Ron, since you are sorta the banner holder for the keep JT3 camp (and least the person warning us of the downside), let's address some of what you have been saying.
We get that the best way to turn this around would be with JT3 for many reasons. But:
1. Change was needed and as you said, you weren't confident he would make those changes.
2. You outlined problems that needed to be addressed (communications, outreach, JuCo hunting) but those weren't all of the issues that needed to be fixed. If fact, that was just the beginning. There were many others such as talent evaluation, roster construction and asking too much of guys, in-game decisions, and burning recruiting bridges). That's A LOT to fix so I think you may be underselling what needed fixing. Putting lipstick on a pig of sorts.
3. You say having JT3 was the easiest way. I somewhat disagree. Sure it would have been the best-case scenario but easiest? For one, as mentioned above, there were a lot of things to fix, and it's pretty hard to ask a guy to completely re-invent himself. It COULD happen, but seems doubtful at least and hard at best. Second, there's a lot to be said that his reputation was going to be a hindrance in turning this around. What players were going to trust that he was really dedicated to up-tempo offense after that mid-season reversion? More importantly, what local programs were going to put aside their grudges against him and/or his offense (warranted or not) in the next few years? My guess is none. Sometimes, the baggage of an incumbent is too much to overcome. Often, new coaches have a honeymoon period in recruiting but at the very least, programs/coaches that wouldn't send people here because of JT3, Big John and/or Faulk would be far more likely to give a new regime a chance over the existing one.
4. Most people don't think this will be easy or that big names are going to jump on this job. We acknowledge that. And you continually seem to want to make sure we know Gtown isn't elite so we are asking too much (and this isn't just aimed at you but also the media talking heads). Yes, Gtown isn't elite. But we aren't satisfied with being losers either. Wins do matter. And we can't expect to be in the realm of Villanova, Xavier, Butler, Creighton? That's ALL we are asking and none of those programs have had a 4 year stretch like we've had lately. So you may say we are asking too much; I say you are asking way too little.
Look, I get there are unrealistic fans out there. And I get that we say we will be patient, but we will most likely get fired up when the losses pile up. We are fans and patience isn't what we do in the heat of the moment. But isn't it possible that after several years of a trend and after the sting of various disappointments have subsided, we have all taken a long, reasoned look at this thing and just said it's time for change? That it's worth it to at least TRY to get this program back up to some respectable level? I feel like you don't think this is the case.
We get that the best way to turn this around would be with JT3 for many reasons. But:
1. Change was needed and as you said, you weren't confident he would make those changes.
2. You outlined problems that needed to be addressed (communications, outreach, JuCo hunting) but those weren't all of the issues that needed to be fixed. If fact, that was just the beginning. There were many others such as talent evaluation, roster construction and asking too much of guys, in-game decisions, and burning recruiting bridges). That's A LOT to fix so I think you may be underselling what needed fixing. Putting lipstick on a pig of sorts.
3. You say having JT3 was the easiest way. I somewhat disagree. Sure it would have been the best-case scenario but easiest? For one, as mentioned above, there were a lot of things to fix, and it's pretty hard to ask a guy to completely re-invent himself. It COULD happen, but seems doubtful at least and hard at best. Second, there's a lot to be said that his reputation was going to be a hindrance in turning this around. What players were going to trust that he was really dedicated to up-tempo offense after that mid-season reversion? More importantly, what local programs were going to put aside their grudges against him and/or his offense (warranted or not) in the next few years? My guess is none. Sometimes, the baggage of an incumbent is too much to overcome. Often, new coaches have a honeymoon period in recruiting but at the very least, programs/coaches that wouldn't send people here because of JT3, Big John and/or Faulk would be far more likely to give a new regime a chance over the existing one.
4. Most people don't think this will be easy or that big names are going to jump on this job. We acknowledge that. And you continually seem to want to make sure we know Gtown isn't elite so we are asking too much (and this isn't just aimed at you but also the media talking heads). Yes, Gtown isn't elite. But we aren't satisfied with being losers either. Wins do matter. And we can't expect to be in the realm of Villanova, Xavier, Butler, Creighton? That's ALL we are asking and none of those programs have had a 4 year stretch like we've had lately. So you may say we are asking too much; I say you are asking way too little.
Look, I get there are unrealistic fans out there. And I get that we say we will be patient, but we will most likely get fired up when the losses pile up. We are fans and patience isn't what we do in the heat of the moment. But isn't it possible that after several years of a trend and after the sting of various disappointments have subsided, we have all taken a long, reasoned look at this thing and just said it's time for change? That it's worth it to at least TRY to get this program back up to some respectable level? I feel like you don't think this is the case.
