is pretty much coach speak to have patience and understanding. I found that a little surprising because he and Larry have a good friendship and respect each other. As it turns out Wayne did have a lot different philosophy for success than Larry did. Larry was more into the hard work and smart play emphasis than overall emphasis of the game.
Wayne also believes in play hard, smart, and together (from the book "The Carolina Way" which is a good read by the way). What separates Wayne? He believed the GRIZ could find more athleticism and versatility than most coaches, including Larry, have in the past. Wayne is also not "set" to his players playing exactly a few ways. He is very adaptable and adjusts to his personnel with strategy. He has learned it is easier for coaches to adjust than players to do things they are not comfortable with. He coaches to his players' strengths, and is realistic in their expectations. He slowly builds his players, instead of throwing them into fire, by asking too much too soon. The only player he threw into the fire quickly was Qvale, out of necessity. Even then, he backed off the approach well into the season, by going with an undersized Kyle Sharp at Center.
Also the way he nurtured Cherry with Anthony Johnson was a blue print for how to pass the torch from one leader to another. Cherry was AJ's shadow when Cherry was a Freshman. He handled Jamar the same way as well. Gregory, Henderson, Weisner, and Deshields have been brought in gradually too. All of them are Sophomores and so mature already, which is one damn talented class. Ward has grown into a leadership role as well. Next year, our leaders will be Jamar, Deshields, and Gregory, all of which will be prepping Dunn and Bradshaw.
It is amazing how much talent he has managed to recruit to Montana. I think that is because he finds kids early, that are versatile players, but lack certain things,he sticks with them, and builds their weaknesses after they get on campus. He has a knack for finding potential with kids carrying a chip on their shoulder, and all of them are solid athletically, but just not athletic freaks. Henderson is the only big time athlete we have. He is just learning the game. Dunn is big time athletically too. Thankfully for us, big schools don't like his height.
So in my opinion, it is a combination of both coaching and players. That is what makes it works, everyone has bought in. :thumb:
