The Jevon-to-Seton Hall discussion got me thinking about what's happened to them, since PJ Carlisimo left.
PJ was there 12 years, and took them to the dance in 6 of his last 7 years, including a Final Four (NC game), another Elite Eight, a Sweet Sixteen, and two Second-Rounds. He was only one-and-done once.
Since he left, here's what's happened:
George Blaney (3 years; 1 NIT bid in his first year; fired)
Tommy Amaker (4 years; 3 NIT, 1 NCAA Sweet Sixteen; left for UMich)
Louis Orr (5 years, 2 NCAA (2nd round), 1 NIT; fired after 18-12, NCAA bid season)
Bobby Gonzalez (4 years; 1 NIT in his last year; fired; he was a bit of a head case)
Kevin Willard (5 years and counting; 1 NIT bid; 2015-16 said to be "make or break")
21 years, five coaches with one squarely on the hot seat. Orr appeared to be doing some good things, and he was fired...and Gonzalez and Willard have been even worse. There is no shortage of talent in their immediate area. They had some brand recognition (thanks to Carlisimo) to build on. And they've made what amounts to 3, or 4 bad hires, out of 5, and more to the point I wish to make--had a pretty quick trigger finger, especially with Blaney and Orr.
Now, here's the kicker:
Carlisimo, Years 1-4: NO post-season, 9th place every year, ALL losing records.
Carlisimo, Year 5: NIT, one-and-done.15-14 record.
That's five years, and, by any standard I have ever heard expressed on this board, grounds for termination. No discussion required, right?
Carlisimo, Years 6-12: Six NCAA bids, 1 NIT, and, well, the rest is written above.
His success spoiled both administrators, and fans. And they felt entitled, so the fired every other coach (other than Amaker, who left on his own) after 3, 4 or 5 years. Carlisimo's record, after 5 years, was as bad or worse than every coach they have fired since, in fewer eyars (save Willard, who has been given a 6th year, probably because of the revolving door). What if they had done that with Carlisimo?
Discuss: What is the take-away, if any, for K-State?
PJ was there 12 years, and took them to the dance in 6 of his last 7 years, including a Final Four (NC game), another Elite Eight, a Sweet Sixteen, and two Second-Rounds. He was only one-and-done once.
Since he left, here's what's happened:
George Blaney (3 years; 1 NIT bid in his first year; fired)
Tommy Amaker (4 years; 3 NIT, 1 NCAA Sweet Sixteen; left for UMich)
Louis Orr (5 years, 2 NCAA (2nd round), 1 NIT; fired after 18-12, NCAA bid season)
Bobby Gonzalez (4 years; 1 NIT in his last year; fired; he was a bit of a head case)
Kevin Willard (5 years and counting; 1 NIT bid; 2015-16 said to be "make or break")
21 years, five coaches with one squarely on the hot seat. Orr appeared to be doing some good things, and he was fired...and Gonzalez and Willard have been even worse. There is no shortage of talent in their immediate area. They had some brand recognition (thanks to Carlisimo) to build on. And they've made what amounts to 3, or 4 bad hires, out of 5, and more to the point I wish to make--had a pretty quick trigger finger, especially with Blaney and Orr.
Now, here's the kicker:
Carlisimo, Years 1-4: NO post-season, 9th place every year, ALL losing records.
Carlisimo, Year 5: NIT, one-and-done.15-14 record.
That's five years, and, by any standard I have ever heard expressed on this board, grounds for termination. No discussion required, right?
Carlisimo, Years 6-12: Six NCAA bids, 1 NIT, and, well, the rest is written above.
His success spoiled both administrators, and fans. And they felt entitled, so the fired every other coach (other than Amaker, who left on his own) after 3, 4 or 5 years. Carlisimo's record, after 5 years, was as bad or worse than every coach they have fired since, in fewer eyars (save Willard, who has been given a 6th year, probably because of the revolving door). What if they had done that with Carlisimo?
Discuss: What is the take-away, if any, for K-State?
Last edited:
