Zirg said:
Griz til I die said:
In the only coaching change this season on either the mens or womens side, Sac State hires Oklahoma Associate Head Coach David Patrick. Patrick was the head coach at UC Riverside for 3 seasons from 2018-2020 and actually brought his Highlander team to Missoula in 2018. He has a career record of 27-38 but that was his only head coaching job. Patrick is Australian and should have strong international recruiting connections which could be massively beneficial. I think this is a decent hire. Probably about as good as they could’ve done, but I feel like this would’ve been a disappointing hire for just about anybody else.
https://twitter.com/goodmanhoops/status/1510284689537482767?s=21&t=56S6tSwvwH-mcu20Ad3bCg
He can't do worse. It's pathetic that Sac St hasn't been able recruit a quality team with 100's of D1 guys in the backyard.
While I can't blame you for your thoughts about Sac State's problems recruiting better athletes, I also think you should consider the abysmal facilities coaches have to recruit to and the roadblocks administration places in the way of athletic achievement....Here is a copy of an email I received from Coach Laird after the hiring of Coach Patrick....Please read it through and then make your assumptions.....
Hornet Alumni & Supporters,
The outpouring of support in recent weeks has been truly humbling. On behalf of our coaching staff and my family, THANK YOU. The whirlwind of positive energy and belief that arose from our current team, past alumni (including the signed petition of 50+ recent alums) and countless others who sent emails or took to social media to voice their encouragement has been tremendous. It had the feeling of a program and community that was unified. It felt like ‘The Sac State Way’ had become more than a just catch-phrase… it had a real life to it. A life with principles based on HONESTY, TRUST, LOVE & RESPECT. Unique qualities that would separate us from our competitors and propel us forward in the quest of a Big Sky Championship.
While the recent news reports that Sacramento State is finalizing a deal for their next head coach wasn’t what I was hoping to hear, I do respect the decision and believe that David Patrick is an accomplished professional who will do a good job leading the program. And I’m sure the University will throw their full support behind him as well. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised to see major upgrades to The Nest, a salary framework that allows for a full-time Division 1 staff, as well as a recruiting budget that opens the door for International Recruits. I can’t help but wonder what we could have accomplished if given the same opportunity in recent years?
As the saying goes, when one door closes another one opens. And maybe it’s best that this door closes. After 11 years of service to the community and our University, the very least I would expect in this situation is a phone call and update from our Athletic Director that a decision was being finalized. A courtesy that I would have never thought I would have to ask for considering that we had had a running dialogue regarding this process since the season conclusion in Boise. Instead, I got an email on Friday from our Personnel Analyst asking me to complete my separation agreement with an added note to leave my cell phone and computer in my office. In all honesty, a face-face conversation with a handshake would reflect great professionalism from a University & Department that loves to promote the ‘Hornet Family’ slogan.
Nonetheless, I will walk out with my head held high knowing that we left the program in a much better place than we found it. To all the Hornet OGs who sat on stools in our cramped locker room, practiced in a freezing Nest over Winter Break, had gameday shoot-arounds cancelled because of PE class or were kicked out of gym for Kinesiology, much LOVE & RESPECT. Each of you made me a better coach and a better person. One last thing… remember that you are the foundation that this program has been built on. #THESACSTATEWAY
Brandon Laird
